Thursday 6th January 1994 Portmere surgery 12:30 Today really was my last day at the surgery. We had a little party at lunchtime. Dr Lewis had made sausage rolls, Valerie Vaughan brought a Victoria sponge cake and Dad supplied a
Huw Rhys Harris
Thursday 30th December 1993 Maternity ward visit 15:10 Dylan and I went to see Dr Lewis’ new baby, today. He was born 10 days late and had to endure a long labour. Despite this, he was as bright as a
It must be acute glaucoma!
Thursday 29th July 1993 Morning surgery 10:10 Dilys came rushing excitedly in as soon as Mr Gaunt left the room.“Mrs Cunningham’s got acute glaucoma, Dr Dennis.”“Try not to be so dramatic, Dilys. Always remember that common things are common. I’ve
Dr Lewis is pregnant.
Thursday 8th April 1993 Morning coffee break 11:30 Dr Lewis is pregnant. She told us this morning after coffee. Dylan and I did not even realise she was married. In fact, we found out later that she’s not which is
We want beds . . . beds for every patient!
Thursday 28th January 1993 Morning surgery 09:00 My Dad looked put out when Phil Davies and Carol Crosby came in with Mrs Vaughan. Carol Crosby had brought in an extra chair from the waiting room. My Dad glanced at his
Impulse control disorders.
Thursday 21st January 1993 Morning surgery 11:00 “I think I may have a smidgin of Parkinson’s.”“Parkinson’s?”“Yes. I know that I haven’t slowed down in general but my walking’s not as good. I’m certainly not striding out like I used to.
Morning surgery with Dr Lewis.
Thursday 14th January 1993 Morning surgery 08:40 Dad had given me two weeks off this Christmas but, to be honest, I was glad to get back to work.
Mr Watts?
Thursday 10th December 1992 Morning surgery 09:200 “How did Mr Watts describe his dizziness, Dennis?”“Mr Watts?”“Yes, he’s the patient that we’ve just seen. He only left the room a minute ago.”“Oh! I thought he had headaches.”“He did have headaches, Dennis,
An irresponsible diagnosis of asthma.
Friday 27th November 1992 Respiratory Disease Performance Panel 08:15 “Good morning Dr Dennis. Welcome to the panel. I would like to start by introducing everyone. I am Professor Melanie Mortimer, Specialist Consultant in Adult Respiratory Medicine at The Royal Brompton
There’s something different about Dr Lewis.
Thursday 12th November 1992 Morning surgery 11:00 There is something different about Dr Lewis. Obviously, she has had her hair cut but it’s not that. There’s something else. I keep watching her but I can’t work it out. Could it
I don’t know why I’m here.
Thursday 5th November 1992 Morning surgery 11:20 “I don’t know why I’m here, Dr Dennis.”“It was to review your medication.”“Oh! I’m still taking the tablets. I don’t need them but I’m still taking them.”“I think you do need them, Ray.
Terminal hair.
Wednesday 2nd September 1992 At the barbers 17:55 “Come on, Sandeep. There must be something you can do.”“I am really sorry, Desmond. There isn’t. I’ve tried everything. I think we’ll have to let nature take it’s course. I will do
Identical twins with hyperthyroidism.
Thursday 23rd July 1992 Morning surgery 11:10 “I know thyroid problems run in families but I’ve never heard of identical twins presenting on exactly the same day with severe hyperthyroidism, students. It must be extremely unusual.” My Dad chuckled. I
Waiting.
Thursday 9th July 1992 Home visit 14:20 “He is deeply unconscious, Mrs Hughes. I don’t think it will take very long.”“It has all happened quickly. It will be a relief for him, doctor.”“He seems comfortable. I don’t think he’s suffering.”
There’s nothing wrong with these aprons, Daphne.
Saturday 20th June 1992 Home baking 10:50 “There’s nothing wrong with these aprons, Daphne.”
The waiting list for hip replacements.
Thursday 28th May 1992 Morning coffee break 12.01 Dad took us to see the waiting list for hip replacements today.
Declan scores a hat trick!
Saturday 18th March 1992 Portmere 3 : Bangor City 0 16:17 It was Declan’s second match for Portmere first team and he started! He had always played in defence but there he was, up front. He scored two headers and a
Hidden sensitivities.
Thursday 26th March 1992 Portmere Hospital 16:57 “Good afternoon, Dr Delany.”“Good afternoon, Dr Dennis. It’s nice to see you. Why are you wearing your school uniform? It’s far too small!”“It’s not mine. It’s Dennis’. I got up late this morning and
Declan comes of age.
