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Dr. Elaine Carter
Springfield, MO
Dear Dr. Carter,
The following narrative is my story about Joyce. It is one she has heard me relate to others over the last couple of months, and one I’m sure she endorses and approves. Please use this story in any way that you see fit to help others find the help they may need to restore and maintain their health.
In the days before I brought my wife, Joyce, to your office I was fearful that her health was failing so rapidly that she would not be with me another two years. Beginning with that first visit everything has changed – very much for the better! The light in her eyes returned that first day; and since then, day-by-day - a bit at a time, her pain has eased, and her stress fallen away.
Since we met nearly fifty years ago, until about four years ago, she was of good health, able to get up and go even on bad days. For her, health issues were simply never issues. Then, slowly, nearly unnoticed at first, her health deteriorated. First, pain and weakness in her right shoulder became a substantial enough problem to require her retirement from Home Health Care.
The usual medical exams revealed little, but a Cortisone shot and a Vioxx regimen was recommended. Within a few months the dangers of Vioxx was made public and she stopped using it. Her physician recommended Tylenol or similar – no other remedy was suggested, he simply had no answers about why or how the problem started. For another couple of years she simply struggled along, doing her best to keep up her normal duties and provide “grandmotherly” assistance to her son, daughter and grandchildren.
But, her health continued to deteriorate. She did not complain, and frankly, I was not as aware as I should have been of what was happening to her. Until a bit over a year ago.
I retired in April of 2009; we left for a trip to Colorado a few days later, returning to Missouri after about three weeks. From that point on Joyce became weaker and more lethargic almost daily. And within about 90 days, she gained about forty pounds. We could not identify any reason – our diet and activities remained as they had been. So, we tried changing our diet, eliminating more processed foods, sugar, etc. It did not help. Neither did attempts at increased exercise, though by that time even an increase in walking each day became something she could not do.
Finally, in the fall, we once again sought traditional medical help. After months of tests, frustration, and delayed consultations with specialists we had the results: she had Lupus. No, wait, more tests – same specialist, more delay – she did not have Lupus she had Sjogren’s Syndrome. This did not explain the weight gain, no treatment could be recommended. She was told, “go home, try to lose as much weight as you can (something she had been trying to do for more than nine months without effect), and come back and see me in six months.” In other words, they really did not know what was wrong – they found something that would fit so they could proffer some diagnosis and rid themselves of any responsibility. These folks are not bad folks, they simply do not have the answers they profess to have and cannot face the fact that there are other methods, tools and techniques that may work much better.
But, that was of no consolation to Joyce, or to me then. A few weeks passed, I was becoming distraught, and worse, Joyce was beginning to give up. She was no longer participating in activities and associations we had embraced. She spent most days doing as little as possible, not because she wanted it that way, but because that was all she could do. And her energy levels continued to deteriorate, day after day!
I announced the results of her last diagnosis (no positive prognosis offered) to the members of my Masonic Lodge and requested prayers (several of these men were also members of the Eastern Star group that Joyce and I attended and were aware that her participation had fallen to nearly zero). Next meeting, when asked about her condition I declared there was little change and professed my frustration. One of men said his supervisor’s daughter had found relief from a most difficult medical condition with a non-traditional practitioner in Springfield, and asked if I would be interested in a reference. I was, and your name, Dr. Carter, was given me a short time later.
The rest of this story is one of joy, thanksgiving and renewed hope!
On Joyce’s first visit to you, following a brief initial exam, you told us that her body was working against itself, that what it should be doing it wasn’t and vice-versa. After a couple of adjustments, taking what seemed only a few moments, she sat up, stepped from the treatment couch, and like a miracle, in a heartbeat, right before our eyes, changed back into the woman I had known and loved for so many years – the light had returned to her eyes, and her countenance of joy was once again beheld!
She is not fully back to my bride of 47 years, at our age I don’t suppose I should expect that, but she is back! Back to that wonderful, bright and joyful countenance that her family cherishes so very, very much.
There remains much to do. While substantial weight has been “shed,” it’s a continuing process, with more yet to fall away. While her energy is dramatically improved, she is not yet the “energizer bunny” she once was; she still lacks the stamina she wants. She remains more tired than she would like, and her “bounce back” capabilities remain much reduced from her normal levels. But, she continues to improve, every day and every month.
She saw you three days ago and this morning, at breakfast, I could see (and told her) that more of the stress so often visible in her face was gone. She told me, “the pain is gone.” From her lower back, the area near her kidneys – a pain she told me she has had for virtually all our married life. Gone – gone – gone!
I know this story is likely a bit long and must seem overly dramatic. But it’s true, it’s what I have seen, what my wife has experienced. Thank you Dr. Carter. Your life’s work has indeed born fruit in our lives. Truly, you play the Stradivarius of your profession with the talent of a Heifetz.
I have and continue to thank our Great Creator for His assistance for Joyce; but, I recognize that when “we sought”, and then when “we found” - we found you. You are the instrument He used to provide the blessing to my wife, and we are truly grateful.
Together with our hope for Joyce’s continued improvement, our hope is that you are now and will continue to be blessed for the years of work and learning that has enabled you to be capable of helping Joyce, and what we know to be so many, many others that have, finally, found what seemingly is nowhere else to be found.
Once again, Thank You. May our association continue to be one of joy, may your life and work continue to bring you satisfaction, happiness and blessings; may our relationship be long, and if it be so, may friendship germinate and prosper.
Sincerely,
Bill Anderson
