I visited the ER at St. Mary's around 6:00 PM due to sudden bleeding and other symptoms that left…read moreme anxious and uncertain. Since I was already at the hospital, this was my only option. It was also my first time ever going to the ER. I was moved to a curtained communal waiting area, where my experience changed dramatically. From that point forward, I received very little attention from the nursing staff. No one checked on me or provided updates unless I got up and asked. I had to initiate everything, from getting instructions for a urine sample to asking for updates on pending results. It felt like a self-service situation, with minimal support for someone in a vulnerable state.
Around an hour later or maybe two, Dr. Gatewood, who was kind, thorough, and communicative did stop by and explained all the CT scan and bloodwork results. This helped ease my concerns. There was one test remaining that he couldn't go over which resulted in me waiting additional hours.
Around 11:00 PM, I received an email saying my discharge was being processed, before I had seen a second provider. Shortly after that, Dr. Ross Kalman came in. He introduced himself and quickly reviewed some test findings, focusing on one result without offering a full explanation. I asked questions to better understand what could be causing the bleeding, and his response was, "We only deal with emergencies here." That comment felt dismissive, especially after waiting nearly five hours. I wasn't frustrated at not having a diagnosis, I was seeking clarity, and this was my only opportunity to ask.
I also brought up dehydration, something I've dealt with in the past, and requested IV fluids. Dr. Kalman denied the request, saying my labs looked fine. However, in his discharge notes, he incorrectly wrote that I denied oral fluids , I was never even offered any. In reality, he told me to "continue doing what you've been doing," which was vague and unhelpful.
As our conversation ended, he said, "You look disappointed," and walked away. That's when I began to feel physically overwhelmed. I started to hyperventilate and that's when nurse Alexis eventually noticed and came to help me calm down. I stood up, intending to leave, but my legs gave out. I didn't yell or act aggressively , I simply became physically unwell. With all that being said, I was told this is a panic attack which I have never experienced. I'm in shocked why vitals were never checked, and how Dr. Kalman never returned or followed up.
What's most concerning is how the episode was documented. His discharge summary described me as "verbally aggressive," "yelling," and said I "threw myself on the floor." None of this is true. The interaction happened privately, and no one else -- including multiple nurses, techs, and Dr. Gatewood, had any issues with me throughout my visit. Dr. Kalman did not examine me during or after this incident, yet made assumptions in his notes that were both exaggerated and inaccurate.
As part of standard protocol, Dr. Kalman would have been aware of what happened yet he never came back to check on me. This whole incident is not just unprofessional and it's unacceptable.
To make matters worse, my primary care doctor never received any record of this ER visit. That lack of communication is alarming, and reflects the broader issue of poor follow-through and documentation.
This visit left me feeling unsupported and misrepresented at a time when I needed clarity and care. I'm sharing my experience so others can be aware of how important it is to advocate for themselves in medical settings, and how quickly a vulnerable moment can be misunderstood when compassion and attention are missing.
