I look forward to your next letter.
Sincerely,
Carter
Carter’s practice flourished, with most of his services addressing accidents occurring on ranches and mining claims. He found himself setting a broken bone at least once a week, and treating the occasional gunshot wound due to a drunken brawl in the Last Chance. An occasional case of influenza, also required attention.
The monotony was broken in the middle of the night, two months after his return. When he opened the door, a cowboy from one of the neighboring ranches was standing there, hat in hand. “Doctor,” he began, “I’m Luke Haskins. I work for Mr. Jamison from the Lazy J. He asked me to tell you Miz Jamison is bad off. She’s been trying to have a baby all day, and the midwife needs help. Will you come, Doc?”
“Let me get dressed, Mr. Haskins, and I’ll get hitched up and follow you. I’ll be ready as fast as I can.”
“Doc, while you get dressed, could I be doing the hitching? It’ll make things go faster.”
“Good idea, I’ll be out to the barn in less than ten minutes,” Carter said.
“Thank ye, Doc. Case will appreciate it. They’re nice people.”
Ten minutes later, they were on the road, heading for the Lazy J Ranch. When they arrived, Luke Haskins said, “Give me the reins and I’ll take care of the horse. You go on in and help Miz Jamison.”
“Thank you, Luke,” Carter said. He went through the front door and was met by a lanky man in his early thirties, his brow furrowed with worry.
“Thank you for coming Doctor. I’m Case Jamison. We ain’t seen you yet, but I appreciate you coming to help. Carrie is in bad shape. Maude says the baby is breech and she can’t turn it. You gotta save Carrie, Doc. She’s my whole world.”
“I’ll do everything I can, Mr. Jamison. Before I examine her, I’ll need to scrub my hands. Can you get some hot water for me?”
“Yessir. I’ll do that. Carrie’s in yonder.”
There were two women in the room; Mrs. Jamison was lying on her back, covered with a sheet her forehead beaded with sweat. Her face mirrored the pain she was experiencing. “I’m Doctor Palmer,” he said. He addressed the midwife, “What do we have going on?” he asked.
Maude, the midwife said, “The baby is breech, and I can’t turn her. It’s been like this for hours.” She turned her head and said in a low voice, “I’m afraid they’re both going to die if we can’t do something soon.”
Jamison brought a pail of steaming water in and poured some of it into the washbasin on a side table. Carter took a bar of soap from his bag and began scrubbing his hands furiously. When he was satisfied, he turned back to his patient, and said, “I apologize for the violation of your modesty, Mrs. Jamison, but I fear it is necessary.”
Her voice, barely a whisper, weakened from the hours of labor, said, “Do what you have to, Doctor. Save my baby.”
Moving his hand under the sheet and tried unsuccessfully to turn the baby. He turned to the husband and motioned him to an area of the room where they could talk. “Mr. Jamsion, I agree with Maude, something has to be done. I cannot turn the baby. It will have to be taken by Caesarean section, or I fear we will lose them both.”
“What is this Caesarean section, Doctor? I don’t understand,” he said.
“I would have to anesthetize her, and cut through her belly and get the baby out. I don’t believe it can be born in the normal way. If the mother’s uterus ruptures, they’ll both die.”
“Can you do it? Is it something you’ve done before?”
“I can do it. Truthfully, I haven’t done it in years, but I was a surgeon during the war, so I know how. Any time you cut into a body, it is a risk, but I will do everything I can to save them both. If it comes to one or the other, you will have to make that choice. I can’t play God. You have to decide quickly, I fear we haven’t much time.”
“Let me talk to my wife, Doc,” Case asked.
Carter stepped aside and Jamison went to his wife and spoke in a low voice. He turned back, and said, “Do what you must to save my wife.”
“I have some gauze in my bag, but I will need some clean sheets. I will go ahead and put her to sleep using ether. No smoking or fire nearby. It is highly flammable.” He put several drops of ether on a pad and placed it over the patient’s nose and mouth. In less than fifteen minutes, her face was relaxed and she was unconscious. He turned to Jamison and said, “I think it best if you leave the room. You have my word; she will not feel anything. I will talk to you when it’s over.”
