Luis’s story
Luis was having pain in his chest and abdomen, characterized by severe heartburn symptoms that he describes as feeling “like fire”. Coughing was extremely painful and, at times, he even found it difficult to breathe. He sought help at Virginia Garcia Memorial Clinic and, after several attempts at treatment, it was evident that Luis needed to see a specialist. Luis had recently lost one of the two jobs he had been working and had no insurance to pay for additional medical care or testing that would be necessary to diagnose his condition. He was having trouble just making ends meet.
So, Luis was referred to Project Access NOW, where care coordinator, Anna Sease, arranged an appointment for him at Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon. Dr. Michael Chang performed an endoscopy, which revealed inflammation of the esophagus. Luis then was seen by Physician’s Assistant, Ken Reckard, who put him on a strict regimen of medications and counseled him about important changes to his diet. A follow up endoscopy three months later revealed that the inflammation was nearly non-existent. Luis feels so much better now and, as long as he continues to take his medication and watch what he eats, he is living pain free.
Of his experience with Project Access NOW, Luis says it was like grabbing on to a log as you are drifting in the middle of a river and being pulled to safety. “I didn’t want to go down the waterfall.”
In the past, in his native Mexico, Luis had volunteered with service organizations like the Lions Clubs International, which provided eye care and glasses to people in need. It was such an enlightening experience to be on the receiving end this time. He says Project Access NOW does amazing things and he is extremely grateful to Project Access NOW, and to Dr. Chang and Mr. Reckard at Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon.
