A Bracing Walk Doctors

I'm going to be so late. I think I've done everything.

Lunch is in the fridge. 20 minutes in the oven at 180.

-Do you want me to write that down?

-What?

I'll write it down.

Everything is done.

All you have to do is concentrate on studying.

-It's empty.

-What is?

-She used all the milk.

-There's another one in the fridge.

I've made some seed and nut-enriched flapjacks.

There isn't.

-They're in the fridge. Apparently they're good for your brain.

-Great.

Have fun.

SHE WINCES

-Are you all right?

-Yeah, fine. Just a bit sore.

-Chafing?

-Mmm.

-You should get yourself a good sports bra. They really help.

-Right.

-Do I know you?

-Erm...

-You didn't used to teach at St Mary's, did you?

-No.

I used to be an athlete.

Oh! You're Deanna Ryan! I don't believe it. Of course.

Your picture was in the paper last week. You're running that marathon

-for that...erm...that charity.

-The Mary Brown Trust.

I can't believe it. I can't believe I didn't recognise you.

I saw you win the silver medal. Well, I saw you on the telly.

-I was gutted when you didn't win gold.

-Me too.

-You should have won it.

-Sorry.

No. I don't mean it like that. SHE WINCES

Do you want some cream for that? I've got some inside.

-I'm a nurse. I work here.

-I don't think it's really...

SHE LAUGHS I can't believe I told you to get a good sports bra.

-You must think I'm such an idiot.

-It's fine, it's fine.

Some cream would be great.

This way.

I wanted to be an athlete because of you.

Well I wanted to do the heptathlon too. I didn't though.

-Well, obviously.

-What happened?

I grew up. It was a little girl thing really.

But I didn't have the confidence for it.

-Do you still do sports?

-Not really.

-I'd love to run a marathon.

-Then you should.

-I don't know. I'd probably give up half way.

-Everyone feels that.

You just have to tell yourself to keep going right through to

-the finish line.

-Easy for you to say.

No, it's not, but I tell you what - when you get there,

it's the best feeling in the world.

This way.

-Oh! That looks painful.

-It is painful. Really painful.

It's fractured in two places.

-How did you do it?

-A fight. Some thug went mental on me.

Never gave me a chance to defend myself.

-Well, if you will get into fights

-He started it.

The police are going to do him. They said he might go down for good.

-At least that is something though.

-Doesn't stop the pain, though.

You poor man.

Funny being in a doctor's.

-I usually avoid the places like the plague.

-Why?

I've always thought that good exercise and a healthy lifestyle

is the best way of taking care of yourself.

I'd be out of a job if everyone thought like that.

-Are you sure that's just chafing? It's not swollen, no lumps?

-No.

-It could be an infection. Mastitis.

-It's fine really. It'll go away.

-Do you know how to check your breasts?

-Mmm.

-Do you do it regularly?

-Yes, miss.

-Sorry. Am I being bossy?

-No, no, just very...professional.

Unlike the star-struck little girl I was talking to outside.

Sorry! You must get sick of people like me.

No are you kidding. You made my day.

OK.

I don't know what to do with the pair of them.

-The closer these exams get, the more stressed they are.

-Mmm.

It's like living in a minefield. I think I'm going mad.

-Sounds like they need a break.

-I'm the one who needs the break.

A bit of exercise, maybe? Clear their heads.

I've tried all that, fresh air, exercise. Makes no difference.

-Five minutes later they're back at one another's throats.

-What kind of exercise?

Oh, all the normal things.

Maybe I should go really wild, and try something like Kung Fu. Or yoga.

Yoga's not wild.

It's a very sensible form of exercise.

Well, that won't work. They know the meaning of 'sensible'.

-This is Deanna Ryan.

-Hello.

She's famous.

She won a silver medal in the heptathlon! In the Olympics!

-Ooh!

-She's running a marathon next month.

-It was in the Letherbridge Gazette.

-I remember reading about that.

-Maybe we could sponsor you.

-If you like.

-I'd love to be able to run a marathon.

-Why don't you?

-Oh, no. I couldn't do that.

-Why not?

Bad genes. My mum died of a heart attack.

-All the more reason to exercise.

-You and Rob could do one together.

Rob? I can't see him running a marathon. Ambling, maybe.

Lots of people walk marathons.

Walk a marathon? What would be the point?

Walking can be very good exercise.

Safe, reduces stress, releases endorphins.

-Releases what?

-Endorphins.

-Isn't that what you get from having sex?

-Could be.

-That might be just the thing.

-SHE GIGGLES

Excuse me? Excuse me?!

-Yes?

-This was horrible.

-You did not like your food?

-No. And it wasn't what I asked for.

