New Patient Story
50001- Author: Joshua Miller.
- Date Submitted: Aug 9, 2024
I SENT THIS A MOMENT AGO, BUT REALIZED I FORGOT TO ADD SOMETHING. THIS IS SLIGHTLY REVISED.
Dear Boulder Community Hospital (BCH) Grateful Patient Program,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to recognize and honor the work of Dr. Mikyong Hand, and tell you about the difference that her excellent medical care made in my life.
I imagine that when people think of doctors saving someone’s life, they imagine ER doctors stabilizing patients with trauma and surgeons using their technical skills and cutting edge technologies to perform intricate surgeries, but, I also imagine that for most people, their lives are actually saved, and certainly the quality of their life is most improved, thanks to the long term relationship they have with their trusted primary care doctor.
My weight loss journey started with a trip to my doctor. Dr. Hand is meticulous, brilliant, candid, kind, and approachable. I once booked an appointment with her and was told “she tends to run behind;” I responded “That’s because she is thorough and meticulous, and takes that time to ensure you understand her recommendations and build a long term relationships with her patients. Those things take time.” I mean that. Dr. Hand is everything I want in a doctor and I am being completely serious when I say that I believe she saved my life (and certainly saved the quality of it).
When I first met Dr. Hand, in March 2024, for my first physical, I was 50, obese (BMI of 36), a XXL, hypertensive (159/110), pre-diabetic, and had osteoporosis, or pre-osteoporosis. I was Vitamin D deficient, and had markers for fatty liver infiltration. I also felt terrible. I had chronic insomnia (awoke every night at 3:30 and often didn’t go back to sleep), sleep apnea and gasping agonistic breathing, numerous orthopedic aches and pains, and couldn’t reach my toes (my belly got in the way and made it hard to put my socks and shoes on). I travel frequently for work, and sitting on an airplane was challenging and miserable.
I had been seeing another primary care doctor (not at BCH) who had prescribed cortisone shots for elbow pain (that turned out to be torn ligaments- he didn’t do imaging), rest and exercise cessation for leg pain (that turned out to be a stress fracture- he didn’t do imaging), and sleeping pills (for my insomnia). I had tried to improve my health; I had gone to a Sleep Institute, an orthopedist, and a physical therapist. I gave up alcohol, and tried to lose weight running (which resulted in the stress fracture), but my health was deteriorating. I was a poster child for “metabolic syndrome” and a stroke waiting to happen. I knew I wasn’t in good shape and I knew that I wasn’t getting good medical care. I needed a knowledgeable primary care doctor, and supportive help; I found both in Dr. Mikyong Hand.
At my March 2024 visit, Dr. Hand carefully reviewed my diagnostics and objective findings and clearly explained the health concerns. She prescribed medication to manage my blood pressure, advised me to lose weight with a Mediterranean or South Beach Diet, and gave me the nutritional advice I needed to get started. I left that appointment feeling highly motivated. She inspired me to make healthy dietary changes.
Thanks to Dr. Hand, her knowledgeable advice, and her infectious enthusiasm and support, I lost 60 pounds in five months (more than 20% of my body weight), reduced my BMI from 36 to 29, was able to discontinue high blood pressure medication, and improved my lipid formula, through diet alone, while traveling 3+ days/week for work. I look better, my clothing fits better, I feel better (my orthopedic pains went away, I can easily bend over and put on my shoes and socks, I fit comfortably in a standard seat on an airplane), sleep better (my insomnia and sleep apnea went away), and I love my diet and feel like it is sustainable (the food is great- I enjoy the taste and the focus on nutrient quality, sustainable agriculture, and enjoying food with others is a good fit with my values). I was able to get off my medications (my blood pressure normalized and I no longer needed sleep medications), and my liver markers returned to normal. My family, friends, and colleagues have all remarked upon my weight loss. One colleague that I see infrequently even asked my direct supervisor if I had cancer because I had lost so much weight so quickly! Another time, my wife awakened me in the middle of the night to ensure I was still breathing because I was sleeping so soundly (my apnea and snoring had ceased). Dr. Hand saved my life and improved every aspect of it.
My 60 pound weight loss was accomplished through diet alone, without any weight loss medications, by following my doctor’s advice, routine weight loss advice, and by following the healthiest diet in the world, the Mediterranean Diet (I used the Oldways Cultural Heritage Mediterranean Diet tools -online).
In July 2024, I was able to visit Dr. Hand for a follow up appointment and celebrate the results. I have never looked forward to a doctor’s appointment so much! I feel truly grateful to Dr. Hand for the excellent care that she provides every day and the difference it has made in every aspect of my life. Thank you so much!