Accident Prone

In Liz's office…

"I am surprised that you have so less data about Jackson's epilepsy.", Liz didn't try to hide her displeasure.

"Dr. Williams, Jackson's epilepsy is handled by his neurosurgeon. I only know this high-level information.", Dr. Schmitt said with a wry smile.

"You said that you never examined him after a seizure, and you never witnessed a seizure either. How can you be confident that Jackson has epilepsy?"

Dr. Schmitt waved his hands defensively. "The epilepsy was diagnosed by another doctor. I saw the report and I believe that the specialist knows his job. Are you expecting me to doubt the diagnosis of a neurosurgeon?"

Liz exhaled. "Of course, not."

She knows that this is common practice with general practitioners: they trust specialists because they don't have enough knowledge. But this is Jackson and she is trying to find the truth, and the fact that this man does not have any useful information is frustrating.

Liz was not sure if he is honest or a well-practiced liar.

The nurse came in and gave to Liz the latest toxicology report.

Liz's eyes widened as she looked at the results, and she gestured to the nurse to stay. For a few seconds, Liz thought about the possibilities until she decided. "Can you ask Dr. Peltz to come to my office? I believe that she is in today."

The nurse confirmed and left.

Liz checked the report again and looked at Dr. Schmitt with renewed vigor. Ha! She is getting somewhere. This proves that Jackson's seizure was not caused by epilepsy, but it does not prove that he does not have one. Well, one thing at a time. She reminded herself to look concerned.

"Dr. Schmitt, if Jackson is suicidal or using drugs, would you know about it?"

The old man was surprised by this question. "Uhm… I do regular bloodwork every year, and I didn't hear anything about Jackson hurting himself."

"That means no.", Liz summarized.

"I fail to see where you are going with this question."

Liz put the report on the desk and pushed it toward Dr. Schmitt while explaining: "I am not sure if you are familiar with this drug we found in Jackson's system. It is fortunate that I ordered blood draws as soon as the patient arrived because this one is untraceable after about half an hour. When taken in small amounts, this drug causes euphoria. With an increased dose, it leads to muscle spasms like a seizure. If he took more, he would die. So, he is either lucky or experienced to know how much to take."

Dr. Schmitt frowned. He is not familiar with this drug, but Liz's words are not ambiguous. She is clearly saying that Jackson took this drug in order to have a seizure. "Are you saying that he did this to himself? Jackson is not a person who would hurt himself."

"I agree with you on that one, Dr. Schmitt. Jackson is showing narcissistic tendencies, which means that he would not hurt himself. However, if he knows that there will be no permanent damage and it serves him to achieve some goal, like make people believe that he has epilepsy, he would do it."

Dr. Schmitt didn't like what Liz said. "Dr. Williams, you are accusing him without evidence."

"No. I am talking with a fellow medical professional. What we are doing here is discussing possibilities. Whatever we say, will not leave this office." Liz assured him and continued: "This drug acts quickly. Based on the foam in his mouth, I can assume that he took it orally. And that means that he ingested it while he was in Miss Anderson's apartment. Did you know that he is blackmailing her with epilepsy to stay engaged with him? He was in her apartment and Miss Anderson broke up the engagement shortly before he had a seizure."

"The break-up could cause stress which triggers an epileptic seizure." Dr. Schmitt said.

Liz nodded in agreement before giving her own theory: "Or the break-up caused stress which triggered him to take this medicine so that it looks like he had a seizure."

Dr. Schmitt was unable to hide his disapproval with the current situation. He looked at the report. "Is this a common practice, that you check for various substances as soon as you receive a new patient?"

Liz smiled. She understands where the old man is going with this. He is trying to figure out why she ordered these types of tests for Jackson. The blood tests will not reveal something they are not looking for.

"Dr. Schmitt, I am a new employee in this hospital, and I want to prove myself. I admit that these tests are not part of the standard procedure, but I wanted to make sure I cover all the possibilities of what could cause the seizure. As you know, a number of drugs can cause seizures, and I ordered tests for a wide spectrum. At the Franciscan Medical Center, we are advised to do a thorough examination before diagnosing the condition, so I didn't overstep my authority."

