Zac’s new temporary ride at CMC-Waxhaw ER.

One of our family’s goals when moving to Charlotte was to get healthier. With so much outdoor space, natural areas to hike, walking trails and great year-round weather, we were ready to blaze our fitness trail. First things first, we joined the Morrison Family YMCA in Ballantyne–a mecca for total wellness for all ages.

The three younger kids bee-lined for the pool–or, rather, the amusement-park-splash park. With slides, fountains, splash zones, wading areas and swimming lanes, five hours of activity worked up a cool sweat. While we splashed outside, Zac swished inside. While playing basketball, he heard talk of a CrossFit camp for kids and signed up on the spot.

The next week, he squatted, rope-climbed, flipped tires and had a blast getting fit with a bunch of new faces (who were also east-coast transplants!). In the evening, we lifted weights in the Y gym, biked our development, swam in the pool or walked the trails. On Day 4, his camp gathered for soccer. He powered up and booted the ball with such power, his thigh muscle pulled a piece of bone right of his pelvis. We sealed our second week in Charlotte with a visit to the CMC-Waxhaw ER.

Serene, luxurious (for an ER!), quiet and shiny-new, I felt like I was at a spa. As I sipped my complimentary Macchiato, I marveled that only one other family was waiting. Surely, the Triage and rooms would be filled to the max. We’ll be here for hours, so settle into that wheelchair, Zac. I didn’t get a chance to take a second sip of my luscious coffee when they called us in. Two kind, gentle and informative ER nurses took care of Zac, careful not to cause more pain as they hoisted him from wheelchair to bed. Within 10 minutes, the doctor came in and assessed the damage. Xrays were ordered and results were returned in a little over an hour–would’ve been sooner but there was an order mix-up (and we got Goody Bags for the delay–not kidding!). More Xrays helped determine the final result: pelvic fracture. Ten minutes later, they had Zac on codeine and crutches and we headed to McDonald’s at the nurse’s suggestion (“Tell your mom that would really help you feel better,” she whispered to Zac as she positioned him in the car.)

On Friday morning, a visit to OrthoCarolina was in order. We drove through the sleepy town of Monroe–also the seat of Union County–to get to a medical campus that was just as impressive as the ER. New, large, freestanding buildings housed a number of specialty-care offices. Our sign-in was completely digital and they digitally accessed his Xrays and records from the ER visit. In the NJ healthcare system, it would be nearly impossible to have this type of service–I worked for a large healthcare company in NJ, so I’m not bashing, just speaking the truth.

Anyway, because we rate everything on this blog, Zac and I give both CMC-Waxhaw and OrthoCarolina 4 Thumbs Up. We hope you never have to use these services, but if you do we think you’ll be in good hands.

P.S. Zac’s a real trooper–he was off crutches (and codeine!) by Sunday night. He can’t wait to get back to bball!