A Rock and a Hard Place Doctors

Any more problems, you give us a call, all right?

Bye then, Mrs Prentice.

Why do all the awkward patients turn up at the drop-in clinics?

Why? Did she show you her prolapse again?

-What's up with you?

-Nothing.

-Yeah, it looks like it(!)

I've got bigger things to worry about.

I wouldn't mind but Daniel's supposed to be on...

DOOR OPENS

I haven't missed my slot, have I? It's Stevie Shields.

No, perfect timing. This way.

So, how can I help?

Bad back. I slipped on a wet floor. Fell over.

Right, where's the pain?

In my lats and lumbar.

Impressive grasp of anatomy.

I'm a personal trainer.

Right. Of course. Does it spread anywhere?

Erm, no, I think.

-Worse with movement?

-Mmm. A bit.

-Did you bang your head?

-Erm. No.

Any tingling or dizziness?

It's kind of a shooting pain, down my lats.

-OK. If you could just stand for me.

-OK.

-I'll just take that off.

-Thank you.

And if you could turn your head to the left...

and the right...

and tilt down and up.

OK, and bend to the left...

and the right.

And twist.

You're not in total agony, then.

Oh, it is. When I twist.

Can you just pop your top off for me?

Did you twist as you fell?

-Just went straight back, I think.

-OK.

Is it tender here?

Here?

Sorry, I'm just going to have to press...

Ow. It's a bit stiff.

Everything's a bit stiff really.

Any other symptoms?

Erm...there was erm...

No. It's gone. Never mind.

-Put your top back on.

-Thank you.

Well, the good news is there's no signs of bruising, swelling,

or nerve damage and your movement's not too restricted

so I would say it's muscle strain.

Try to keep mobile.

And take these anti-inflammatories twice a day.

You seem worried.

It's just, as a personal trainer, I rely on being in peak form.

You seem pretty perfect to me.

Medically speaking.

Well, if it doesn't improve in five or six days, come back and see me

-and I'll refer you to a physio.

-Thanks.

I could do with some training myself. I'm so unfit at the moment.

Likewise.

That's not what I'd call out of shape.

Morning.

Cheer up. It's like Night Of The Living Dead in here.

They're mostly for Kevin.

Ah, yes, the drop-in clinic.

Pop in any time if it's not improving.

I will. Thanks.

Everything all right?

Yeah, why?

Just wondering.

It seems that your hypoglossal nerve has stopped functioning.

You're just jealous cos I get all the buff patients.

Was she? Didn't notice.

Is that why your salivary gland's gone into hyper-drive?

Listen, as more of an expert in the "buff" department,

send her to me next time.

Oh, no, no, no. Natural selection, survival of the fittest.

Mr Walker?

GUNFIRE FROM COMPUTER

That's what you call job-hunting, is it?

It's research. Honing my survival skills. How'd it go?

Fine, I think.

I showed him where it hurt and he prodded and poked me a fair bit.

I'll bet. And...?

Prescribed anti-inflammatories and said come back if it gets worse.

That's it?

Um...yeah.

Did you tell him everything?

Neck pain, sciatica, dizziness, fatigue?

Em...probably, I'm not sure.

You're not...? You need to get back there.

I've got a client booked.

You can't be seeing clients with a damaged back, can you?

-I'll be fine.

-Stevie.

-But I've got loads to...

-Just go and get it sorted.

All right, all right. Let me have a cuppa first.

-Mrs Evans? Mrs Evans?

-She's got a problem with her bag.

-Oh, right.

-Hello.

-Oh, hi again. Everything OK?

-Yes.

Well, no, actually.

I got home and I realised I hadn't told you half of the symptoms

-and you said...

-Right, of course. You'd better come through.

Can't it wait? Mrs Evans can be a right battleaxe.

Just tell her it's a continuation of the first consultation.

-Follow me.

-Won't be long, I promise.

It's mostly the neck, sciatica and tingling feet, really. Sorry.

I totally blanked when you asked me before.

Can you be more specific about the neck pain?

Oh. It's just erm...really stiff and sore.

