How do I start the thank you letter to the person who saved my life?
Dr. Rind, I decided to write you a letter as a testimony of my extraordinary recovery under your care, so that my gratitude of your good work can be immortalized in your heart.
In mid-April 2011, I left my full-time job because I was severely fatigued and in constant pain. My stomach filled so quickly, processed food so slowly, and hurt so badly that despite my desire to eat, I was unable to consume much. As a result, I was rapidly losing weight. For two and a half months, I had test after test run; saw specialist after specialist; and went in and out of the hospital. The poking, probing, and prickling only yielded one answer and one solution: low thyroid function and a synthetic hormone replacement. I immediately started this medical remedy; but continued to get worse.
Months following, I was 97 lbs. at 5' 9" tall and so weak and under-nourished that I could no longer stand. Thankfully, my primary care physician recommended Dr. Rind, a holistic doctor that specializes in the endocrine system. The first time I spoke with Dr. Rind, I was confined to my bed and could only sit up periodically. Although his schedule was full he made time to treat me over the phone. He even called several times a day to monitor my progress. (And this was all before I was able to meet him in person!)
With an arsenal of ideas including medications, supplementation, and nutritional interventions, my husband and I started acquiring the tools that would make me well. During those first consultations with Dr. Rind, I started to eat more, have less pain, and regained enough strength to able to stand and walk again. Hope was on the horizon thanks to his breadth of knowledge and fervent dedication to my well-being. Furthermore, he recommended me to a nutritionist who gave me complementary advice on supplements and food.
However, I was not getting enough healing nutrients fast enough; so my husband and I pursued hospital care for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Once again, the sole intervention of conventional medicine did not promote my recovery. In fact, what little progress I made with Dr. Rind disappeared. Conversely, with the adage “sometimes things get worse before they get better” in mind, we thought the extended hospital visit was a “necessary evil.” For a week I was confined to my hospital bed, subjected to tests, and was not allowed to take supplements or eat healing foods. I had deep, red bags under my eyes, my hair continued to thin and fall out, and my body continued to atrophy. I grew weak again and could barely stand. However, Dr. Rind continued to guide us from afar: he called to speak with us and the hospital doctors while he was treating patients in Brazil!
Unfortunately, my request for TPN was denied, so I left the hospital in a worse condition than when I came in. Nonetheless, with continued faith and follow-through in Dr. Rind’s expertise, I began the slow, hard journey to true recovery. With help from my mom and husband, I visited Dr. Rind and the nutritionist every 4-6 weeks; had vitamin and mineral IVs every week; participated in neurological bio-feedback therapy every week to cope with stress and pain; made and followed a schedule of daily supplements; and learned how to cook and eat following the principals of the Weston A. Price traditional foods diet. By treating my whole body in conjunction with thyroid disease, Dr. Rind helped to heal my body of many aliments that were linked to my endocrine disorder: Within 6 months my life-long struggle with allergies diminished, my 10-year diagnosis with Irritable Bowel Syndrome vanished, and the antibodies of thyroid disease continue to decrease.
I am now stronger, healthier, and happier than I have ever been in my life. Dr. Rind and I continue to work together; but I still consider my past journey to be a remarkable success story—all thanks to his plethora of knowledge and methodical yet thoughtful care. He is truly the best physician I have found. He supports and encourages me; and most importantly, he gave me my life back! Thank you, Dr. Rind! L.M. August 10, 2012