Saturday 7th March 1992 After breakfast 10:45 Something horrible has happened to Declan. All of a sudden, he has grown taller and filled out in a manly way that doesn’t suit him. His voice is deeper. He has adopted an authoritative
How to catch threadworms.
Thursday 5th December 1991 Thursday morning 12:10 Threadworms live inside your bottom. At night, when you are nice and warm in bed, they come out and lay their eggs on your skin. The
Fred, Phil and Gregor.
Thursday 3rd October 1991 Morning surgery 10:00 Fred, Phil and Gregor all refused point blank to wait in Casualty for 4 hours and Dr Lewis was away so Dad
Jellyfish stings!!!
Tuesday 20th August 1991 Agia Galini 15:30 Because my Dad was on holiday, he refused to attend to the
Athlete’s foot.
Thursday 25th July 1991 Morning surgery 11:30 “Come on, Phil. When did you last do any exercise?” Phil’s feet were dripping. The skin was macerated and peeling off. His soles
Delusional infestation.
Thursday 6th June 1991 Morning surgery 09:10 “Well, that’s another 47 we’ve got rid of today, Caitlin. Do you want to make an appointment to come back tomorrow?” Delusional
Titch, Terry and Rod.
Thursday 25th April 1991 Morning surgery 10:50 Titch Mitchelson, Terry Talbot and Rodney Masters had all started smoking together in the second year in Grammar School. At lunchtime, they would nip
Dylan and Dilys.
Thursday 7th March 1991 Morning surgery 11:59 By the end of their first surgery, it was obvious to Dr Lewis and I that Dylan and Dilys, our new medical students, were in
Fish hook removal.
Thursday 31st January 1991 Morning surgery 11:20 The difficult thing about removing a fish hook from a patient’s finger is the barb. You can’t just pull the hook out. The barb is there to
Hypothermia.
Tuesday 1st January 1991 At home 09:07 At 9 o’clock on New Year’s Day, Gary and Maisy Wilkins found Fred slumped against their snowman. Maisy lifted his hat. Fred was
Toenail elevation.
Thursday 15th November 1990 Minor surgery 15.30 There is nothing nice about watching an ingrown toenail being operated on. From the point of view of the observer or the patient,
What a holiday!
Monday 17th September 1990 Approaching Manchester Airport 01.30 We all felt a bit subdued on the way home but what a holiday that was!
Amazing!
Wednesday 12th September 1990 Space nightclub, Playa d’en Bossa, Ibiza 02.40 “Amazing, Dec!” “Amazing, Den!” “Amazing, Daph!” “Amazing, Des!” “Amazing, Val!” “Amazing, Vern!”
A broken hip.
Thursday 2nd August 1990 Whitby Rd, Portmere 10.40 Dr Lewis could spot a broken hip from a mile away. “You will notice that the right leg looks shorter, Dennis, and the foot
Suspected meningococcal meningitis.
Thursday 12th July 1990 Morning surgery 10.33 “I’ve got a 14 year old year old boy with suspected meningococcal meningitis. He has been unwell with a high temperature and abdominal pain for 24 hours. This morning, he did not want to
Hypothyroidism.
Thursday 21st June 1990 Morning surgery 09.00 “Mrs Brown is probably the most typical case of hypothyroidism we will ever see, Dennis.” Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid gland is underactive. Dr
My first morning with Dr Lewis.
Thursday 10th May 1990 Morning surgery 08:50 It was my first morning with Dr Lewis. Dad looked puzzled but the new shirt, tie and haircut were nothing more than coincidence.
On the subs’ bench.
Saturday 31st March 1990 Portmere vs. Newtown 11.39 Declan has been called up for Portmere U14s. We are all excited. Even Mum has decided to come to the match. He was sent
Frostbite prevention.
Saturday 27th January 1990 Portmere vs. Bangor City 14.00 Portmere need some new kit.
Happy Christmas!
Monday 25th December 1989 Coronary Care Unit 18.32 Dad was admitted with chest pain at 7 o’clock this morning. We all spent the day on CCU.
Phil and Den.
Saturday 16th December 1989 Portmere vs Barry Town 14.21 These days, if I see Phil at a match, he always buys me a cup of tea. Since I treated his wart, we
A fight in the back of the ambulance.
Saturday 11th November 1989 Middle of the night 00.18 “It will be a good opportunity for you to see some proper emergencies, Dennis.” Dad’s idea of me spending a Saturday night with
Mosquitoes.
Wednesday 13th September 1989 Agia Galini 12:00 Dad and I had been really careful with our sun tan oil this year but the mosquitoes were the worst ever.
A postcard from Agia Galini.
Tuesday 29th August 1989 After breakfast 07:50 Dear Desmond, We were very disappointed to find that you had changed your holiday dates at the last minute. By then, of course,
Max.
