The day I met Dr. Seckin my life changed forever

The day I met Dr. Seckin my life changed forever. I walked into his office desperately seeking help after a long search for a doctor who would listen to me. I was completely dissatisfied with the care I had received after my first laparoscopy and knew that Dr. Seckin offered the kind of treatment that would help me. I sat in his office for my initial consultation and he listened intently — I did not need to convince him that I had endometriosis, and he promised that he would help me. After my exam, Dr. Seckin told me I needed surgery as soon as possible. As my consultation came to a close, I felt overwhelmed. I had endured the terrible pain and loneliness that comes with endometriosis for so long, and now there was hope on the horizon. I truly could not believe it. 

As I left the office, I couldn’t wait to go home and process all the information Dr. Seckin gave me. I was scared at the prospect of more surgery, even though I knew it would help me to feel better.  The women on Dr. Seckin’s staff are warm and caring beyond anything I’ve ever experienced at a doctor’s office. Lucy contacted me to ensure that I would go for an MRI as soon as possible after my consultation, and Dr. Seckin called me at home the following evening to reassure me everything would be alright and that there was hope. I knew at that moment I’d made the right choice to meet with him and that things were finally going to get better for me.  
My surgery was scheduled for Friday November 2nd; a few days after Superstorm Sandy came ashore.  I was terribly worried that the day I had been counting down to would have to be rescheduled. Thankfully, that was not the case!  Jamiee and Lucy were wonderful and comforting as we worked together to get everything arranged for my surgery the following morning. 

The morning of my surgery, I was nervous and full of anticipation as my husband and I travelled to Lennox Hill hospital.  The nurses and staff who met us in the pre-op area were wonderful and reassuring, and deep in my heart I knew everything would be ok. Dr. Seckin also met with us before I was taken to surgery, and his presence at that moment was extremely comforting. Almost 5 hours later, I woke in recovery to my husband’s smiling face. I was smiling too, because I felt better already! I thanked Dr. Seckin endlessly when he came to see me after surgery. Finally, I knew I would be free of the debilitating pain and emotional anguish that had shackled me for so long. The morning following my surgery, I woke and was eager to move around.  I slowly moved about my room with my husband’s help and then asked to sit in the chair by the window.  

For the first time in a long time I was able to sit and watch the world go by outside my window, without a single thought of the pain of endometriosis.  No pain from sitting, no pain shooting down my legs.  I didn’t have to adjust myself in the chair to get comfortable every few minutes to ease the pain in my sides, or because it hurt to lean back. All these horrid things were gone, and that was just the beginning! I watched the sun rise over the buildings and smiled because I knew that my life had changed forever. 

I find myself smiling, laughing, and enjoying life more and more as the days after surgery pass. I’ve begun to do the things I love again: yoga, bike riding, and taking long walks with my husband. My family, friends, and colleagues have told me that the worry and strain that was evident on my face every day before surgery has vanished. Each day I wake and have a sense of hope that I had lost long ago. Itr’s been a little over a month since my surgery, and I am looking forward to all the possibilities life will bring. I am no longer in survival mode; I am living and loving life! 

I know now that even if symptoms come back, even if I need another surgery down the road, that I am under the care of an amazing doctor. Dr. Seckin will never minimize my pain or concerns and he will always tell me the truth. Dr. Seckin cares about each patient with all of his heart, and he will always do everything he can to help me and other women with endometriosis.  I have a deep gratitude and respect for Dr. Seckin and the work he does!

Lauren T.