ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I'm a 38 y/o writer from Scotland, living with my partner, two cats, our elderly dog, two turtles and a grumpy talking catfish. I enjoy reading, cooking, playing video games and collecting. I've always enjoyed games and books with a strong plot and interesting characters.
Interview Time: 2:30pm Date: 31/01/24
Patient Name: Mr. Timothy Dalton CHI: 2307983452
GP: Dr. Harold Stevens
H. Stevens: So, are you excited?
T. Dalton: Very.
H. Stevens: What’s the first thing you plan to do?
T. Dalton: Go for a run. I always wanted to do the London Marathon.
H. Stevens: I’d say that’s an excellent start.
T. Dalton: I can raise money for charity too. To repay them for all the support they’ve given me over the years.
H. Stevens: I’m sure they’ll be very grateful. You’ve read over the leaflets?
T. Dalton: I’ve had a look. I don’t claim to understand it all…
H. Stevens: That’s fine, Timothy. As the surgery gets closer the surgical teams will talk you through the procedure.
T. Dalton: And they’ve a lot of experience…?
H. Stevens: With head transplants? Oh, they do them every other week! (laughs) I’m pulling your leg, Timothy.
T. Dalton: Are you? I can’t feel anything.
H. Stevens: Touche. Between the members of the team, they have over twenty years of experience in their field. They know what they’re doing.
T. Dalton: All right, I trust you.
H. Stevens: It’s not too late to pull out if you don’t feel comfortable with any aspect.
T. Dalton: No, it’ll go fine. I’m sure of it.
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Patient Name: Timothy Dalton
13/02/2024
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 09/02/2024
Date Typed: 11/02/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
As you have been previously informed, your patient, Mr. Timothy Dalton, is now recovering in the ICU of Queen Elizabeth University Hospital following the world’s first successful head transplant to a donated body. Surgery took place over 18 hours, during which two surgical teams endeavoured to preserve Mr. Dalton’s original muscles, arteries, nervous system, pharynx and larynx.
Surgery went well with no complications. Mr. Dalton is in a medically induced coma to facilitate the fusion of his spinal cord to that of the donor. Rehabilitation commences on 18/02/24, during which he will receive exercises to prevent muscle atrophy. When he awakens, he will be assessed for any neuropathic pain and put forth for a psychiatric assessment. A neurologist will also prescribe a range of medications such as:
● Hypertension (Amlodipine)
● Anticoagulants (Clopidogrel)
● Digestive (Lansoprazole)
● Cholesterol (Atorvastatin)
● Immunosuppressants (Prednisone)
He will also receive pain relief and antibiotics through an IV for the duration of the induced coma.
Mr. Dalton will remain under observation at QEU.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 08/02/2024 14:09:34 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 07/03/2024
Date Typed: 10/03/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
Mr. Dalton was successfully awakened from his coma.
He will remain on the ventilator until the spinal cord fusion is complete. Until that point, he will be under observation to ensure there is no rejection of any of the organs in the donated body nor side effects from the medication.
He is recovering well and the prognosis so far is hopeful. Vital signs are within acceptable range.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 09/03/2024 10:24:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 15/03/2024
Date Typed: 17/03/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
As you know, the patient was fitted with a naso-gastric tube for the duration of his coma.
Additionally, precautions were taken to secure the patient to the bed via the use of soft restraints to prevent self harm.
At approximately ten in the morning, Nurse Reid discovered he had awoken. He had broken out of the soft restraints and greeted her with a cheery smile and a wave. How, I do not know. The security footage shows him pulling at them until they came loose. I am aware of the impossibility of this, however I have reviewed the security footage and have forwarded it to you.
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you just how reckless this was, given he must remain stationary during the recovery process.
The duty nurse caught him pulling at the stitches on several occasions but was able to act quickly and prevent him from doing any further self harm. Due to the unknown nature of the patient’s psyche and his self-destructive tendencies, we have made the decision to provide round the clock observation. As well as this, we have administered a low dose of benzodiazepine.
