My husband, Shane, and I were in Farmville during Labor Day weekend to visit his mom, Diane, a 10-year resident. Friday morning started like any other: Shane was up and out before dawn to fish at Sandy Reservoir; Diane and I were doing things around the house.

Until the phone rang.

I heard Diane say something about the boat and then, “A heart attack?!?” State Trooper Bob Hanes, also planning to fish at Sandy Reservoir, found Shane lying on the dock. He was very sick, vomiting and incoherent with (in Trooper Hanes’ opinion) symptoms resembling a heart attack. Trooper Hanes promptly contacted DNR and emergency services, and then us using Shane’s phone.

I was greeted in the ER with very kind, concerned and friendly nurses and staff — very welcoming, as I was emotional at the uncertainty of Shane’s condition. The ambulance arrived a few minutes later. We went outside to greet him. There were leads monitoring his heart, an IV, his shirt had been cut off and he was very pale and soaking wet with perspiration, but, thankfully, he was alive.

One of the paramedics said if it was his heart, a helicopter was on the way to take him to Richmond, as they are better equipped for severe cardiac issues. This fine young man knew to take a picture of Shane’s heart to assess its condition and knew where he would be better served — all prior to bringing him to Centra Southside Community Hospital.

While Shane was having X-rays, CT, MRI, etc., I stood in the hall. No one passed me without asking how I was and if they could bring me anything: nurses, support staff, other paramedics — literally, each person. Dr. Matthew Wiggins, of whom I cannot say enough, promptly saw Shane. He prescribed the necessary medication, ordered labs and other tests to make his diagnosis, all with care, efficiency, professionalism and genuine concern for Shane’s well-being.

It was a very long day, thankfully ending with a discharge with a severe case of vertigo. We started the day scared and uncertain of the outcome. We were greeted with the amazing people of Farmville, from Trooper Hanes, to the proactive ambulance first responder, to Dr. Wiggins and the hospital staff.

Trooper Hanes even returned to Sandy Reservoir a few times to check on our boat and truck. He had pulled the boat out of the water, and locked up all of the rods and tackle boxes in the cab of the truck (which had a lot of visible cash and Shane’s wallet — untouched).

Thank you, Farmville.

Shane Seller and Shannan Newcomb live in Arnold, Md., and plan to become Farmville residents. Newcomb’s email address is snewcomb3@yahoo.com.