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November 17, 2009

A life-altering errand | For TV anchor, accident puts focus on health providers and costs – and on loved ones

BY MARTY RADOVANIC The Tribune-Democrat Tue Nov 17, 2009, 01:44 PM EST

On Oct. 7, my life changed forever. A simple errand led to a series of events that altered the path I was to follow.

I call it divine intervention. The nonbelievers will call it coincidence.

Call it what you like. Just know that life for me will never be the same.

The accident was not that big of a deal. Some damage to my car, and a hamstring torn from the bone in my left leg.

OK, the hamstring is a pretty big deal. It required a trip to the ER and some painful days and nights as doctors decided what to do.

Finally, it was decided that I needed surgery.

And that’s where my life began to change.

The current debate over health care is important. There is no reason why any American should be refused health care. The debate over how to pay for it won’t, and should not, end soon.

But to focus on that debate is to lose sight of what really matters. We enjoy the best health care in the world – not because of science and technology, but because of people.

I met some of those folks in the past few weeks – such as Dr. Chris Donaldson: A young man. A brilliant, highly skilled surgeon. And while I’m thankful for his skills that repaired my hamstring, I’m even more thankful for his compassion and interest in me, as a person, not as a case number.

I spent nearly three days in Memorial Medical Center. I was a patient on what’s called 9 Ashman.

I call it heaven on earth because I was surrounded by angels – warm, caring, giving professionals who used all of their knowledge and skills to nurse me back to health.

It may have been a smile, a gentle touch, or an encouraging word delivered in the bright of day, or in the dark of early morning.

It was sincere and heartfelt.

It was the best of what American health care is.

I don’t know how much my surgery, rehab and recovery will cost. I know I could not afford to pay the bills if I did not have health insurance.

I know that the very fact that there are people in this country who have to face the nightmare of trying to survive without insurance is wrong.

I don’t know how to fix the system.

What I know is that our system is more than dollars and cents. It’s the people who deliver that care. Their commitment, compassion and dedication to their patients are priceless.

That’s a life’s lesson I will never forget.

Throughout my recovery, I’ve received dozens of cards, e-mails, phone calls and Web postings – all wishing me well.

I’ve been touched by the genuine concern of many people.

Lying in a hospital bed in my living room has given me countless hours to think about what happened to me and, more importantly, why it happened.

I know it taught me to cherish every moment I have left.

I hope you do as well.

Hug the people you love – often. Tell them you love them every day.

Believe me, it will change your life forever.

Marty Radovanic is an anchor/reporter for WJAC-TV News, Johnstown.

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