His scheduled review with psychiatry has also been moved forward.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 14/03/2024 11:30:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Microsoft Teams, Participants 2
Stevens, Harold Wallace, Martin
Harold: I received your letter this afternoon and the security footage. How on Earth did he break free?
Martin: You tell me. I didn’t believe it myself when Nurse Reid pulled me aside.
Harold: How is he now?
Martin: Quiet.
Harold: And pulling at the stitches?
Martin: No, he’s thankfully stopped.
Harold: Good. Please keep me updated.
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Partick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 18/03/2024
Date Typed: 19/03/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
Despite the continued observation and mild sedation, Mr. Dalton managed to remove both the ventilator and the naso-gastric tube, and walked out of the ICU. I say walked, however, the security camera’s low resolution and impurities on the lens prevented footage to be captured. It was only discovered when the duty nurse noticed the blood trail from the ICU.
While I’m sure I don’t need to stress how unprecedented and irresponsible this is for a hospital of this size to lose a patient for any length of time. In truth, the entire situation is odd.
According to the patient’s charts, he was scheduled for a psychiatric evaluation with yourselves at The Health Centre. However, I am unable to locate the documentation from the psychiatrist prior to your referral. Could you check this inconsistency? I’d hate for the world’s first successful surgery to be derailed by red tape and bureaucracy.
The nurses found him in a nearby ward, staring out of the window. He somehow had the foresight to bring his IV. We are looking into posting a guard at his door as well as implementing stronger physical restraints. I am also recommending an increase to the dose of diazepam.
When he was found, Mr. Dalton showed signs of dissociation though there were no signs of aggression. He provided no resistance when the nurses returned him to his ward.
I would be grateful, Dr. Stevens, if you could forward the evaluation and any other relevant files.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 17/03/2024 15:40:08 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Interview time: 11:15am Patient Name: Timothy Dalton
Date: 20/03/24
CHI: 2307983452
Consultant: Mr. Martin Wallace
M. Wallace: Good morning, Mr. Dalton. How are you?
T. Dalton: My throat hurts a little from the tube, but otherwise I feel good.
M. Wallace: Very good. And how does everything feel? There’s no pain, discomfort anywhere? No tingling sensations?
T. Dalton: None. It feels a little strange to be able to move again. But I’m looking forward to getting out and enjoy this second chance.
M. Wallace: That’s the spirit. And your family? Have they been to visit yet?
T. Dalton: They have. They were a bit unnerved, to be honest. They kept looking at my hands and arms, my legs too. Just couldn’t quite believe it, but I imagine that’s understandable.
M. Wallace: Indeed. They’ll come around as time goes on and they get used to it.
T. Dalton: I expect they will. It’s not every day a quadriplegic gets a new body.
M. Wallace: This is true. Well, I’ll let you rest. The nurses should be round with tea, coffee, whatever your preference.
T. Dalton: Thank you, Mr. Wallace. For this second chance you helped give me.
M. Wallace: You’re very welcome, Mr. Dalton.
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Partick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 22/03/2024
Date Typed: 24/03/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
Thank you for forwarding the psychiatric evaluation. Having reviewed it, I can see there were no red flags indicated. Were it not for the accident that caused his quadriplegic state, he would be one of the most healthy, well-rounded individuals I have ever seen.
The program was fortunate to find such an ideal candidate.
However, I am afraid Mr. Dalton’s mental state is not the reason for this correspondence.
Once more, Mr. Dalton escaped his ward and took his IV for a little jaunt around the hospital. The duty nurse and junior doctor assigned were the first to discover the empty room. Although initially confused at the disappearance, they reacted quickly to track down the patient. Once more, Mr. Dalton was discovered staring out of the window. This time, he’d made it to another ward entirely. The junior doctor and nurse examined him and noted signs of dissociation with limited retinal dilation.
The nurse returned him to the ICU, where the junior doctor performed a thorough examination.
There appears to be no adverse effect from Mr. Dalton’s wanderings. The spinal cord fusion is holding, which is a miracle in itself. Additionally, there is no evidence of paralysis nor organ function failure. His physical condition matches that of any adult, as does his mental state.
