FOR those living on the Myall Coast, access to infrastructure like hospitals is often a challenge.

Thankfully, for those in need of medical attention the area has a Free Clinic Bus.

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Jan Peeters told News Of The Area, “This service is run by volunteers, a door to door service for medical, optical and dental appointments.”

The bus operates daily taking people to appointments in Raymond Terrace, Newcastle and Maitland.

If you are in need of transport to medical appointments call 0403 657 195 9am and 12 noon to make a booking.

“We service Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, North Arm Cove and Karuah.”

Swan Bay resident Tracy Wolter has used the bus for life saving treatment.

At 43 years of age Tracy heard what she describes as four sickening words: ‘We found a mass’.

“I have never felt more scared or anxious than at that moment; I was diagnosed with a brain tumor on my right parietal/occipital lobe.”

Tracy had surgery to remove the tumor and was diagnosed with a grade 2 Oligodendroglioma.

Tracy has two beautiful children who had already lost their Dad in a fatal motorcycle crash seven years earlier, when they were just two and six years old.

After Tracy’s first craniotomy she began surveillance MRI scanning – it was the start of the new normal.

Four years later after a routine MRI, Tracy was told the tumor was back.

Surgery revealed a Oligodendroglioma grade 3 and due to this Tracy was no longer able to drive.

However her treatment regime was to undertake daily radiation treatment for six weeks.

In stepped the clinic bus – the Radiation Oncology nurse sent the list of daily appointment times.

“I would receive a phone call with the pickup time and each morning right on time the bus would arrive.

“During this time I met various wonderful drivers who volunteer their time, each with their own stories.”

Often there were other passengers on board, taking their own journey through the roller coaster of the medical world.

“The driver/passengers would listen if I wanted to talk, they’d initiate conversation and also on rough days stay silent so I could rest.”

“Some days we had time for coffee, scones (morning tea date) while waiting on other passengers’ appointments.

“Overall The Clinic Bus gave me something fun each day to look forward to.

“The Clinic Bus was a great distraction from what I was facing each day and made me feel as though I was not alone.

“It allowed me to pick up necessities while waiting on other passengers at Raymond Terrace – what a great bloke Merv is!”

Tracy says that she could not have done it without the Free Clinic Bus and thanks everyone involved.

By Marian SAMPSON