Care Doctors

This isn't my jam.

I know. We've run out of strawberry.

-We never run out.

-Not usually, no but I forgot we were so low. Luke?

I don't want this jam.

Yes, I know. Just give me five minutes.

Tell you what, I'll nip to the shop and get you some strawberry.

Then we can have breakfast all over again.

-Start from the beginning, OK?

-Don't forget, Mum. Strawberry.

The rest are rubbish.

OPERA MUSIC PLAYS

Hello.

Hi, it's only me.

I'll be in a minute.

"Dying alone like that.

"It's really sad." "No, Evelyn. It's just careless.

"Everybody should have someone."

I'm back now.

Luke!

Shall we start breakfast again?

I'm not hungry.

Why don't you give the TV a break?

I'm busy, Mum.

You could read that book you like?

Or we could go out. What do you think?

"I was age five when I decided to become a doctor."

Hi.

How are you feeling?

Looks OK.

It's good to see you.

-That dramatic exit the other...

-Sh!

Doesn't matter. I'm just glad you're here.

I'm sure Gordon doesn't need to know all the gory details.

If I'm registering, I might as well know what I'm getting into.

And watch out for my fellow receptionist.

She's a bit of a pain in the proverbial but her bark's worse than her bite.

Morning!

Mrs Tembe. What a lovely surprise!

Oh... You know each other?

She's my Good Samaritan.

No, no.

Tell them what you did.

Go on. We're all ears!

Come on... out with it!

The church ladies and I had made preparations -

we were expecting Reverend Clement at any moment.

Then a homeless man appeared.

It was a very difficult situation.

What she's trying to say, very nicely,

is that they wanted to send him packing!

No. Not...

Yes, well, perhaps.

I did not think it was a good idea, so I made him a cup of tea.

Very nice it was, too.

Hang on, I'm confused, who's the tramp?

You?

Most unconventional.

You were testing them?

I just wanted to see the place as an outsider,

not your typical middle-class churchgoer.

I love it. Nice story. Well done, Mrs T.

Right, well. Will you give him a registration form?

I'll put the kettle on.

Got any hobnobs?

Luke.

Luke!

The blood in the toilet, where's it come from?

-Have you hurt yourself?

-Hurts, yeah.

Where does it hurt? Show me!

It hurt when I wee'd. My stomach's bad, too.

-I don't feel well.

-OK, it's OK. I'll call a doctor.

Now then, exercise... hmmm.

You do not find the time?

There was I thinking I was a fine figure of a man!

What about here? It's asking me to specify a primary doctor?

Now, I would strongly recommend Doctor Heston Carter.

Karen mentioned Jimmi?

Good, but not as robust as Doctor Carter.

Why don't we hold off a moment?

I was hoping I'd run into you.

I'd like your help with something, if you have the time?

-Really?

-I'm thinking about making a few changes at St Bernadette's.

Changes?

I want to encourage new people to come to church.

How does that sound?

-I am not sure...

-Let's get our heads together soon, bounce around some ideas.

You know, I'm not complaining, but shouldn't you be at work?

I've taken the day off, so we can talk.

OK. Good.

Look. I'm sure we can find a way through this...

Good. I was hoping that you'd see...

No, I haven't changed my mind.

I'm ready to set a date.

I know it's a bit awkward talking about this stuff, but

I'm just not getting a very clear picture.

-Luke, she can't help if you keep clamming up.

-All right, Mum!

I've asked a lot of questions, I know.

It's just that there are quite a few possible

causes of blood in the urine.

-Like what?

-Let's find out a little bit more first. Shall we try again?

OK, so I was asking about the pain.

-Did you feel it before you went to the toilet?

-No.

-So it started when you urinated?

-Yeah.

Was it a burning sensation or a sharp pain?

Pain, yeah.

I need to know which?

It's his echolalia.

-Repeating what I say?

-People with autistic spectrum get it when they get stressed.

-You're best of asking him one question at a time.

-Right.

Was it a burning sensation? A sharp pain?

Yeah.

And did you feel it in your side? In the stomach?

I don't know!

He said there was. He said he felt ill!

Right.

So what is it? Do you know what's wrong with him?

Not without a referral, I'm afraid.

Luke's been to hospital several times in recent months?

