Canisius College

July 2007
Mono + Orientation = One Tired Journaler

Since I left off in my last entry, I have run into a bit of the unexpected, as well as some of the completely expected.  The day after I returned from Boston, I visited my doctor because I had noticed some swelling in my neck.  Twenty-four hours and a blood test later, I was informed that I had mono.  And so began a week that started with a little swelling and sleepiness and ended with a five-day hospital stay.  Although spending five days in the hospital was far from what I had planned to do with the last week of June, my aunt and uncle, my friends, my mom – who flew in from Missouri to take care of me, and the doctors, nurses, and aides kept me in high spirits.  By the time of my release, I was feeling much better, but the doctors still wanted me to take a week off from work, which I did.  The last day of this week happened to be the Fourth of July.  My friends were great – they knew I was not up for anything that would take much energy, so we just had a low-key barbeque at my friends’ apartment and spent the evening relaxing.

Our "Martha Stewart" Pastry

This was very much needed since my first day back to work the next day would coincide with a Freshman Orientation session.  While my bout with mono had brought unexpected exhaustion, Orientation season is as much as synonymous with exhaustion for those that work it – and, as this is my third year working as a member of O-Staff (short for Orientation Staff), I had a pretty good idea of what the next day would bring.  As it played out, Day 1 of Session 2 did not disappoint: it was everything that Orientation should be – exhausting, but also informative, fun, exciting, and rewarding.

A team of incoming freshmen competing in the Sponge Water Relay during Orentation Olympics

My bosses, Mr. Hersey and Ms. Barb, the forces behind the Office of Student Retention (the office in charge of Freshman Orientation) were great: they were very sensitive to the fact that I was still recovering and let me sneak a nap in here and there when I needed it.  As I write this entry, I’m feeling almost 100%, but still taking extra good care of myself.  I really do not want to get sick again; after all, tomorrow is another Orientation session so I have to be in top form!

Dan Theal '08, the former Orientation Student Chairperson, and I having fun at our Shoe-Egg Relay station at the 2006 Orientation Olympics

Rachel's June 2007 Journal