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SERIES 8 EPISODE
8 CLOSE TO HEAVEN - Part 2
Joanna begs the surgeons to keep trying to revive Andrew. Sam explains that
there has been no break in his CPR since he was pulled from the river. The
cardiac team shock Andrew once more and he begins to breathe.
Martin tells Joanna that Nottingham hospital won’t operate on Rachel because the
tumour is too close to the base of her brain. They are not experienced in this
area and feel it would be too risky. Martin calls his old medical friend Marcus Minghis who is the best brain surgeon in the country.
Marcus refuses to do the operation on the grounds that his theatre in London is
fully booked. Martin suggests he come to Nottingham and perform the operation
there with full support of Nottingham's medical team – Marcus agrees.
Joanna takes on Sam’s night calls so he can go and visit Andrew. When he arrives
at the hospital he is pleased to se that Andrew has woken up with Dawn by his
side. Andrew thanks Sam for saving his life and the previous animosity
disappears.
Rachel visits Joanna at home and says she doesn’t understand why everyone is
going to such much trouble in order for her to have the operation. She tells
Joanna she wants to know every detail about the operation and the possible after
effects.
Martin organises for Rachel to meet with Marcus. Marcus spots Rachel’s
intelligence and is honest with her. He says the operation could leave her deaf
and physically immobile. Rachel tells Joanna she doesn’t want to have the
operation as she would rather have a few years left as ‘her’ then a life time
of being someone else. Joanna doesn’t agree with what Rachel is doing but says
she will support her decision.
Keith turns up and tells Dawn that Trent has told him abut Andrew’s accident. He says
he’ll look after the children so she can spend time at the hospital with Andrew.
Dawn reluctantly agrees.
Joanna sends faxes to all concerned informing them of Rachel's objection towards
the operation. Martin is furious and tells Joanna she has used their
relationship and taken advantage of her position. Joanna says that's not true
and is adamant that the decision is Rachel's and not theirs.
Rachel’s father visits Martin and says there must be a way that they can make
Rachel have the operation. Martin says there isn’t as Rachel is entitled to say
which treatment she receives. However he suggests that her father contact the
medical authority to question Rachel’s state of mind. When Joanna hears what
Martin has suggested she is furious and says Martin only cares about Rachel's
operation because the reputation of himself and the hospital will rise when news
spreads that Marcus will be performing surgery there.
Andrew discharges himself from hospital and begins to annoy Dawn and the children
with his snappy behaviour. However when Sam tells him he is not fit to return to
work Andrew books and holiday to Disneyland for himself, Dawn and the children.
The medical authority struggle to find anything wrong with Rachel’s state of
mind. Eventually even her Dad sees how ridiculous the situation is and tells
Rachel the decision is up to her. Rachel agrees to have the operation but tells
Joanna she is only doing it for her Dad.
The operation goes ahead with Martin and the whole of Nottingham general
watching on the big screen. Halfway through the operation Rachel has a
haemorrhage
and despite Marcus’ efforts nothing can be done to save her. He stands back from
the operating table and asks for Rachel to be closed up. Martin goes into the
theatre and Marcus apologises to him, saying there was nothing he could do.
Joanna visits Martin at home. He is drinking and tells he’s sorry for what
happened to Rachel. He says he thought they were really doing their best for
Rachel by giving her that operation. He breaks down in Joanna’s arms.
Rachel's father talks to Joanna and says he is grateful for what she did for Rachel. He
tells her Rachel thought the world of her.
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