August 12, 2008

Dear Dr. Bender:

This note of appreciation is to thank you for the unsurpassed medical care I received from you while enduring a long and very painful medical problem.
I had suffered with severe neck pain for approximately ten years before becoming your patient. I had numerous physical therapy treatments, used topical ointments, did daily exercises, etc., and nothing helped. When I was referred to you I very honestly hesitated to call your office for an appointment. After all, so much had already been done without success I felt there was no way anything could be done to ease my suffering.

I certainly had not expected you to take so much time from your already busy schedule to try to help me. Instead, I was made to feel as though I were your only patient. Certainly, a very nice and comforting feeling! My appointments with you have never been rushed nor have I ever felt that you would give up trying to help me.

Dr. Bender, I am sitting here this morning preparing this note of appreciation with absolutely no pain in the areas you have treated. Probably, for the first time in my life I am without words. Considering the time and effort you spent treating me THANK YOU is just not enough. I want you to know how much I and my family appreciate your expertise, exceptional medical care and your stamina to work until success had been achieved.

Most Sincerely,
Clara Milelli

August 12, 2008

Dear Dr. Bender,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to prepare a true and honest testimonial; you certainly deserve it.

Now, please be sure to express my gratitude to each and every member of your staff. As I mentioned to you when I was in last, I have NEVER been refused a request for an appointment. Somehow, your staff members adjust your schedule to accommodate me. This tells me they are caring and compassionate and understand when someone is in pain.

All of your staff members that I have encountered have been absolutely nothing less than courteous, professional and caring.
Again, please thank each and every one of them for me.

With appreciation,
Clara Milelli

My name is Cheryl. I am 46 years old and disabled. In April of 1991 I had an accident at work. I was 29 when one of my patients fell on me and I hurt my back. I've seen chiropractors, orthopedic surgeons, had acupuncture, physical therapy, been hung upside down in traction and had surgery after surgery. Nothing any of those doctors did for me relieved my back pain, it just kept getting worse - to the point where I would be curled up in a ball in severe pain. Then in 1996 the orthopedic doctors said they couldn't do anymore for me and referred me to pain management. I thought "this is it, my life is over".

I started seeing Dr. Bender. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. He treated me not just as a patient, but a human being. He took the time to sit down and talk to me and gave me options on how to relieve my pain. He suggested a spinal cord stimulator. In 2001 I had it implanted, it changed my life. I am able to function again, it made me feel alive again. I don't know how I survived all those years without it. It gave me back my life by managing my pain.

Dr. Bender saved my life. I am so grateful to him. It takes a special doctor, a special person, to do what he does to help people in pain. He has a lot of compassion. Now I am less discouraged and more optimistic. My only regret is I didn't find this wonderful doctor sooner.

Cheryl Pelletier

My name is Kim, I would like to briefly share a but of my story which I am sure many of you will relate to. Eleven years ago I seriously injured my back while working. After two back surgeries, the installation of a cage system and a fusion made from my own hip bone, I was still in pain. I had gone to many physical therapy sessions and pain management centers in Clearwater and Palm Harbor. I was told I needed to take morphine and "just accept things". I knew there had to be more. I couldn't keep relying on others to help me clean my home and go grocery shopping, take care of my pets. I wanted my life back. I wanted to be able to sit through a movie at least, since I no longer had my career.

I prayed for answers when a friend called and told me about a local doctor. I though I would give it a try. When I was greeted by Dr. Bender's warm smile and gracious handshake, I knew things would be different. I have been in the care of Dr. Bender and his wonderful, professional staff for many years now. My life has returned to a more productive and independent routine. I can even sit down for a movie or dinner with friends, and have resumed my hobby of decorative painting.

I was at the end of my rope and God placed me in the right hands. I will never leave his care and would recommend you seeing him too if you want to improve the quality of your life and start living again.

Kim D. Hoffman

I am writing this letter in thanks for Dr. Bender and his staff for the improvement of mobility in my neck and back and the decrease from pain that I used to suffer from constantly.

I started seeing Dr. Bender over two years ago. I suffered daily with chronic, unbearable pain. With all the medication I was taking I could hardly walk or stand. I had to use a cane to hold myself up.

After a week with Dr. Bender he started injections and radio-frequency treatment with excellent results. I had used a cane for almost 13 years and after that first few weeks I gave the cane up. The pain became bearable with the medication. I'm a new person, I am almost normal. I can attend family functions now and am much happier to be able to have an almost normal life again. I'm the best that I have been in over 15 years.

Thank you so much Dr. Bender and staff. I would and have recommended Dr. Bender for anyone who has neck and back pain. He is the best, kindest and most skillfull doctor I have ever met. I am living, walking proof that there is hope; you don't have to give up.

There is help in Dr. Bender

God Bless, with my love

Walter

I am a forty seven year-old male who has suffered with failed lower back surgery. I was an active duty marine when I first injured, that was 1998. Since then I have had four diskectomies at the L3, L4 and L5 levels. I have been treated by no less than 10 doctors. They tried several treatment options to include spinal injections. Nothing worked! I started spiraling downward. The pain had me contemplating suicide. I felt like I had been given a sentence of suffering for the rest of my life.

Dr. Bender convinced me in trying the spinal injections once again (I had little expectations), but I agreed to give it another try. It was nothing short of a miracle. It was as if 10 years of pain vanished. It felt so good that I felt "giddy", if that makes sense.

Dr. Bender is gifted, I think he should train other doctors how to give the injections. I am FOREVER indebted to him. He gave me my life back. How do you repay someone for that?

SSGT Gary Strickland

Dear Dr. Bender,

I would like to thank you for all you have done to help me with my back and neck pain. You are one of the people I will be thinking of as I count my blessings.

May God bless you as you continue to help so many people.

Many thanks,

Anne Hayden