-I am sorry to hear that.

-I wanted a chip butty.

I am not actually a member of the catering staff.

Why can't I get a chip butty?

But I know that they work very hard and you should be grateful for...

-Who are you?

-I beg your pardon?

Are you one of those posh do-gooders?

Well, I hope that I am doing some good

but unfortunately I am not 'posh' as you say.

You look posh.

-That is very kind of you. thank you.

-It's not a compliment.

Why do you want a chip butty for breakfast?

Because it's better than the junk they serve here.

-The food here is very healthy.

-Exactly. It's rubbish.

They wouldn't know good food if it sat on them.

What is so special about a chip butty?

Well first you start with two buttered slices of white bread then

you add the chips, thick and chunky then smother it in brown sauce.

It sounds like a recipe for a heart attack.

Perfect cure for a hangover.

Well, if I ever have a hangover I will be sure to try one.

You've never even had a hangover?

You know, power walking doesn't just reduce stress, it helps you

sleep better, gives you energy.

Mand? Your friend didn't fill in her form.

-No home number, no GP.

-Oh, sorry about that.

Not your fault.

-It sounds like just the thing for Jack and Immy.

-What?

-This walking thing

-Oh, yeah. And you.

I suppose I could. If it encourages them.

You wouldn't believe the things I've done for those two.

-I've even looked up 'brain food' on the internet.

-And?

-Nut and seed flapjacks. I thought it might help.

-Did it?

I don't know.

Bit of healthy food, though, it can't hurt, can it?

-That's the last one!

-So.

-Give it here.

-No!

I'm bigger than you, I have a faster metabolism!

And you're a greedy pig!

And if I don't ace these exams, I won't get onto my course.

-Jack, these are my resits! They're my last chance!

-Just...!

Well done.

You are disgusting!

I don't understand why you have to do this marathon, anyway.

-I know you don't.

-It's too much.

-What happened?

-Nothing.

-Then what took you so long?

-I bumped into someone.

-Who?

-Some girl. She recognised me.

-Who was she?

-No one. She saw the article in the paper.

-What did she want?

-Nothing.

-She could have been anyone!

James, don't be ridiculous. She wasn't some crazy person.

-She was a perfectly normal young woman!

-And what if she wasn't?

Please stop trying to find reasons why I shouldn't run this marathon.

It's for a very good cause.

That's typical. Always thinking about everybody else.

What's so wrong with that?

When are you going to start thinking about yourself?! Or me?!

The training is good for me.

Being recognised is good for me.

I like it when people remember what I've done.

It makes me feel good. And if I feel good, then it is good.

For both of us.

I just don't want anything to happen to you.

It won't.

Oi!

-The telly's not working.

-(Shh. You will wake everyone up.)

(I can't get it to work.)

-SHE SIGHS

-Let me have a look.

-Lend me a quid?

-I beg your pardon?

-You have to pay for it.

Then that is probably why it is not working.

So why don't you put a quid in the thing?

I am not giving you money.

Come on. There's a programme I really want to watch.

-I could get you a magazine or a book.

-A magazine?!

It's not going to kill you to lend me £3.50 is it?

-You said you wanted a pound.

-It's £3.50 for the whole day.

I am not a bank.

Why don't you go get some money out of that fund?

-What fund?

-That fund they have for people with no money for the telly.

-There is no such fund.

-Yes there is. It's new.

-Part of the reforms.

-And what is the name of this fund?

-I don't know. The nurse told me about it yesterday.

-Which nurse?

The top one. I don't know her name.

I think I would know if there was something like this.

-Go and ask.

-No.

-Why not?

Because I do not want to make a fool of myself.

Well, then YOU will never know, will you?

If I go and ask, will you promise to be quiet?

-I cannot believe I am doing this.

-Lend me a tenner before you go.

A tenner gets you three days. It's cheaper like that.

DO YOU THINK I WAS BORN YESTERDAY?!

-MAN YAWNS

-I am so sorry.

Good exercise while you're studying will actually keep you calm

-during your exams.

-Really?

-Yeah. Swimming, fast walking, cycling.

Fast walking? Like that power walking?

-Yes. That would work.

-And you could show them?

-Who?

-Jack and Immy. I could get them down at lunch.

-I suppose...

-You can be like their personal trainer! Perfect.

Yeah, I wasn't thinking...

SHE SIGHS

You came all this way to get me to fill this out?

-Not really, no.

-Then why?

-Something you said earlier got me worried.

-What?

-About the pain you were having.

-Pain? What pain?

-Why don't I get a wheelchair?

-Because you can walk.

Besides, he can only push one person at a time.

-You could push me.

-I am not a porter.

