I
have included patients comments. For those of you that
feel like you are stuck in a never ending nightmare, there
is hope. Your problem can be corrected and you can have
a normal life again.
If you are a patient who has received medical care from
Dr. Cook and the staff at Vital Health Institute Institute of Health,
we encourge you to share your expereince and story with
others. Your success will help others maintain the hope
and determination requred to regain their life. You can
either mail a copy of your story to Vital Health Institute or email
it to story@Vital Health Instituteinstitute.com
Patient Comments:
The quality of patient
care at Vital Health Institute is very important to us. Following
surgery we send Outcome Analysis forms to each patient
3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3
years after surgery to track how our patients are recovering.
Here are some recent comments patients have returned
with their surveys.
"The service has been above
and beyond anything I have ever experienced! I have
been so blessed to have been taken care of with such
compassion and the depth of knowledge and experience
has been incredible! Dr. Cook, you and your staff
are amazing!!"
"You all have been so wonderful. My life has been
changed since starting at Vital Health Institute. Thank you for
everything."
"My husband and I were thoroughly impressed with the
care both at Vital Health Institute and at Menlo Park. We felt that
all options were investigated and we were so please
to finally be heard."
"Dr. Cook is a very patient and understanding physician.
I felt like he heard what I had to say and believed
what I had to say. It truly helps to have a physician
believe his patients."
"I thank everyone who took the time to answer my questions,
return my calls and give me respect, understanding
my situation."
"Everyone has been wonderful. I am very pleased with
my experience and follow-up. I am thankful that Dr.
Cook was so thorough and found my interstitial cystitis."
"I feel that [Vital Health Institute] reaches its goal of excellence
in every facility. I have always been satisfied with
the level of service afforded my by each and every
member of the staff team." "I thank all of you for
all the great help!"
"I continue to be very impressed by the level of care
that I receive from Vital Health Institute! Happy to be a reference
anytime." "All of you have been so great. I thank
you!"
"Thank you Dr. Cook. After all these years of pain,
I now know what it's like to be normal!"
"Always great service from a very caring staff. Thank
you"
January 30, 2003 "I appreciated Dan's call about my
questions"
"Everyone I have come in contact with has been very
nice and very helpful. I feel I could call anytime
with any concerns I may have, which is very comforting.
Dr Cook and staff have restored my faith in the medical
profession. Thank you again for helping me."
"I am (and my family) very grateful for all of you
there at Vital Health Institute. You have given me my life back
step by step. I know that it is a slow process and
I still have my bad days but what I and my family
have gotten back is indescribable. We were really
beginning to loose hope that anyone could help me.
You all have done a lot for me. Thank you! I look
forward to continuing care at your office."
"I have gotten more attention here than with my other
two surgeries combined." "I cannot begin to express
how grateful I am for the positive changes in my life
since coming to Vital Health Institute. I came in feeling despondent
and hopeless. I now have some hope again as I am beginning
to get my life back."
"My post-op care was much better than I expected and
very much better than I would receive locally."
"You guys have given me back my life! I no longer
spend long periods of time every day being distracted
by pain. Thank you so much! I will never be able to
repay you for all you have done. My local GYN is also
very impressed at the sustained improvement in her
physical/pelvic exam. You are all the BEST!"
"I have nothing but good things to say about everyone.
All Doctors offices should take lessons from you!!
I have received excellent care every time I have come
out and excellent follow-up after I go home. I really
appreciate all that you do!!"
February 5, 2004 "Vital Health Institute is the first place that
actually is caring for my medial problems. I feel
completely comfortable and have trust in your care
for all my multiple conditions. Thanks!"
February 12, 2004 "I have experienced more medical
attention and caring from Dr. Cook and his staff from
7 hours away than I have received from medical personnel
and facilities within my own home city." "Thank you
for your continued support."
March 4, 2004 "I feel very blessed to have found Vital Health Institute,
Dr. Cook and your entire staff. I came in with a lot
of problems, I still have a few but I feel that with
Dr. Cook and Linda's knowledge and concern about me
as a person, we will figure them all out. I know that
I can and have received the best help possible and
that if they don't have the answers to a problem they
will send me to someone that can. Thanks to you all
at Vital Health Institute!"
