A Special Letter from an NHI Patient

I just received this email from a patient of mine and thought I’d share it with you, as it brought a smile to my face. Periodically, I want to share the joys of this uniquely wonderful medical practice with my blog audience as I am getting terrific feedback for many of you.

Good afternoon, Dr. Rassman. I thought this might be of help to your new transplant patients and those considering a procedure. I have been a happy client of NHI since 1999. Your organization actually turned me away prior to that until you thought I would receive sufficient benefit.

In September of 2004 you yourself did a whopping 1400 or so in the crown area (your organization did 1200 grafts prior) . Now this is the reason I am writing to you (in addition to just finding this blog business on your website): your prospective patients, especially the younger guys, need to know that balding is a long process. Although they may awake to the process all at once with the “bell in the brain” event, it is likely that the process has been in place for sometime and will likely continue. In my case technology and my finances came together and I was able to get ahead so that I never had a bald spot period in my life and managed to keep the “shine through” months to a minimum. To this day it is a hoot to tell new friends or business aqaintances that I’ve had transplants and would have a spectacular bald spot had I not chosen NHI. None, and I repeat none, believe me. Even when I show them evidence of the donor scar most assume I am pulling their leg. Now, for the second reason for writing after reading a number of your blogs. Last week one and a half years after I started the process, I was lolling in the tub and discovered a veritable thicket of new stumps in the thinest area of my swirl. I made a mental genuflection to LA and hollered to the wife: blog the good doctor and tell him that, as in the previous two sessions, his theory of waves of hair growth continues to be proven.

Sorry about the length of email but continue to reassure your younger patients with confidence that it takes time to grow. My only regret continues to be that in never having gone bald I never got to qualify for your “before and after” photos. However, my dream may yet come true. At the advanced age of 57 my front hairline is going. You may see me back in LA or San Jose for splotch in the front. Please let me know if you are running any “forelock specials” and be prepared to guarantee me a minimum half-page pic in your next updated booklet and I’m there. Remember, there are many other hair docs who would benefit greatly from claiming your good work and artistry for their own were I to rent out to them my forehead and crown as an advert. Perhaps I should hold out for a 3/4 page or maybe an inside back cover. Thank you again for your time and attention to my skull. My wife sends her regards and hints that she needs another free shopping day so she’s hoping the front falls out. I’ll remind you that it was an inappropriate comment you made during my last session that all the other wives who drive their husbands get five free hours at the mall with the husband’s credit card. Through sessions one and two I had had her convinced her it was sufficient reward for her to share my salad at mid-surgery point.