40 Comments
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Leah Rampy's avatar

Oh my. What an ordeal! Glad to hear you’ve healed.

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Aw thanks, Leah. Yes, all is well. I did one follow up, and need to do another in six months.

Candy Kennedy's avatar

Wow. catching up with your writing and stunned you went through this. Glad you are okay.

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Thanks Candy!

Michele Cambardella's avatar

oh wow. So scary. I'm glad you are healing and okay.

good piece, Ilona.

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Thanks, Michele and yes, the scariest part is over.

Cathy Sogorka's avatar

It was so great seeing you and Lazarus last night!

I always feel like I'm living your story with you!

Ilona Goanos's avatar

That’s what I was going for! Thanks so much for the feedback, Cathy!

Bill Alstrom (MA/Maine/MA)'s avatar

Well written! But I wish that your story was unique. Our system is a study in chaos. We have had similar experiences.

Glad you came out of this well!

And The Pitt is in my top ten TV shows of all time. What will Dr Robbie do...get on that bike or stay?

Ilona Goanos's avatar

That was quite the cliff-hanger, wasn't it? I think the show does a good job of showing the realities of being short-staffed and under-funded. That's capitalism at its worst. If you're lucky you have an advocate who questions things and makes sure that things don't fall through the cracks. For the rest, we can only hope for the best and for a bit of luck.

Bill Alstrom (MA/Maine/MA)'s avatar

The Pitt, aside from its spot on social commentary, paints multiple portraits of so many interesting and terrific people. I seem to care about all of them!

And Dr. Robbie...oy. So competent. So compassionate. So decisive - except personally. The show is a masterpiece of human complexity. Gives me that "West Wing vibe."

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Agreed! Ugh that mom with cancer was really upsetting.

Veronica (Niki) Fielding's avatar

So glad you're doing better and have healed, Ilona. No one should have to go through what we go through in 2026 re: medical care.

Ilona Goanos's avatar

I agree. It’s really scary the number of ways things can go wrong when you’re in their care.

Journalisa's avatar

I'm so sorry you went through that. I was in a similar accident when I was 20. Intersection... but I didn't go through what you went through. They checked me out and told me I was fine. Five years later my neck was a mess. A chiropractor said, "Were you in an auto accident five years ago?" The problem had had five years to become a life long aggravation. I'm so glad you are okay.

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Thanks Lisa! I still have periodic liver pains, but I'm hoping that this isn't a forever thing. The plus side of this event is that I know exactly where in my body my liver lives. I have also been rear-ended multiple times, and those whiplashes have really screwed up my neck and upper back.

Jan Hempstead, RN's avatar

Ugh!!!! So sorry you went through this Ilona. Even as a nurse, or maybe because of this, I hate to be in the hospital but even worse to be in the ER. Ironically, I just wrote about my experience being in the ER and subsequent follow up. No fun!

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Oh my goodness. You win, Jan! I'm embarrassed to whine and complain about such a trivial matter after reading your latest mishap. I'm so sorry you're going through this and now waiting for your test results. Our medical system is VERY broken. The silver lining is that you were a nurse and you have so much knowledge that you can semi-diagnose yourself. Keep us posted. Sending some positive vibes your way for the best possible outcome. ❤️

Jan Hempstead, RN's avatar

There is no win or lose in health. It all sucks. I’m so sad our healthcare system has evolved to such a state. I’m old school and remember when it was different. We all need to stay out of the ER. I looked for Dr. Robbie too 😉

LIsa E's avatar

What a story! I wish our medical system could more closely resemble The Pitt. I'm right there with you on avoiding the hospital and sick people. And my dad was a surgeon (he also avoided being a patient). Glad you are back to fighting form! And I'm going to be in one of your classes soon!! We need to catch up!!

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Definitely girl! But let's not meet anywhere near a hospital 🏥 🤣 😊

Michelle Lindblom's avatar

Happy you trusted your instincts, are okay now and what a play by play. How did you remember all the names of your caregivers? Impressive.

Ilona Goanos's avatar

I started writing right after it happened, then let it sit until just now. I was glad to have one on the bank because I’ve been away for a couple of weeks. So no my memory isn’t as awesome as it appears,

Cindy Hansen's avatar

I was wondering as well! That is an excellent way to spend the eons of waiting time that emergency patients endure. Write it down.

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Exactly! No names were changed because they were not innocent!

Linda Lochridge Hoenigsberg's avatar

What an experience, Ilona! I've had similar and it's weird to read yours and "feel" mine all these years later!

Ilona Goanos's avatar

I’m glad/sad could relate. It’s so common to have to wait for hours and to have screw ups by the hospital. If only Dr. Robbie had swooped in and saved the day!

Linda Lochridge Hoenigsberg's avatar

LOL. Yes!

Marlo Leaman's avatar

I hope there’s a follow up! Seems like there should be more?! Did you go to FL, did you move or were you just being facetious? 🫣

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Nope! Never went to Florida. I was in so much pain for weeks afterwards. It was a delayed reaction for sure.

Marlo Leaman's avatar

Ok good to know! See, needs a quick follow up! Inquiring minds want to know…

Marlo Leaman's avatar

And since it was months ago, I assume you’re back to good! I laughed at your statement that it ‘takes awhile to be able to laugh about it’ because that’s the whole story of my story - it’s funny now, then not so much! 😂

Ilona Goanos's avatar

Your hotel life did sound stressful. If it wasn't one thing, it was another!

Marlo Leaman's avatar

Oh it was!!!

Carol's avatar

You do sound like ypu were a “patient” patient! I’m glad that you’re feeling better now andthat you can find the humor

Ilona Goanos's avatar

OK, maybe I need to rewrite this. 🤣 I was in complete turmoil and my inner dialogue was iNSANE.

Carol's avatar

Hahaha - as long as you don’t say the inner dialogue out loud!

Ilona Goanos's avatar

No worries Carol! I can’t remember what I thought but I can remember the distress and frustration. May we all have a long healthy run before the next one!

Deborah Thompson 🇨🇦's avatar

Oh Ilona - what an ordeal! I had no idea this was happening to you 🫤🫤🫤🫤

Kirie Pedersen's avatar

Oh my goodness, Ilona! Thanks for documenting how everything can go to hell without warning. And somehow you did find the "funny." Sorry you missed your Florida trip; happy you are now healing safely. "If I could help it, I would never go to a hospital again." That line (for me too after a recent nightmarish medical emergency out of nowhere) says it all.