Sick KU grad finally walks through Campanile
Lawrence- KU faculty, friends and family gathered in front of The Campanile today for a special graduation ceremony honoring 24-year-old Louis Edwards. Edwards was unable to make graduation with the rest of the class because he woke up the morning of May 11th with swollen legs. Edwards parents made the decision to take him to Lawrence Memorial Hospital where he was later rushed to KU Med Center and remained in the ICU for another 10 days. It turned out Edwards had a massive blood clot near his heart.
“I feel very lucky to be alive and I feel fortunate that if I had to pick when I would get sick, it would be that day so it's very serendipitous,” says Edwards who is referring to the fact that his parents were ironically in town and don’t visit often. Edwards was released from the hospital Monday and a crowd of about 50 gathered to welcome him home and watch him receive his degree. Edwards prognosis is bright. He’s on medication, rest and now has his Masters of Science in higher education administration and will start a new job this summer.
“I feel very fortunate that people are touched and that I've made some friends and they want to show their love and they are out here supporting me,” says Edwards