Pauline's story : living with Ebola.

This programme follows the story of Nurse Pauline Cafferkey, who contracted Ebola twice whilst working as part of a voluntary relief effort in Sierra Leone. Personal photographs of Cafferkey are shown throughout, as well as clips from contemporary national news bulletins concerning Cafferkey’s diagnosis and recovery. First, Cafferkey is introduced at her home in Cambuslang, Glasgow. She exhibits the different medicines she has been prescribed since being cleared of Ebola, which include anti-epileptic drugs, nerve painkillers, and anti-inflammatories. Next, Cafferkey’s aunt Anne Rennie recalls finding out her niece was going to volunteer in West Africa. Presenter Julie Etchingham talks to Cafferkey about her first 5 weeks in Sierra Leone, and recounts the events leading up to her diagnosis. Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Gartnavel General Hospital, Dr Emma Thompson describes Cafferkey’s symptoms, after initially assessing her following an emergency call from Cafferkey. Images of Cafferkey’s isolation unit at Royal Free Hospital are shown. Cafferkey’s sister Karen describes her emotional state after being told Pauline might die. Etchingham details the events leading up to Cafferkey’s second diagnosis. Thompson explains the severity and idiosyncrasy of Cafferkey’s case of Ebola. Cafferkey talks about her second time being contained in the isolation chamber, and runs through her symptoms, such as hallucinations and severe migraines. Next, Cafferkey revisits the high level isolation unit at Royal Free Hospital and the medical team that treated her. Cafferkey is shown undergoing a routine medical examination. She concludes by reflecting on past events, and her hopes for the future.