I underwent routine hernia surgery in San Diego, California on July 2, 2002. I was readmitted back to the hospital with complications. Since then it has been eleven months of unrelenting, excruciating pain along with physical limitations.
I have consulted with sixteen doctors since the surgery and none of them have been able to help me. Two different anesthesiologists/pain management specialists informed me that I might have severe, permanent nerve damage in the groin. One urologist indicated that my chronic pain was related to the mesh that was implanted and recommended its removal. One surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers (Los Angeles) gave me only a 50% chance of success with surgery to correct the problems. Others told me that I was overstating my symptoms. All I knew was that I could hardly walk or do anything. I was undeniably miserable. One thing for certain, my sexual dysfunction was not an acceptable option.
I am proud to say that I was born in the United States of America and served my country in the United States Naval Service. I trained to be a Navy Seal and was honorably discharged in 1997. I was always someone who was physically able to do anything and everything.
The tragedy of this charade is that real people like myself, who lives have been devastated through no fault of their own, don’t want to live out their natural lives in this unhealthy and unproductive way. I wasn’t self-sufficient anymore – I was disabled. I was prescribed Morphine, Ultram, Darvocet, Percocet, Motrin, Vioxx, Pamelor, Neurontin, Trileptal, Topamax,
Zyprexa and Fentanyl.
On June 3, 2003, I flew to Cleveland, Ohio from California with high hopes. I met with you and was astonished by your knowledge, your candor and your patience in listening to my history. I ultimately felt that I was in good hands.
The date of June 11, 2003, will forever be my second birthday. In performing my complex surgery you were able to master immense impediments caused by the first surgery. I awoke from surgery immediately in less pain! I walked out! I hadn’t been able to walk without pain since my previous surgery almost one year ago!
It has been all but six weeks since the surgery and I cannot begin to thank you. Thank you for having courage, heart and decency. Thank you for giving me back my old self. Everything is exactly as you predicted. You made it very easy to believe and I will never forget what you did for me. You are truly an incomparable surgeon and a remarkable human being.
Sincerely,
Nandor Horvath