An architect suffers disturbing hallucinations after a Parkinson’s diagnosis so he puts himself forward for a radical new treatment, but then he finds his troubles are only just beginning.

SYNOPSIS:

Architect Joseph Metcalfe’s business is struggling and he’s laying off staff. As he refines his plans for a new eco-home that could save the company, he starts seeing unusual visions of spiders. He also notices slight tremors in his hands that hinder his drawing. He’s already been to the doctor but he hasn’t had the courage to open the letter with his test results.

While returning from his brother-in-law’s funeral, Joseph almost crashes his car when a spider crawls under his shirt. His wife, Lillian, helps him regain control but the car clouts the curb and the letter from Joseph’s GP falls out of the glove box. Lillian opens it and discovers that Joseph has Parkinson’s. Having just lost her brother and now faced with her husband’s terrible news, Lillian questions her faith and begins drinking heavily.

Joseph deals with the diagnosis with morbid humour and throws himself into work. He then learns from his consultant, Doctor Sawles, that a radical new treatment is available. It involves injecting drugs via a port in the skull into the centre of the brain. The drug stimulates the production of dopamine, the protein that helps maintain movement and mental wellbeing. The treatment is risky, however, and – against the advice of his family – Joseph chooses to combat the physical and emotional deterioration associated with Parkinson’s with exercise and medication instead.

When he’s admitted to hospital after a fall, Joseph meets orchestra conductor Simon Lebowski. Simon has chosen to have the radical treatment and his condition improves dramatically. Joseph’s family urge him to follow suit but he again chooses to concentrate on work rather than opt for surgery. It’s not until Joseph realises that his physical condition has deteriorated so much that he can no longer play with his grandson that he finally relents and agrees to the treatment.

Doctor Sawles gives Joseph an MRI to make sure the treatment can begin, but, during the scan, he finds that Joseph has a malignant brain tumour. Joseph lies to his family about the new diagnosis and devotes even more time to completing the eco-house in the hope that it will save his business. This comes at the expense of spending his last months with his family. His wife, son and grandson become increasingly frustrated with his stubbornness, and they begin to question his motives.

As his condition deteriorates further and the spider hallucinations become more vivid, Joseph confesses to Lillian that he has a malignant tumour so he can’t have the drug treatment. Lillian reacts angrily at being kept in the dark, and she continues to use alcohol to avoid confronting her issues.

Joseph soon learns that Simon’s experimental treatment has failed due to problems with the drug delivery system. He calls on his architectural background to diagnose the issues with the port in Simon’s skull. Then he sets about finding a solution.

Joseph’s family finally discover that he has decided to end his life in Switzerland. Having accepted his fate, Joseph has a new lease of life and finishes the design for the eco-home. The patented systems in the home secure Joseph’s company the funds it needs to stay in business. The money also provides for his grandson’s education and his family’s future. Having put himself and his work before his family for so long – even missing his grandson’s birthday – Joseph finally chooses to spend quality time with them before travelling to Switzerland.

Having been in denial for so long, and with her mental health suffering, Lillian rediscovers her faith and comes to terms with the loss of her husband. She then finds information on his computer that solves the problem with the port and allows Simon and thousands of fellow Parkinson’s sufferers to receive lifesaving treatment.