Mr. Dalton performs well in all psychiatric and cognitive tests. Furthermore, his brain scan returned no abnormalities, and all parameters were within an acceptable range.
There is no evidence to suggest any sort of mental health degradation or impairment.
He is fortunate as I doubt the health board would approve him for any further surgery.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 21/03/2024 16:22:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 28/03/2024
Date Typed: 30/03/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
Given Mr. Dalton’s penchant for wandering off, an occupational therapist was booked to assess his motor skills. He passed this assessment with flying colours. There is no damage to his spinal cord nor to any of his extremities. Muscular function is unimpeded, and his reflexes are within normal range.
He has continued to wander the hospital at night, despite our best efforts to restrict his mobility. Upon being found, he claims no memory of getting there. The nurse and the junior doctor always return him to the ICU. It is only a matter of time before he is back wandering the halls.
I am in contact with the security team to coordinate with them for the security footage to try and discover how he gets out of the restraints and past the assigned guard.
We are arranging an MRI of his head and body, as well as blood tests to ensure there is no acute transplant rejection.
As stated before, you will be updated on the results.
Yours sincerely,
Authorized on 28/03/2024 15:18:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 04/04/2024
Date Typed: 07/04/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
When doing my rounds this afternoon, I observed Mr. Dalton display some concerning symptoms. I watched as he held one hand down with the other and seemed to be struggling to keep it in place.
He proceeded to lean forward and knee himself on his nose. I quickly intervened, conducting an examination on Mr. Dalton.
He became upset and distressed. During the exam, his leg jerked and he attempted to hold it down. I moved his hands away and observed his leg to “jump” up and down. Mr. Dalton informed me the leg was doing this of its own accord. It broke free from the soft restraint and swung to kick me.
We arranged a blood test to check for an iron deficiency as it is believed to be restless leg syndrome. I am unaware of any such history in the donor body that was provided.
I will go through the patient’s file to confirm if that is indeed the case.
As always, I will keep you updated.
Yours sincerely,
Authorized on 05/04/2024 14:46:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 08/04/2024
Date Typed: 10/04/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
Mr. Dalton’s MRI confirms there is no sign of transplant rejection, nor damage to his spinal cord.
It does not, however, explain his increasingly bizarre behaviour. The duty nurse informed me that he was observed putting a hospital gown over his head, tied at the top to hold it in place. Since it appears to make him feel better, despite the rather unnerving nature, no attempt was made to remove the garment.
I’m told the other patients in the ICU have complained about recent strange and unnerving noises. At night, the cries and shouting of Mr. Dalton echo down the corridor from his room. Attempts were made to wake him, however all were met without success. It is my belief Mr. Dalton seems to be suffering from some type of Night Terrors.
He is now scheduled for blood tests to check for vitamin deficiencies, as well as kidney function. If these results are clear, Mr. Dalton will remain for further observation until these ‘odd’ symptoms clear up.
Yours sincerely,
Authorized on 09/04/2024 12:30:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 12/04/2024
Date Typed: 14/04/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
Once more Mr. Dalton does not fail to disappoint. As well as the parasomnia, he has resumed his wanderings, with the hospital gown as a permanent addition to his appearance. He has cut out holes for his eyes, nose and mouth while his IV has become his companion.
The other patients are calling him ‘the ghoul’. Attempts of removing the gown result in Mr. Dalton cowering in the corner.
Nurse Reid found him in the lobby of the second floor, awaiting an elevator. When she tried to return him to his ward, he attempted to escape. The junior doctor, who has been assessing him throughout, was also called and he managed to calm Mr. Dalton.
Within the hour, Mr. Dalton was gone again. Neither the security guard, nurse nor the junior doctor saw or heard him leave. It is truly baffling how he manages to get out each time.
The security footage I have obtained does not show much. The lights go out as if there is a power failure, then return to show an empty room. At one point, he appeared in the corner of the room before he walked out.
The duty nurse found Mr. Dalton banging his head against the window on the second floor lobby. She administered stitches to his laceration once he was deposited at his ward. He was warned he would be restrained completely should the need arise.
