Emotions ran deep May 8 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, where Margaret Kalfas, 83, of Whitehall, was reunited with Whitehall Township police officers and Cetronia Ambulance personnel who are credited with saving her life after she suffered a life-threatening stroke Feb. 7 while driving on MacArthur Road.

Kalfas was driving to pick up her husband, John, from a dialysis center when she suffered the stroke. A large blood clot lodged in her carotid artery, resulting in physical and mental trauma. Confused, Kalfas stopped her car dangerously in traffic on MacArthur Road. A motorist alerted police.

Police Officers Paul Barnes, Jeffrey Coleman and Quadir Carter responded in moments after being alerted of an erratic driver whose car engine was running.

At the ceremony May 8, Barnes said he was grateful he took Kalfas' car keys. Barnes, who kept her from pulling back into traffic, said she was "conscious but catatonic." On approaching, he said, she tried to put the car in motion.

Cetronia Ambulance was summoned immediately. Paramedic Greg Marchetti and EMT Charles Lance responded and called a stroke alert into the hospital.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to the three police officers and the Cetronia Ambulance personnel. Police Lt. Ribello Bertoni accepted the certificate for Carter, who was unable to attend the ceremony.

Barnes presented Kalfas with a large, colorful bouquet of flowers. Looking forward to meeting the people whose skills and actions made the day possible, she said, "I wanted to thank everyone for what they did to save my life."

Kalfas hopes to be driving again soon.

"I thank God every day," John Kalfas said. "He was looking out for her."

The couple is looking to celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary in August.

Dr. Darryn Shaff, the hospital's chief of neurointerventional radiology, said everybody was at the right place at the right time, including the ambulance crew who recognized the symptoms and hospital staff for being prepared.

When Kalfas arrived at the hospital's emergency room, a team of ER and stroke specialists confirmed the stroke.

Shaff deftly removed the clot from Kalfas' carotid artery using a vacuumlike device. Kalfas spent five days recovering at LVH and then several weeks in a rehab facility.

She thanked those who saved her life. She also said she has put the experience behind her.

The program also called attention to May as Stroke Awareness Month and to LVH as the region's only comprehensive stroke center.