A Meeting by Chance
Written by Darcey Dalzell Wood
I first heard about the Vitality Clinic from my mom who had seen a write up in The Vancouver Sun about Dr. Rootes and her Bowen Massage Therapy. My son at the time had a severely rounded back from over developed chest muscles from years of competitive swimming and was beginning to experience a bit of back pain. Feeling there was nothing to lose, I booked an appointment with Dr. Rootes for him, not realizing at the time, that I too, would one day become a patient of the clinic.
The second appointment that I took my son to found me, once again, struggling with yet another terrible bout of vertigo. You see, I suffer from Meniere’s disease and vertigo had become a regular part of my life. Not only do I suffer from vertigo and migraines, I have a nerve in my face that is dying and the attacks were always enough to bring me to tears and land me in bed for hours on end. Pain killers and muscle relaxants were becoming a part of my daily life. I can still remember sitting in the waiting room chair with my head on my hand wandering when Bryan would be done so I could get home and back to bed. Dr. Serne came out of one of the rooms and gently put her hand on my shoulder and asked if I was there to see her. After explaining no and why I looked like death warned over me, she suggested that I book an appointment to see her in 2 weeks’ time as she was off on a vacation. I’ve always said, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” It was the best decision I’ve ever made.
When I arrived 2 weeks later, I truly was in no better shape than I had been 2 weeks previous. Getting home from work by 4:30, taking pain killers and going to bed with a hot water bottle had become the norm for me. To say the least, my quality of life, not to mention my family life, was far from healthy. The standard line at home was, “Leave Mom alone. She’s sleeping.
My first encounter with Dr. Serne was a positive experience. She took the time to listen to what was ailing me, but more importantly there was something else. To this day I truly can’t tell you what it was, but the stars and planets must have been aligned because that day became the first day back to what I now call normal for me.
It was after the 8th visit to Dr. Serne that I remember walking into the house, looking at my husband and bursting into tears. At that moment I had just realized that I had walked in with no dizziness or being off balance for the first time in years. This was the beginning of a life changing experience that still continues over 3 years later.
I visit Dr. Serne twice a month now and have done so for over 3 years. Even though I have had other bouts of vertigo, with Dr. Serne’s help we’ve been able to pinpoint the triggers and keep my vertigo at a level where I can still function “normally” in my everyday life. My face attacks have virtually disappeared with having only 1 severe episode in over 2 years. Pain killers are now the thing of the past. Getting on a vitamin regiment has also helped me with maintaining a much higher quality of life. I know it sounds like a cliché, but Dr. Serne not only has changed my life, she has given me back my life. Without our meeting by chance, I know I would still be on pain medications and spending hours in bed. I am back running, kayaking, hiking, skiing and walking. Things that I love that had been put on hold. My daughter is now a patient, and she too, has had her quality of life improve immensely.
If it wasn’t for her stopping to ask me that day if I was there to see her, I know my quality of life would have deteriorated further. Dr. Serne truly has been my guardian angel who looks out not only for me, but all of her patients and their well-being. And for that, I cannot thank her enough.
Finally, the other day I was running out the door to get to my appointment. Our secretary asked where I was heading in such a hurry. I explained that I was going to my chiropractor. She launched into how chiropractors can cause strokes, blood clots, and more. I simply stopped her and said, “When was the last time you saw me laying on the staff couch with a hot water bottle on my face. For once in her life she was lost for words. I turned and walked out of the office with I smile on my face.
I rest my case.
Chiropractic fee: $45.00 Secretary’s look: million dollars Quality of life back: Priceless