My shoulder really hurts when I walk.

It's the truth!

You are not capable of telling the truth.

I cannot believe you made me ask about that 'charity fund'

-when you knew that it did not exist. It is not funny.

-Worth a go!

Flowers are nice.

-Excuse me?

-They suit you.

-I suppose you want these too.

-No.

They look nice on you.

They'd probably look a bit silly on me.

I have had enough of your tricks.

Besides, you need to concentrate on your physiotherapy. Now go.

-I have work to do.

-Physiotherapy is a waste of time.

Physiotherapy can help before an operation.

It can make quite a difference.

I was talking to my good friend Doctor Carter now he said

physiotherapy is a way of...

Where did he go now?!

Why didn't you tell me you'd gone to see a nurse?!

I didn't 'go and see a nurse'.

I bumped into her while I was running.

-Then how does she know about the pain?

-I was uncomfortable. She gave me some cream!

I can't believe you didn't tell me about this!

-It's getting worse, isn't it?

-No!

-What is?

-We had an agreement.

-Please don't do this.

-You said you'd tell me when it got worse.

-What?

It's not getting worse. It's nothing.

-You didn't tell her, did you?

-Don't!

-What?

-You promised.

-You can't keep avoiding it.

-What's going on?

She's got cancer. Breast cancer.

-This is your fault.

-You're not wearing that are you?

-Why not?

-I don't see the point of this.

You need to settle your minds so you can concentrate properly

-and pass your exams.

-By going for a walk?

-A power walk.

Mild exercise stimulates neurogenesis.

-See?

-What?

-The creation of neurons.

-It makes you brainy.

-And it enhances your mood.

-So you don't murder each other.

-Releases endorphins.

-What?

-Nevermind. So, what do we do?

Well, we won't go mad, for a start.

Start at your normal walking pace and then gradually work up. OK?

-This is going to be brilliant!

-Right. Off we go.

-We've got to pass these exams.

-Just to get away from these nutters.

She's always had this stupid idea that a bit of exercise

and a proper diet can cure anything. She ignored all the warning signs.

How bad is it?

Bad. She was diagnosed far too late.

-She isn't getting any treatment?

-None. She refuses.

-That's crazy.

-I know. Nothing I can do.

-What does her consultant say?

-She won't see him.

-But if she's got cancer then she really...

-Can you talk to her?

-Convince her to go back to hospital?

-I can try.

She likes you. She might listen.

-Oi!

-What are you doing?

-Nothing.

-You think you can beat me?

-Maybe.

-I thought you said you didn't see the point!

-You won't win.

-I don't need to.

-That's cheating!

-I understand how you feel about doctors.

-Do you?

But this is different. We should let them help you.

-And if they can't?

-They will. At least let them try.

-No.

-You can't give up.

-You of all people.

-It's not quite that simple.

You're a fighter. When you were competing you never gave up.

Has he told you what kind of breast cancer I have?

No.

-Inflammatory.

-Oh.

Treatment might extend my life. It won't save it.

I AM going to die.

-But if it can extend your life, then...

-A few months maybe.

What about everything you said to me this morning?

'You can never give up,'

'Got to keep on pushing through to the finish line'.

-That's exactly what I'm doing.

-No, you're not.

I have a choice, Mandy.

Three months of a reasonably good life or six to eight months

of endless days in hospital, treatments, drips, drugs,

-side effects, depression.

-It might not be that bad.

You're a nurse. You know exactly how bad it will be.

I want to save him that pain.

That's not what he wants.

So what would you do? If it was you?

If it was someone I loved, I'd want to spend

-every moment I could with them.

-That's exactly what I'm doing.

-By refusing treatment?

-I want to be here for him,

as strong and positive as I can be, right to the end.

He doesn't want you to be strong. He wants you to be alive.

-If I go back to hospital I won't be.

-Yes you will.

He told me every day with you is like a lifetime.

I want every minute with him to be a lifetime too.

And this way it will be.

The few weeks I have with him will be a thousand times richer than...

however many months I may have in hospital.

-Maybe, but...

-It's not the amount of time you have.

It's what you do with the time you've got.

-All right, at least...

-I'll probably never run this marathon

but as long as there's a chance that I might, I have a goal.

I feel alive. I feel properly alive.

-You must see that?

-Yes.

And that's how I want to be right through to the end.

That's how I want him to remember me.

-I won.

-No you didn't.

-It's not a race.

-Exactly

-I still won.

-It's good to see you're pushing yourselves, though.

-Can't we just run?

-You could, I suppose.

It's better to work up gradually.

If you knock yourselves out, that's not going to help with your exams.

-I'd forgotten about the exams.

