Kyota’s Story: Thank You Dr. Seckin

Dear Dr. Seckin,

Words cannot explain the endearment that I have in my heart for you and your staff. The love, patience, and serenity that I experienced while under your care.

About me

I am a 35-year-old African-American woman living in Texas. I am a single parent of three beautiful children, ages 16, 13, and 11.

Th first symptoms

In 2009 I started experiencing a change in my cycles. It went from three to seven days with a lot more abdominal pain. I felt that I was just getting older and it was just a change in my body so I accepted that reasoning and thought nothing of it. As time passed the pain became more and more intense. At this point, I knew that something was going on. I would have flare-ups and could not do anything but ball up and cry on the floor. I could not move. So, I went to my OB/GYN and she told me:

“it’s just a heavy cycle” or “you’re just getting older” or “the pain is just in your head”.

REALLY???

I started searching for different OB/GYN’s because the pain was getting more and more intense. During this time I could not even sit flat on any chairs. I had to switch from side to side. I walked very slowly and I was embarrassed all the time because it was very noticeable.

After multiple CT scans, MRIs, and pelvic ultrasounds the doctor told me he wanted to perform a laparoscopic diagnostic procedure. I did not care what he did. I just needed relief from the pain.

The first laparoscopic surgery

After the surgery in 2010, I was told I had endometriosis and the surgical team removed all visible implants. They then prescribed me the Lupron shot. The name of that shot still makes me cringe and the side effects were even worse. After three months on Lupron, I felt fine and continued my daily life.

Six months passed and the pain returned stronger than before. I continued to see my OB/GYN who gave me pain medication to mask the symptoms. The pain was becoming unbearable. My OB/GYN suggested a hysterectomy and again I did not care as long as the pain ceased.

The partial hysterectomy

I had a partial hysterectomy in 2012 and I felt okay. The doctor prescribed me the Lupron shot again and I continued to deal with the side effects. I was beginning to experience pain again and went back to my OB/GYN. I did not want to continue on the Lupron so I asked what we could do. My doctor said he could perform a total hysterectomy but I would immediately go into menopause and there was no guarantee that it would work. At this point, I was devastated and tired.        

I dealt with the physical pain every day. Every morning, I had to drag myself out of bed. I was very moody and did not want to do anything but sleep because that was the only time I had any relief.

The pain getting worse

The pain was getting worse and flaring up at any given time temporarily paralyzing me. This took a toll on me physically and mentally. I was missing so many days at work and I was on the verge of losing my job. It was only God that allowed me to maintain my employment because most companies would have fired me a long time ago. When I did go to work, I was in so much pain. I walked very slowly and it felt like all of my insides were going to fall out of my vagina. The shooting pains were everywhere, in my vagina, back, and head. I lived on a heating pad and even used my seat warmers in my car for some type of relief.

I kept going to the doctor, taking pain pills, and trying to sleep in any way I could. My life had changed in such a way that I could not handle it. I was not able to play with my kids, go to their games, or just live life. I was in a state where I did not care about anything because all I could focus on was how much pain I was in day after day after day. The whole time, I was so lonely and sad. I felt that no one understood or they thought I was lying about my pain, or just didn’t care. It was one of the darkest places I ever experienced.

Finding Dr. Seckin

My supervisors were becoming more and more agitated with me and I knew I had to do something or I would lose everything.

I began searching on the internet for remedies. I know God guided me right to Dr. Seckin. I started researching him and was surprised but yet excited. I started reading about other women that experienced this dreadful disease. Then, I called the office and spoke to Lucy. She was so sweet to me and understanding. I explained my situation to her and she told me I needed to have a phone consultation with Dr. Seckin. The day I was scheduled for the consultation was one of the most hopeful days I ever had in my life. I remember when I heard his voice, I knew he understood and could help me. We went over my medical history and my current symptoms. He told me he wanted to examine me in person prior to any surgery.

My next move was to figure out how I can arrange my finances to cover a turn-around trip to New York from Texas. Most of the people in my life told me they did not think it was necessary for me to go all the way to New York because Houston had such a great medical team. While that may be true, I did not find anyone who could treat my illness with knowledge and preciseness. So many people made me feel like I was crazy, a wimp, or just trying to get sympathy. It was very discouraging and hurtful.

The first meeting with Dr. Seckin

I met with Dr. Seckin for the examination and became very hopeful that he could help me. Finally, I was in a hopeful state that one day I would get my life back. I went back to Texas and began to adjust my finances again to cover the next trip. It took me a few months to barely come up with my round-trip airfare and food.

My experience in New York was very challenging, to say the least. I came to New York by myself because I could not afford to bring anyone with me. I was unsure about a lot of things but I was never unsure of how much I needed this surgery. Finally, I made it to the day of the surgery and the entire team was very warm and gentle. I was so excited to see Dr. Seckin when he arrived in the operating room and at that very moment, I knew I was in good hands.

My life back thanks to Dr. Seckin

The surgery was a success and Dr. Seckin did not have to perform a total hysterectomy as planned but even reconstructed my left side so I would not go into menopause. My surgery was successfully performed on July 18, 2014. Today, August 18, 2014, is my second week back at work and I feel amazing. Every day I am getting stronger experiencing normalcy in my life. I walk lighter and it is like a huge weight has been lifted. Everyone around me can see such a difference and so can I.

I am sure that I went through this ordeal for some reason. It was a long hard road. I wanted to give up so many times. It is pathetic. I am so grateful for the gifted hands and warm hearts of Dr. Seckin and his awesome staff. I am teary-eyed at this point because of how long I endured this pain and my life is starting to light back up again. I will never forget how Dr. Seckin, Ms. Kim, and Ms. Lucy welcomed me and took good care of me. I am truly grateful. I had and have three beautiful guardian angels looking out for me.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kindest Regards,

Kyota