Chapter 8

"Boy, the way this weather is changing, I'm glad to be home." I sighed heavily as I parked the car.

"Yeah, I agree. I'm glad we're back in one piece." Andrea said softly. "It's not that your driving isn't good, it's just that the darn snow was starting to worry me."

"Tell me about it. It's getting heavier and starting to drift already." I snorted as we hopped out of the car and hurried inside. "I think I'd better phone Mrs. Lowther and suggest that she try to come to see Lisa-Marie another day."

"If I know her at all, I'd bet she's on the way already, but she drives a jeep, a fairly new one, with snow tires and studs on all wheels. She has to have one like that to be sure she can get to town in the winter. If anyone can get here in this storm, she can do it."

"Well, I'm going try to give her a call anyway."

The wind was howling around the house and I wondered if the phone would even work or if the phone lines would be down since the wind was blowing so hard. However when I dialled everything seemed fine, at least I could hear the sound as Mrs. Lowther's phone rang. However as Andrea had expected, there was no answer.

Somewhat frustrated at not reaching Mrs. Lowther, I went upstairs to check on Lisa-Marie only to find her quietly sleeping. I sat on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in mine for a moment and was still in that position when Andrea peeked in the doorway.

"I was wondering if I should make something for lunch or if I should wait?" She asked quietly.

"I don't know." I shook my head. "Well, Lisa-Marie is asleep and all I really want right at the moment is something to drink, but I suppose we should eat something. What did you have in mind?"

"Since there's a blizzard outside, I was thinking of something warm. Perhaps soup and a sandwich?" She suggested.

"That sounds fine to me." I nodded. "Let's get out of here before we disturb Lisa-Marie. I'd hate to wake her since she's sleeping comfortably now."

Back down on the main floor of the house, Andrea went into the pantry, found some tinned soup and started it heating on the stove. I couldn't seem to settle down and was pacing around slowly from room to room. Finally Andrea stood in front of me, frowning deeply.

"Just what is wrong?" She demanded.

"I'm frustrated." I sighed. "Another couple of hours and both Lisa-Marie and I should be thinking of going. That is if we're planning on being in class tomorrow, but I certainly don't want to start out and then get snowbound somewhere along the way."

"Could Lisa-Marie drive anyway?" Andrea looked very concerned. "It seems to me that since she's loaded with drugs she shouldn't get behind the wheel of a car."

"That's the other half of the problem." I grunted in annoyance. "She has to go thirty-five miles past where I do and I couldn't let her drive on her own. I'd have to drive her there, drop her off first, then head back myself. On top of everything else, we'd probably have an argument because if I drove, she'd be without a car during the week."

"Well, I don't think you have to worry about it today. Just look now." She pointed out the window. "It's getting a lot worse."

The snow was blowing so hard that we were having a whiteout at that moment. The barn was less than a hundred yards from the house and I couldn't see it. Then suddenly a bright red jeep came into view as it pulled into the yard and around behind the house.

"Well, you'd best make enough lunch for Mrs. Lowther too." I said over my shoulder. "It looks like she made it just in time."

I went to the back door, grabbing a coat and stamping on a pair of boots since I was expecting to have to help her carry things inside. Instead she met me on the back porch with a big smile on her face and literally pushed me back inside the house, using the wicker basket she was carrying as a ram.

"Wow. Some weather isn't it." She laughed as she shook off the snow and set the basket on the floor once we were inside.

"You find this funny?" I looked at her as if she was slightly strange.

"Why not? I'm here and safe from the elements and, knowing you even slightly, I doubt if you'd kick me out into the storm. Then too, I know Silas always kept the pantry stocked and firewood for the old airtight stove out back, so we'll be quite comfortable even if the power gets knocked out. " She was grinning at me. "Come on Tom, look at the good side of things. We've got food, good company and a warm house, that should be enough for a few days."

"But the important thing is, how is your girl?" Her face suddenly became serious.

"Well, I checked on her as soon as we got home and she was sleeping quietly." I kicked off my heavy boots and hung up my coat. "Did you want to go up and see her?"

"Yes, please." She nodded, then to my surprise she pulled a pair of slippers out of her coat pocket as she kicked off her boots.

Seeing the surprise on my face, she grinned.

"This house used to have need for a maid and had cool floors, so I often carried a pair of these when I came visiting. They kept my feet clean and warm many times." Her eyes danced. "You needn't think I'm going to try to hide the fact that I was Silas' lover, not from you and not in this house. Actually I'm trying to think of you as my nephew, which means I'll probably admit things to you that I wouldn't tell anyone else."

"But I overheard you too, Mrs. Lowther." Andrea spoke quietly. "Of course, I'd never say anything."

"Honey, I didn't think you would. Besides, since this big lummox took you in out of the goodness of his heart when you had a problem, I'm considering you as family too." She laughed softly. "Now can we go see the young woman that I came to try and help?"

"Sure Mrs. Lowther, this way." I gestured.

"I'd better keep an eye on lunch. I don't want the soup to burn." Andrea excused herself as I and Mrs. Lowther turned to go upstairs.

"By the way Tom, my name is Fran." She said quietly. "I'd like it if you all called me that."