Yeah, he gets better and then there's something else. It's driving me nuts!

I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it.

I'll go straight back and ring Urology.

Given the seriousness, hopefully Luke will get an appointment today. OK?

Is it just the two of you?

Yep, 24/7.

Must be quite stressful. Do you have any support?

I got fed up explaining to stupid people,

who couldn't accept him for who he is. He's best off with me.

Sure. I'll let you know when I hear anything.

Try not to worry.

Can't you see this is a reaction to everything that's happened?

You've had to make a total adjustment to your life.

Emotionally you're still dealing with it. You still need time.

Oh, come on, the great healer? I've had more than enough, trust me.

-And this is the best you could come up with?

-Em...

I have got patients who are severely disabled,

who are terminally ill, and they grab hold of life.

They squeeze every last ounce of it they can.

Good for them. Maybe they're stronger than me.

I don't know.

It doesn't change how I feel, does it?

-In a month, a year - you'll probably feel totally different.

-No.

You can fight this.

I don't want to.

Fine. All right, let's just say, for an instant, that I do... what now?

I book two weeks' leave from the Mill and we jet off to Disneyland?!

Probably got great wheelchair access, but not really my style, is it?

Well, let's get our diaries out find a window.

Then we can plan the last few days.

Em, Em... Stop it.

No, I will not sign up to this insane plan of yours!

Actually, if you do have the odd spare moment...

I'm hoping to draw new people to St Bernadette's,

make it a bit of a hub for the community.

I'm chock-a-block at work at the moment. Irregular shifts.

And I've just finished an HCA course and there's loads of homework and such...

Well, if you change your minds.

You might be surprised by what we've got to offer.

Any chance of that Brian Cox?

He's about as spiritual as I get!

Could be a stretch! I should be getting back.

Shall I make that appointment on my way out?

Yeah? With Jimmi Clay?

Mrs Tembe recommended a Doctor Carter?

Oh, no! He's too stuffy, go with Jimmi. I'll fix it up for you.

And I'll get you out of this maze that is called

Letherbridge University!

Heston. Reverend Clement.

-Gordon.

-Ah! The new shepherd of the good people of Letherbridge.

'Dux gregis'.

Thanks.

Um... So Jimmi's got a slot on Thursday at 1.50.

Great. Book me in.

-Done.

-Thanks. You'll let me know as soon as you're free?

Er...yes. I suppose so.

Bye.

Did Urology ring back with an appointment for Luke Allingdon?

What?

Er, yes. A Doctor Cairns is seeing him at 12.30.

-Oh.

-Problem?

I did a rotation with him at med school.

-We didn't exactly hit it off.

-Why's that?

He didn't like being told he was wrong, especially by a student.

I can imagine. Proud man, Cairns - but knows his stuff.

-He's a friend of yours?

-Yeah. From my old surgery days.

I wouldn't worry, it's probably water under the bridge.

Luke, come and sit down.

So what do you think's wrong with him?

He appears to have some pain in the pelvic area.

-And in the stomach.

-Luke didn't indicate that when I examined him.

Yeah, but before, he said that's where it hurts.

Luke, stand up, show me again where the pain is.

Here.

-Those are your kidneys.

-He means lower down.

It's best if Luke speaks for himself.

Show me again?

Could you be a little more specific?

Doctor Diamond would know.

Is he your family GP?

We've been in and out of here so often, seen that many doctors lately...

-Yes.

-Why can't anybody tell me what's wrong with him?

It's a little difficult when a patient presents with such a variety of symptoms.

-You're not taking this seriously.

-I assure you that I am.

My problem is deciding how best to proceed.

Our nurse tells me that the urine sample she took

from Luke before our appointment showed no sign of blood.

Doesn't mean it's not going to happen again.

I prefer to see it as positive.

Right, so that's it? You're not going to do anything?

Actually, I've requested that Luke be admitted for the time being.

We'll run some more tests, see how he does.

That OK with you Luke?

Yeah.

How about we roll back that last conversation, start over?

I can't think straight

until we've cleared the air about Valentine's, and what I said.

OK.

I was angry...

I shouldn't have told you like that.

Kept me in blissful ignorance?

Maybe.

At least I wouldn't be worried that it would affect your decision.