Yours sincerely,
Authorized on 13/04/2024 09:30:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 16/04/2024
Date Typed: 18/04/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
The situation grows worse each day. Along with the hospital gown, Mr. Dalton is now restrained to his bed for safety reasons as well as continued mild sedation.
He bangs his head against windows, walls, the rails of the bed, whatever he can get close to. His wound has been restitched multiple times at this point.
His blood test came back clear, no sign of vitamin deficiency and kidney function is normal. We can’t blame this behaviour on a UTI as initially thought.
I checked his files once more, looking for any kind of clue. Mr. Dalton’s family has been informed of these events and, despite being able to visit until this point, they have been told they cannot visit until this is resolved.
Truly, this patient baffles me. If I didn’t know any better, my opinion would be the surgery has triggered a major psychotic break. His symptoms make no sense and the current concern, though unvoiced as of yet, is that he will harm the other patients.
If this goes on any longer the decision will be made to section him. This option is looking more likely by the day, despite the increase to the diazepam dose.
Yours sincerely,
Authorized on 15/04/2024 10:40:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Microsoft Teams, 2 Participants
Stevens, Harold Wallace, Martin
Harold: Martin, I’m growing increasingly concerned with what you’re sending me.
Martin: You’re concerned? We’re concerned! He’s walking around with a hospital gown over his head!
Harold: I understand that, but he was never like this before. Pre-transplant. When he had his accident, I spoke to his family, warned that he might develop severe depression.
That never happened. I was ready with talking therapies, mental health charities, you name it. He didn’t need any of those things. To hear how he’s acting now, that he’s suffered a major psychotic break, there’s something not right about it.
Martin: What are you suggesting? That it’s from the donor body?
Harold: Think of it like this. He’s essentially underwent a multiple organ donation, and while it’s not officially backed by science, some patients take on the donor’s likes, dislikes.
Martin: While I appreciate the attempt, those stories are hearsay at best, conjecture at worst. There’s nothing backed by any medical journal I’m aware of.
Harold: It gives us a start, however. If you could forward the donor’s files, I would be grateful.
Martin: I’ll have my secretary get on that today.
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 20/04/2024
Date Typed: 22/04/2024
Dr. Stevens,
I’m forwarding you Nurse Reid’s email I received this morning. I would be grateful if you could review it and contact me with your opinion on the matter.
From: brenda_reid84@nhsgreaterglasgow.com
To: m_wallace76@nhsgreaterglasgow.com
FWD: Patient Timothy Dalton CHI: 2307983452
This isn’t how I’d normally report an incident, however I’m too shaken up to care. Check the security footage, confirm what I’m telling you, about your patient, your ground-breaking surgery.
While on my rounds, I heard screaming and shouting coming from the waiting room near reception. I made my way there and became aware of repeated thumps.
When I entered, I saw Mr. Dalton hit his head against the wall, letting out a wail as he did so. He was covered in blood by this point. I approached, but he ran. I understand the basics of the surgery he underwent and I was under the impression he should not be able to run, never mind being out at all. I pursued him, though he was so fast!
He ran down the corridors, disappearing into one of the wards.
I gathered the other nurses and we spread out to find him. I checked the corridors, though I was unsuccessful. One of the other nurses managed to find him standing in the utility cupboard.
“Mr. Dalton, we need to get you back to your ward and stitch your cut,” I told him. He tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.
I tried again. “Mr. Dalton, you need to come back to the ICU.”
He broke into a run, pushing past me. The junior doctor on-call was the first after him, reaching for the IV. The rest of us followed again, only to find he’d disappeared once more. Security had already been informed.
It took an hour to find him. An hour!
In that time, he found his way into the canteen, stole several butter knives and we found him sawing at his neck. Blood covered the floor, while Mr. Dalton rocked back and forth, moaning. When he saw us, he tried to stand up.
One of the nurses brought a stretcher and we worked to stop the bleeding. He will not die from his injuries, though he did significant damage to his larynx. I’m not sure he’ll ever be able to speak again. He’ll need to be assessed for a speech synthesizer.
If anything else like this happens, I will be sure to email ASAP.