SHE WHIMPERS

-Here?

-Yeah.

OK, your movement's not too restricted,

but then I suppose you are more flexible than most.

-Yeah.

-And your feet?

Just kind of prickly weird, you know.

Any dizziness?

Actually, I have been quite dizzy and tired lately.

-Since the fall?

-Um. I think so.

OK, just look at me.

Your mucous membranes are a bit pale.

Can you follow my finger?

And you say you didn't bang your head?

Maybe. I can't remember.

I was coming out of mum's room at the care home

and I went flying on some spilt tea.

I'm just going to check your blood pressure.

Which care home is she in?

Hazelwell.

I don't think she's got much time left.

BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR BUZZES

This last stroke was massive.

It's hard seeing someone you love so debilitated,

but they're excellent over there. She's in good hands.

Yeah.

Your BP's a little bit on the high side

and you're possibly anaemic. Over-doing it, I suspect.

It's difficult not to in my job.

Well, it would explain the tiredness.

Anyway we'll do a full blood count, red and white cells, platelets,

haematocrit levels, B12, serum ferritin,

total iron binding and folate.

It's nothing to worry about.

Just might as well give you a full MOT while we're here.

Um, OK.

How long will it take for the results?

It's normally a couple of days.

MAN WHISTLES

Is the nurse going to be much longer?

I'm sorry - she had an emergency, but you're next.

Thanks.

Actually, I'm going to go.

I'll make an appointment for another day.

-She won't be long, I promise.

-Oh, it's fine. I'll phone.

Hey, she's here n...

Charming, isn't it? Everybody's bent over backwards

just cos she's flippin' drop dead gorgeous.

Well, it suits me. We're busy enough as it is.

Mr Davey?

Hiya.

Hi.

You still playing that?

You were a long time.

They made me wait ages for a blood test, but I bailed in the end.

-What?

-The nurse was taking for ever and I've got a client at...

How are we supposed to make a convincing claim

if you don't cooperate with the doctor?

But a blood test's going to show there's nothing wrong.

You don't do blood tests for backache. Must be for something else.

Well, he did think I was a bit anaemic.

There we are then.

Why are you being so dense about this?

-I'm not.

-You are.

You forget half the symptoms, then walk out before a blood test.

-It's going to look well dodgy, isn't it?

-I panicked.

You can't afford to panic.

You have to concentrate or we'll mess this up.

I'm just so tired - what with Mum, and working all hours...

I've been working too.

I've spoken to one of those ambulance-chasing companies.

We need to get back to the care home and start bigging it up.

-What, now?

-Yes. Now.

Then you can go back and do that blood test.

I can't go again.

I'll see if I can make you an appointment.

What's the number?

Hello, Mrs Haywood.

Sorry, I was in my own world there.

How are you both?

-Fine, thanks. Yourself?

-Busy, busy, though I'm glad you're here.

Mary's been unusually fretful with the nurses today

and she's always better when Stevie sits with her for a while.

Yeah.

I know it may not feel like it

but I'm sure she senses that you're there.

I'll sit with her today. Stevie has to go to the doctor's.

-Oh?

-It's what we've come to talk about.

Stevie's fall the other day?

I see.

She's had to cancel all her clients for the next fortnight.

At least.

Right.

We don't want to be difficult, but...

Perhaps you'd better come into my office.

Many more before lunch?

No, Mrs Smythe's your last.

Good. She's usually quick.

Oh, and Stevie Shields is coming back in for her blood test.

-Didn't she have it done before?

-No.

She was nagging away and then Mandy appeared and she legged it.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Hmm.

I mean, she's demanding a second consultation, then bottles the bloods.

Me again. Sorry I had to dash off before.

Problems with my mum at the home.

-Well, you're here now.

-How is she?

Sorry?

Your mum?

Funny turn, but she's fine now.

Oh, and er...

I hope you don't mind

but we gave your details to the insurance company.

They might ask you to write a report about my back.

You're making a claim?

Luke thought it was best.

Luke?

My fiance.

Right.

Of course. I'll write the report.

Thank you so much.

