LymeNet Flash: What do you like about Dr. C??

This is topic What do you like about Dr. C?? in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I just ran into someone in my neighborhood who has Lyme. He is happy with his current doctor, but has not been tested for co-infections. He still has alot of fatigue. I told him he might have babesiosis. Would you who are patients of Dr. C's please tell him why he should make an appointment with him?
Thanks....I know you'll do a great job....better than I could!!

Posted by momtoeight (Member # 2215) on :

HE KNOWS HIS STUFF
He believes you
He cares about us
He is one of those strong silent types
He is a Christian
He quietly thinks before answering in a very deliberate manner.
He is funny.
He desn't make you feel stupid.
He answers all questions
He listens to my husbands rambling
He convinced my son that he would get better
He asked a lab to do a test for us at no cost
He is helping to get our pediatrician on board
He goes to seminars and follows new research

MAN, I COULD GO ON FOREVER!
Now do you want to know about his staff?
DITTO

So good of you lymetoo to help your neighbor!
You are one in a million!
Love,
Janie

Posted by dt (Member # 937) on :

He makes you feel like he has all the time in the world just for you.

He sides with your spouse and picks on you..oh wait..that's not the kind of stuff you wanted to hear. Hahhaa.

Nothing is to 'weird' to tell him. I think he's only laughed at me once! Hahaha.

I think he's the greatest. I've never met a doctor like him...here or when I lived in Canada.

Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :

Dear Lymetoo's neighbor,
You are missing the important link in this disease,"THE RIGHT DOC".
What I like about Dr. C is he gave me back MY life, when I thought all was lost including ME. I didnt have to go cemetery lot shopping and head stone selecting, instead I can look forward to life this week!! I am actually looking foward to spring here now instead of dreading just plodding through. I havent felt this good in 8-10 years!! And if I wouldnt have gone to Dr. C I would still be in that deep dark cave of life, if thats what you can call life. I didnt care for it then, but now it has a sparkle that only coming from the depths of despair I can appreciate it. PLEASE DONT WALK, "RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN" to his office and do it right. You only get one life, use it!!!!!!!

Posted by JJ (Member # 602) on :

I went to Dr. C on a very strong recommendation my hero, just don! I had a lenghtly talk one evening with him. Dr. C should be giving him commissions!
I cannot wait until he sees this post, he will fill it up for us, so I have to get my words in so he does not "rain on my parade"!

The knowledge this man carries in incredible! His honesty about the disease is one I had never heard from any of the other doctors I had seen. He is a man with much integrity.

He thinks he has heard it all until you come with another symptom. I told him when I was so sick, even my finger nails hurt! He laughed, said that was a "new" one, wrote it down and shook his head! It was a great moment and......did not doubt me! (they really did not hurt!)

You can call anytime with questions or problems. He always answers the questions with the concern that a doctor should have. I have gotten my answers promptly, I did not wait for 3 days for a call back!

He believes in you! More than I can say for the other 30 ducks that I seen. He doubts nothing. He even told me that some of the things I have told him do not make sense on paper, but.......he has had other patients tell him the same thing......he believes it, he said with this disease, anything is possible!

The encouragement he gives is incredible! His excitment is overwhelming! I had a phone consultation with him 2 weeks ago. He was so excited about the progress I had made, he was more excited than I was! I guess I made more progress than I thought!

He is excited about you. He is concerned for your health. He is concerned for you.

In closing of this long post, the one thing that has stuck out in my mind was a statement he made to me the first time we met.

"I will not promise I can cure you, but I will give it my best shot. I know you have seen 31 other doctors with this disease. I am number 32 and I will be the last."

He restored my self confidence and gave me a new lease on life!

Janell

Posted by kathy klopfer (Member # 1624) on :

I believe he saved my life I would be in a wheelchair now if it was'nt for the Great Dr.C He makes you feel so much better I went into his office really depressed and came out so confident that I was going to kick this disease.This was very hard for me because I've never beeb sick in my life till April 15th 2001 TAX DAY and TICK DAY..... A day I will never forget... Kathy
YOU NEED TOO LISTEN TO EVERYBODY HERE AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :

I forgot the most important point. Dr. C has seen well in excess of 700 lyme patients(if I can count those here that Have gone since, make that closer to 800) Do you take your car to a mechanic whose first day was yesterday and read about it in a book. OR some guy who has done it for years and is WELL experienced? Still not convinced? If you look in a mirror do you see a suicidal person there? I didnt think you were!! Leave Russian roulette to the others, take the safe way. If after one visit you dont agree, then dont go back. Make the first visit and then make your choice. After all you have to be close to his office. How would you like to be 400-600-800 miles away and still HAVE to go there. Count your blessings and Dr. C will be among them if you let him.--just don--

