All
my friends were there, I looked around me and a great feeling passed through my
nerves; extending from my neurological response and crossing the physical
barrier while applying itself to my bones. I just
couldn't believe what was happening though, its not everyday that you
are driving on the American coast line in a convertible. Why not have
the top down? I looked around and distinctively remember seeing my friends
faces, I could make out familiar laughs and comments that only a few could ever
make in that tone and sincerity. I laughed at the thought of coming home,
everyone had already forgotten what home meant; this was home for us
now. I could feel the warm sun kiss my skin, while the cool breeze skim the
back of my neck infiltrating from the open window to my left, and as
I looked across; the vast coast line opened up to
the magnificent blue. The feeling of freedom
most prominent; overtaking every other emotion at the
time, and I could feel a great sense of satisfaction. But where does this time
go? I could feel a sense of consciousness shiver over me, before
I realised the great big turtle statue at least a hundred feet tall.
Wait, what? It doesn't matter anyway, I'm with all my friends, I am
exactly where I want to be, but I definitely wanted that radio off.
Who turned on that song anyway? and why is so repetitive? we all joke about it
and blame each other for the poor selection of frequency.
Why hasn't anybody turned it off? I decide to lean forward from the
back middle seat, over her shoulder, reaching my hand over the brown leather
gear stick and out to connect with the dial. Whoops, the volume dial does not
change anything except making it louder. Wait, why is there a snooze button on
the radio?
My
eyes hit the entering light as a look around to find myself in bed, that dam
radio still playing that awful pop song that is so repetitive, so I turn
the bell charms off. Dam! it's time to get up and work! The rest of the road
trip will need to wait at least 18hours. I rise to the cool air surrounding my
bed, hitting the shower with sore muscles from last nights boxing session. the
body then fuelled before taking the 8minute
journey across the Storey Bridge and into the Mater Hospital car
park. By this point; things are regular, same area of the car park, the same
walk down through the scaffolding of the new hospital being
built, across the pedestrian crossing, down the slight hill, into the
staff entry with my swipe card, the 46second wait for the lift to pick me up
from level two, and the ever so illusion corridor that always
tricks me into thinking that the change room doors are closer than
they really are. The familiar beep the change room doors swipe access make is
comforting in a way, if I'm on time it means I'm here on time, if I'm late,
well, it doesn't discriminate. past the naked man that looks
different everyday, and down to the scrub trolley to pick out my large top and
bottoms; before entering my locker key to retrieve my Nikes.
Change room talk
is on of my personal favourites, exclusive male talk, after we talk about
trucks and female body parts, we talk about how much rain we got the night
before, farm land, directions and cardboard boxes. All personal I assure you,
it's personal because of the underwear in which we speak in. The quick two-minute
coffee is the last stop before making my way down the fire stairs and
into the main theatre floor. it is here where I complete my daily
routine, finished off by signing next to my name; always a nervous
time for me, because this is where I confirm to myself that I am on
the correct shift, and that I'm not 6hours early. Once that ink leaves the page
however, my day begins; it is here the routine regular becomes
the unknown; as everything past this point is irregular
and unpredictable. Turns out that I am working on the General Theatre
list, it doesn't look too bad. Such weird perspectives when you work
in theatre, theatre scrub/scouts judge their day by what makes the theatre
lists, how long the page is and what procedures are on it; you
quickly read the procedures and make a judgement
on whether the list will finish on time. The Anaesthetic team reads
the list and quickly calculates the age of each patient, whether they are male
or female, then look at the procedure to try and determine why they are having
the surgery and what complications it could bring airway and anaesthetic wise.
Recovery staff read the list in numbers and the visual representation on the
page; meaning, if the page is super long, recovery knows it’s going to be a
long day.
As I enter theatre 16, there is the usual sight of
the Anaesthetic Nurse/Tech checking and stocking
the anaesthetic machine and equipment, always the same; Morning, good
morning. the chilling air covering my exposed skin, the cold steel benches and
open space; sucking out all moisture and humidity to create a dry cold
environment. There is calmness about a theatre first thing in the morning, its
quite, people are either fresh or fatigued from the late night at work. I push
down the stock trolley with all our surgical equipment, three levels of
racket; organised in trays and labelled accordingly. Before long the
rest of the surgical team appear, and momentarily there is a
communication analysis on each other, each reading one another and
determining what the day has install for them.
The theatre was full, a small number of
medical personnel filled the stage, the walls had seen many before
them and will continue to witness the marvel once they are gone. The creaking
floor played witness to many blood spills over many battles, the struggle of
man portrayed in many styles as to many artists. A great dense historical feel
echoing off the walls, as the curtains has closed many chapters and stories,
many characters as well as props have also seen the inside view of the stage
curtain. The cast of this particular play are both well experienced as well
novice, many roles have fallen and many have triumphed, each and every
cast member having a particular role, congregated together to create a symphony
of co-operation and brilliance. The energy created on this stage is enough to
fill a whole house of brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers, all watching with
anticipating eyes; playing witness to the great story from beginning to end.
The intermediate breaks filled with late nights, coffee, hope, fear and
struggle as the night turns to day and life continues and ends.
The main
character centre stage, stage light shining through the cold air and fixed.
Fellow stage members surrounding the wounded soldier playing the role of
salvation and redemption; off to prove themselves while conquering their
greatest fear. The stage has been set for an inspirational return to paradise,
having one last chance to correct the mistakes and misfortunes of the past, a
deep thought confronting each and every one of them. Will they overcome this
great domineer to once again return to their loved ones and proclaim
their victory. The villain playing the dark host hovering in the background amongst
the vast columns. Sword still bleeding the pain of its victim, waiting in the
shadows to cast the final blow, and slay his victim to the ground. The heroic
lead having one last stand against his enemy, with no might to match. Eyes
weary and skin cold, blood traveling slow and exposed, looking to the light
above and having peace, having what he believes to be his last thought. There
is love in him, a hope that shimmers amongst the torment of his pain and
suffering, but a hero is not to be ruled out. A great energy of an army of
thousands descends on the very hill, a saviour among them perhaps.
The hero of the story has no face, no name, but rather an energy
contained from past battles and struggles, ones that has been learnt and
studied. Many have fallen before and it is only due to the expanding love and
care that this hero is able to provide a shelter to the weak, and give
everlasting hope for at least one last time. The hero lifting our battered soldier
from the depths of darkness, the villain slayed, the pain leaving the body and
replaced with life; now, he the soldier must return to the audience and deliver
his masterpiece.
I lay in bed, thinking of my dream that I had the night before, I smile,
an internal happiness transcend into my thoughts as I think of the adventures I
am yet to experience. I decide at that very moment to have those thoughts while
I drift away to sleep, confident that I will continue to chase that dream for
as long as it takes, and wherever it takes me. For I know that, this world
holds a place for me and everyone else who wishes to join me. The radio playing
on the background, a cool wind enters the room while I close my eyes tighter,
for the wind is too strong. The coast just as beautiful during the sunset as it
is sunrise.