March 9, 2004 "The service here is impeccable. I am
truly grateful for the quality of service."
March 30, 2004 "I want to thank Dr. Cook for finding
my problems and the hernia that was never found before.
Since Surgery I've not felt this good for about 5-6
years. "WOW" what a great physical and emotional feeling!
I'm more active and I'm now a full-time truck driver
at the U.S. Postal Service with all that heavy work,
I'm having no problems with pain!. Thank you Dr. Cook
and staff."
"Vital Health Institute was an excellent experience - not only
did I get relief from the Endo but I discovered a
low carb lifestyle has dramatically improved my life
as well. Thank you to call you at Vital Health Institute!" "Everyone
has provided wonderful service."
April 15, 2004 "I had a wonderful experience with
Vital Health Institute Institute. Everyone is always so nice and
helpful and really make me feel comfortable. Dr. Cook
and Linda are excellent. I am very happy with my results
from the surgery."
"Always over and above service; listening; responding
and working with me is always excellent "I still think
you guys are fabulous. You are my heroes and always
will be!"
January 29, 2003
Thank you so much! You all truly go above and beyond
the call in every way. I am doing really well. The
only pain I ever have is from the Interstitial Cystitis
that Dr. Cook found. I have seen a urologist and am
on some new medications. The urologist was VERY impressed
that Dr. Cook checks for IC and told me how fortunate
I was to have a doctor like that. I agree whole-heartedly!
I have also seen my GYN and gave him copies of my
pictures and records from Dr. Cook. He also was very
impressed and asked for the information to send other
patients to Dr. Cook! Again he told me how fortunate
I was to have caught the IC so soon so that we would
know what is causing pain in the future. I have NO
pain related to endometriosis - ever. I feel so much
better! My five year old son has stopped drawing pictures
of me laying in a bed!! Anyway, just wanted to say
thanks and how much I appreciate your kindness and
thoughtfulness. It is refreshing to meet a doctor
and staff who really care about us - the patients.
If I ever need anything again or just have symptoms
I am not sure about I will not hesitate to return
to Dr. Cook. Thanks,
Arkansas
February 8, 2004
It has been 7mo since my surgery with Dr Cook and I'm
writing you so that you may share this in the book you
have in the office that made me feel so much better
before my surgery. It's really hard to put into words
what I want to say but I'll try.
I found Dr. Cook through the Vital Health Institute website out of
desperation in the August of 03. The GYN I had at the
time was certain that the endo I previously had was
gone since in his mind there were no concrete "signs"
that I still had endometriosis, I had a lot of pain
and was tired of being brushed aside from doctors. I
wanted to find a specialist, and that I did.
Looking back it was a whirlwind of a time, within 3
weeks of my first conversation with Dr. Cook I was 3000
mi away from home and through with surgery. It definitely
was the right time for me to have the surgery for a
few reasons, and I think GOD was behind the timing and
behind the discovery of Dr Cook. Now that the holidays
are over I've had a little more time to reflect on what
has happened to my body and my life. I have no pain,
or very little to speak of and I started holding monthly
meetings in the beginning of the year at a local hospital
for the support group I run for the ERC. Unfortunately,
before my second meeting, my boyfriend's sister, Melissa
was in the ER for a ruptured cyst. Being so close, we've
had many opportunities to discuss all the symptoms of
pelvic pain. I also in the last month have met two other
individuals in my daily paths who suffer from similar
pelvic pain issues. I have directed all of these people
to your site because I believe it holds as one of the
best resources out there for pelvic pain issues.
One night Melissa watched the tape of my surgery in
August (I hadn't watched it yet) and I really think
that I had not really reflected on all I had gone through
until then because I was just enjoying being pain free
and maybe even forgot about the pain I had before (brains
work really funny like that). Anyway, since I've been
able to offer some sense of acknowledgment to these
other women's symptoms, I am thoroughly thankful of
what has been given back to me by the hands of Dr. Cook
and his staff. Without the help of my family, who helped
pay for part of the surgery and travel expenses, and
the organized and welcoming staff at Vital Care, I would
not be who I am today. As I try to direct these other
women to find the care and resources they need to feel
better. I feel like I've been given a priceless gift,
to have been able to have such a knowledgeable kind
surgeon pay attention to my body long enough to change
my overall well being for the better. I only wish that
there were clones of Dr Cook around the country so that
every woman could have the chance that I've had to go
on with life pain free. I'm turning 30 next weekend
and I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate than
leaving all the pain and suffering of endo behind as
I enter a new chapter in life.
