Right on the heels of Troll-y McTrollerson (how’s that for immature) something truly incredible has happened.
This morning, I received a call from Dr. Cook’s office in California. They were wondering if I would be available to speak to Dr. Cook this afternoon.
I tried to explain that I already had my consultation with Dr. Cook, but they said that wasn’t what this was about. That he was just hoping to speak to me if I had the chance.
I agreed.
I was anxious the rest of the day though. Wondering what this could possibly be about.
When our appointment rolled around, I called back to his office and waited for him to join me on the line.
And when he picked up the phone, let me just tell you that this man had me falling in love with him.
Dr. Cook explained that he had been thinking about my case, and had spoken to his financial consultant about the fact that I was not financially able to pay for the fees associated with this surgery.
He went on to explain to me that he had entered into this field because he wanted to make a difference. Because he knew that this was a horrible disease, and he was passionate about helping to combat it. He told me that cases like mine were the reason he was doing what he was doing in the first place. That he knew he could help me, and more importantly; he wanted to be the one to help me.
I sat on the other end of the line dumbstruck. This is a busy man. A busy man with a very popular practice. He is one of the top endometriosis surgeons in this country. I have not heard of a single person who has spoken ill of him. Not a single person who has had anything but rave reviews for the relief he has been able to provide.
And here he was; taking the time to call me after our initial consultation and simply express a desire to help me. A desire to give me the relief I've so been longing for.
I was at a loss for words.
And I knew then and there that Dr. Cook was the doctor who I needed to have performing my surgery. That he was the one I wanted taking on this aggressive case of mine.
Because he clearly cared so much.
I had spoken to my doctor up here just yesterday about all of this. Initially, she had been incredibly skeptical about the benefits of excision surgery. She was worried that it was too invasive. Too aggressive a treatment. She was concerned that the doctors performing these surgeries go too far in their quest to rid the body of virtually all endometriosis. But then she started asking around, and doing some research of her own. When I spoke to her yesterday, she let me know that she is still wary of the aggressiveness of this surgery.
But that she also now believes it may be my very best chance at finding relief and preserving the fertility I still have.
Hearing that from her, really solidified for me that I needed this surgery. That it was the answer I had been looking for in terms of finding relief from the daily pain this disease has left me in.
Unfortunately, all the same hurdles still existed. I didn’t know how I could possibly make it work.
In talking to Dr. Cook today though, I knew that we were going to find a way.
And we did. Dr. Cook took the time to discuss with me the finances, and what can be done to fight my insurance to cover more. He went over some of my options, and the ways in which he too can help. He really went above and beyond what I would ever expect any medical professional to do in order to help me find a way to make this surgery a reality.
By the end of our conversation, I had tears flowing from my eyes.
I will be talking to the office coordinator sometime tomorrow to schedule surgery. As of right now, it could be as early as next month.
I am going to be getting my surgery. I am going to be finding some relief.
All because an incredibly kind doctor went out of his way to help me find ways to make this a possibility. To help me do whatever it takes to get relief.
I can’t wait to meet Dr. Cook. To shake his hand and thank him for everything he has done for women like me. For everything he continues to do in helping to combat this disease.
And for taking the time out of his day today to call me, and help me to find a way.
I have been alternating between tears and incessant grinning for the last few hours. Praising God for this miracle. For opening doors for me in order to help make this surgery a reality.
And so much sooner than I would have thought possible.
Soon, I am going to be traveling one last time as a result of this disease.
Only this time, I am hopeful that I will get exactly what it is I’m leaving Alaska to find.
Relief.
A pain free existence.
And the return to my life, the way it used to be.
Before this disease started stripping away pieces of me.
Sometime soon, Dr. Cook is going to open me up and rid my body of every last ounce of bad tissue.
A man performing everyday miracles.
A man about to give me my life back.
ADSPACE