What's his name?

Howard.

Right.

I've been cooped up in here all weekend.

I could really do with some fresh air.

What say you take me and my body out in the garden for a bit?

She's talking to him now. I don't understand!

Why does he need a social worker?

No, nobody is telling me anything!

He's the practice manager at the Mill.

So you met recently?

No.

We worked together at the PCT.

We were involved for a while and then...

What?

We stopped seeing each other for a bit.

Since last January.

When I had the accident?

Come on.

It's not your fault, there's no way you could have predicted...

Why do you have to be so bloody reasonable?

Sorry...

Didn't you think why I was so late getting to the hospital?

I'm sorry, that was cruel.

Yes.

-Sam, I...

-I'd love a cup of tea.

I've just seen Maggie Allingdon.

And you are?

Doctor Khella, her GP. Don't you remember me?

I did my rotation with you in Urology.

Ah, yes.

No-one's telling Maggie what's going on. Why have you called Social Services?

I've asked them to do an assessment of mother and child.

Why? For what reason?

As a precaution.

There are certain issues regarding Luke's care by his mother.

What issues?

I'm afraid I've got a meeting.

Rest assured, they are in expert hands.

I referred them to you.

If there's a problem, I'd like to know.

I'm putting a little distance between Luke and his mother -

see if his condition improves.

Wait - you're suggesting this could be her fault?

I wouldn't go as far as that.

Perhaps she's using the situation as a cry for help.

Munchausen's by Proxy?

Fabricated or Induced Illness,

as we now refer to it, is a long way down the line.

She may not be harming Luke, just seeing problems where there are none.

That doesn't make sense. Why would she do that?

Stress, exhaustion...

She's under a lot of strain, obviously... but that's because she's worried about Luke.

I'm not in the habit of having my medical opinions questioned by junior colleagues.

But if you insist on my spelling it out to you.

Please do.

Luke's been admitted to this hospital eight times in recent months.

On each occasion he's had different symptoms.

We've been unable to make a diagnosis despite his mother

requesting all manner of tests.

-Maggie didn't ask to come here today.

-Yet here she is.

And once again, her son's miraculously improved on admittance.

There's a reason. Something missing.

The proverbial "gut feeling"?

I thought you'd have got past that by now, Doctor Khella.

We always knew that we were playing with fire.

That one day, one of these affairs might become something else.

My relationship with Howard doesn't change things between us.

I don't love you any less!

Listen to me.

In all the years we've been together, I have never,

not once considered leaving you for anyone else.

Not then, not now.

But you love him?

I love you both.

That's why this is such a mess!

I'm tired.

I need to rest.

I wouldn't mess around with that.

What does it do?

It administers oxygen.

Can you give me some?

I think the nurses would string me up.

Tie you up?

Get very cross with me.

Why haven't they put me on it?

It's generally for patients who don't have enough oxygen in their blood.

-That's a good thing you're not on it, it probably means you're getting better.

-I'm not better.

What do you think's wrong with you?

-He'd know.

-Who? Doctor Cairns? Maybe.

I like it here.

The hospital? Surely you'd rather get home, see your mum?

No, not really.

How's Luke? Have you seen him?

He's doing fine, much better.

So they know what's wrong?

-You should really speak to Doctor Cairns.

-Did he tell you why he called a social worker?

I can't get into this... I'm sorry.

Is it something they think I've done? Is that why you're not telling me?

-They just want to make sure Luke's OK.

-What does that mean?

-You're supposed to be here to help me, be on my side.

-It's not about sides.

Then why aren't you in there, backing me up? Telling them I've done nothing wrong!

When I saw Luke just now, he...

..told me he wants to stay here in the hospital.

You're lying. He wouldn't say that!

I love that boy more than anything in the world.

I'm the only one who's been there for him.

Even turned my back on my own family because they didn't understand him!

If I thought for one second he would be better off without me,

I'd walk away in a heartbeat. Do you understand?

So...how well do you know Reverend Clement?

Gordon? Me and Rob have known him for years.

Oh.

You two seem to have hit it off?

He is seeking my advice on some spiritual matters.

He is coming to me as a respectable member of the church community.

So what's your problem?

I am really struggling to work this man out.

He's a straight-up guy.

