Graduating with four SMC guardian angels
Letter to the Editor
As I prepare for graduation, I remember that I might not have been here; I might not have gotten to wear my cap and gown and I might not have been able to receive my diploma. Without my four guardian angels, I may not have been able to experience any of these things. You may be wondering about my guardian angels Ñ Who are they? What happened? Do I know them? In order to answer these questions, I must take you back to a day here at Saint MaryÕs that I will never forget.
It was a quiet Sunday morning here at Saint MaryÕs College or, at least, that is what my roommates and I thought. My roommates, Kathy Kasmer and Lindsay Richardson and I were preparing to go to brunch in the dining hall. This day was supposed to be a day preparing for finals. I was sitting on the couch in our room when the right side of my body went numb. I could not move and I could not talk. My two roommates watched me go from slightly coherent to totally oblivious but they kept their cool and phoned for help. When security arrived in our room, they tried to get me to stand up. I stood there, no feeling, grasping my roommate for dear life. Lindsay and Kathy saw their carefree and fun roommate turn into a basket case before their eyes.
I was rushed to the emergency room. My roommates stayed while countless tests were conducted. Shortly, our friend Colleen Kross came to my bedside as well. They tried to entertain me even though they knew I was in pain. My sister, Tracy, and her fiance even drove into town after getting engaged the night before. Being from Florida, my parents were unable to come to the hospital. We were in the hospital a long time that day.
When I was released, my friends made sure I was under constant supervision. One of the tests I had at the hospital was a a spinal tap, a very painful procedure where spinal fluid was taken from my back to determine if I had a stroke. Because of the test, I was told to lay flat and was bedridden for a week. I had to return to the hospital a few days later because of the extreme headaches I was experiencing and had to have a blood patch done on my back. During this procedure, it was Colleen Kross that stood by my side. She held my trembling hand as the doctor placed a catheter in my back and took blood from my arm and injected it into my back.
After the procedure, I returned to my bed in Le Mans Hall. Lindsay, Kathy, Colleen, along with our friend Brooke Brumbaugh made the ÒShelley ShiftsÓ; this schedule made sure that I was never alone. These four exceptional women unselfishly took time out of their study time in order to be with me. They rearranged their work schedules to get food for me in the dining hall and come and eat with me. Lindsay even delayed going home after her last exam in order to be with me.
Only a few people at Saint MaryÕs College are even aware of this incident. I can confidently say that without these caring, brave, unselfish and loving women, I would not be here today. During this yearÕs graduation, look around you Ñ my four guardian angels may be right next to you!
Thanks Lindsay Richardson, Kathy Kasmer, Colleen Kross and Brooke Brumbaugh. I love you.
Shelley Raley
Senior
Le Mans Hall
April 28, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, May 19, 2000