Andrea must have heard and turned back to look at us. "Then please call me Andy." She said, then started to giggle. "Tom forgets, but I prefer that to Annndreaaaa."

"Oops. Sorry Andy, I did forget." I apologised. "Lisa-Marie told me and it just slipped my mind."

She just waved and turned toward the kitchen while Fran and I walked upstairs.

Lisa-Marie was still lying in the middle of the big bed, but as we walked into the room, her eyes opened.

"Hi Tom." She said softly, her voice sounding drowsy and slightly slurred. "Who's your friend?"

"Hi Lisa-Marie. This is Mrs. Fran Lowther, the herbalist that Andy was talking about." I smiled as I sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand. "She thinks she can probably help you."

"Oh, that's good." Lisa-Marie smiled slowly. "Hi Mrs. Fran Lowther. I'm sorry, but I'm feeling sort of woozy right now."

"Hello Lisa-Marie. I don't doubt that you're feeling woozy right now. I think you've been over prescribed on your medications as well as taking medications that are somewhat unsuited to your problems."

"Izzat right?" Her voice slurred deeply. "I thought so too, n'even told the doc, but he said he thought ever'thin' was fine."

"I'd be willing to wager that the doctor didn't see you when you were in this condition." Fran frowned and took Lisa-Marie's hand to check her pulse. "Lisa-Maire, could you look at my hand for a moment? I'm going to hold out one finger and I'd like you to look at the very tip of it as I move it around. Okay?"

"Sure." Lisa-Marie's head moved in an exaggerated nod. "S'no problem at all."

After a few seconds, Fran sighed softly. "All right Lisa-Marie, by any chance did you take more medication today than you were supposed to take?"

"Oh no. Don't do that! Not ever! I always take them when I get up in the mornin' so I don't forget, but the doctor said I was to take more on m' bad days. The prescription s'on the bottle." Lisa-Marie sat up and pointed at the dresser near the bed. "There's one bottle that I take two pills from, but only on the really bad days, not just one pill like on reg'ler days. So I took the one extra one today, jus' like he said I should."

She leaned toward me and seemed to lose her balance. I caught her, holding her gently. Fran got to her feet and moved over to look at the small plastic bottles of pills, then pursed her lips tightly and frowned as she read the instructions printed on them. I could see her lips move, but couldn't make out what she said.

"When did you take the extra pill then?" She asked aloud.

"B'fore I took a bath, n'at was b'fore Tom 'n' Andy went to see you."

"That would be just over two hours ago." I explained.

Fran nodded and came back to the bed, then leaned over and gently stroked Lisa-Marie's arm.

"I think you should lay back down and rest for a while." She said quietly. "We'll check on you later and see if you want anything. Okay?"

"Mmm hmm." Lisa-Marie nodded slowly and then seemed to ooze out of my arms and lay back. "You're n'ice lady. I like you."

I bent over and kissed her on the forehead, making her sigh and smile, then I tucked her in and we left her to rest. I wasn't sure what to make of Fran's look as we left the room, and she didn't speak until we were down on the main floor. Once we were in the kitchen, she turned to me with a light frown on her face.

"Would you say Lisa-Marie suffers from drastic mood swings?"

"No, not really. This is the only time that happens, during the few days around her period. Why?"

"Well, her doctor appears to be treating her for a bipolar disorder. Then to make matters worse, he's adding an extra dose of mood altering drugs that he's allowing her to administer whenever she feels distressed." She was biting her words off as if they offended her. "I don't know if you realise it or not, but I taught at the University and one of the things I taught about was toxicol drug mixes. Her doctor, and I'm using that word loosely, has mixed drugs that should never be combined. In fact I'm thinking of sending the facts of this case to the medical review board."

I just stared at her for a second before I found any words to speak.

"You're a doctor?" I asked quietly.

"No, not if you mean an MD. I do have a doctorate, but it's in pharmacology, not medicine." She sighed deeply. "However this case is so blatantly misdiagnosed and treated that I'm practically impelled to report it."

She walked slowly over to the sink and ran the water, then opened the cupboard looking for a glass.

"Will Lisa-Marie be okay? Has the doctor that's been treating her, actually damaged her health instead?"

"Oh I don't think she's been physically injured, but she's been taking mood altering drugs and there will be a withdrawal period. I'm afraid someone will need to be with her and..."

"I can do that. After all, I've got nothing else to do right now except get fat." Andrea said instantly. "Tom can't, because he still has to finish his course, but then, so does Lisa-Marie."

"Well, I think she may have to miss a week or two of her studies." Fran said in a no nonsense tone. "Taking her off of the drugs will certainly alter her moods which may be a problem. Actually, I'd like to have a qualified doctor involved."

"Fran, I'm not trying to put you or your herbs down, but I'd like a doctor involved too. Not the dork she has been seeing though." I added.

She turned to me and smiled. "I wouldn't expect you to think any differently. Will you let me recommend a doctor though?"

"I can't see why not?" I shrugged my shoulders. "So far you've convinced me that you know what you're talking about."