I know it takes a lot of your time. Must be such a pain.

It's part of my job.

I mean, I am getting dizzy and funny feet

and my heart's a bit racy when I exercise,

not that I've been exercising much since the fall.

Of course not. I'll get you a form for an X-ray.

X-ray?

Unless, of course, you're pregnant?

No chance of that.

Well, the insurance companies usually ask for an X-ray,

so we're just getting ahead of the game.

-Right. Great.

-I'll leave the form at reception.

-Take a seat.

-Brilliant. Thanks.

-You're not nervous about injections, are you?

-No.

Slight scratch.

-Sorry about the wait earlier.

-That's OK.

I had to cancel my clients cos of this fall anyway.

-Fall?

-At Hazelwell. I really wrenched my back.

What were you doing there?

Visiting my mum.

I have to be careful because my body's my livelihood.

Did that sound a bit odd? I'm a personal trainer.

Well, Dr Tyler is very thorough.

He's so nice.

Reckons Mum's in good hands, but I don't know.

She's been deteriorating for months, and since the stroke...

Must be hard for you.

It's like she's there, but not.

I sit with her sometimes, when I've got the time...

which is a lot at the moment. Obviously.

I'm sure it makes all the difference.

Blimey. Nurse Dracula.

Will the results be used by the insurance company?

Oh, you're claiming?

It's unlikely.

I think Dr Tyler's just worried about your iron levels.

Have you been feeling tired lately?

All over the place. Probably why I slipped.

I went flying and cracked my head.

Had a splitting headache for days.

But you're feeling better now?

It's getting worse, if anything.

-And you've told Dr Tyler?

-Yeah, yeah.

Right, hold down.

Great. All done.

Sorry it was so much.

Ah, not to worry. I'll get out of your way.

How'd it go with the blood test?

Hello. Anybody home?

Don't put that there!

I've just tidied.

All right, don't bite my head off.

What've you bought so much for, anyway?

Why are you being so snappy?

I'm really worried about this claim thing.

They want me to do an X-ray now.

It'll be fine.

What you've described is muscular and your back's a bit sore anyway.

Yeah, but not that much.

Look, all you have to do is calm down, smile sweetly

and keep describing the symptoms we read on the internet.

Everyone knows it's difficult to disprove back injuries.

Well, it's all right for you. You're not the one doing the lying. It's giving me palpitations.

Stop being such a drama queen.

Anyway, if things go to plan, we might not need to claim.

I suppose.

Tell you what.

Let's have a TV dinner and a bottle and everything will be sweet.

What are you buying expensive wine for?

I thought we deserved a treat.

-We can't afford...

-Just chill, will you?

Had any lunch? I'm nipping off to Lacey's.

I've got a soggy sandwich.

Aw. I'll get you a doggy-bag.

-Cheers.

-How did it go with Stevie's bloods? Was it all right?

Yeah, she did seem a bit hyper though. What meds did you give her?

Anti-inflammatories. Nothing major.

Hm.

She didn't seem in much pain for somebody who had fallen badly

-and cracked her head.

-Cracked it? See, she didn't say that to me.

I've had one of those ambulance-chasing companies faxed

through for a report.

It's so tricky with backs.

What seems minor can end up leading to all sorts of problems

and it is her career.

She strikes me as the kind of woman

that knows how to get exactly what she wants from people.

Particularly men.

You must have been going at it for someone with a "bad back"?

I had to work off all those crisps.

Anyway, good news. Mrs Haywood rang.

She wants us to come back in to see if we can reach some agreement.

-SHE GROANS

-What's up?

SHE PANTS

My heart's pounding.

I told you you were overdoing it.

My eyes are blurry.

It's just stress. But you might as well use it.

Go back to the doctor's.

I can't, it'll look ridiculous.

Phone them, then.

Lay it on thick.

No.

That's not going to keep you lean and mean, is it?

Sorry, we're all out of protein shakes.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with my BMI.

OK. Let's sort this out now once and for all.

Squat thrusts.

Burpies? No way.

Come on. First to six wins.

I've got better things to do. Besides, I hate burpies.

