After spending most of 2024 in severe pain, General Hospital actress Risa Dorken (Amy) shared in a very vulnerable Instagram post that she finally received answers as to what had been plaguing her! Unfortunately, she spent the week around Christmas in the hospital as a result of her undiagnosed condition, but she was happy to report that she is now on the road to healing!

“First, I’m doing well,” Dorken began her update, including several photos from her hospital stay and first days back home. “My eight-plus month diagnostic journey came to climax while I spent Christmas week in the hospital.”

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Over the past year, the GH star recounted, she visited the ER three times, had multiple doctor visits, pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds, countless blood tests, two CT scans, three MRIs, a HIDA scan (imaging that examines the gallbladder, liver, and bile ducts), followed a low FODMAP diet to manage irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, had an echocardiogram, and did a treadmill stress test. “With teary eyes, and an ‘invisible’ problem, I had almost accepted my new reality. Because ‘they’ told me to,” she confessed, referring to the health specialists she’d initially sought treatment from.

However, the feisty actress refused to accept a non-answer as an answer. “I know my body better than anyone,” she pointed out. “The pain was intolerable, and I knew it wasn’t normal. So, I tried a different hospital, and they listened! Thank you, UCLA, for your professionalism, care, and kindness.”

Shortly after she was seen by a team at one of UCLA Health’s medical centers, Dorken had emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder. She went on to detail how she developed jaundice (a condition that causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow, which gallbladder issues can cause) and then had an ERCP procedure to remove a missed gallstone that had gotten lodged. On top of all that, Dorken then developed pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas. “Thought I knew pain before… nope. Now I do,” she joked, adding that while none of her prior scans showed any concerning issues, “in reality, my gallbladder was in really rough shape.”

After thanking the team of medical professionals who took care of her — and her husband, Bo, for being by her side through it all — Dorken shared her relief for finally having answers because she stood up for herself and insisted that something was not right with her body. “It’s sometimes hard for healthcare providers to take you (me) seriously when they look at your chart, see mental health conditions, run their tests, and tell you nothing’s wrong — ‘It’s your anxiety,’” wrote the bipolar actress.

“It’s devastating to feel dismissed, especially when your health (and happiness) are at stake,” she continued. “Well, sometimes scans are off and it’s a ticking timebomb organ rotting inside you… just saying. Health. Mental health. It’s all that matters.”

Before signing off, Dorken wished her followers a healthy 2025 and urged them to be kind to other people. “Why not, ya know? Being a human is hard. Take care of yourselves.”

We are glad to hear that Dorken is feeling better and we wish her a speedy recovery!