Posted by Appleseed (Member # 26) on :

What else can I add? He has helped me when no one else would. I owe him more than money. Don't wait any longer talk to the man. But try too keep your praises at a low level,we need to keep him around and not end up like Doc B. Call today,it will be best phone call you will ever make.
Appleseed

Posted by momtoeight (Member # 2215) on :

Once he told me to look in the mirror and tell my self that I was gettin better. Not just think it but say it out loud. That this would really help. You know it does help. I also know that he believes that we will get better. Ahh-the power of positive thinkin and a positive doc.
Reading back through these posts I see a positive tone runnin through them. Did you get that from anywhere else that you have gone? I know that we haven't. I hope that you make the decision to go. You deserve it.
My family will be thinkin of ya.
Much wellness to you,
Love,
Janie

Posted by blue on :

Husband sees DR C., has helped him much, how far down has any of you gotten? how long before seen improvement? hubby stared sept 11, first visit, easy dated to remeber, unfortunetly!Also any one else live in Mo, where I could take to on the phone , or please e-mail me [email protected]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Y'all are a pretty powerful bunch!! Somebody's been giving you power drinks or something!! Been drinking Dr. C's fruit smoothies??!! Yum, those are good! OK, I'm gonna print this out and take it over to my fellow-sufferer today. Thanks to everyone! If someone else comes along wanting to post their bit, go ahead and I'll take it to him later.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

to the top for newbie Pam!

Posted by dt (Member # 937) on :

Oh wait..I think I remembered something else. Oh crap, I think I just forgot it too.

Ok..I remember again! Hahhaha!

My duck *cough cough* told me that he had actually been in Doctor school with our good Dr. He also said that if there's a chance to beat LD, then I have the right doc looking after me. He told me that our Doc was the first physician in Missouri to ever diagnos LD. However, our Doc does not remember my duck. Hahhaha (First impression mean a lot, ha!)

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by dt:
..... He also said that if there's a chance to beat LD, then I have the right doc looking after me. He told me that our Doc was the first physician in Missouri to ever diagnos LD.

WOW, dt!! That's awesome!!

Posted by dt (Member # 937) on :

I think so too. I told Doc and he was surprised also.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

For perplexed!

Posted by o2igiv1 (Member # 1111) on :

Well, I feel like the last one on the boat here but I just got back to work after my appointment with the great Dr. C. I have been recuperating the last 2 days from the 9 hour drive. Everyone is right on about Dr.C. He is so kind and understanding but not condescending. He listens.After I left the exam room on Monday he came up behind me and said "DOn't get discouraged, don't give up- you will be better, I promise." I left feeling light as a feather, I know I will get better but something in the way he says it makes you know you will. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else but me. Question for Blue--- Is Lebanon the exit where they sell the walnut bowls???? SHeila

Posted by momtoeight (Member # 2215) on :

Sheila,
Great news! I'm soooooo glad for ya!

Did ya see the post by daybyday on medical!
Dr. C. is reachin out to help another doc become LL and to help this doc's family!
I am so proud of our GREAT doc. HOORAY!

And Sheila yes you will get better!
Take care,
Janie

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Cool, Sheila! Sounds like it was a long trip indeed!! But worth it, of course. I know what you mean about not being condescending. That's it exactly....and it makes a difference. It's genuine caring, not mushiness!

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Lymetutu

Posted by momtoeight (Member # 2215) on :

ONCE AGAIN DR. C TO THE RESCUE!

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Posted by Nancy (Member # 1150) on :

He's just wonderful. I would either be dead or in a wheelchair right now if it wasn't for him. I got to meet his wife and daughters, and they were just plain old down to earth people. His wonderful staff personally introduced me by name to his wife. His staff also made the time to introduce him to my husband and son this last time. In fact, he is going to treat my husband at my next appointment. My husband has problems with blood clots and has almost died a couple of times (he goes to the V.A.) Dr. C. is going to give him the test and maybe treat him with heparin. One of the reasons my husband loves him, is because he is a Veteran, and my husband doesn't even have lyme. Maybe we should remember to send him a card on Veteran's Day! Another thing, he didn't even charge me for my blood work this last time. He certainly can't be making any money off of me. He works with me, even though I don't have insurance.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

to the top for Iowa girl and Brenda

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

BTW, my neighbor is seeing the good doc and is doing very well!!

Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :

top it

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

I just realized that I hadn't posted here about Dr. C since I saw him.

I really like the idea that he allows those of us who are really far from him to work with our local doctors on getting our blood
work done.

The fact that he doesn't insist on return visits every month or so, really helps those
of us who can't travel that far that often.

That shows to me he is more concerned about
the patient getting treatment than the dollars in his pocket.

Now that's refreshing.

Really, I enjoyed my visit with him and his handouts are the best explainations.

By him allowing us "distant patients" to work locally with our reg PCP's (if we have one who is understanding), then he is giving
a chance that more reg docs will recognize
LD with future patients with it and thereby
educating more doc about this disease and
how hard it is to treat.

Thanks Dr. C in Missouri!!!!!!

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

to the top for tickchick!

Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :

Yes...he is the most wonderful doctor I believe I have ever met.

I agree with everything posted....

works to educate all other non-literate doctors he can.

Wonderful, wonderful man.

Trout Scout

[This message has been edited by troutscout (edited 30 October 2002).]

Posted by momtoeight (Member # 2215) on :

edit

[This message has been edited by momtoeight (edited 30 October 2002).]

Posted by JJ (Member # 602) on :

What do I like about Dr. C???

Well, in addition of what I said in an earlier post, I get to go on a little vacation at least twice a year! The best part about this is my sister is in Kansas so I get to see her so much more than ever before! All kinds of little benefits to this disease....hahaha.....

Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :

I would also like to add that he has a plethera of info for the patient. It is a shame that his info isn't posted anywhere on this site. We have Dr B's info....luckily. But to offer Dr C's would be an incredible addition.

Trout Scout

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

That's true, Trout! He explains everything so that even LYMIES can understand!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

to the top for new member looking for LLMD.

Posted by once bitten on :

Wow this is positive....
Could someone email me Dr C's input on Lyme and all?
[email protected]
I go to Dr B (live close enough) and he is great. But it is also good and I need to hear some positive things right now.
Also for those with problems travelling call
airlifeline at 1 877 air life
pilots volunteer to fly you to medical appts.They use small planes but it sure makes a long trip short.
Terri

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

to the top for new members to see

Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :

Just adding that Dr C is a GREAT man.

Trout

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

He's my hero!

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Lymetutu

Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :

While driving into Springfield Mo last month I hit scan on my stereo and the first station it stops at, I hear this voice and I immediately know it is my good doctors voice talking about heparin and the many uses today.

He actually does a call in show every Monday pm to help educate people about pain mgmt. He wants people to know you don't have to live your life in pain, there are many alternatives out there. Pain is a symptom and you need to find the cause of that.

What a wonderful doctor. I was really impressed by the show and told him so the next day during my appointment. I hope those of you close to Springfield are listening every Monday. TuTu? Any others?
Pam

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

hey map!Thanks for the reminder! Today is Monday and I will tune in! I usually forget to do so.

About 2 months ago I remembered to tune in and I surprised him with a call on the radio! I just thanked him for his care. I think I embarrassed him a bit! He's so humble!

He said, "I promise I didn't put ***** up to this!"

The next time I was in his office, Rose said they heard me call and thought it was great.

You know, it's time for another get together in doc's honor.....anybody game??

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oops!
Lymetutu

[This message has been edited by Lymetoo (edited 28 July 2003).]

Posted by lifeline (Member # 3445) on :

I'm a little late, but I wanted to add my praises also about Dr. C. Most everything has already been well said in honor of our most wonderful LLMD, and I agree... we simply can't praise him enough!

When I walk in the office a little down, it never lasts because he quickly builds you back up, and you leave there knowing you will get well. He truly is terrific!

I actually look forward to my office visits with him, and I usually walk in loaded with questions. Dr. C answers them all before I leave.

Do make that appointment with him quickly...and you'll be on the road to wellness. He wants you well...that's his goal for you.

Each patient gets his undivided attention. The staff is equally as terrific.

There is no finer LLMD. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!!

Cheers,

lifeline

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

He uses Prolotherapy (look it up on www.google.com) for PAIN!!!!!

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

to the top for new poster's want this information about Dr. C in MO...

Posted by Margaret Ellen (Member # 4454) on :

Hello to all lyme patients,

I just read all the replys on Dr. C in Missouri and I am also a patient of his since September of 2000. The first visit I had with him he even prayed for me. That was a first doctor that ever done that and it really impressed. His encouragement is fantastic. He is totally honest with you also. I would like to hear from some lyme patients that are having head, neck and shoulder problems. I have so much pressure in my head it is scarry. My bones are also beginning to hurt. I have swelling in my face, neck and shoulders. This is the first time I have shared this and I hope someone can give me some advice on what helps them.
Thanks
Margaret Castellaw

Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :

Thanks for adding replies to this post!