Thank you Dr Cook for all you've done, and may GOD bless
you in every way!
Sincerely,
Connecticut
February 8, 2003
Overall, I feel so much better!! Before surgery, I could
barely get through the day - even on pain meds.
Now, I'm enjoying life, work, family and continuing my
education in nursing (nurse anesthetist).
You saved my life!
Thank you,
Utah March 27, 2003
I'm so impressed! With all of the information you sent,
and so quickly.
I've heard really great things about all of you there,
and from what I've seen they haven't been wrong. My conversation
with Dr. Cook was the longest anyone has spoken to me
about this, and he didn't dumb anything down or leave
anything out. I'm surprised at how grateful I feel just
to be taken seriously.
Thank you again,
Illinois January 7, 2003
I just really wanted to thank everyone at Vital Health Institute and
at Menlo Park (special thanks to Margie and Ronces, the
two of them were absolutely fantastic, caring, compassionate
and most of all very encouraging) for dealing with every
aspect of my visit with the utmost care and compassion.
I can honestly say that I have never felt that kind of
individual care at any health care facility in my life.
The words 'thank you' seem so minimal to what I actually
feel.
I also wanted to mention that my husband really wishes
to thank everyone too. He was so impressed by everyone
and everything that went on at the clinic. We just really
don't know how to thank everyone enough. All I can say
is that anyone we know that is going through anything
related to pelvic trouble, we are going to strongly recommend
seeing all of you at Vital Health Institute. I personally will shout
it from the mountain tops if it can help even one person.
Thank you.
Shizuoka, Japan February 9, 2004
This letter is to relay my experience with endometriosis
and my outcomes at the Vital Health Institute Institute.
My abdominal pain was only associated with menstruation
for the initial part of my ordeal which started approximately
10 years ago. However, I assumed that such pain was experienced
by the majority of menstruating women. Over the counter
medication was my only source of relief. Then, approximately
4 years ago, I complained to my GYN that the pain was
becoming increasingly worse. Over the counter medication
was providing no relief. I was advised to take Aleve when
the pain began. Ah, why didn't I think of that?
January of 2001 was the start of acute pain that resulted
in 2 trips to the ER. Several tests were conducted - upper/lower
GI, abdominal/pelvic/vaginal ultrasounds, blood workups,
etc. Conclusion: none. Finally a laparoscopy was performed.
Findings: beyond stage IV endo. The GYN's recommendation:
9 months of Lupron. I could only handle 5 and regret that
I did any. Weight gain, hair loss, irritability, and fatigue
set in with a vengeance. And then the pain returned. I
had had enough and was ready for the ultimate in relief
- a hysterectomy. The GYN wanted to wait for menopause
(10years down the road) and run more tests. Out of shear
frustration I ran a web search and happened upon the Vital Health Institute
Institute website.
The initial phone consultation with Dr. Cook provided
me with an immediate positive feeling. He looked at my
history, test results, and gave me his recommendations
- no gray area, no more tests. What an immense relief.
I couldn't schedule the surgery fast enough.
What else can I say about the Vital Health Institute Institute experience
that you haven't already heard? From day one I was greeted
with caring, concern and compassion by the entire staff.
The doctor really listened to me. The 3 days prior to
surgery were so thorough. More attention was paid to my
situation in those 3 days than in the previous 2 years.
The day of surgery was as stress free as a surgery day
can be. The staff (MD's, nurses, business personnel) were
all attentive and helped put my nerves at ease. And, as
Dr. Cook had explained, the surgery went as expected with
removal of Stage IV endo and an ensuing hysterectomy (with
one ovary remaining). Please note that of the 4 GYNs that
I consulted, none had addressed the ability to remove
the endo along with the hysterectomy. Also, the previous
GYNs told that a laparoscopic hysterectomy was impossible
for stage IV endo. However, Dr. Cook's expertise left
me with the feeling of completion and a faster recovery
than conventional surgery.
