Today was another day with a series of miracles.
I have been waiting almost a year for a neurology
appointment because of a small cyst or similar growth in my brain, accused of a
range of unpleasant symptoms. Finally, I was given a 1:00pm appointment today
to see a neurologist at a Gold Coast hospital.
Miracle number 1. Being an afternoon appointment, although
the day was cloudy, we had opportunity to wash our weekly laundry before going.
After pegging the washing on the clothesline, Rosemary and I
left early to take a bus to the railway station, from there to take a train to
another station, to then finally to take a light-rail tram to the hospital.
Miracle number 2. Even though our bus was running several
minutes late, we were still in plenty time for the train and, along with a
number of other travellers, waited patiently on platform number one as
directed.
Unfortunately, due to track works, to the surprise of the
platform staff, the train pulled up at a different platform, separated by an
overhead walkway.
Those of us waiting at the advertised platform hastily
struggled to get to the other platform.
The ambulatory ones took to the stairs and crossed over to
the other platform in record time. Being less mobile, we had to traverse two
ramps to get to the overhead gantry, then another two ramps to descent to the
other platform. The train left before we had a chance to get there.
The station attendant apologized profusely, but explained
that they do not inform him until two minutes before a train arrives, as to
which platform it will arrive. We could wait for the next train in about
half-an-hour, but again we would only have less than two minutes to get from
one platform to the other depending at which platform the train arrives.
This was a risk we couldn't take so decided to go by 'bus to
another station, one that has a centre platform for trains using either track.
Miracle number 3. Almost immediately a 'bus arrived and we
boarded it for the continuation of our journey.
Miracle number 4. Despite the bus stopping frequently and
taking a very circuitous route, we got to the next station before the train
arrived. We waited there for the next train, boarded it and were taken to the
station from where the light-rail tram was to depart.
Already 30 minutes late, we arrived at the light-rail tram
station only to be advised over the public address system that the tram to the
hospital was running late, 'due to an incident on the track'.
Miracle number 5. When we finally clocked in at the hospital
for my appointment, the digital receipt showed that our arrival time for our
one-o'clock appointment was exactly one o'clock, to the second.
Miracle number 6. The test results revealed that the cyst
was not sinister and, until a cause could be found, I would only require
treatment for symptoms.
Miracle number 7. The weather turned sour in the afternoon
and presaging ominous storm clouds were brewing. However, after our uneventful
return tram, train and 'bus journeys, we arrived home in sufficient time to
bring in the washing before it rained.
Lionel Hartley