-Good. It's working then.

-I'm glad something is.

-Are you all right?

-I think I'm going to die.

-Mum! It's just a bit of walking.

I tell you what else might help. Think about life after your exams.

Set yourselves goals not related to them.

-Like the bucket list.

-If you like.

Tell you what, Mum, maybe you could add running a marathon to yours.

-I could if I wanted to!

-I think I'm a bit young for a bucket list.

-How about something to do over the summer?

-Like what?

Anything. Don't concentrate on it, just run and it'll come.

-OK. Come on.

-We've only just stopped!

I'm sorry.

-That's it? Sorry? That's all you can say?

-James...

-You're just going to let it go?

-It's not my choice.

You're a nurse. You're supposed to help people.

Not turn your back on them. Some nurse you are.

Don't. It's OK. He's just upset.

I can't do that one. I can't do that one!

How am I supposed to do that and that and that?!

None of this I can do!

I thought of doing some voluntary work for the citizen's advice bureau.

-There you are. That's a goal.

-It's still related to my exam though.

So is my printing course.

But it's something to focus on after the exams.

-So it's not the be all and end all.

-I guess.

-I thought this was supposed to make me feel good.

-It will. Eventually.

-I'm don't even feel horny.

-Mother!

-It'll be easier next time.

-Next time?

Why not?! We could ask Julia to come with us.

She doesn't need to. She's getting her endorphins the proper way.

I heard her talking to Martin this morning.

-About their weekend away?

-Maybe that should be my summer goal!

-Get myself a sugar daddy.

-Imogen!

-What?

You think you're the only one with endorphins.

He was just trying to help you with your recovery.

He was just covering his back cos he doesn't know what he's

-talking about.

-I'm sure he does.

Why does he keep saying that it's up to me whether I get better or not?

There is only so much that surgery can do.

-And what they are asking you to do is not so difficult.

-It is for me!

You need to work at your physiotherapy

and keep it up.

Apart from that, a regular schedule, plenty of rest, a balanced diet...

How am I supposed to get a balanced diet?

Make sure you eat the right things.

-I can't cook.

-Everyone can cook. What about your chip butties?

You can't live on chip butties.

At least we agree on something. But it is a start.

Didn't your mother teach you how to cook anything else?

I didn't know my mother.

-So who raised you?

-I was in care. Mostly.

What we gonna do with these?

There must be someone who can help.

I've got no one. There's no money and no job.

All I've ever done before this is casual labour.

And NOW I can't even do that!

I can see what she means about her quality of life

but she could have another four, five months...

-That's not long.

-It is to him.

You know, I started to think about how I'd feel

if you were dying of cancer?

Hey.

It would be bad enough losing you, but having to watch you

die like that... I think I'd want to

keep hold on to you as long as possible.

-Is that selfish?

-No. And yeah.

SHE SIGHS How are you supposed to be confident in your job

when there are no straight answers?

I was so determined to be like you but when I went in there,

I didn't know what to do.

He was right. What kind of a nurse am I?! SHE SOBS

-A really, really good one.

-I might as well not have been there.

Come on.

-Freya, I was no use to anybody!

-You don't know that.

-I was useless!

-Listen to me,

medicine is just as much about art as science.

Getting the balance. I'm pretty sure that takes a lifetime

and even then, you might not manage it.

But today, today you had a really good go at it.

Even if you can't see that, OK?

You are a young man. You can turn your life around.

How do you know?

It must have been difficult growing up the way you did.

But all that was in the past. You must not give up.

-Don't talk to me like I'm a kid.

-I was not...

You people are all the same. None of you care about me.

I was only trying to help you.

What makes you think I trust you more than that doctor?

-You must trust the doctor.

-I HATE doctors.

What gives them the right to order me around?

-No one is ordering you around.

-Everyone orders me around!

I know a great many doctors and they are wonderful people.

-No they're not.

-They are decent,

-hard working. They sacrifice a lot for people like you.

-Yeah?

You know who did this? The maniac who attacked me? It was a doctor

with a cricket bat. He tried to kill me.

Even when I was down he just kept on hitting me!

That's doctors for you!

-That is not true.

-Yes it is. They're all the same.

What's the matter? Where are you going?

I know who you are.

You don't know anything about me.

-You are a robber and a criminal and a trickster.

-What?!

Doctor Carter would never do any of the things you say!

Has he still got a thing for you?

I hope not.

It's this guy I was seeing...

And you've just split up?

I think he's trying to kill me.

I may not have the same airs and graces as you and your doctor

colleagues, but I still am entitled to the same rights.

This is about me, isn't it?

-Arghhh!

-Oh! Oh!

She's a bit of a drama queen!

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