Please review the email and I will forward the security footage when it becomes
available.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 20/04/2024 11:30:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 24/04/2024
Date Typed: 26/04/2024
Dr. Stevens,
Mr. Dalton has been sectioned under Section Three of the Mental Health Act. Having already proved to be a danger to himself, we are now concerned he will cause harm to another patient.
Had I known what trouble this patient would be, I would have refused him. We are now in too deep for a transfer to another consultant to be an option. The newspapers would be all over it to hear the world’s first head transplant has failed so significantly.
In all my years, in all of my career as a surgeon, this is truly the most bizarre case I have ever encountered. I am unsure what the next course of action should be. He has had all relevant tests, underwent MRIs, CT scans, yet nothing comes close to explaining his behavior.
How did he appear at check ups? At any appointments held with yourself beforehand?
I intend to see Mr. Dalton for myself and conduct an interview. I will send the transcript of this to you of course. If you can review it and send further correspondence on the matter, I would be grateful.
Yours sincerely,
Authorized on 25/04/2024 13:30:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 28/04/2024
Date Typed: 30/04/2024
Dr. Stevens,
I have arranged an after hours Microsoft Teams meeting to collaborate with Nurse Reid and junior doctor, Andrew Williams, tomorrow afternoon.
I would be grateful if you could confirm your attendance.
Yours sincerely,
Authorized on 28/04/2024 12:40:18 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 02/05/2024
Date Typed: 04/05/2024
Dr. Stevens,
Please find attached a transcript of our Teams meeting.
Microsoft Teams 4 Participants
Wallace Martin, Stevens Harold, Reid Brenda, Williams Andrew
Martin: Are we all here?
Brenda: We’re waiting for Dr. Stevens, I think.
Martin: (muttering) Of course we are.
(Harold Stevens has joined the meeting)
Harold: Apologies for being late. My last appointment ran over by a good half hour.
Martin: You’re here now. I assume we all know what the meeting is for?
Andrew: Our patient, Mr. Bond. Starting to think he’s got as many gadgets as James Bond to get out of that ward.
Martin: Quite. Harold, he’s been your patient for how long now?
Harold: Since his accident six years ago. He didn’t present any of these symptoms you’ve described. Didn’t even get depression despite being quadriplegic.
Brenda: That’s odd in itself.
Harold: Really? I’d never have guessed.
Brenda: You don’t have to get snippy with me, sunshine.
Harold: You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.
Andrew: Think how we feel. Mr. Bond keeps wandering off and every time we check security footage, it’s like he’s just walking straight past the security guard. Diazepam does nothing to the man.
Martin: I…He what? What, just walked right by him? And the guard didn’t react?
Andrew: Didn’t bat an eye. Kept on guarding like there wasn’t some creepy dude with a gown over his head.
Martin: I’ll get the security footage sent over.
Harold: And what about the restraints?
Andrew: Makes no difference. He pulls out of them like it’s wet paper.
Martin: I’ll have a look when I’m…Harold, what’s wrong? Brenda? Andrew?
Andrew: Mr. Bond…
Harold: Martin, he’s standing in the door of your office.
Microsoft Teams, 2 Participants
Stevens, Harold, Wallace, Martin
Harold: Did you find him?
Martin: Eventually. Dr. Williams found him in a cupboard, routing through the supplies looking for a blade.
Harold: How is he?
Martin: Distressed. He’s been sedated, to the best of our ability. Nurse Reid is doing hourly checks on him.
Harold: And you still think it’s a psychotic break?
Martin: What would you call it?
Harold: It’s something more, it has to be.
Martin: Such as?
Harold: I don’t know! He wasn’t like this. Check his files and you’ll see as much.
Martin: I have! Repeatedly!
Harold: Process of elimination then. If it’s not a psychotic break, then treat it as schizophrenia. Take him off the quetiapine and try perphenazine instead.
Martin: You know how risky that is to stop quetiapine so suddenly. The side effects would be debilitating.
Harold: More debilitating than his current condition? Martin? What’s wrong?
Martin: He’s got out again.
