I can't even put into words what this office has done for me…read more
After four trips to the ER and being told over and over to just take Mucinex, I wasn't getting any better. I felt like I was at the end of my days. Between three visits with healthcare providers, two urgent care visits, and four ER visits all within the same month, no one could give me a proper diagnosis. The response was always the same: "It's a virus. It will go away on its own."
Now, I understand doctors don't know everything, and medicine isn't always black and white. They're trained to make the best educated decisions possible. But after all of those failed attempts to find answers, a close friend told me about FAAC.
Honestly, seeing an allergist had never even crossed my mind. I thought about it, slept on it, and the next morning I made an appointment. At that point, I felt like I had nothing to lose except maybe paying for another inhaler that wouldn't work.
Well, I took my shot.
I walked into the office coughing my lungs out. Before I had even fully opened the door, I heard the receptionist at the front desk say, "Buenos días, ¿cómo le puedo ayudar?" I hadn't even made it to the counter yet and was already being greeted. First impressions matter, and from the warm welcome to how straightforward the check in process was, everything started off right.
I sat in the lobby for maybe five to seven minutes at most before being called back. I was coughing nonstop and could barely catch my breath. As one of the MAs walked me to the exam room, I coughed the entire way down the hallway. Not once did she or anyone else on the staff make me feel uncomfortable. Usually people hear me coughing and immediately cover their mouths or put on a mask. While I'm not suggesting everyone not do this. I was surprised. Here, I felt cared for instead of judged.
Once in the room, the MA began asking questions about what had brought me in. I explained everything from start to finish, and she carefully documented every detail. I truly appreciated that because I could barely talk without coughing. When the doctor came in, I didn't have to repeat my entire story all over again.
Then the star of the show walked in: Dr. Kumar.
He introduced himself, asked a few questions, and explained his game plan. When he mentioned an inhaler, I was already mentally preparing to flip his table over (just kidding). He explained that this inhaler was different from the ones I'd been prescribed before. It contained medication that the others didn't, including steroids that could actually address what was going on.
So I stayed calm and listened.
He ordered a breathing test and then had the MA administer a breathing treatment. We completed the breathing test, and after that she brought in the breathing machine, set everything up, and had me sit with the mask on for about 15 minutes.
When Dr. Kumar returned, he asked how I felt.
At first, I honestly couldn't tell. Was I imagining it? Could 15 minutes really make that much of a difference?
Surprisingly, yes.
The cough wasn't completely gone, but that horrible stuck, choking feeling I'd been carrying around for weeks had started to ease. As I drove to get my bloodwork done, I could feel the difference. When I got home, I took a long nap. And when I woke up, I felt better than I had in weeks. Not only was I breathing easier, but I had finally been able to rest.
Over the next two weeks, I continued using the medications and inhaler Dr. Kumar prescribed. By day two, I felt significantly better. I could actually carry on a conversation without coughing every few words, and that choking sensation was completely gone.
Shortly after, my son got sick.
I didn't even consider taking him to his pediatrician because I was convinced I'd leave empty handed again. Instead, I immediately called FAAC and scheduled an appointment. Happy to report that we left Dr. Kumar's office with a treatment plan and the medication he needed.
With all that being said, I can't thank Dr. Kumar and his staff enough. I was skeptical at first, but after this entire experience, all I can say is wow.
The friendliness. The professionalism. The patience. The willingness to truly listen to a patient.
If I could give this practice 10 stars, I absolutely would.
I will be referring everyone I know here. And at this point, Dr. Kumar probably isn't getting rid of me anytime soon.
Thank you, FAAC!
