Spinal fusion doesn’t end woman’s chance at healing
When I first went to see Dr. Chavez I will openly admit that while I was very hopeful, I was just as hesitant and skeptic as well. After dealing with severe chronic back pain for the last ten years, I have seen my share of Doctors and healers. I have seen everyone from neurologists, pain doctors, thoracic surgeons, acupuncturists, traditional chiropractors; basically if the care is provided I have attempted it. Every year passing by, it seemed as if I was slowly slipping away, becoming weaker and taking on some type of new sickness in my body. With each new doctor I became excited, optimistic, convincing myself that this was it, this doctor was the one, and it would not be long until I was well again! Then some time would pass and my excitement would slowly dwindle down and just like clockwork I would start to see the same reaction within my doctors. I would feel as if though my doctors would become frustrated with my lack of progress, not being a quick fix or easy to diagnose, so just like the doctor before I would be “referred to someone more equipped to handle my pain.” Eventually it became nearly impossible to see any light waiting at the end of my tunnel, so many times I have wanted to give up and loose hope of ever getting better. When you see the consistent lack of confidence in those who should be making you well, what is suppose to be reassuring you? So after picking myself up time and time again, my hesitance was not so much in Dr. Chavez but more in preparation to be let down again. Let me assure you that this was never the case and months later I still hold all my confidence within the NUCCA practice and especially Dr. Chavez.
I knew almost immediately that this was the place I needed to be, and that Dr. Chavez was the person who would heal me, there were no doubts at all. This feeling came from the energy I felt just being there, the energy Dr. Chavez puts off is absolutely incredible, and there are no words. It is as if you just feel his confidence in healing, his positive drive to want to help, it becomes so contagious that I started believing in myself again, my hope started to shine more and more just by being in his presence and hearing all of his encouragement. It is always hard at first for me to discuss all my symptoms, after two major back surgeries at such a young age, I realize all the mistakes I have personally made to complicate my path to healing. I have allowed injections and procedures that should have never been done since then, I have managed to accumulate quite the medicine cabinet, I could literally blame myself for hours for all the bad decisions I have made. Often sharing that, leaves me with some sort of lecture or criticism, and when I began to share these things with Dr. Chavez I was pleasantly surprised when he just sat there listening, with no judgment at all. I never felt ashamed or embarrassed; it just left me feeling more comfortable to open up more about my past and current conditions, allowing for a purely honest and open relationship. When I felt as if though I could not be any more astonished by this man he had asked me to bring in all of my medical records so he could take them home and look them all over for himself, this was a hefty stack of papers, he had also mentioned to me that if I ever wanted any advice or needed any help with any of my back doctors or problems he would do whatever he could to help outside of his office. I wanted to cry, in fact I did cry on the way home, for the first time I felt someone was fighting just as hard as me, someone really wanted to see me get better and I could feel it completely, I was almost overwhelmed with excitement.
It was unsure how far I would come with this program since I have a spinal fusion and hardware along my spine, but knowing any change would be a positive change, I never concerned myself to much with the exact numbers. However now that my own body has surprised me that’s a little different, I have come a long way in a short time, much further than ever expected. My shoulders are actually balanced out to zero! INCREDIBLE! My head doesn’t appear as if though it wants to roll away, I can walk straight with my head up and looking out straight. I do not think I have done that in over ten years, so I felt great about it! Even my hips continue to balance out, there are not at zero yet, but much closer than they were six months ago and I have total faith that I will get there. It is very exciting to see my progress every week, and it is almost just as exciting to see Dr. Chavez care so much about one persons progress. He has also helped me to start working on a journal so I can begin healing emotionally as well, the entire program is a process of being well as a person in and out, not covering the symptoms with a band aid. I have slowly began feeling better physically as my headaches are almost completely gone, the sensitivity of my skin is hardly noticeable and the tension among my left side is slowly going away. Mentally I feel happier, more enthusiastic and enlightened knowing that my chance of a real future still applies.
Dr. Chavez has been there for me in so many ways, I could go on forever, things not even relating to my back at all, he has been a huge emotional support for me and I thank my angels every day that my path has led me to him. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for your healing and my complete appreciation for you believing in me, so that I may start believing in myself again.
-Michelle Carlson October, 2010
