When Dr. Yamane joined MDVIP, I become a member because Dr. Yamane had always been such a sensitive and supportive doctor.

In January of 2011, Dr. Michael Yamane and I began a wellness partnership to improve my health and facilitate one of my life goals: to see all the penguins of the world where they live.

I had already been to many penguin coloniesfrom South America to Antarctica to South Africa. But I had many more to visit, none of them easy to navigate for someone 5 2 tall and weighing over 300 pounds. As I grew older (I have just turned 69), it became harder and harder to overcome the problems associated with morbid obesity. There were more and more activities I wouldnt attempt because I wasnt sure that I would have enough stamina or agility. So I made a life-changing decision. Before I took another penguin trip, I would lose weight, get in shape and get off medication for weight-related high blood pressure.

When Dr. Yamane joined MDVIP, I become a member because Dr. Yamane had always been such a sensitive and supportive doctor. He knew my passion for penguins, and he helped me put together the regimen I would need to reach my goal. I joined Weight Watchers and began monitoring everything I ate. I increased my aquacise from a casual one- to three-times a week to a steady four times a week. The weight began coming off. Soon I didnt need high blood pressure medication. After I lost 100 pounds I rewarded myself and booked a trip to Tasmania and New Zealand for late fall, 2013 to see penguins.

Then, in late 2012, a routine blood test showed that one of my thyroid-related hormones was not in the normal range. Dr. Yamane diagnosed Graves Disease. An ultrasound showed a large nodule on my thyroid growing down toward my chest. He arranged for me to see an endocrinologist who referred me to a surgeon. In January, 2013, my thyroid was removed. With Dr. Yamanes support, I continued the healthy habits I had developed, and my recovery was excellent.

In September, 2013, trouble struck again. A routine mammogram and subsequent needle biopsy revealed a very early stage of breast cancer, two months before I was scheduled to go to Tasmania. Dr. Yamane referred me to Fox Chase in Philadelphia where I had a lumpectomy three weeks before I was to go away. Dr. Yamane kept my spirits high, and I took the trip, jumping in and out of Zodiacs to go ashore and climbing mountains to visit penguin breeding colonies. When I came back I began radiation. Again my treatment and recovery have been excellent.

By helping me to improve my health, Dr. Yamane made it possible for me to snap back from two surgeries in one year and come closer to reaching my goal of seeing all the penguins of the world in their natural habitats. He has provided great medical care and great emotional and spiritual support, too. He understands and treats the whole person.

I have now lost more than 125 pounds and have about 40 more pounds to go. This year, I plan to visit the penguins of the Galapagos Islands!