STORIES FROM THE STORM - The Stories

A Memorable Operation

by Margaret Watts


Black Friday was the day my husband Ian had a cataract operation at Broadmeadow Day Surgery.
That day, the weather at home in Soldiers Point, Port Stephens, was wild. With gale force winds driving a deluge, we expected a call postponing the operation, which had already been postponed from Wednesday to Friday, 6th June 2007. Instead, we received a call, asking us to come in earlier... at 4 pm, rather than 4-30. Our taxi arrived early and in the consequent flurry we left without a torch or the mobile phone…and with the makings of my emergency egg sandwich, still on the kitchen bench- a picnic for invading ants.

We shared the taxi with a passenger from Nelson Bay who was to be taken on to the cardiologist at Cardiff after we’d been dropped at Broadmeadow. During the trip to Newcastle, the sight of a road accident with two ambulances in attendance sobered us. As our taxi climbed Stockton Bridge we peered through the gloom searching for a glimpse of the huge orange hulk of the Pasha Bulker stranded on the beach, but could see nothing. Somewhere near Islington, we were shocked by the sight of a yellow car submerged in floodwater on the other side of the road. Police stood in the driving rain directing the crawling queues of traffic. Luckily our taxi driver Les knew of alternative routes. He deposited us at the Surgery in driving rain, at quarter to four.

We were told the specialist hadn't arrived yet, so sat in the waiting room and chatted until a nurse took Ian away. About an hour later an elderly woman Cath Thomas from Nelson Bay and her daughter, Sue arrived in another taxi. Cath was also to have a cataract operation. Ian reappeared about 5-30. He told me the nurse had dressed him in gown and cap and left him waiting by himself. Eventually, needing a toilet break, he’d dressed again. He complained that his mouth was very dry, but nothing could be done about it as he’d been told to have no food or drink after 1 pm. A nurse came to find him and informed us all that the doctor was delayed as his house had been flooded, but that he wouldn't be much longer. About 6 pm we were told the doctor was on his way. Some time later we were informed he was caught in a traffic jam. We could see the lines of traffic passing below, one slow lane at a time, causing tides of water to roll along the street buffeting abandoned cars.

We were safe, being on the first floor. A crowd of young people arrived, used the toilets and filled the hallway as they sat using their mobile phones. A young couple, the girl heavily pregnant, arrived in the waiting room with their fifteen-month-old son. The family lived in Tudor Street behind the Surgery and with their house flooded and the water still rising had sought shelter. The nurses, continually patient and kind to all despite their own worries, provided the family with blankets and biscuits. The girl told us she'd put her wedding photos and other memorabilia up high, but there was so much she hadn't had time to save because the water had risen so fast. She said there were steps up to her house. When she first looked out, water was lapping the bottom step. Half an hour later it was in the house. She was so distressed when she arrived; the nurses took the precaution of checking her blood pressure.

Meanwhile, to our relief, the specialist arrived. Ian was hurried off to have the injections that would open up the iris of his eye for the operation. He would then wait an hour for it to work, before surgery.

The rest of us were surprised when the taxi driver, Geoff, who'd brought Cath and Sue, joined us in the waiting room. After dropping the two women at the Day Surgery, he told us, he’d set off for the Mater Hospital at Waratah to take a lady back to Nelson Bay, but had been unable to get through. He told us our taxi driver Les, was stuck in Cardiff. Geoff said the water was so deep at the Gully Line and various other places that there was no hope of going home to Port Stephens.

Hearing the tales of misadventure and distress from those now sheltering in the waiting room with us - cars stalled in the flood and their occupants wading through freezing water… women worrying about their children at home… credit on mobile phones running out... drivers having used up most of their petrol in vain attempts to get home, were distressing when there was no way to help. The news grew grimmer as the hours passed with gale force winds lashing the area and driving the rain. Sue and I were anxious, wondering if we’d be stuck there for the night…and how could we care for our patients?

Looking at those about us, we knew we were lucky to have a warm place to wait, though we worried about what would happen later. By then, Cath had been taken to be prepared for her operation.
The news grew grimmer as the hours passed. Outside, gale force winds lashed the area. More people arrived, pants legs rolled up to their thighs, faces lined with exhaustion and worry.

About ten o'clock, I was taken to sit by Ian who’d had a cup of tea and a sandwich. Soon Cath reappeared and the post op treatment proceeded; we carers were given instructions.

Someone mentioned that we mightn’t be able to go home. The specialist, who couldn’t leave the surgery while anyone remained, offered to put us up a hotel at his expense. Then he went to consult the taxi driver.
As I wondered how we would manage to reach a hotel, since the nurses, one of whom who lived only five minutes from the surgery, had mentioned that they had little hope of making it home, the specialist returned and asked Cath Thomas what she wanted to do, try to get home or go to a hotel? Predictably she opted to go home. Who wouldn't want to leave all that chaos if there was half a chance?

Geoff, who had radio contact with the other drivers, said the water levels had fallen a bit and he thought he could get us through.

The four of us, plus the driver and Kath's walker were all fitted into the car and off we set in the rain, hiding our apprehension, hoping all would be well. During the trip we listened to Geoff discussing the state of various roads with other drivers. We learnt that Les, the driver who'd taken us to Broadmeadow, was at last, making his way home from Cardiff somewhere behind us. We surfed through quite a bit of water, especially on Toule Road and beside the lagoon on the other side of the bridge, but none of it was deep enough to halt our passage.
Thanks to Geoff’s expert knowledge and driving skills, Ian and I arrived at Soldiers Point about 20 minutes before midnight. Ian had no after effects from the operation at that time, though he suffered pain later in the night, as was to be expected.

We had been so lucky! The radio provided continual reports of the problems people in Newcastle and Maitland were suffering. Though we had a blackout for several hours at Soldiers Point on Saturday; we knew others in the Hunter Valley were without water and power! It was a seriously black time for so many people!
We’ll always remember the day of Ian’s cataract operation.

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