By Laurel Ciohon
As someone who has always been blessed with good health, Door County Medical Center was not a place I’ve spent much time, at least not since I was born there in 1982. I’ve had a few health scares in my life, but nothing that prepared me for the night of September 2, 2018. I was involved in a freak accident that left me with a broken hip and femur, broken hand and wrist, and several broken ribs.
After being rushed to Door County Medical Center, I was almost immediately sent into emergency surgery. The days, weeks, and months that followed were the hardest of my life, but with the help of the incredible staff at DCMC, I was able to slowly make a full recovery.
My surgical team rebuilt my hip and femur with 2 titanium rods and rebuilt my shattered wrist with a titanium plate. My physical therapists assisted me while I learned to walk again and my occupational therapists helped me regain strength and movement in my hand. From the incredible nurses that were right by my side during my stay at the hospital, to the helpful people in the financial office, to my amazing counselor that I still meet with, I have been nothing short of amazed by the kindness and care given to me at DCMC.
At the time of my accident, I was without medical insurance. The DCMC financial office introduced me to the Community Fund, a fund specifically for patients without insurance, which helped cover a huge percentage of my medical bills. The huge remainder of my bills were donated by Door County community thru a crowd funding website. I’m still overwhelmed by the generosity and selflessness of the people of Door County.
As I continue to recover, I’ve slowly started running again. One of my favorite races is the Door County Half Marathon held each spring at Peninsula State Park. Each year, in order to participate, I raise money for a local cause. This year, I’ve chosen to raise money for the DCMC Community Fund, a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I am forever grateful for this community and will continue to give back as long as I’m able.