Coward.

One...

-LAUGHING:

-You feeling all right?

Never better.

Come on, Karen, you can adjudicate.

Oi, Daniel, you're cheating.

You have to properly touch your toes.

What is going on in here?

Kevin, we've just had a call from...

Six, I win!

Come on, let's go to 30. I'll thrash you again. Pow!

I was properly enjoying myself then.

Yes!

Oh, I need to sit down.

Thanks for coming back in. Take a seat.

Thank you.

I just wondered if you'd had any second thoughts about this claim?

I don't think we have much choice, Mrs Haywood.

You sure the injury is severe enough?

This is Stevie's livelihood.

Of course, but...

she doesn't seem that bad.

Are you accusing her of lying?

Of course not.

I just wondered if you could wait to see how long-term

the situation might be?

And if we don't claim and Stevie doesn't recover?

How would we pay your bill, for example?

We try to keep the fees as low as we can...

600 quid a week? Kidding, aren't you?

If the cost of Mary's care is an issue,

perhaps we could come up with some kind of agreement?

Such as?

This would be subject to Stevie not claiming against the home, of course.

-We'd want a cash sum as well...

-I am here, you know.

It is my mum we're talking about.

Absolutely, and we do the best for her.

My friend was talked out of claiming by her gym

and she ended up on disability benefit.

I don't intend to be like that

because some idiot forgot to wipe up some tea!

Well, I'm sorry to hear that,

but I don't know the details of your friend's injury.

Tripped on a loose floor tile and hurt her back. Sound familiar?

I'm not trying to swindle you out of...

Well, you'd better be prepared for a fight

because there are lots of things we could say are negligent around here.

Well, if that's how you feel,

perhaps you should move your mother elsewhere.

We'll do that.

-Stevie...

-What?

Stevie's a bit upset at the moment.

Obviously, it would be too distressing for Mary

to be moved right now. We'll be in touch.

But...

Stevie, what the hell do you think you're doing?

I thought you wanted me to fight for it.

Fight for it, not blow it out of the water. I almost had her there.

Never satisfied, are you?

I'm exhausted, my back's destroyed, I'm practically a cripple...

What are you talking about?

The accident.

Come on, let's talk about this outside.

I want to see Mum.

Finally stopped trying to do a Vin Diesel?

-I think it was more like The Rock.

-Yeah, right.

-Stevie Shields hasn't rung back, has she?

-No.

Stevie? Why would she need to ring back?

She called at lunchtime saying she had dizziness and palpitations.

-And you didn't tell me.

-Well, I did try

but you were too busy playing with Daniel.

Anyway, I think she's playing it up a bit.

She sounded like she was exercising to me.

So much for her bad back.

Actually, she was dizzy earlier.

Something to do with sugar, she said, and she was limping.

The girl who cried wolf?

Let's hope not. Dizziness, fatigue, poor memory.

Yeah, could be any number of things.

Yeah, but with the anaemia...

Well, she didn't look tired or dizzy when I saw her.

I mean, if anything, she looked a bit wired.

I told her to come back if her symptoms persisted. OK.

We should go.

I'm sorry, Mum.

I should be here for you more.

You are, Stevie. You've done everything you could.

This isn't Mum's ring.

Yes, it is.

No, it isn't. Hers had five diamonds.

Really? That low?

No. I can wait for the rest of the results.

Right, thanks for calling me back. That's really helpful.

-It's definitely not her engagement ring. Definitely.

-MOBILE PHONE RINGS

It's been on her hand as long as I can remember.

Why won't you listen to me? Someone's stolen it!

You'll never prove it, you'll just complicate things.

It's not the first time things have gone missing.

-You're just confused.

-No, I'm not!

You've been all over the place these last few weeks.

No, I haven't!

Look, we'll talk about it at home. Just get in the car.

Maybe it's in her jewellery box. There's a hidden drawer.

Look, we've got more things to worry about

than your mum's jewellery right now.

All you care about is the money.

Look, we had a letter from the bank this morning.

If we don't make the next payment, they're repossessing the house.

