Patient Appreciates Doctor Who Listened and Eased His Pain

Meet Tony. He’s 72 years old and a lifelong Californian. For the last 40 years, he’s lived in Salinas, CA, an urban community lying just south of the San Francisco Bay Area. He’s had several professions in his life, including a house flipper and a roadie for legendary, prolific singer-songwriter Paul Anka. While working for Paul Anka, he learned a valuable lifelong lesson in work ethic: There are no excuses, and the show must go on.”

Tony has been healthy most of his life. However, developed abdominal pain and began taking prescription medications to control it. He jumped around from doctor to doctor for a handful of years because he didn’t “feel the love from them” and they couldn’t get to the root of the abdominal pain, despite going through a colonoscopy and a CT scan.

Then, he joined Dr. Chanana’s practice. He was looking for a female physician. He feels female physicians treat men better than male physicians do. He was also interested in a personal approach to health care.

He was immediately impressed by Dr. Chanana. After she reviewed his health history, she advised Tony to keep a food diary.

“That was HUGE!” says Tony. “Within days, I understood the cause of my pain [which was eating too much garlic]. “About 10 days later, my abdominal pain was completely gone. I’m also able to track my blood pressure, making it easier to review at my appointments.”  

Tony lives a healthy lifestyle. He eats a healthy diet, limits sugar and cooks at home most nights, using ingredients such as vegetables, fruit, fermented foods and good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. He also gets good rest and walks one or two miles most days of the week.

This is why the MDVIP Wellness Program appealed to him, as well as features such as unhurried appointments that can be scheduled on the same or the next day. And when you add in a doctor who listens and really cares about her patients, and has a professional staff, it’s a full package.

“Dr. Chanana has a ‘no excuses, the show must go on’ approach to her care, like Anka,” says Tony. “And her staff is on top of everything; there aren’t any delays. They’re always working to get me across the finish line.”

Tony’s advice for patients: “If you need a new doctor, look for one who makes you feel good. They should be attentive, dedicated and in your corner. They’re hard to find.”