September 15, 2008 I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the fine work of Dr. Kanayama and the New York Endometriosis Center. A former New Yorker now living in Charlotte, NC, I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst in November 2007; the surgery to remove the cyst also meant the removal of my right ovary and fallopian tube and the ultimate diagnosis of Endo. My doctor told me that she got it all, and after a few months of birth control I was told that everything looked good and we were cleared to start trying again to become pregnant. I started feeling familiar pains on my left side in late July 2008. I returned to my doctor in August, who confirmed that the Endo had returned, causing a 10-cm cyst on my ovary, and that I would need to have the ovary and the tube removed and that should probably have a hysterectomy as well. At the age of 32 and desperate for a different answer, I found the New York Endometriosis Center through a Google search. I immediately filled out the contact form and within minutes I spoke to Sabrina, who could not be any nicer. She assured me that I could see Dr. Kanayama as soon as I could get a flight to New York. Within 10 days of my initial contact I was sitting in his office. Dr. Kanayama spent an hour - a whole hour! - with me and was thorough, kind, and reassuring that there were definitely other options - I would not need to lose my ovary and definitely not need a hysterectomy. He also let me know that his was not recurring Endo, but that the disease had always been present and had been left unaddressed by my gynecologist. All those months I was told I was fine; that we could get pregnant - that was not the case. Never in my life have I been so glad I listened to my family and sought a second opinion in New York City. We booked the surgery that day for 2 weeks later. It will be one week tomorrow since my surgery and everything went very well. Dr. Kanayama was able to remove the cyst, reconstruct the ovary and remove all the Endo (Stage IV) that has been plaguing me for years. Greenwich Hospital was amazing; I have nothing but the best things to say about my experience. When we saw Dr. Kanayama in New York the day after my surgery, he sat down with my husband and me and reviewed the procedure, complete with lots and lots of pictures. He answered all our questions and believes that we still have a good chance at pregnancy; but most importantly I am healthy and so very grateful. I only wish I would have found him sooner! If anyone who reads this had received a similar diagnosis and radical treatment approach, believe me when I say that miracles do happen and there are always other options. It is definitely worth the trip to New York! May God continue to bless Dr. Kanayama and the people at the New York Endometriosis Center and Greenwich Hospital! Jennifer Breuer |