A Thank You To An Angel

March 30, 2012

(Thank the Gods for the internet....)

Dear Dr. Diana,

I don’t know if you’ll remember me, it was forever ago. I’m writing to thank you.

I found you on the internet doing a search for you. I’ve meant to find you for decades actually.

You and I met in the 80s. We used to shine shoes for Tammy at the Old Arcade in Cleveland, do you remember? You probably want to forget about that part of your past! I remember thinking what a neat person you were and that your life was going to be something special.

When I found out you were in medical school, I was so impressed! Such a hard course of study! But I was not surprised!

On March 2, 1993, my mother was admitted in a diabetic coma to University Hospital. I bee-lined it from my house In Lakewood as fast as public transportation would take me. I arrived at the hospital and I couldn’t get into to see her right away. They had taken her for some tests or something. Which was really frustrating!! They sent me down to the cafeteria, “Get a cup of coffee, we’ll let you know.” Gee, thanks!

I remember sitting in there, drinking something (it wasn’t coffee, I wasn’t a coffee drinker much in those days.) I do remember being really upset, crying etc. I wasn’t getting a ton of info and all I knew was my mom was in a coma. You approached me.

“Remember me? Diana?” I sure did! I was so grateful to see someone I knew, a friendly face. You were in your scrubs and I remember asking what you were doing there. “I’m on break, I’m doing my residency here.” Oh, yes, I remembered then that I had heard you were in medical school.I told you why I was there and I can’t remember exactly how you got me into Intensive Care but we got in to (finally) see my mom. She hooked up to every kind of shit you can imagine; I think at that point she was on a respirator too. I was really freaked out; she was the first person I’ve seen in that state. I still get a bit teary relating this.

Diana, you were wonderful….you stayed with me for about an hour or two, you explained everything, you dealt with the staff, you got me some answers. You were there for me. We (my siblings and I) took my mom off life support the next morning. I tried to find you again a few weeks after Mom had died to thank you but I never did. It was as though you had disappeared; no one seemed to be able to locate you.

I have told this story countless times over the years; I’ve never forgotten it, never forgotten your beautiful face, your kind, caring aura. You were there for me. You made a huge difference in a horrible moment in my life. The gods sent you to me, I’m convinced of it.

You were my angel.

I just wanted you to know. I have never forgotten you. As long as I have one stinkin’ memory cell left, I will remember what you did for me.

I wish you all the best, all the good this life can hold. If you’d like to stay in touch, please do. If you don’t, I’m fine with that too. I just didn’t want another day to go without letting you know. I honor you for what you did, for who you are now and forever.

With love and gratitude, I remain,

Mia Knerly-Hess