It is now 3 months post surgery. I've experienced minimal
discomfort with healing. My biggest complaint is the continuing
fatigue. But, that also has been lessened with time. I'll
take fatigue over pain any day of the week! No more trips
to the ER, no more prescription pain medications, no more
fearful anticipation of what each month would bring. I
have not had to take any time off from work due to pain.
I am able to enjoy weekends to the fullest. To sum it
all up, Vital Health Institute Institute has enabled me to focus on
life instead of endo.
Sincerely,
Long Beach, CA "Every medical office should aspire
to your office standards."
Indiana Dr. Cook was the first Doctor in
8 years of chronic debilitating endo pain to make a difference.
My surgery with Dr. Cook removed 85% of my pain - and
this was after years and multitudes of other ineffective
treatments - I have my life back. ANY woman out there
getting treatment for endo MUST see a specialist - if
not Dr. Cook find a DR. who is willing to surgically remove
the disease - do not leave it in there. Hopefully I will
never need surgery again, but if that time comes I will
not hesitate to travel again to California. Dear Dr. Cook
I wanted to drop you a note for taking such extraordinary
care of me this last year. In the last week I have finally
had improvement in my pain level. You gave me hope when
I had none and never gave up believing I would get better.
Now that I am improving I can actually believe myself
that I will heal completely! Thank you for helping to
give me back my life!
Dr. Cook performed surgery on me in 1997 for stage IV
endometriosis. What a lifesaver!!! When I heard Dr. Cook
left New Orleans, I was really upset! Because he "cured
me", (at least from all of the pain and other symptoms
that go along with endo) I do not need treatment for endometriosis
anymore. However, If I ever develop problems again, I
would travel across the country to see him.
Dr. Cook, it was good to find your web page and to see
that you are still helping woman across the country!
Thank you for caring and going above and beyond!
Thanks to you Dr.Cook, I have been pain free for up to
two years! And I am now free of
endo growth...
I just wanted to drop Dr. Cook and his staff a note to
thank them for the wonderful care I was given there and
to thank Dr. Cook for giving me my life back. My last
surgery with Dr. Cook was a little over 4 months ago and
I am feeling great. I am back to doing all the things
I used to do. Prior to my surgeries with Dr. Cook most
of my time was spent in bed with tremendous back pain.
I thank God daily for Dr. Cook and the work he is doing
to help women with endometriosis to live better lives.
I wish more women could find doctors like Dr. Cook and
I thank God that I persevered. About a year ago the doctors
told me there was nothing wrong with my back and they
could do nothing more for me except antidepressants and
psychotherapy. Thankfully I kept searching and found Dr.
Cook. Thank you
Hi my name is Debra. I know first hand about everything
I read, because I've been a patient of Dr Cook for the
past 6 years. To me he saved my life, my family, my marriage.
I had been to so many Drs. for probably 2 years before
I started seeing Dr. Cook. The only thing I got from the
other Drs. was that the pain was in my head. After hearing
this for 2 years you kind of start believing it. Everything
was getting worst, just to get out of bed, took everything
I had. But a friend of mind who was a patient already
of Dr. Cook never gave up on me. She called and got me
in. I really had my doubts. How could he tell me anything
that the other Drs. hadn't. So I went. I sat in his office
with a sheet of paper. I had wrote everything down, so
I wouldn't forget anything. I listened to me and answered
every question I had. And I will never forget this day.
He looked at me and said Mrs. R. I can help you, I know
what is wrong with you. Well if you've been here you know
what that meant to me. I started to cry. I said, you mean
there is really something wrong with me, and it's not
in my head. He went on to explain what he thought. This
was a Wednesday. By the Friday I knew what really was
wrong, and by the next Thursday, I was a NEW person. I
will never forget. After surgery, Dr. Cook said , that
I looked better after surgery, than before I went in.
I felt so much better it was unbelievable. I had no more
pain, and I could go back to work, and go back to being
the best mom and wife I could be I thank him with all
my heart........
The information contained on this web page is considered
informational and is not intended as medical advice.
You should seek the advice and care of your local physician.
Information on this web site is subject to change without
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