Patient Testimonials
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"Dr. Cook is the standard that ALL doctors should aspire to be! I've had two surgeries performed by him, and he has saved my life – twice! When my HMO doctor said nothing was wrong or could be done, I almost gave up... Then I found Dr. Cook, and he listened for two hours at our consult. Hello, who does that?? He is an angel! I am so blessed to have found him!" - Cathy S.C. "'I believe you, and I'm sorry that you're in this much pain' – When Dr. Cook said this to me last year I knew I had finally found a doctor who would take me and my endometriosis seriously. Since then I've had surgery with Dr. Cook which has helped tremendously. It was my 3rd for endo and the first one which actually helped. Every visit to Vital Health is great. The staff is amazing and Dr. Cook will talk to you as long as it takes to answer all of your questions. He has truly made a difference in my life. I just wish I had found him and the Vital Health team earlier." - Zoe N. "I've been meaning to stop by to say thank you to Dr. Cook, Gabrielle, Jeanette, Jessica, Michelle, and Linda (I believe I did have a chance to talk to Linda on the phone once). You have a great practice with beautiful people inside and out. I love how you allow one to feel cared for and at the same time maintain professionalism. I'm 2 weeks post-op and feeling much better than expected after a 7-hr surgery. May God bless you all so you can continue to help many more women. I was telling my Mother the other day, once Dr. Cook retires there will be no more doctors like him in California to help us. I'm just glad God put me in your path... Thank you all again, from the bottom of my heart." - Maria S. "Dr. Cook and his team made my experience as comfortable and pleasant as possible. The staff at both Vital Health Institute and the Menlo Park Surgical Hospital were all so nice, knowledgeable and made me feel so cared for and respected. I feel so grateful and blessed to have found a team with such amazing skill as well as 'bedside manner'. I am feeling much better every day! Thank you with all my heart!" - Renee M. "Dr. Cook and Vital Health have given me my life back! Less than 4 weeks ago, I came in complaining about chronic pain I've been suffering from for 5 years. The pain interfered with every aspect of my life. I went to numerous physicians and underwent several surgeries that accomplished little. Dr. Cook was able to identify my issues, LISTEN (really listen) to my complaints, and fix my problem. He makes something so complex as the human body, sound so simple. But his straight forward and caring approach solved my problem. I have NONE of my previous pains! He found what others couldn't by believing his patients and exploring their pains. The team at Vital Health also had a great impact on my experience here. I never had to worry about anything because it was taken care of. I was recommended to Vital Health by a dear friend. I plan on continuing where she left off and recommend them to others! Thank you so very much Dr. Cook and Vital Health." - Deborah P. "Two months after my surgery with Dr. Cook, I am finally through with my excruciatingly painful monthly periods, finished with pain during sex, and seeing huge improvements in my bladder function. I have suffered since the age of 14 from severe menstrual pain and other complications of endometriosis and adenomyosis. I have always had terrible side effects from hormonal treatments, and so could not really control my symptoms with medication. I had some success with an earlier surgery about 15 years ago with a doctor who told me I was 'cured'. Unfortunately, symptoms slowly crept back, even though I do believe this doctor did remove all of the endometriosis at that time, in my case it came back with a vengeance. I had been waiting and hoping for menopause to come along as the cure, but even at age 52, my periods and estrogen levels were as strong as ever. I had pain with intercourse, pain with orgasm, and menstrual cramps that rendered me absolutely dysfunctional for 4 days out every 28. I consulted Dr. Cook when I just felt I could not go through the pain any longer. I decided to have a total hysterectomy, along with excision of endometriosis. Before the surgery, through my consultation with Dr. Cook, I also realized that my bladder symptoms could be addressed through his techniques. I had suffered from an uncomfortable bladder, urinary frequency and urgency for many years. I was very nervous about the hysterectomy, and was afraid that it would affect my sexual function. I was determined to keep my ovaries for this reason, as I felt that the sudden drop in hormones would be difficult for me. My surgery and recovery were more difficult than expected. The surgery itself involved removal of extensive endometriosis; the two hour surgery turned into a nearly six hour ordeal. Dr. Cook honored my wishes by taking the extra time to preserve my ovaries, which involved very meticilous and tedious work to remove all of the endometriosis that was tangled up with the ovaries and tubes. Additionally, my appendix was tangled up with endometriosis and had to be removed as well. One of the things that was most impressive about Dr. Cook and his staff was how patient and concerned they were during my relatively long and slightly complicated recovery. I developed a bladder infection, I had reactions to the pain medications and antibiotics, I was a bit slow to return to full health. However, they were in touch with me, scheduled extra phone and office follow up appointments to make sure my recovery was on the right track. And it was! By the end of two months I was experiencing a whole new comfort level in my body. Sex is better than ever! I am also deighted that I forget for hours at a time when I am out in the world about the possible need to find a place to pee. I used to know within minutes of arriving at a place where the bathroom was, because of my constant feeling of urgency. I also can sleep through an entire night without waking up to use the restroom which was unheard of for many years prior to this surgery. AND, I was able to sit for a cross country flight at a window seat, and only had to use the restroom once. So thank you, Dr. Cook, for giving me a chance to experience my body in a whole new way, with freedom from pelvic pain. I am still learning all the time about what this surgery has given me. I know I made the right choice." - S.C. "When I first came to Vital Health in 2004, I experienced a kindness and realness that I