I told Steve (DadOf2's post in Medical) that this would be a great post for his mom to read.

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Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

UP!!!

Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :

I still beleive he is one of the most compassionate and open minded LLMD's on the planet.

Trout

Posted by JJ (Member # 602) on :

I am proud and honored to report that I have been under this man's care since December of 2001.

I am now off of all of my meds for 7 weeks as of today!

I have not "fired" him yet because I am not sure what is going to happen just yet, but I FEEL WONDERFUL!

Is there hope? YES!

Does he know what he is doing? YES!

Would I have a life without him? NO!

Do I give him all the credit? YES/NO!

I have been working in combination with Dr. Crist and some natural stuff. I truly believe that it is a combination of the two, which Dr. Crist also encourages, balancing the body, has contributed to my "success so far"!

Would I recommend him? ABSOLUTELY! Without him, I honestly do not think I would be here today!

Dr. Crist, keep up the good work, hard studies and the faith and belief you have in these people and God!

Together, we will all win!

God Bless You!

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

up for more!

Posted by Wallace (Member # 4771) on :

Maybe I could shift the focus of this thread slightely but I was reading what he said about hypercoagulation and wondered if his interest in that is one of the things that marks him out from other LLMD's?

hypercoagulation
Hypercoagulation, or thrombophilia, may be defined as a greater
tendency than normal for blood to coagulate, or clot. Of
approximately 500 borreliosis patients that I have tested, 90 percent
have hypercoagulation. Comparatively, only five percent of the
general healthy population has
hypercoagulation.

Two major aspects of hypercoagulation are infections and hereditary
or genetic abnormalities. Chronic infections such as borreliosis,
Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, human herpes virus 6 and
mycoplasma have all been associated with hypercoagulation. These
infections appear to be the driving force behind the greater tendency
to form blood clots. Infections may elevate levels of fibrinogen,
fibrin, thrombin/antithrombin complexes, fragment 1+2, and Factor II
(prothrombin)
activity.

When you get a cut, the fibrinogen in your blood converts into
fibrin, which in turn forms a mesh to create a blood clot to help
stop the bleeding. Antithrombin binds to thrombin to form a complex
to prevent thrombin from causing blood to clot. Antithrombin
protects against too much clotting, when it binds
thrombin.

When thrombin is forming a clot it produces fragment 1+2.
Prothrombin (Factor II) converts into thrombin, which causes blood to
clot. When these coagulation components are high, it indicates that
the blood has a greater tendency to clot.

Inherited or genetic disorders may also predispose to blood
clotting. Some of these hereditary defects include antithrombin
activity deficiency, protein C activity deficiency, protein S
activity deficiency, Factor II gene mutation, APC resistance
(Activated Protein C resistance is also called Factor V Leiden
deficiency), elevated lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a), elevated PAI-1
(Plasminogen Activator Inhibiter-1), and elevated homocysteine.
Hereditary hypercoagulation test panels are abnormal in 74 percent of
borreliosis patients, as opposed to about two to five percent of the
general healthy population.

Treatment for hypercoagulation caused by infections is heparin, which
is a blood thinner. Typically, heparin is given subcutaneously
(under the skin) by injection twice a day in low doses for not more
than nine months. It can also be compounded into a troche that
dissolves in the mouth, but that is usually more expensive and is
often less effective than injections.

Symptoms that improve with heparin are pain, fatigue, cognitive
problems and neurological problems. About 80 percent of borreliosis
patients feel better with heparin, and it has been a safe treatment
so far. (One patient did develop bleeding from the rectum, but then
a colonoscopy revealed a colon cancer that had not yet spread to the
local lymph nodes. In other words, the heparin unmasked a hidden
malignancy, so in this case the side effect was a blessing.)

