Today, a young student of mine became very ill during the exam. I didn't notice until she turned in her test, and she was crying. This is the second course she's taken with me - she's a very good student, so I knew this wasn't test anxiety. I walked out of the classroom with her, leaving the rest of the students taking their exams. She wanted to walk to her car so that she could drive to the emergency room, because this was not the first time this medical problem has occurred. I tried to help her walk out, but we only got a few feet before she couldn't go anymore. One of the other students came out of our classroom, and I asked him to stay with her while I found our lab tech and asked him to summon help. The lab tech did so and he offered to proctor my exam.

And so I stayed with her. Rubbed her back. Let her squeeze my hand. Hugged her when she starting shaking from the pain. Tried to make her laugh through her embarrassment and discomfort. The campus safety guys showed up a few minutes later.

Procedure prevented them from moving her. They wouldn't fetch a golf cart. She asked them just to put her on one of their bicycles. They asked her if anyone could come and get her, but she lives alone and all of her family is out of state. They called 911. I offered to take her to the ER in my car, but they wouldn't (couldn't, I guess) help me get her to my car. A huge fire truck pulls up several minutes later, compounding my poor student's embarrassment. She begged me to not let them put her on a stretcher. The very nice, fatherly, comforting firemen asked her about symptoms and took her vitals, all while she's still sobbing in pain. They agreed with her assessment of what the problem was and offered to call an ambulance, which she didn't want. I reiterated my offer to take her to the ER. The firemen agreed, commandeered one of the golf carts and I pulled up my car and we finally got her in. She had to sign forms saying that she refused medical attention. They took down my license plate number. I can finally drive her to the ER.

WHICH IS ALL OF ABOUT 200 FUCKING YARDS ACROSS THE STREET!! If I were stronger, I could have carried her to the ER faster than this. As it was, I didn't get her to the ER until about 45 minutes after this all started. All that time in pain, while insurance companies and lawyers bind the hands of those who want to help.

And I got her signed in, found a wheelchair so she wouldn't have to stand, and stayed with her as long as I could before I had to return to teach another class. (While fetching my car, I did a quick check of the department and nobody was around who could teach my lab.) Before I left her sobbing in pain still not seen by a triage nurse, I asked those at the desk if it was okay to leave her alone. They responded, "She's 21, so you can leave her."

That wasn't what I was asking.

I just wanted to come home.

As I left, she mustered a smile and said, "I'll see you on Tuesday" - her next class with me. I hope she's okay.

Happy thoughts to all of those who found themselves in pain today.