The hospital wasn't better.
Sophie sat on the exam table, staring down the aging male doctor who was reading her chart.
"So you were on Depakote, bisoprolol, and Relpax," the doctor said, "All managed by a neurologist in Sioux Falls. Then when you found out you were pregnant…"
"I stopped all three and she put me on lamotrigine and has had me on acetaminophen for the migraines," Sophie replied, "But it's just not working. The migraines are keeping me up and the morning sickness is making me puke and so I'm tired and I'm weak and it's making the seizures worse. Stress and fatigue have always been my main triggers. I don't actually think the issue is the lamotrigine itself, but rather that the other symptoms are stacking up so badly that it's just always a perfect storm for another bad seizure."
"And now you're here asking for…" the doctor prompted.
"Whatever you can give me to get me through the next ten days or so," Sophie replied, "I'm going up to see my neurologist and some obstetrics specialists then and hopefully they can come up with a better plan. But right now I can't sleep and I can't keep down food and I'm worried it's gonna hurt me or the baby or both."
"And you've suggested here on the form that Tylenol with Codeine might be an appropriate choice," the doctor said.
"I hate taking meds like that, but I've read about it a couple places and everywhere says its safe for pregnancy and right now I'll try anything," Sophie replied.
"And it says here that just recently you were at another local clinic confirming your pregnancy test and - yes - also asking for treatment options for the migraines and the seizures? Is that right?"
"Yes," Sophie replied, "I got in with my neurologist a few weeks after I found out about the baby. But I wasn't sure she'd be able to fit me in with short notice - you know how specialists are. So I asked about options at the clinic when I was there. They told me stop my prescriptions - which I'd already done at the advisement of my neurologist's physician assistant - and said to use Tylenol if I needed it."
"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do," the doctor said, closing her file.
Sophie felt tears welling up in her eyes and heat rising in her cheeks.
"What do you mean there's nothing you can do?"
"I mean that you've gone to two clinics plus an out-of-town neurologist - twice if I'm understanding correctly - asking for answers you already have. You've got what - you said eight appointments booked in Sioux Falls? Still trying to answer the same question. You're on a reasonable medication course for your conditions. I'm not giving you codeine."
"Excuse me?" Sophie felt a tear escape and run down her cheek.
"This is classic drug seeking behavior Mrs. Winchester," the doctor said, "So I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."
"So I get pregnant - on purpose, by the way, before you ask - and try to get help," Sophie said, trying to keep her voice from shaking, "I'm off all my neurological meds per physician's orders. And your stupid free clinic gives me pamphlets about where to get an abortion - that I did not ask for by the way - and sends me home. And I get sick. Really sick. Like I can't even keep down water some days. And then I start having seizures, bad ones, close together, in the middle of the night. And you can't do anything? Because I've sought help too many times from too many people too close together? Because no one in this town will fucking do anything even though last night I could very well have fallen out of bed and hurt both myself and my baby?"
"Ma'am try not to be hysterical," the doctor replied coolly, "It's another red flag."
"Another red flag? So tell me, doctor, what red flags am I throwing right now?"
"Multiple requests for narcotics from different doctors in a short time. Inconsistency between the name on your insurance the name on your credit card and the name on your drivers license. And if I may say so you seemed agitated from the moment you walked in. So if we can move on from the discussion of pain killers," the doctor put down her file and picked up a day planner, "When would you like me to schedule your c-section? Given how emotionally volatile you've been throughout our conversation I'd highly suggest general anesthesia. If you're not interested we can discuss relocation to another hospital for your delivery. "
And with that Sophie up and left.