"Well, thank you." She smiled. "I was thinking of young Dr. Franklin who comes to the clinic in town. He's there Monday's, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The reason I recommend him is that he's very good and on top of that he's able to keep an open mind to alternate methods of treatment."

"In other words, he works with you, not against you."

"Yes he does." She smiled again. "Now did someone mention lunch? I'm starved."

Over lunch, our conversation changed. First Fran complimented us on the cleanup and changes she noticed around the house, then she opened up a bit about Uncle Silas.

"He was quite a guy." She laughed softly.

"Yup." I tried to imitate Uncle Silas' flat tone, then just grinned.

"Yes Tom, we both know you're a lot like him." Andy laughed. "Silas was always so kind to me that I liked him even if some of the other kids thought he was grouchy. I couldn't see that, he always had a smile for me or for Willy."

"That was more than likely because you didn't automatically assume that he was going to be grouchy. I swear that sometimes he went out of his way to make people believe they were right, often at the same time as proving them wrong." Fran smiled at Andy. "Silas actually reacted to the people around him very readily. If your friends acted obnoxious and disrespectful, Silas would have been obnoxious and disrespectful in return, but if you smiled, he smiled back. He did have a tendency to cut people down if he felt they were being foolish and since young people often enjoy being foolish, he didn't make many younger friends."

Andy grinned and nodded, not saying anything. Fran laughed and reached out to touch her hand.

"You did know him well. Why waste a word when a nod would take its place seemed to be his philosophy alright."

We laughed and chatted about Uncle Silas for a while, then I slipped upstairs to check on Lisa-Marie while the two women cleaned up the dishes and the kitchen. Lisa-Marie seemed to be resting a lot better now. I couldn't have explained how I knew that, but it was obvious to me that now she was sleeping more normally and no longer under as heavy influence of the pills.

After simply watching over her for a few minutes, I moved to the window to look out at the storm and sighed softly. It seemed that even my soft sigh was enough to disturb Lisa-Marie.

"Umm, Hi." She murmured softly, but by the time I'd turned to look at her, she appeared to be sound asleep again.

I moved back over to the bed and spoke to her quietly, but she didn't respond. Instead of disturbing her any more, I thought it was better if I left her alone. When I got downstairs, the two women had made coffee and were talking as they sat at the kitchen table.

"Is she okay? " Andy asked immediately upon seeing me.

"Yeah, I'd say she was resting more naturally now."

Fran glanced at her watch and nodded. "That's along the lines of what we should expect after about three hours. The short term effects of the additional medication will wear off completely inside of another hour or two, then all that we'll see will be the longer term effects. She'll almost appear to be acting in the way she has been in recent times. How that compares to the way she acted prior to going onto this prescription is something only someone like Tom could tell us."

"Hmm, I never thought of that." I sat down and thought back to when Lisa-Marie had seemed to change. "You know, it was after she started to take this course when I noticed a difference. I thought it was just getting away from home, but she did get a new doctor then too. I'll bet she's been on that stuff for about a year and a half."

"Could you tell me what has changed about her actions?" Fran asked.

"Now that's hard." I sighed. "I suppose she's more sober now, less fun, less spontaneous. Well, except for a day or two before her period and then she goes back to almost exactly the same way she was before with hardly any difference."

"So you're saying that she grows calmer during the rest of the month, but when she could stand to be calmer, there is no change?"

"I guess. I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders. "Look, one of the reasons I always loved Lisa-Marie is her sense of fun, her tendency to take me off balance and surprise me. I guess I'm sort of a slow and steady guy who plods along at life. After we started dating, she'd grab me by the ears and haul me along with her when she did something a bit different. We both had fun. I don't really get to see much of that now."

"But she does still have a short manic period just prior to the onset of menses?"

"Oh, yeah. She still gets a bit wild then."

"I noticed a tremendous difference in her actions between the previous week and then this weekend." Andy added. "When I first met her, she was excited and happy about this house, even if it was a bit of a mess, but this weekend, she was... well, almost a wild child. I didn't know what was going to happen next. Now, if I noticed it, even when I was so wound up in my own problems..." She shrugged as if her meaning should be obvious. "Actually her being like that was probably a good thing for me. She simply did like Tom said, she grabbed me by the ears and hauled me along."

"I'm finding this fascinating." Fran said quietly. "Lisa-Marie's reactions to the medications are certainly atypical. It's almost as if in smaller doses, her body has learned to cope with the drug and allow her to carry on in the same way as she had previously. However the extra medications she took after the advent of menses was enough to trigger a collapse of her body's manner of coping."

She paused then and steepled her hands under her chin as if she was deep in thought, then she nodded.

"I believe there may have been either a mistake on the prescription, or a mistake on communication between the doctor and Lisa-Marie." She looked at me and sighed. "I think the doctor meant for Lisa-Marie to take an additional dose of one medication at the onset of her manic phase, not at the onset of her menses."

"Well, what about the other medications she's taking?"

"As far as I can see, they're all to counteract some reaction she's had to the main medication or in two cases they're simple over-the-counter medications. For instance, one is an overpriced vitamin pill and another is a pill to encourage calcium retention. If she's willing to let me help her, she'll be able to forget those completely. There are natural ways to do a far better job of those things."