Imagine you are suffering with breathlessness upon exertion and numbness in your forearms. You look up your symptoms on the NHS website and are referred to Harefield Hospital where you see a Consultant Nurse. You are then given an ECG which you are told is normal. You are not happy with this information and have to explain that the website gave a different diagnosis. The Nurse then advises that there is a research project and that a further test might be carried out. Such was the situation for W. Bro James Dunlop PPrJGW of Harmony Lodge No 5835 and fortunately further investigation was carried out and a CT Scan and Angiogram followed. The Consultant carrying out the investigative procedure had no doubt that a triple by pass would be needed. The consequences of not having the further testing may have resulted in W. Bro James gaining early entrance to the Grand Lodge above. The surgery took place within the week.
All this came as a complete shock to W. Bro James and quickly had to arrange things like having supplies of food for his return as he lives on his own. Also being the Lodge Secretary, he had to hand over the arrangements for the approaching meeting. Fortunately, a couple of weeks after surgery he was able to attend the Lodge meeting with the assistance of the Lodge Almoner Ken Hutchings. Even opening doors was a problem for him and was the only Lodge meeting where he had been unable to wear masonic regalia because of his surgery.
Return To Harefield
Some time later W Bro James returned to Harefield hospital fit and well. However, on this occasion he presented a personal cheque to Rafaella Notarianni who is Community Fund Raiser for £1000. By presenting a personal donation the hospital charity was able to claim an extra 25% tax back. This donation was a small way of showing his gratitude for the excellent lifesaving treatment he had received at the hospital.
W Bro James Dunlop was initiated into the Harmony Lodge on the 15th of January 1983. And has been Secretary of the Lodge for 20 years. He has been involved with the hospital for two years and longer term should have no further heart bypass problems. The procedure, he said, is on average good for at least 15 years. He has nothing but admiration for the hospital as without their intervention he would have possibly died within a few weeks.
More information about the Harefield Hospital Charity can be found using the following link –
Article edit by W. Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR –Provincial Media Team