had not experienced in the other medical care facilities. What was most comforting was the communication with Dr. Cook. He, as compared to so many other doctors, took an extensive amount of time to learn my history, listened without judgment, and spoke in terms that I would understand. He put a plan together on my very first appointment, with the intent of having me feeling at least 50% better. Throughout my continued care with Vital Health, I have experienced procedures that have been very beneficial and some that have not helped as much. Although others may be discouraged by that statement, for me, it has probably been the most important part of my care. What that means is that Dr. Cook has never stopped looking for ways to improve my medical condition, as well as my overall health. It has been a long journey for me, but as predicted 6 years ago, I am feeling at least 50% better. In the last year I have done things I never thought I would do again and actually enjoy doing them! My faith and confidence in Dr. Cook is more than I have ever experienced with any medical professional. He is the definition of outstanding medical care. He has coupled his professional expertise with the best 'bedside manner' I have ever encountered. When you marry that to the perfect staff, there is not a facility that can compare to Vital Health. The entire staff provide a high level of professionalism and care to their patients. What Vital Health offers most, is support and hope. 'Thank you' is not nearly a grand enough gesture to express my gratitude for all that I have gained because of Dr. Cook and the staff of Vital Health. However, it [is] very sincere and heartfelt. 'Thank you' for the continued compassion you have all given and for all you have done to make my life better and more fulfilled." - Janice F. "To all the women suffering from endometriosis... it is real and I feel your pain! Well, truthfully, not any more (in a physical sense anyway). I had suffered from endometriosis from my early 20's and it became progressively worse in my 30's and 40's. There are many theories as to what causes the disease and as a physician myself I searched for a cause and a cure. One thing I did know is that I wanted to find a physician who was dedicated and passionate in his/her work related to this disease. I realize that the best doctors out there are those that truly have compassion to help, and to find a cure for ailments and disease. I believe you will find these qualities in Dr. Cook and his wonderful caring team of empathetic, caring and compassionate souls. Last year, I was at wit's end with pelvic pain, wondering if it was all in my head. After doing some research I encountered Dr. Cook's website and decided to give him a call. I spoke to him by phone and immediately felt at ease as he answered all my questions and I knew I would be in good hands. I took a leap of faith and scheduled surgery with him exactly one year ago today. The office staff is very helpful in many regards beginning with insurance coverage to finding a place to recover (if you're out of town) as well as all post-operative issues. The staff did not forget me after surgery either as I had scheduled phone appointments throughout the year to check on my progress and to make sure I was feeling better. I think what most impressed me with Dr. Cook is his comprehensive approach to women's health. He did not only address my main complaints related to the endometriosis, but was also concerned about other health issues I was dealing with at the time, and took the time to give me the appropriate referrals. Being a doctor, myself, I realize what an undertaking that may be as many doctors, pressured by time constraints, will generally address one issue per visit. Although Dr. Cook is a specialist and cannot address all of one's health problems, I feel he is truly concerned in helping his patients feel better overall. So, I am writing this as a testimonial, as a year has passed and I feel like a new woman! Gone are the days when I would have pain limiting my activities or preventing me from enjoying my life. I urge women who have endometriosis and struggle with pain, bleeding and other symptoms related to this disease to seek the knowledge, compassion and keen surgical skills that Dr. Cook possesses. You will not regret it and it will be money well spent... on your health and ultimately your quality of life!" - Dr. Maggie "I came to Dr. Cook with a diagnosis of endometriosis in 2006. After years of chronic pelvic pain, half a dozen doctors, and two surgeries, I finally had a diagnosis, but I was still lacking a doctor I trusted. From my first meeting with Dr. Cook and his staff, they expressed an understanding and caring not only for my personal situation but for that all women in pain who are left unsatisfied and frustrated by the medical profession. My own knowledge of my body was validated, and Dr. Cook helped me design lifestyle changes to help my condition. In 2010, after doing all I could noninvasively, I finally had Dr. Cook perform a laparoscopy to remove the endo and other adhesions that had been causing me pain and affecting my quality of life since I was nineteen. Only three weeks post-op, I am happy to report that many of my symptoms have yet to reoccur. Though I have yet to tackle my recent diagnosis of interstitial cystitis, I am confident that Dr. Cook and his staff will help me through that journey with the same kindness, caring, professionalism and integrity with which they have helped me through my trial with endometriosis. I absolutely recommend Vital Health Institute to all women who are experiencing pelvic pain and are searching for a doctor who will understand and take the time to find a solution tailored to her as an individual; though he is not a miracle worker with a magic wand to cure all that ails us, I can say unequivocally that Dr. Cook will exhaust all known options for treatment, leaving no stone unturned in his quest to understand and treat the myriad conditions causing so much pain to so many women around the world. Thanks to Dr. Cook and Staff, from the bottom of my heart. I am so optimistic about the future!" - Kelly H. "Coming from the boyfriend of a woman with endometriosis ( I call it suffering from "mendo"), it was encouraging to see that Dr. Cook was accessible, easy to talk to, and willing to discuss all issues surrounding the health of his patient – physical, emotional, etc. His open and humble nature made this man feel that his loved one was under the care of an astute and focused physician." - Nicholas M. |
