PATIENT WHO PREFERRED THE WARD TO BEING WITH HIS WIFE!

‘WELL, a fine Christmas this is going to be,’ Mrs Whitely said in a sharp, clipped tone as she stood looking down at her husband, who was lying on a trolley. He glanced up: ‘Sorry, dear, I know it’s not really convenient.’

I wondered if there was ever a ‘convenient’ time to have a heart attack, but, judging by the scowl on Mrs Whitely’s face, thought it best not to say anything.

She pursed her lips and looked away. ‘Well, we’re going to have to cancel the Harrisons now,’ she replied. ‘And we’ve already accepted invitations to parties for every day next week. And then there’s Lydia’s recital and drinks with the Barlows . . .’

I looked sympathetically at Mr Whitely and told him: ‘You’ll be transferred up to the ward in a minute.’ He seemed relieved.

‘I think he needs to rest,’ I interjected as Mrs Whitely continued to reel off a long list of engagements she would have to cancel.

My pager went off — I was needed for yet another patient with a heart attack — so I left the Whitelys to it.

At Christmas, hospitals have to deal with a spike in heart attack cases. The stress of the season, combined with drinking and eating rich, fatty foods, sees to that. I looked down at the heart tracing and made a mental note to pass on the brandy butter this year.

Later, I made my way up to the ward to see Mr Whitely. ‘You’ll have to stay in hospital over Christmas, I’m afraid,’ I told him.

He looked over at his wife, who was standing by the door, talking loudly on her phone and waving her hands in the air. ‘Son,’ he said, ‘this is going to be the best Christmas I’ve had in years.’