Multiple Hereditary Exostoses
Dr. Feldman was the first doctor in my life that truly understood my condition and gave me hope that I could be helped. I was diagnosed with Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (MHE) at the age of 4 in 1985. At that time there was no internet and no way to connect to others or gain information about the condition. I had multiple surgeries as a child for MHE, but the knowledge of the doctors at the time was limited.
It was not until I was 36 years old that I searched for MHE on Facebook and discovered an entire group of hundreds of others just like me. It was the first time I had ever seen a picture of someone else with MHE and began to connect with the community.
It was through this Facebook group that I found the Paley Institute. When I saw that they specialized in MHE, I was shocked. I was lucky enough to schedule an appointment with Dr. Feldman. When I arrived at Paley Institute, I immediately felt less alone. Having a significant and lifelong orthopedic issue has given me many challenges. Looking around the waiting room at the other patients – we all were there together overcoming our orthopedic issues.
When I met with Dr. Feldman, he was knowledgeable, funny and direct with me. I was in my mid-thirties and had been dealing with terrible hip pain for several years. One of the first things he told me was “you don’t have to live in pain.” This statement struck me immediately. I looked at him with tears in my eyes. I had always assumed that pain was part of my condition. No one in the past had offered to help me like Dr. Feldman. We developed a plan and he gave me insight into some of the problems I was having.
Fixing my hip was not an easy journey. It required three very difficult surgeries that tested my own physical and mental strength. I think I cried more than Dr. Feldman’s patients who are children, which we both laughed about. He even stepped in to help me with a debilitating nerve injury, rushed me into surgery, and miraculously fixed it.
Recovery was long and hard for me and took several years of physical therapy and exercise. Through wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and canes, I never gave up. Now, three years later, I am no longer in pain and my new hip has helped me to walk down the aisle at my wedding, snorkel in the Caribbean, and live my everyday life.
My journey with MHE is not finished, I will probably need additional surgeries in the future, but knowing that I have Dr. Feldman to help me makes all the difference. Dr. Feldman is a true hero to me and to so many others. As those of us who are patients of his know, not all heroes wear capes – some wear surgical scrubs!
