My consult with Dr. Cook was postponed this afternoon.
He had a family emergency, and when I called in I was told they weren’t sure when he would be back in the office.
But I was promised that he would call me tonight. The nurse made a point of ensuring I was OK with an afterhours call, and then assured me that Dr. Cook would be back in the office this evening.
And sure enough, at 6:30 my time (7:30 his), I got a call from the good doctor.
Have I mentioned before how amazing this man is?
We went over some of my more recent symptoms. I explained to him that since we spoke last, I had found ways to alleviate most of my day to day pain. Two months ago in fact, I was in an entirely different position. I was sure that the endo was coming back full force. I was hurting. I was scared. And I was ever-aware of the aches and pangs within my body.
I explained to him that lately though, I’ve been feeling a lot better. I’m still plagued by near constant low back pain, but the weekly myofascial release appointments I’ve been going to seem to have helped a great deal with that. And the new protocols Dr. Naturopath has put me on seem to be helping with some of my other hormonal related issues.
All in all – I’ve been feeling so much better than I was 2 months ago.
With the only real downfall being my visits from Jack.
Visits that still, beyond a shadow of a doubt, suck.
But even those I feel guilty complaining about. There was a point there not too long ago when my periods literally crippled me. Left me with fevers and throwing up. Crying out in pain, and unable to find any relief no matter what I tried.
Jack’s visits still suck, but they are nowhere near that dire.
In fact, my biggest complaint while Jack is in town is a general upset/bloated/painful stomach. Not even cramps per se, but just… stomach pain. I think it has something to do with the inflammation, but I really do lose my ability to eat when catering to my monthly visitor. And I struggle with taking pain pills for the cramps/back pain, because I know they will only contribute to my stomach discomfort. So I tend to choose instead walking the line of discomfort and pain, rather than further enraging my gut.
It’s a fine line, and sometimes I have to choose pain relief over stomach function. But if that’s my biggest period complaint, than surely I can recognize the amazing improvement that has been made since Dr. Cook cleaned me out in February.
We did discuss the growth of those cysts, and I explained that in honesty – I had been surprised to see the growth at all. Given how much better I really have been feeling the last few months. Dr. Cook discussed with me again the possibility of the endo having returned, and the chances of those cysts being endometriomas. But we also discussed other possibilities. Ones we have to assume at this point are more likely, given the fact that my pain has actually reduced over the last few months rather than increasing.
In reference to my period discomfort, Dr. Cook discussed with me for a long time a few natural remedies he wants me to try. Which is quite possibly my favorite thing about the good doctor – his allegiance to my commitment to treating this disease as naturally as possible. He never pushes, or prods, or tries to convince me that the way I’m going about this is all wrong. He just gifts me with whatever knowledge he has, and regales me with studies of natural treatments he’s heard of working.
The one he quoted me tonight had to do with Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol), and its ability to reduce endometriosis symptoms by up to 33%. It has also been shown to have longer lasting effects than Lupron, without the side effects.
I’ll be seeing if I can hunt some down this week.
As our conversation was winding down, I explained to Dr. Cook my one real fear.
That even though I’m feeling better right now, those cysts are indicators of endo growth. And any day now, I may wake up in severe pain that won’t go away.
I may wake up right back where I started.
I explained that I knew this was crazy, and that I realized I was putting the cart before the horse and that this wasn’t a healthy way to live. But I also told him I couldn’t help it… as much as I want to enjoy the good and ignore the bad, some days I really am terrified. Terrified of ending up back there. Terrified of losing my body to this disease again. Terrified of pretending it isn’t there, until the pain becomes too debilitating to ignore.
Dr. Cook laughed at me. Agreed that living my life in fear isn’t the best way to go about things, but then also reminded me that I’m justified in this fear. That I had extensive disease spreading throughout my body, 3 surgeries in less than 2 years time, 2 failed IVF cycles, and lots and lots of pain. All seemingly coming out of nowhere, after 25 years of living a pretty healthy and pain free life.
He said I’m entitled to a little fear.
But then he suggested setting parameters. Points where I tell myself now I won’t allow things to progress beyond. If and when I do find myself there, I’ll call Dr. Cook and we’ll schedule another lap. Even if it’s just an exploratory one. Just so long as I know in my head that it doesn’t have to go on forever. That if I’m hurting, there can be a point in sight where I can expect relief. He said setting parameters now will take some of the guesswork out of it for me though. Some of the fear. If I know now how bad I’m willing to let things get before I decide it’s time to go back in, there won’t be so much questioning when and if that point comes.
He then assured me that he is there simply to support me, no matter how I choose to fight this disease. If I want to stick to a natural treatment, he will continue to research different options and share with me what he learns. If I decide it’s time to step things up and get back on hormonal treatments, he will guide me towards the options he thinks will carry the least side effects. And if I decide I’m in too much pain and I need to know what’s going on in there, he will get me scheduled for surgery.
He’s there. No matter what.
And he doesn’t think I’m crazy.
At least… not totally crazy.
Dr. Cook is amazing. Not only is he an incredible surgeon, and a wealth of knowledge in terms of endometriosis, but it’s possible he also doubles as a therapist from time to time.
I know I for one always feel better after talking to him.
When we got off the phone, I called my dad to rehash the conversation. After giving him the full update, I said “I swear dad, I don’t know how I got so lucky to find such an amazing doctor.”
Without even thinking, my dad said “I know exactly how you got so lucky. You researched the hell out of it and found the absolute best.”
I’ll tell you what, he’s right about one thing – Dr. Cook is the best.
And I can’t recommend him enough. So if you’re reading here for the first time, and looking for some relief from endometriosis, I really do want to point you in the direction of Dr. Cook at Vital Health Institute.
He’s located in California, but if you can get him your medical records he does free initial phone consults.
I only wish I had found Dr. Cook at the beginning of this journey.
His patience, commitment, and knowledge make him far and away the best practitioner I have had on my side in this fight against endo.
Even if you like your doctor... Even if you feel like you’re getting the best treatment you possibly can... Even if you're content with where you are in your endo journey...
Fax Dr. Cook your records. And spend half an hour talking to him. You might not learn anything you didn’t already know. You might walk away feeling like it was a waste of time. You might not be nearly as impressed as I am.
But I highly doubt any of that will be the end result.
I truly think any woman with endometriosis could benefit from a consult with the good doctor.
But don’t take my word for it.
Call him and see for yourself.
As for me?
I think I need to work on some parameters.
And then, I need to put them away in a box and forget about them.
Hoping with everything I’ve got, I never actually have to come up against them.
But knowing that if I do, I have the best doctor I could possibly hope for on my side.
ADSPACE
