Ms. Lisa H.

Michael H - Georgia: This is a brilliant middle-aged ex-police officer, who was retired due to his Syringomyelia - a condition of the spinal cord resulting in progressive weakness of his body.

Many patients with Syringomyelia may also develop chronic pain, probably related to both nerve injuries and the hypersenitivity syndrome of fibromyalgia.

Michael and I both like to talk and argue a lot. Michael suffers from severe pains, and sometimes we have trouble at times coming up with the best treatment plan that is appropriate - as an ex-police officer, he has trouble accepting, that I have the final decision about his pain medicines - but, I AM THE BOSS HERE.

Here is Michael's testimonial:

"Dr. Gatell,

I feel bad about our meeting on July 2. You have been my doctor for awhile now and no one else except you and Dr. CXXX, MD. Have been able to help me.

Number#1, I am a loyal individual - my honor and integrity mean everything to me.

I believe 100% in your treatment program and I have put my life in your hands.

Before I met my neurologist, Dr. CXXX and you, Dr. Gatell I was a lost soul.

You have given me my life back doctor. My integrity and honor is all I feel I have left and I thought you may have had doubts in me.

Dr. Gatell you are the doctor "Hypocrites" had in mine. I believe and I follow your program to the "T."

I feel the situation was a misunderstanding.

To me, you are the 21st century version of "Vesalius," who if you remember in 1500 BC, openly challenged Gallen and took medicine out of the dark ages.

I feel "PAIN MANAGEMENT IN THE 21st CENTURY IS IN THE DARK AGES." I know you are a humble man, but "DOCTOR YOU SAVE LIVES."

I need you to know that on July 3rd I went back to the surgeons who debulked what I thought was a simple Keloid on my left auxiliary neck under my left ear.

The pathology report came back and it was an abnormal Neoplasm w/ non-invasive In Situ that appears confined to the epithelial tissues above the fascia.

The head surgeon whom I'VE never met said they always take some lymph nodes and they were clear. It appears the margins were clear.

I am going on the 18th and having chest, abdomen and auxiliary and proximal neck Ultrasounds to make sure everything is OK.

I have prayed and I know I will be alright.

I am sorry for the other day...you're patient.

You may put this on your Web site and please have them pray for me.

Yours truly,

M. Harvey"