Thursday 10th August 1989 Morning surgery 11:20 I thought Max looked really ill. He walked slowly and painfully down the corridor to Dad’s room, leaning heavily on his crutches. He
Phil’s back!
Thursday 20th July 1989 Wart clinic 16:30 Phil had caught a wart from one of his girlfriends. It was on a very embarrassing part of his body. I gave him
Happy birthday, Dennis!
Wednesday 14th June 1989 At home 16:45 It was my 15th birthday. I had a big kiss and a fountain pen from Mrs Vaughan. “It is time you started writing
Could this be measles?
Thursday 11th May 1989 Morning surgery 09:23 “Let’s have a look at this rash then, Mrs Preston.” My Dad looked impatiently at his watch. Mrs Preston was quite flustered as
Tim’s empty bed.
Thursday 6th April 1989 Home visit 12:50 Tim died more quickly than my Dad had expected. He passed away last night. We all went to offer our condolences to Mrs Chapman. Dad and I both said how sorry we
Tim was unconscious.
Thursday 23rd March 1989 Home visit 13:00 Tim had deteriorated. Yesterday, he was confused. Today, he was unconscious. My Dad shouted at him and shook him. There was no
An interesting assignment.
Wednesday 15th March 1989 After dinner 19:20 Dad said that he had sent Zoe and Chloe back to see Tim. He had decided that it would be an interesting assignment for them;
Fred.
Thursday 9th March 1989 Home Visit 12:44 Tim’s friend, Fred, had come to see him. He was sitting by the bed, laughing loudly, when we arrived. Fred was holding a
Beer for breakfast.
Thursday 2nd March 1989 Home Visit 13:02 It was another home visit with the medical students. Tim was 37 years old. My Dad said that he was dying of liver
A good samaritan!
Wednesday 18th January 1989 19:38 Dad never stops at an accident.
Zoe and Chloe.
Thursday 17th November 1988 Morning surgery 08.58. Two medical students, Zoe and Chloe, were starting in the practice today. My Dad had obviously forgotten that they were coming. He was quite
Mum made Dad buy some safety equipment.
Thursday 27th October 1988 Wart clinic 16.00. I’m back on liquid nitrogen. A small boy asked for me specifically. He said that I was his doctor and he wouldn’t let anyone else
Packed full of hard, greenish-brown wax.
Thursday 22nd September 1988 Morning coffee break 11.45. It was Dr Lois Lewis who discovered what was wrong with Dad’s stethoscope. Both earpieces were packed full of hard, greenish-brown wax. “It
Sunstroke.
Tuesday 30th August 1988 Breakfast 10.00. Dad always makes the most of his Greek, buffet breakfast. Today, he has chosen Greek yogurt with honey, a peach, slices of salami and ham, soft goat’s
Sunburn.
Friday 26th August 1988 Agia Galini 12.00. Even though we were supposed to be on holiday, Dad and I had to deal with two cases of sunburn.
Housemaid’s knee.
Wednesday 20th July 1988 Morning surgery 10.30. “I don’t think that you should keep looking these things up, Mrs Vaughan.” My Dad had just finished examining Mrs Vaughan’s knee. “Why not,
Happy birthday, Dennis!
Tuesday 14th June 1988 After dinner 20:15. Today is my fourteenth birthday. I had asked my Dad for a typewriter but he bought me an auriscope. Declan got me a box
A huge, angry boil.
Saturday 21st May 1988 Portmere vs. Welshpool 14:30. It was Portmere’s final game of the season. A tough home fixture against Welshpool. Declan and I settled into our seats. I
Scabies.
Wednesday 4th May 1988 Morning surgery 10:50. Scabies is worse than chicken pox.
I couldn’t hear a thing.
Wednesday 30th March 1988 Morning surgery 10.00. My Dad taught me how to use the stethoscope, today. I couldn’t hear a thing.
Trichotillomania.
Wednesday 16th March 1988 Morning surgery 11.00. Patients with trichotillomania continually twist or pull at thier hair until it comes out in clumps.
Headaches.
Wednesday 24th February 1988 Morning surgery 09:40. We saw a lady this morning with one of those small children who can’t keep still. He sat on the chair by his Mum for about 30 seconds. My Dad smiled and said
A bit more than a normal bladder infection.
Wednesday 10th February 1988 Morning Surgery 10:30. Mrs Valerie Vaughan was on pins. She had just come in and was standing in front of the door which she had not closed properly. “Take a seat, Mrs Vaughan.” “I can’t, doctor.”
Chicken pox.
Wednesday 27th January 1988 Morning surgery 09:20. Some children get awful chicken pox.