MISSION REEF RESORT TRACK OF THE WEEK - QUIVER SYNDROME
Was I afraid or just anxious?
I’m asleep, fast asleep, a gentle tap on my shoulder. Another, then something more resembling a shake! I mumble apologetically:
?“I’m sorry I must be snoring again!”?
?I’m just about to slide, take the ride, back to within slumber’s blissful realm, this time only to be awakened by yet further fraught and desperate agitation!
?“Mark, I’m in so much pain! - I think you’re going to need to call an ambulance”!
?Now I’m awake, well sort of! You know that weird, drugged out feeling That numbness you experience having overslept when you only planned a quick nap! But I know it’s serious and through the pall I realise I’m going to have to muster something that resembles sensibility. I glance at my phone, it’s 1.05 am Monday morning, the middle of the night! I don’t really know why but somehow; I reckon a direct call to Tully Hospital may be the better option.
Forty minutes later Leanne & I, having now arrived within the quiet, morgue like confines of the Tully Hospital, find ourselves within a very small examination room. A diminutive space wallpapered with posters depicting everything from hand-washing procedures to signs advising flu shot vaccinations! Leanne is obviously in considerable pain and as she lies groaning quietly and doubled up upon the examination bed, I’m beginning to worry. Actually, I’m not worried, I’m really afraid!
The nurse I spoke with over the phone is professional and kind. She’s also really tired but extremely compassionate. She does night shifts all the time but never gets used to them and does everything she can to assist Leanne. In an effort to allay my fears, her reassuring tone’s a small consolation.
The doctor, also professional, is constrained as to how much pain relief he can subscribe. He’s genuinely sympathetic but limited by the protocols he must follow. Without an ultrasound he can’t be sure, but he does suspect it may the passing of a gallstone. In due course he admits Leanne into a small ward and before not too long, she’s hooked up to a programmed intravenous drip that delivers morphine via a catheter.
?In my discombobulated state, I slump within the chair located next to Leanne’s bed, the periodic beep of the delivery machine punctuating my every attempt to gain at least some limited sleep. When the relieving doctor comes on shift at 7am he looks in on her and checks her chart and states:
“You’ve had about the same amount of Morphine we’d give to a cancer patient!”
He also reckons on it being a gallstone and wants her to spend the day in hospital under observation. Bruised and battered but at least a little more comfortable, (definitely the pain relief!) it’s obviously where she needs to be!
Now it’s 7.30am, I’m on the jungle lined Tully / Mission Beach Road heading back to the resort, watching out for cassowaries camouflaged in the morning’s crepuscular glow. So much is going through my mind. Where do I start? I’m afraid for my wife. (It hasn’t been fully ascertained as to what her issue is yet, that would be confirmed a day and a half later. And yes, the passing of a gallstone and along for good measure, an inflamed gallbladder!) The inflated corpse of a dead kangaroo lays sprawled across the roads shoulder as I pass through a cane field cleared area. I noticed it as we drove into Tully earlier in the dark. I then remind myself to keep my eyes on the road as MARK LANAGAN’S – “QUIVER SYNDROME” track reverberates over and over in my head.
Being pretty new to the role of running a small resort, I think I’m going to need some help and being Monday morning, there are rooms to be cleaned, bookings to confirm and rooms to allocate. There’s also weekend takings to orgainse and reconcile. Yes, I’m definitely going to need some help. It’s then I decide to ring Arthur, (some know him as Norm – well at least Sue his partner along with those at the golf club I’m led to believe), he’s the man I would jokingly call my “Consigliere”.
?That day he was certainly my trusted counsel as well as the angel on my shoulder! His support I can never forget and will never adequately repay.
Leanne and I met Arthur over the phone before we even arrived at THE MISSION REEF RESORT. A quiet man, a man of modesty, integrity and good humour, Arthur each morning used to look after the bookkeeping and assist with the room allocations for the previous manager. But he did so much more than that. When we first arrived, his encouragement and assistance we so genuinely appreciated. He welcomed us to Mission Beach and our daily interactions served as confirmation that we had made the right decision to embark upon this new “Adventure”. Arthur a man in his early 60’s is a man whom my father would define as “Solid”.?
Now I know I would embarrass Arthur by continuing to sing his praises, (and believe me there is so many accolades he deserves), so instead finally, I’m going get to the point and nominate for this week’s MISSION REEF RESORT track of the week, a “Dandy Warhol’s meets Tom Waites & Ian Astbury from The Cult” track,
领英推荐
- Mark Lanagan’s release from his February 2012 album “Blues Funeral.” The accompanying track for my return journey back to Mission Beach that morning, - “QUIVER SYNDROME”
These days Mark Lanagan fronts his own band,? - “The Mark Lanagan Band”. He has a pedigree a mile long having started out with seminal grunge outfit, Washington State’s -? “Screaming Trees”, (1984 – 2000), numerous collaborations, (Isobel Campbell, Massive Attack, Moby), as well as a long stint with riff-orientated rockers, “Queens Of The Stone Age!
MOJO reviewer Keith Cameron is quoted as saying;
"No other singer of his generation plumbs the depths so credibly, or does mournful with such grace."
“Blues Funeral” is one of those albums that requires a few listens to warm to but it’s well worth the effort. It’s eloquently delivered “Mournful Tones” wash with articulacy and erudition across the listener. He certainly pays homage to “The Blues” genre. His ability to deliver lyrics that convey genuinely considered moments of self-reflection hook the listener with not only their veracity but also with sincerely delivered earnestness and give him a well earned credibility. As both an artist and someone who’s “Won his life’s stripes”, he also could justifiably be described as, – “Solid”.
So folks, afraid?
Yes. I’d be lying if I’d said other wise but with the help of some wonderful friends, (again, thank you so much Arthur); I made it across the line. And how’s Leanne getting along? - She’s amazing! Sore for a fortnight or so but she’s recovered and continues to inspire me each day! And oh, I promise that next week I’ll try to be a little briefer in my written effort!
?Till next week friends, look after yourselves, but more importantly, lets all remember to look after each other!
#cooltrax?#coolmusic?#missionreefresorttrackoftheweek #marklanagan #quiversyndrome #fear #afraid #bluesfuneral
?