General Hospital star Risa Dorken is finally feeling better after enduring months of excruciating pain that left her and her doctors searching for answers. On December 29, Dorken took to Instagram to share her incredible health journey and the relief she’s now experiencing, much to the joy of her fans.
A Christmas Week in the Hospital
Dorken’s road to recovery wasn’t an easy one. She shared that she spent much of the Christmas week in the hospital after months of exhausting medical tests and doctor visits. In a heartfelt post, she began, “First, I’m doing well. My 8+ month diagnostic journey came to a climax while I spent Christmas week in the hospital.”
Over those eight months, Dorken endured a grueling series of tests, including multiple trips to the emergency room, numerous doctor visits, ultrasounds, blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, and even a treadmill stress test. Despite all this, the source of her pain remained a mystery. “I had almost accepted my new reality,” she wrote, explaining how she was on the verge of resigning herself to a life of constant discomfort.
The Breakthrough
Frustrated by the lack of answers, Dorken made the decision to seek a second opinion at a different hospital. That’s when the real breakthrough came. At UCLA, doctors discovered the root cause of her pain: her gallbladder was in critical condition. Although previous scans failed to reveal the issue, it was clear her gallbladder had been deteriorating for months.
“I had my gallbladder removed, developed jaundice, had a procedure called an ERCP, and then developed pancreatitis,” Dorken shared. The road to recovery was anything but smooth, but she’s now on the mend, feeling stronger, and finally getting the answers she so desperately needed.
A Grateful Heart
In her post, Dorken expressed gratitude for her husband’s support and the doctors and nurses who helped her navigate the difficult journey. She also opened up about the emotional toll of having her concerns dismissed by some medical professionals, noting how frustrating it can be to have an “invisible” problem. “Sometimes scans are off, and it’s a ticking time bomb organ rotting inside you,” Dorken wrote with candor. Her words serve as a reminder of the importance of trusting one’s instincts when it comes to health.
Outpouring of Love and Support
Since sharing her story, Dorken has been flooded with well-wishes from both her General Hospital family and her loyal fans. Co-stars such as Kathleen Gati (Liesel Obrecht) expressed their relief and admiration, with Gati writing, “So thankful you kept searching and pushing by listening to your own inner awareness! Wishing you a speedy recovery and a fantastic 2025!”
Marc Samuel (Felix) also chimed in, sending his love: “Risa! I’m so glad you followed your instincts and are doing okay. Sending you a big hug, ma.” Fans, too, flooded her post with messages of support, with one commenting, “I’m so sorry to read what you went through but sending you healing thoughts and prayers.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Risa Dorken’s painful journey has been long, but her story is one of resilience, perseverance, and finally finding the relief she so richly deserves. As she heals, her fans continue to rally behind her, sending all their love and wishing her a bright, healthy future.