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 08/05/2024
Date Typed: 10/05/2024
Harold,
There is something wrong with this man. Just completely and utterly wrong. And for the life of me, I cannot figure it out. I recorded the interview and my secretary typed it up. It was hard to understand at points, however I think Miss Daniels has typed it as accurately as she could.
08/05/2024
Patient Name: Mr. Timothy Dalton DoB: 23/07/98
CHI No: 2307983452
M. Wallace: Mr. Dalton, good morning. How are we today?
T. Dalton: I am. Fine. I do not. Like it. Here.
M. Wallace: And why would that be?
T. Dalton: It is. Too. Cold.
M. Wallace: Cold? It’s the middle of the summer.
T. Dalton: It’s just in. My…the body.
M. Wallace: During the procedure, it was held in a hypothermic state. (clears his throat)
Mr. Dalton, are you aware of why you’re here?
T. Dalton: Yes.
M. Wallace: Would you care to tell me?
T. Dalton: I. Hurt. Self.
M. Wallace: Yes, you did.
T. Dalton: This is. Not. My body.
M. Wallace: Well no, of course it’s not. Your head was transplanted to this body. Do you remember the consultations?
T. Dalton: Yes.
M. Wallace: So you remember you underwent surgery.
T. Dalton: Yes.
M. Wallace: Tell me how you feel.
T. Dalton: I feel…Scared. Something’s. Not right. I hear. A voice.
M. Wallace: A voice? Where?
T. Dalton: In…My head. It comes from. Someone. It says this body. Belongs. To him. Where. Did it come from?
M. Wallace: A brain tumour patient. He was comatose and his family gave permission for him to be the donor.
T. Dalton: He…Is angryyyy.
M. Wallace: Why?
T. Dalton: He wants…It back.
M. Wallace: (clears his throat) I see you’re still wearing your favourite garment.
T. Dalton: It stops. The voice. It dulls…Him.
M. Wallace: Dulls him?
T. Dalton: It muffles…His voice.
M. Wallace: How so? How does it feel when he speaks?
T. Dalton: Pain. Pain. Pain. Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain!
It was at this point the responsible clinician (RC) deemed Mr. Dalton unable to continue and the interview was terminated.
I’m no psychiatrist and I don’t claim to be, my assertion that it was a psychotic break still stands, if it’s not schizophrenia. He has yet to respond to his current medication.
And yet, there’s something not right about it. I noticed when speaking to him, he would open his mouth when the synthesiser played the words he’d just typed. Like he was trying to speak, despite the damage. Whether this was intentional or not, it made me go cold.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 09/05/2024 12:50:42 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 12/05/2024
Date Typed: 14/05/2024
Harold,
It’s at the point where Mr. Dalton is unmanageable. This morning he escaped the ward and RC, making his way to the outpatient department.
He stood with his hospital gown over his head, in the corridor. Having reviewed the footage, he went unnoticed for several minutes before a patient pointed him out to the receptionist. She called security, the RC, and Nurse Reid.
When they came to collect him, he was nowhere to be found. How this man manages to elude security guards and nurses in a packed hospital is beyond me. Yet he does so every single time.
After a thorough search, they discovered him in the lobby staring out a window. He alternated between repeating “pain” and “he is here” through the synthesiser.
On returning him to his ward, he was promptly sedated and I was contacted. I’m not sure what they thought I could do, my recommendation to involve a member of the psychiatric department went unanswered. Despite my lack of expertise, I acquiesced and attended the ward as requested.
I arrived and to my surprise, Mr. Dalton was awake and sitting up. Still he repeated “he is here” and “pain.”
He looked around when I sat down next to the bed. “The voice…Won’t stooopp,” he said. “He wants. His body back.”
I frowned. “But he was brain dead.”
Mr. Dalton shook his head. “He wants…His body baaacckk. He won’t. Stop talking. You have to. Make it stop.”
“How?”
“Make it stoooooppp.”
I don’t know about you, Harold, but I am at my wit’s end and more than a little unnerved with it all. I am unsure how best to proceed. Whether to leave it to the RC or whether to continue my check ups along with the neurologist appear to be my only options. Given he is our patient, I feel it is my responsibility to stay abreast of the situation.
