Chapter Twenty Five
****This chapter includes old and outdated ideas about epilepsy. I have used actual misinformation and derogatory remarks from the Victorian period. I also have used experiences from people who have the condition and their feelings.****
"I know no one wanted another seizure, but it is fortuitous for me. This is her third seizure in two weeks, correct?" He jotted that down in his notebook.
Elizabeth was sleeping, and the Doctor gently awakened her, "Mrs. Barkley, I am Dr. William Travers from San Francisco. I would like to examine you and ask you some questions."
Elizabeth looked confused, "Jarrod?"
"I am right here. I brought the doctor. Howard is here too."
"Did I miss our wedding?" The Doctor scribbled down several notes. Extreme Memory Loss
Dr. Merar put his hand on his shoulder. "I am afraid I may not have communicated clearly. This is Elizabeth Beaufort, fiancée of Jarrod Barkley."
The doctor looked relieved and marked the last two notes out of the book, It might not be as bad as I thought.
He checked her reflexes, pupils, heart, pulse, lungs, and measured the size of the knot and her head circumference. He always checked the phrenology of the skull. He pulled out a portable sphygmograph to assess her blood pressure. He journaled her diet and sleep patterns.
She was still foggy from the seizure during the exam but was more astute for the questions. She remembered Jarrod leaving for the train which was only an hour before the seizure.
"Tastes? Smells? Hallucinations? Feelings like deja vu ? Colors? Sounds?"
Elizabeth's eyes grew big and Jarrod knew something was wrong.
"Is that bad?" She asked,
"No, actually it's good. Those things are called an aura and the word dates back to Hippocrates. Can you describe what happened before the seizures?"
Tentatively, she began, "I don't remember the first one. But the other two, I do remember a couple of things… please don't think I am crazy, but I tasted garlic."
He jotted it down. "That one is common, Miss Beaufort. Please continue and it is not crazy."
Elizabeth didn't seem to believe him and Jarrod squeezed her hand to continue, "I did see some swirling lights like a prism I had as a child, and … yes some deja vu, and I talked to my sisters in Bermuda."
Jarrod was surprised with what seemed like random symptoms. She hadn't mentioned those things before. The Doctor turned and filled another page.
"This is good news, Elizabeth. Can I call you Elizabeth?". She nodded.
He looked through his notebook again and continued, "Those symptoms are called an aura as I said earlier and they are a warning from your body to get to a safe place and get some help. They are the body's way of getting your attention."
"Are they going to quit? Am I going to have more?" She looked scared and squeezed Jarrod's hand harder.
"We never know but three seizures in twelve days, maybe, and I say... may be a sign that you have developed a form of epilepsy caused by a serious head injury. It can stop as quickly as it started or last a year or two...or maybe longer."
Elizabeth was trying to blink back the tears. Dr. Travers reached out and held her other hand. "It's not going to be fatal. It's going to be an obstacle to overcome. You can have children and live happily with your husband. I would like to see you regularly and keep a journal if or when you have another seizure. You need to avoid stress or full-time work. You shouldn't work outside of the home and a servant would be handy. I want you to nap every day and eat plenty of meat and broth. Clear country air and fresh fruits are good. Do not take pain medications like laudanum or morphine unless it's an absolute emergency. They upset the humours in your personality. No stress, hysteria, or excitability. No horseback riding alone... Drink only wine or sherry if you imbibe. Now I would like you to dress and come downstairs, I would like to test your balance and walk after your blood pools again in your legs."
Jarrod helped her up. She was woozy after the morning's seizure and lying down for two weeks. Victoria took over and the men waited outside the door.
"Mother, can you help me with this day dress? I don't think I can manage a corset. Would you help me plait my hair at least on the side?"
Victoria smiled. "Oh Mrs. Barkley, I should have asked first, can I call you Mother?" she asked embarrassingly.
"I will be honored, Elizabeth." and squeezed her arm.
The men waited a few minutes on the landing. Elizabeth brushed her teeth with mint and splashed on some lilac water. It made her feel less like an invalid.
Jarrod asked some questions about daily life and the doctor answered, "There is no cure for Julius Caesar and his falling sickness. At least we know what caused Elizabeth's,... if she has it. Most people don't know how it happens except having a weak constitution or low intellect. She will be able to be a wife to you in all ways. My research seems to lean toward marital relations being a deterrent to seizures."
Jarrod and Howard looked away embarrassed. The Doctor continued, "If she bears a child, the chance for seizure is highest after delivery when the child is a week or two weeks old. I would have help for her. But Mr. Barkley, we are getting ahead of ourselves, there is a chance she will never have one again. I want to observe her balance and gait from the injury to the back of the head. I am writing a textbook on the brain and its maladies."
Elizabeth came out in a beautiful plum-colored day dress with her hair combed. Jarrod thought she already looked better but was still pale.
Jarrod walked her downstairs slowly. She was having a hard time with her depth perception and judging distance. She made it to the bottom and he kissed her on the cheek with pride. "I am a little out of breath but I made it."
They walked around and the Doctor made notes. He had her stand on one foot and then the other. She leaned both times and Jarrod caught her. He saw her sisters watching anxiously around the corner and smiled when she completed all the tasks slowly and surely for the Doctor. He furiously wrote.
He had her do simple tasks for about an hour and even timed them. When he noticed her tiring, he had Jarrod take her upstairs to rest. "Do you have a quiet place where I can write a report for you with my recommendations?" Dr. Merar took him to the study.
Jarrod helped her slip out of the dress and into her peignoir. Mother would have my hide if she just saw that happen.
"Jarrod, I am scared. You shouldn't marry an invalid."
He leaned over and kissed her fervently and allowed his hands to roam freely. He was banking on the doctor's words from earlier on the landing. It felt like the only comfort he could give her at this moment that she would believe. She responded in kind.
"See my love, you are healing up just fine and no invalid I know kisses like that."
"How many invalids have you kissed, Mr. Barkley?" He kissed her soundly again.
Around an hour later, the Doctors knocked on the door. Jarrod was reading while Lis napped. Jarrod gently woke her up and she sat up in the bed.
"There isn't much new to tell you both. It's a wait-and-see. Seizures are notoriously hard to predict. You may never have another one or they could end in a year or last for life. I wrote down all of the protocols I have given you both. I am leaving a compound for potassium bromide if you have another seizure with its directions. Learn to trust the auras. Sit down immediately and call for help. Make sure you get to your side."
"I want to let you know again I do not believe this to be life-threatening but life-changing. You can have children, take care of your family, ride in a buggy or tandem, garden, and yes, read."
Lis smiled brightly.
"I don't want you to work full-time nor ride alone. I don't want you to go down the stairs alone for a few more weeks until your strength comes back. I do not want you to become hysterical or stressed. Women have weaker constitutions. I want you to nap especially for the next few months. Lie down at any sign of a headache or blurry vision"
"Jarrod, I would keep her in the country air for the next few months except to come to my office.
And a serving lady would be a good idea if you are financially able."
Lis rolled her eyes and sighed. Jarrod cleared his throat at her.
"I want to see you in a month but contact me sooner if you have a seizure. Do you remember what to do for an aura?" She nodded.
"Please journal all your symptoms no matter how vague or strange."
"You are one lucky lady. Many people do not recover and I think you will have a full life. Mr. Barkley, I assume as the man of the home, you will take responsibility for her. Elizabeth, you need to obey your future husband in all things, especially your health."
Lis rolled her eyes again and Jarrod stifled a laugh with a cough. Dr. Merar turned his head and looked at the wall.
He got up and walked Dr. Travers to the door and thanked him. He placed a bank draft into his hand for his research and his time.