The "Shore Emergency" Story

It was an ordinary day. We were off to Ocean City, NJ on our yearly family vacation. I must give you a little background before I continue.......this year our daughter Brynn and her husband Dave and their children Courtney and Camille plan to be in the caravan as we head to the shore. Seems that Dave is playing in a charity golf tournament near Philadelphia the day before we leave and will find it easier leaving from our house in Lancaster then from his home in Urbana, MD., so they drive to our house mid-week and Dave takes off for the golf outing. While in the tournament he is sitting in a golf cart and someone hits him with a golf ball in the calf. Almost instantly his calf swelled to double the size. Playing with him was an EMT and a nurse. They both examined him and pronounced him OK to continue, but they would keep an eye on him. He chose not to have his leg examined at the hospital and early the next morning returns to travel with us. We check out his injury and ask if he will be OK. Also inquire whether he feels dizzy or light-headed, is nauseous or has any pain in the chest or arm, etc. We definitely have planted too many thoughts in this guy's head. But, off we go. Carol and I lead while Dave, Brynn and the girls follow and our son Derek and his wife Barb and son Caden bring up the rear. Ever try to drive three hours in heavy traffic with three cars? About forty-five minutes later, near Cochranville we get a call from Brynn. Dave is feeling light-headed and nauseous and has to pull over. We immediately find a safe place to pull over. Dave gets out of the car and is sweating. Carol gives him a bottle of water to drink. Shortly he feels better, but Brynn decides to drive. Good move. After another forty-five minutes, Brynn called again and said she just got off the phone with 911 and is heading to the nearest hospital, since Dave now has a pain in his arm. She takes the lead and we head to Christiana Hospital in Delaware. Fifteen minutes later we are in the Emergency room. All nine of us!! They took Dave immediately, so we went to the waiting room. And waited. And waited. Brynn found us and said it may be a while. Of course, it's an Emergency Room. All Dave's vital signs were fine, but they had a gadzillion tests to do before they would release him. Brynn stays with him while the rest of us find a restaurant for lunch. After returning from lunch we call Brynn on her cell and ask her to come out to the parking lot. No need to have everyone picking up anymore germs in the waiting room. We make the decision to move the luggage, car seats, etc. around in the three cars and continue on without Brynn and Dave. Kind of get lost for a short time, but then see the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Another hour and a half later we are unloading our cars at our condo. An hour or so later Brynn and Dave arrive. Dave's leg improved as the week progressed and, as you can see, was all better for our annual shore photo. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Shore Shot from '09 featuring row 1: Derek, Caden, Camille, Brynn, row 2: Barb, Courtney, Dave, top: Carol, LDub. Our son Tad was working this year during the week of our vacation and isn't in the pix.