Any advice you have would be appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 13/05/2024 17:02:30 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Partick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 17/05/2024
Date Typed: 20/05/2024
Harold,
I know I said it before, however there is something seriously wrong with this patient. Not since I was a junior doctor in AE have I pulled a twenty four hour shift. After seeing my last patient of the day, I slept in the break room before I went to Mr. Dalton’s ward.
Mr. Dalton was still restrained in bed, though he appeared to be asleep. I sat in the corridor while the nurse and RC administered the medication.
For hours, all was quiet. Before I realised it, I had dozed off. The sound of footsteps and a soft thudding brought me out of my slumber. I awoke just in time to catch a glimpse of
Mr. Dalton staggering down the corridor.
He stood, staring at the double doors. Either he didn’t see me, which would’ve been impossible, or he had chosen to ignore me. He took a step forward, groaned, then held his head. I observed the patient for several minutes, deciding not to intervene until I could assess his state.
Mr. Dalton stumbled his way through the doors while I followed at a distance.
He stopped in the middle and repeated, “Make it stop!” before he battered his head off the wall. For several minutes he did this, punctuating each sentence with a thud. I had to quell the urge to run over and help him, stop him from hurting himself further. When he stopped, he proceeded down the corridor.
By this point, the gown over his head was soaked in blood. This didn’t seem to bother him, as he continued onwards, determined to go wherever he planned to.
He reached the staircase and stopped, swaying from side-to-side.
“Mr. Dalton?” I called, as I stood behind him.
He didn’t reply.
“Timothy?”
He turned his head.
“Why are you doing this?”
He held his synthesizer. “It’s not meeee. It is him. He makes me. Leave.”
I took a step closer. “Where does he want you to go?”
Timothy pointed to the stairs. “Down. There. He wants…his body. Back.”
“Can you stop him?”
He shook his head. “I resist. But he wins. I can’t. Control this.”
I didn’t know how to proceed.
Timothy turned and staggered past me, back through the doors into the corridor. I followed him. Each step he took was followed by the word “pain”, though he kept walking. He arrived at the lobby and called the elevator. It took a few moments to arrive and when it did, he stepped in. He seemed to want me to follow so I obliged.
He pressed for the ground floor and down we went. He turned to face the mirror behind him, opened his mouth and let out a gargled scream. The noise made me jump and I stumbled away, putting as much distance from him as I could afford in the small amount of space. The lift pinged.
Timothy continued his wander until he came upon the kitchen. He ducked behind a counter and I lost track of him.
By this point, I had already paged the RC, junior doctor, nurses and anyone else I could think of. I think I knew what he planned to do.
We found him at the back of the kitchen, sawing at the sutures. When this didn’t work, he produced a fork from somewhere and tried to pry them out with that. Blood poured from the wound when he pulled not one, but two sutures out.
The nurses reached him first, rousing me from my stupor in the commotion. I’ve never seen anything like it. They wrestled the fork from him then forced him to the floor till he could be sedated.
Harold, have you ever heard anything like this?
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 23/05/2024
Date Typed: 25/05/2024
Harold,
I didn’t think it could possibly disturb me any more than this case has already done, however Mr. Dalton found a way.
After the incident in the kitchen, stronger restraints were used. His dose of diazepam was increased, administered three times a day and the maximum dose of quetiapine we can safely prescribe.
We thought this would be enough to keep him in one place, until I witnessed him crawling across the ceiling out of his room. On the ceiling, Harold. The security guard appeared oblivious until I alerted him to what I’d seen.
Together, we followed him. He disappeared briefly, before the double doors to the stairs swung back and forth. Our chase continued down to the basement where we lost sight of him. We could hear him. The synthesiser played “he is here” and “make it stop” on a loop until we found him.
Mr. Dalton sat in the morgue, pulling at his sutures. The drawer, where Mr. Dalton’s body donor was kept, had been pulled out, the head staring. Mr. Dalton lifted it, saying, “it is his”.