Heparin is not only a blood thinner, it is also anti-inflammatory,
antiviral, antibacterial, and may even be anti-cancer (unproven).
Therapy with heparin usually lowers the level of the coagulation
components fibrinogen, fibrin, thrombin/antithrombin complexes,
fragment 1+2 and Factor II activity. This is desirable, because
elevated levels of these coagulation components can cause decreased
capillary blood flow, if they are high enough. Capillaries are
microscopic blood vessels that are about eight microns wide. A
normal red blood cell, which travels through the capillaries, is
about seven microns wide. When elevation of coagulation components
occur, they could conceivably attach to the inside surface
(endothelial surface) of capillaries, thereby narrowing them. For
example, fibrinogen attached to the inside surface could make it
harder for a seven-micron-wide red blood cell to squeeze through the
narrowed capillary. Reduced blood flow in capillaries would in turn
reduce oxygen and nutrients, and reduce removal of toxins from
tissues. It stands to reason that if heparin could improve blood
flow, antibiotics and hormones would be more effective because they
could pass through capillaries easier.

Life is in the blood. Less blood flow means less "life," and
possibly more symptoms and diseases -- perhaps even death.

Hypercoagulation is associated with other chronic diseases, not just
borreliosis. It is my opinion that how hypercoagulation is treated
will become a paradigm shift in medicine, once further research has
been accomplished.

back to Borreliosis

healing thoughts,
Wallace

Posted by b333 (Member # 2479) on :

Could someone please send me the contact information for Dr. C.? I am needing to get to a Dr. who's going to help me. I seem to be just getting worse, after just over 2 years of treatment.

A lady friend of mine would probably come with me. Is there a place closeby to stay that doesn't cost a fortune?

Thanks in advance and God Bless Us All,

Pam

Posted by weeza3 (Member # 6071) on :

Hope all these beautiful accolades will be copied and placedin a lovely binder to take to him.

He deserves to have these as a tribute to his care and dedication to all of you.

I have not had the priviledge of meeting him, but my sister, Chocolat, sees him and thinks the same as all of you. She's on her way to visit me arriving tomorrow so she doesn't know about this post.

I'll show her when she gets here and she can reply with her thoughts about this wonderful physician who obviousely believes the oath he took, "to do no harm"

Posted by lymielu (Member # 5652) on :

WOW...where can I sign up? I could use a little vacation. Is Springfield north of Oklahoma?
It takes at least one whole day just to get out of the state of texas. In 2003, hubby drove 2000 miles straight through to see dr. shoemaker in MD (no longer LLMD) I had such hopes, but he changed his "thinkin" just before my treatment and only gave me thirty days of antibiotics and wouldn't test me for lyme, screaming at me that I didn't have Lyme. Maybe I should send him my positive test results.

So when I went to see my previous LLMD I guess I really didn't expect that any Lyme dx would be forthcoming since dr. shoe was so convinced. My favorite thing about a gifted lyme doctor is that he can finish your sentences for you. By the time you reach the right doc, you need that. You are too tired to speak anymore.

Funny thing about the costs of Lyme. I used to think to travel to see a doc was too expensive. But now I think it is too extensive to not go that route. I'm just feeling blessed that all those other lyme patients paved the way for me.

Lymielu
texastoast

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Hey Lymielu....we need to talk! I used to live in San Antonio. I'm a 6th generation Texan, living in Missouri.

If you go through OK City, OK it's about a 13-14 hr drive. You can also go thru Muskogee.....then to Joplin, then to Springfield.

Well worth the trip! Email me!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Any updates?

If you're a patient of Dr C's and haven't posted here, please add your info!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by mulelover31 (Member # 6266) on :

I can 't believe I haven't posted on here yet????? He is the most gentle patient Dr. I have ever seen. The best thing I think is that he PRAYS with you!!!!! YES I DID SAY PRAYS DON'T FAINT!!!! He actually knows he can't cure us under his own power. That is what makes him sooooooooooo great a true healer!!!!! The confidence he gives us is so great. He always says YOU WILL GET BETTER. And darn if he ain't right!!!!! The tortise and the hare is how he puts it. In good time you WILL GET BETTER!!!! Don't toooo many of you go there or we will never get in!!! LOL LOl Just kidding goooooooooooooooooooo if you want to get better!!!! Mulelover

Posted by shellbabe (Member # 6948) on :

I just want to say that before I started reading all these wonderful things about Dr.C I was sitting at the computer with tears pouring down my face because of the pain i have been in and more so the feeling of hopelessness and wondering if I will ever get better and have a "normal" life.Reading these lifted my spirits and gave a little bit of encouragment.I can't wait for my first aptt. with Dr.C on the 22nd,it cant get here fast enough.Also,for those that live in Mo,what station is his show on?
Thank you all...I love this site, it has helped me more than I can say.
Shelly

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Shelly, He no longer has his radio program. He told me it was costing him too much time away from his practice.

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by Biting Back (Member # 6018) on :

Ditto, Ditto and Ditto!