Who turns up at his new church dressed as a tramp?

He likes to keep people on their toes.

I do not think he will be the right fit for St Bernadette's.

What about that WI lot you're always complaining about?

They could do with a shake-up!

Like them, I see church as a serious affair.

Pantomime should be left at the theatre!

PHONE RINGS

Hi, Heston.

I've just had Patrick Cairns on the phone.

I'm afraid he finds your continuing presence there "unhelpful".

Is everything OK?

The honest answer?

-I know he can be a bit of a bully.

-Maybe he's right.

Medically, no-one can find anything. All the boy's tests came back clear.

You don't sound convinced?

My head says one thing, but my heart...

That disagreement you had in medical school, was he right about that, too?

Thanks, Heston.

Did you see him come out?

Luke? No. What's happened?

-They've lost him. The social worker's gone to get Security.

-He must still be in the hospital.

-Can you think of anywhere he'd go?

-He's probably terrified. I've got to find him!

Wait!

-OK?

-Yeah.

Your catheter's leaked.

Just leave it, Emma.

I never answered your question.

I made up my mind long before you told me about Howard.

Sometime after the stroke.

We don't know how permanent the paralysis is,

some feeling might return.

Let's not pretend.

I've spoken long and hard with Heston about my prognosis,

-I know exactly what the future holds.

-He's wrong.

Or you find the truth unpalatable?

I know you. This isn't rational thinking.

Can't you see this is depression?

No, it's this.

The reality of how I live my life.

Your heart isn't getting enough oxygen right now.

The myo...car...dial ischaemia's getting worse.

We may be able to perform an angioplasty to save your heart

but there are risks.

Is that your diagnosis? Where did you learn all that stuff?

From the best.

Oh, yeah? Who's that?

Doctor Diamond.

-He works here?

-No.

So when did you meet him?

How would I do that?

I don't understand. Which hospital is he based at?

Emergency 911.

You OK?

It's nothing.

Pinch here. Lean forward, breathe through your mouth.

Emergency 911. That's the name of a TV show, isn't it?

Doctor Diamond's the best. Always gets the diagnosis right.

So what would he say about you?

Any symptoms, he knows what it is.

Even if what you told him wasn't true?

The blood in the toilet was from your nose wasn't it?

Hmm.

You're better than I thought!

I've done a wash.

-Sit down.

-I need to change the sheets. It'll only take five minutes.

Please. Will you just sit down.

I don't want this to be our lives any more.

I'm sick of you and Chris clearing up after me all the time!

-It's second nature.

-Not to me, it's not. You have no idea how humiliating it is.

Fine - wallow in your own self-pity!

The Sam Reid I fell in love with could talk to me

for hours about history, charm me with romantic poetry.

For how long? Until the next stroke?

What matters is that you are here, now with me.

Yeah. With no freedom and no dignity. I want my control back.

I want to choose how and when I die.

What about my choice?

What about Chris?

Have you thought exactly what you're going to say to him?

I've wasted everybody's time.

-The important thing is that Luke's OK.

-Yeah, well.

I should have known, should have realised what he was doing.

It's hard to step back, when you're so close to things.

He's always watching TV. That's what keeps me up half the night.

Which must be exhausting for you.

Things wouldn't have gone so far, if I'd been thinking straight.

If there's anything else you need, just let me know.

You must have thought about it, planned it in your head?

How are you going to tell him?

Over dinner, like you told me?

Don't make this harder than it already is.

Hard? I'll give you hard!

You're the one who's going to have to look your son in the eye and tell him you're abandoning him!

Explain why his feelings don't matter.

Why destroying him doesn't matter!

All right, that's enough. That's enough. Just stop it!

All right, Dad!

Now's your chance.

That weekend was absolutely amazing!

I reckon I know pretty much all there is to

know about the human heart.

And I went to the Castle, the Dungeons, I saw Arthur's seat.

As if, right - there's an extinct volcano...

He was happy to accept that we'd had an affair.

Anything that bolsters his death wish.

-What do you think you're doing you stupid...

-It's my dad.

-What?

-My dad. He's fallen. He can't move.

-Where is he?

For you to be there at our wedding today.

It would mean the world to us both.

Go to hell!

-I couldn't have imagined this!

-Neither could I.

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