Mr. Dalton turned and saw us.
I approached him, put my hand on his shoulder and he relented, letting me pull him to his feet.
“Make it stoooppp…”
I fear Mr. Dalton is fighting a losing battle against the original owner of the body and I don’t know how I can help.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 24/05/2024 22:30:56 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery
(The footage begins in T. Dalton’s room, when he is still in his restraints. He thrashes his head from side-to-side on the pillow. Though there is no sound, the gap of which T. Dalton’s mouth can be seen, shows it to be open and crying out. The screen changes to show T. Dalton pulling at the restraints until they break and his arms and legs are free. He frantically holds onto the bed railing as his legs get out of bed, apparently independently.
He continues to hold on as he dragged to the floor. He yells, trying to grab at the remote to call for help before his legs pull him away and stand up. He walks to the door, tries to open it, only to find it locked. Frustrated, he kicks it. The gown over his head becomes wet, and briefly, tears are seen running down his cheeks.
The footage cuts off then restarts. T. Dalton is perched in the corner of the room, hands gripping the walls, his legs splayed. His eyes are wide and he is still crying.
The door to the room opens and the security guard enters.
He sees the empty bed and rushes back out.
There is darkness for the space of a few minutes before the picture returns. When it does, T. Dalton is on the ceiling. He tries to grab onto something, anything. The most he accomplishes is pulling one of the tiles onto the floor. He scuttles across the ceiling and out of the room, through the open door.
Mr. Wallace enters the room before he chases after T. Dalton.)
Microsoft Teams, 2 Participants
Stevens, Harold Wallace, Martin
Harold: How in the hell?
Martin: You tell me. I thought I was losing my mind.
Harold: No, no. I definitely see it. He crawled on the ceiling to escape.
Martin: Any distant relation to Spider-Man?
Harold: You always pick the worst time for jokes.
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 26/05/2024
Date Typed: 28/05/2024
Harold,
Are you certain Mr. Dalton had no previous history of iron deficiencies? As I cannot see an explanation for what transpired when I checked on him.
While on my rounds, I stopped in at Mr. Dalton’s ward. I found him struggling against the restraints, thrashing his head from side to side. He saw me, looked to me then his synthesiser. I retrieved it for him and he typed out, “It won’t stop.”
I asked what he meant.
“He keeps making. Me mooovvveee.”
I sat beside the bed and tried to calm him.
His fingers became a blur as he typed on the synthesiser, “NOT HIS” over and over. It wasn’t Timothy, I’m telling you that now. If you’d see him, you’d agree. He kept typing the same thing until he gasped and his head fell forward.
He looked over at me, his eyes wide. “I’m sorrryyyy…He’s getting strongerrrr…”
I asked what I could do to help.
He nodded to the book on the bedside table. One of his family left it before we requested they cease their visits. Apparently it was his favourite, and throughout the coma, they regularly read it to him.
“Read. Please?”
I obliged.
I don’t think he can fight for much longer, Harold, and in truth, I dread to think what he’s going to do.
Neurosurgery Department
NHS Greater Glasgow
Dr. H. Stevens
Chestnut Rd Medical Practice
The Health Centre
29 Chestnut Rd
Patrick
PA56 7KI
Our Ref: MW/MD/ 2307983452
Date Dictated: 30/05/2024
Date Typed: 01/06/2024
Dear Dr. Stevens,
I regret to inform you Mr. Timothy Dalton committed suicide last night. He escaped his ward by throwing himself from the top floor of the hospital. Though injured from the fall, he was still able to wander off. Unaware of his absence, staff were not able to respond immediately. It was a patient who alerted us to the disturbance.
Staff attempted to locate the missing patient. By this point however, too much time had passed, and ultimately, their efforts were met without success.
Mr. Dalton’s body was recovered at the nearby train station. After escaping the hospital, it appears he lay down on the train track where he was then decapitated. The strangest part, he was smiling.
Please, do not refer any further patients to my department.
Yours sincerely,
Authorised on 31/05/2024 09:30:56 by Martin Wallace.
Mr. Martin Wallace
Consultant in Neurosurgery