Dancing myself right into Beebe’s ER

I danced my way right into Beebe’s Emergency Department. Well not exactly, but pretty close. It was a beautiful evening in April and we were dining with friends at one of our favorite restaurants. We had invited old friends down from Baltimore to join us along with new friends from Lewes. We were having a wonderful time eating, laughing, dancing, and telling stories as friends do when they get together. The night life in Rehoboth and Lewes is one of the things we have enjoyed most since moving to the area two years ago from Baltimore.

As the night came to a close, I decided to dance one last dance. It was a fast swing dance, but unfortunately my feet could not keep up with the music. I twirled and twirled again, and all of a sudden I found myself on the floor with five or six people hovering over me, trying to help me and asking how I was.

How I was: embarrassed, and in pain. My left wrist had taken the brunt of the fall, and I was sure it was broken. My entourage helped me up and back to our table. I was so humiliated, but the pain was so great I didn’t much care. There was a large bag of ice waiting for me. After sitting there for just a few minutes in excruciating pain, I didn’t argue when my friends insisted we head to Beebe’s Emergency Department.

And here is where my story really begins. As a volunteer for Beebe Medical Foundation, I have written many stories highlighting the excellent care patients receive at Beebe Healthcare. Stories about patients whose lives have been saved by quick-thinking doctors and nurses in the Emergency Department. Stories about doctors who go beyond caring and compassionate behavior to assist their patients. Amazing comeback stories of athletes with serious injuries. Stories about extraordinary teamwork and stories about the truly dedicated staff members in every department at Beebe.

But this story is about me. It’s about my experience and the incredible care I received at the Beebe Emergency Department in Lewes that Saturday night. When we pulled into the parking lot, I saw two ambulances at the door. I made a mental note – it was probably going to be a long night. I knew more seriously injured patients might be waiting to be seen. My wrist was sore, but I was happy to wait my turn. The thing about the Emergency Department at Beebe is that you never feel like you’re forgotten.

It took just a few minutes to be registered and triaged, and then I was in a room. Everyone was so friendly, caring, and attentive. The registrar heard me say I was feeling a little faint and immediately had me in a wheelchair. The triage nurse was so gentle with me, apologizing for having to take my blood pressure on the affected arm. Once I was in a room, a physician assistant, Eric Harris, saw me and immediately ordered an X-ray. Shortly afterward, the technician came to do the test and handled my arm with extreme precision and caution.

When the X-ray results came back, Eric reported they did not show a break! Wow! Good news? Why was I in so much pain if it wasn’t broken? I was surprised, and Eric was baffled. It was clear he was not giving up. As busy as they were, he was not sending me home. Eric said, “I’d like to do a CAT scan, just to be sure.” He told me it would probably take a little while because they were so backed up. I already had observed that, and was quite willing to wait.

Within the hour, the CAT scan was completed. “It is a broken bone,” I heard a voice from the doorway say. Before I knew it, Eric and my nurses, Hanna Adams and Lauren Burkhardt, were bustling around the room preparing to do something; I wasn’t sure what at this point. By this time our friends from the restaurant had arrived to sit with us. We were all asking a lot of questions. Where is it broken? Does it require surgery? Will I need a cast? How long will I have to wear it? Will I be able to move my fingers? Eric, Hanna and Lauren answered all our questions with great patience and respect. They demonstrated how the cast would be formed to my arm. It was an educational session for all of us.

Within just a few minutes my arm was in a temporary cast, and Lauren was demonstrating how to insert my arm in the sling and secure it to my body. Eric returned soon thereafter, instructing me to see my orthopedist as soon as possible.

“Well, I think we’re ready to go home,” I said. It was late, and I was tired and in pain. My time in the Emergency Department had gone quickly and efficiently. “No more dancing for a while,” I heard someone say as we walked toward the door. I smiled and quickly agreed!

Since moving to the area from Baltimore in 2016, my family has had to visit Beebe’s Emergency Department for one reason or another at least five or six times. Each time, the experience has been extraordinary. The staff is a special group of people, and the way they interact with their patients truly sets them apart. You feel like a member of their family! That night was extremely busy for them, but I never felt rushed, ignored, or forgotten. Thank you to the Beebe Emergency Department staff for making me feel so special. For all of the reasons mentioned above, I want to acknowledge the Emergency Department staff through Beebe’s Celebrate Excellent Care Program.

To celebrate the Emergency Department’s excellent care, I hope you will join me and many others at the Fourth Annual Beebe Beach Bash Saturday, June 2, at the Cape-May Lewes Ferry terminal in Lewes. This event will once again go down as the biggest party of the summer with dancing, dining, auctions, and more. The Beebe Beach Bash raises funds for the Emergency Department in Lewes and for construction of a new Emergency Department in Millville. Please join us June 2 to help support this cause. Tickets can be purchased at www.beebemedicalfoundation.org/beebe-beach-bash or by calling Beebe Medical Foundation at 302-644-2900.