"So, you were shooting in the dark?", Dr. Schmitt asked suspiciously.

Liz didn't deny it because that is exactly what she was doing. "Thanks to that, I found that Jackson was affected by this drug. If I didn't, we would all think that this was one more episode due to his epilepsy. Lucky, don't you agree?"

Dr. Schmitt pursed his lips while thinking that all these tests cost a fortune. It sure is great to work at such a great hospital.

Liz took his silence as agreement and continued talking: "Regardless if Jackson took this drug on purpose or by accident, I hope that we can agree on the point of Jackson staying here for observation because he needs help."

Dr. Schmitt showed that he is conflicted. He wants to collaborate with Liz, but he also knows that Jackson does not want to stay here. "The boy always preferred to stay out of hospitals."

"He has a serious medical condition, Dr. Schmitt…" Liz's next words were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Liz smiled when she saw an older woman come in. "Dr. Peltz, I am glad to see that you can make it."

Dr. Schmitt looked nervous. Is Liz bringing in reinforcements?

"Dr. Schmitt, this is Dr. Peltz. She is the psychologist at our drug and alcohol treatment center…"

"You are already labeling Jackson as an addict." Dr. Schmitt interrupted the introduction.

Liz ignored him, she spoke to Dr. Peltz. "I have a patient who came in with seizures, and this is the report from his bloodwork.", Liz gave the toxicology report to Dr. Peltz.

While Dr. Peltz was looking at the report, Liz turned to Dr. Schmitt who was still frowning. "Just how you refer your patients to the specialists when you are not sure about the treatment, I'm am doing the same. I am not an expert in determining who is an addict, and I definitely don't have any experience in treating them. And that is where Dr. Peltz comes in…"

With Liz and Dr. Peltz showing their concern for Jackson's wellbeing, Dr. Schmitt agreed to voice his support of Jackson staying in the hospital. With this arrangement, he can come to the Franciscan Medical Center, and Liz promised him a tour of facilities on Monday morning.

The trio agreed that Dr. Peltz will take over Jackson as her patient because the seizure which brought him to the hospital is not related to epilepsy.

Dr. Peltz explained her expertise and strategy in approaching Jackson gradually because addicts often deny their condition and if they feel threatened, they will hide or destroy the evidence.

The more Dr. Peltz spoke, the more Dr. Schmitt was fascinated. Really… amazing doctors work in big hospitals.

…

In Jackson's room, Liz explained that Dr. Schmitt will work with Dr. Peltz on monitoring Jackson's condition and that they exchanged information related to Jackson's condition. With that, Liz is not the doctor in charge of Jackson.

"Why is a psychologist here?", Mrs. Adams asked suspiciously.

"You are patient's mother?", Dr. Peltz asked. When Jackson's mother nodded, Dr. Peltz suggested that they talk in private. Mr. Adams and Dr. Schmitt joined as well.

Dr. Schmitt already knew that Dr. Peltz will request support from family members. That is crucial in understanding the situation and in a successful recovery.

Liz warned her that Jackson's mother is over-protective, and Dr. Peltz responded that she has experience with overbearing family members who live in denial and in such a way they are enabling the addict.

Liz admires Dr. Peltz. She has the patience of a million people combined.

Back to the present…

People left and Jackson found himself in the room alone with Liz and Max. Jackson's eyes darted from one to another fearfully. "What are you two up to?"

Max stood up and glared at Jackson. He is holding in for a very long time, and he needs to let out some steam. "I don't care if you are sick or not. Rina said that it's over between the two of you, and I hope for your own good that you will respect that."

"You are threatening me!" Jackson stated the obvious.

Max snorted. He has no intention of talking to Jackson anymore. But he has a question for Liz: "How come another doctor is taking over?"

"Let's talk outside…"

Max understood that Liz is behind this change of doctors, and that means she has a plan.

"When can I leave?", Jackson asked when he saw that Liz is about to exit the room.

"Ask Dr. Peltz when she returns. She is the doctor in charge from now."

Jackson watched Liz and Max leave the room and he wondered if this change in doctors is a good or a bad thing. It should be good because no one is worse than the devil known as Elizabeth Williams, right?

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