Take the Leap of Faith

My life was consumed by this awful disease. I had a complex transphinteric rectovaginal fistula diagnosed in 2019 in the United Kingdom. What followed was 2 seton placements and 2 failed FILAC surgeries. It destroyed the person I was. Unable to compete my horses, unable to ride a bike with my little boys and unable to go anywhere without meticulous planning: where are the toilets; do I have medication; is there access to hospitals? The only options left offered to me in the UK were barbaric, with a less than 50% chance of success and a high chance of being left in worse condition. These included being fitted with a colostomy bag. I had been researching Healing Hands Clinic for over a year and I knew it was an option if I had no other place to turn. In December 2022, after my 2nd UK FILAC surgery failed again after just 7 days, I made the decision to come to Healing Hands. On February 2nd I landed at the Pune airport. Dr Porwal and his team are the most caring and compassionate medical team I have had the pleasure of knowing. Their care and expertise far exceed anything available in the UK. I still find it unfathomable why Western countries are not offering this life-changing treatment. On the first meeting with Dr. Porwal, he found that I didn’t have just one fistula tract (as my UK doctor had diagnosed), but four branches that were dangerously close to breaking through. He assured me he would heal me and despite my trepidation I put my full trust in Dr Porwal and his team. He believed that I would need a minimum of 12 weeks to fully heal. After my 2nd EUA (Evaluation under Anesthesia) with Dr. Porwal, my healing had really seemed to advance and he declared me fistula free after just 8 weeks. My life has been immeasurably changed and I will be forever grateful to Dr Porwal’s amazing treatment. I have returned home able to return to riding my horses, holidays with my children and riding a bike. If you are on the fence, don’t be. If you are paralyzed by fear, take a breath. My advice is, take the leap of faith. Even if you are terrified. It’s the best decision I have ever made and I will be forever grateful to Dr Porwal and his team. He’s given me my life back. No words of thanks are enough. He’s a miracle worker!

Kate Williams, Portishead, North Somerset, United Kingdom