Constance Cowing

The first time I walked in the door of HSS, what hit me with great impact was an impression of the positive atmosphere, which to my great surprise turned out to be consistent. I found the attitudes of staff the same. For the first time, I entered a hospital setting completely surrounded with a relaxed, good will, which anyone knows under the pressures of modern medicine is very difficult to maintain. After two major hips operations, in general everyone working there, including administrative, medical and custodial personnel gave me nothing but positive words, encouraging smiles and friendliness. My journey to health had begun. 30 years of back pain, yet no one in the Midwest or New York recognized it was not my back but my arthritic hips as source of the difficulty until I found my way to HSS. With the help of several different physicians and a physical therapist, I finally found my doctor, Geoffrey Westrich and the correct diagnosis was made. The decision to operate followed. After two hip surgeries I discovered my pain, 8 to 1 level, literally vanished. Equally important, my life, which had been disappearing, reappeared. I can live my life again. Thank you HSS for all your efforts to surround we sufferers with brilliant doctors, competent staff and an atmosphere of joyful healing.