-No, they won't.

-We need cash and we need it quick.

Don't be stupid!

What planet do you live on?

You're lying!

You're a liar.

SHE WHEEZES

I can't breathe.

-Stevie, calm down.

-I can't...

Just calm down, Stevie, get in the car!

Oh, I can't...

SHE GASPS

See you tomorrow. Unless, of course, you fancy going to the gym?

I've got a spare guest pass.

Sorry. I'm meeting the lads. I've got a life.

HE CHUCKLES

What's been going on with him today?

Well, he did go and see his GP for his annual checkup

and apparently he's in tip-top shape.

Hence the smug-factor.

At least you beat him at burpies.

SHE GASPS

I don't know what's wrong with her. She's being really weird.

Stevie, it's Dr Tyler. Can you hear me?

Doctor. Yes. Need a doctor.

OK, can you tell me what's going on with you?

My feet. Burning.

Everything's blurred.

OK. Can you take my arm?

Where's Mum?

She needs her ring back.

She needs...her ring!

-Do you want me to help?

-No thanks, Karen.

Let's get her into my room.

Sit her in the chair.

Dizzy. I feel sick.

I need you to slow down your breathing for me.

Can you do that?

It's my fault.

-All my fault.

-You're taking too much oxygen in.

Breathe into this bag.

There we go, there we go.

That's it, that's better.

Slow.

That's better.

I need to see your tongue, Stevie.

Is it sore?

I've been trying to contact you.

The lab called. They say Stevie has a Vitamin B12 deficiency.

She also has a macrocytosis -

large red blood cells - an indicator for pernicious anaemia.

Is it serious?

Not if you catch it in time, which, as she's not shown

any signs of peripheral nerve damage, I think we have.

I would have twigged on earlier, but some of the symptoms she described

from the fall overlapped and she's so fit, I was put off the scent.

But can they cure it?

Usually with injections of B12 every three months

until you're symptom-free.

I'll have to refer you to a haematologist.

It can be diet or gut-related, bacterial growth,

intestinal blockage, coeliac disease...

Is that why she's been a bit bonkers?

It can cause temporary mental instability

and I suppose the stress from the fall and the claim haven't helped.

No.

So...this claim, is it genuine?

-Yeah.

-No.

Stevie's mum had debts with loan firms which we took on

when she had her first stroke.

Then I was made redundant.

We've practically bankrupted ourselves paying for her care.

Right. MOBILE PHONE RINGS

We weren't going to take it to the wire.

Just needed some respite. A lump sum.

Just a few weeks without having to pay for Mary's...

-It's the home.

-Hello?

Now's not a good time, Mrs Hayw...

I see.

When?

OK.

Thanks for letting us know.

What? What did she say?

It's your mum.

No.

Massive stroke. Just after we left. I'm sorry, love.

SHE SOBS

All this stupidness, I wasn't there for her.

Sh.

I wasn't there. I should have known!

No-one could have known and I'm sure she didn't suffer.

I want to see her.

I don't think that's a good idea.

I'm sure she's well enough to go and see her,

but make sure she gets plenty of rest afterwards.

Come back and see me in the next couple of days

while we wait for the haematologist referral, all right?

-Thanks for your help.

-You're welcome.

I hope everything goes all right at the home.

-And we'll say sorry to Mrs Haywood.

-What?

Oh, yeah. Don't worry. I'll look after her.

SHE SOBS

Is she going to be all right?

She just found out her mum died.

No, that's awful.

Yeah, you never know what's round the corner, do you?

No. You don't.

They're not claiming any more.

So, it was dodgy?

I think all this has just put things back into perspective for them.

Well, at least they've got each other.

Yeah.

Right. I've got a date with six hairy blokes and a keg of lager.

Great about Leeds, isn't it?

Leeds?

I didn't know you were into yoga.

I'm always on about it.

Are you?

Knockers. Hooters.

You want me to make a choice? OK, this is my choice -

-I don't want to see you again, ever.

-Connor, you don't mean...

I don't give a toss what you think.

Look at my breasts.

Honestly, look at my breasts.