August 26, 2010

I have struggled with endometriosis for over 25 years. It took years and countless doctors before I learned my pain was associated with endometriosis. After my initial diagnosis and surgery for a chocolate cyst in 1998, I still continued to have severe pain and discomfort that affected every part of my life. The doctor who treated me had moved, so I went again to many, many doctors who told me I “just ate something bad” or “I’m sure you don’t have a cyst again.” It was like starting all over. I was at wit’s end. Last fall, I went to a doctor who told me it wasn’t endo, but that I had a tumor that required surgery.

[It was at that time a friend of mine sent me a sermon from his church to pass along to a friend of mine who was diagnosed with Leukemia. The sermon was all garbled and I forgot all about it until my friend asked me a few weeks later if I heard it. I told him that I started to listen, but it was garbled, although it sounded like the guest speaker said he was an Endometriosis specialist. Did he say that or did I will that because I have endometriosis? My friend was unaware of my condition. He reformatted it and sent it to me with most emphatic instructions for ME to listen the sermon, as I was clearly the intended recipient!

I broke down and cried. I knew it was no coincidence that the sermon found its way to me.]

I listened to my gut and decided to get Dr. Kanayama’s opinion before moving forward with anything, so I made plans to go to New York to meet him. It took him just a few moments to determine that my endometriosis had spread and that I had two large chocolate cysts that needed to be surgically removed.

Sabrina was incredibly helpful in getting my surgery arranged and always returned my calls and questions, knowing I was very nervous about the whole situation. She really put my mind at ease.

Once in surgery, Dr. Kanayama determined that my Endometriosis had reached Stage IV and had spread significantly. In addition to my cysts, I also had a polyp, which he removed. I have never in my life received better care than I did at Greenwich Hospital! It was worth a trip. After all, if you’re going to have surgery, you might as well have First Class surgery!

The most amazing thing was that I didn’t feel any abdominal pain immediately after the surgery! (I was keeled over in pain after my prior surgery) My family initially thought I was a little crazy to travel to the East Coast for my surgery, but even they now see why I made the journey. It has been a huge miracle for me!

Dr. Kanayama is truly a blessing.

Caroline