Carter worked quickly, made the necessary incisions, and removed the distressed baby. He clamped and cut the umbilical cord, and handed the baby to the midwife, turned and removed the placenta. Before closing, he sprinkled sulfur liberally in the wound. He then closed each incision with stitches, and watched closely for bleeding. Behind him, he heard the wail of the newborn, and smiled. “There’s one life,” he thought. He finished dressing the wound, listened to the rhythmic heartbeat of the mother, and that of the baby.
He opened the door to talk with her husband. “Your wife tolerated the surgery well. She’s still asleep and will be for some time. She will be drowsy for the rest of the day and maybe even tomorrow. I’m going to stay until she’s awake and I’m sure she’s okay. She will have to be careful for four to six weeks, no lifting and no climbing. I will come here to check on her. A wagon ride might not be the best thing for her, unless it’s an emergency. She had a hard labor and is wrung out. She needs rest. I have listened to the baby’s heartbeat. It sounds strong; I believe your boy is going to be fine. I will come out and check on them daily for a few days, just to make sure. She’s the first delivery I’ve done since the war and I want to make sure they’re all right. We have some tissues we need to get rid of, right now, but all seems well.
Chaper 12: Ending the loneliness
Carter spent the next three hours monitoring the new mother’s breathing and heart rate. She became partially awake an hour after the surgery. Her husband sat by the bed, holding her hand. He had watched her sleep from the time he came back in the room following the surgery. In a scratchy voice, she asked, “Where’s my baby?”
The midwife brought the baby to the bed and placed him beside her. “Is he all right,” the scratchy voice asked.
“He’s perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes, a healthy voice. He has everything,” the midwife said.
“Doctor?”
“Yes, Mrs. Jamison?” Carter said.
“Thank you,” she rasped.
“You’re welcome,” he said. “I’ve told your husband, the restrictions on your activity. You did have surgery, so you must exercise care in your physical activity for the next four to six weeks. You should stay in bed for the next three days. Have assistance in getting up the first few times. I’ll be back to change the dressing and check on you the day after tomorrow. You had a hard time of it, but I think you will be fine.”
“Mr. Jamsion, do you have help for the next few days?” By that, I mean someone to care for the baby, and bring him to your wife for nursing until she is able to assume the care?”
“I’ve arranged for Maude to stay here for as long as she’s needed. Doc, we are indebted to you. Anything you need, you just ask. I will settle up with you as soon as I can get to the bank.”
“Sounds good to me,” Carter said. “If you need me, just send for me. I don’t think it will be necessary, but don’t take any chances.”
The same cowboy brought his horse and buggy to the door. “He’s had water and grain, Doc. Is the Missus going to be okay?”
“She’s going to be fine, and so is their son,” Carter replied.
He climbed into the buggy, clucked and flicked the reins and headed home, concluding what had been his best day since he began the practice of medicine. He let his mind wander as the horse took him home… One life saved, and a new one introduced to the world. Overall, a fine day, he concluded.
He sat down to write Elizabeth.
Dear Elizabeth,
I hope this finds you in good spirits and well of body. I am well. Plenty to keep me occupied, though the loneliness persists.
I must tell you about my day. It has been the best I’ve had in some time, although it started quite early. Sometime after midnight, a knock on the door awakened me. A local rancher sent a cowboy to ask for my help in delivering a baby. Mrs. Jamison, wife of the rancher was in a long and painful labor. The baby was breech and the midwife had been unable to turn it. I also, was unable to turn it, and decided it was necessary to perform a Caesarean section. I was able to extract the baby and was rewarded with a spontaneous wail. Mother and son are doing well, as is the grateful father. It was my first delivery since prior to the war, and I have forgotten how exhilarating childbirth can be. It reinforced my belief in my chosen profession.
I have no right to ask this of you, but I must. I miss your presence and my loneliness is at times overwhelming. Would you consider coming to Montana and become my wife? I think you would bring a joy and happiness to my home that is missing at this time. I would travel to you and ask in person, but have only been back from the Indian Wars a short time and am reluctant to leave my patients.
I have what I consider a nice home, and have made a few friends, all of whom would welcome you. Will you consider this?
As always,
Carter
He posted the letter the next morning. Now the two week wait for a return answer begins. I wouldn’t blame her if she was not interested. She’s never been out of Rockville, all of her friends are there. Why would she want to leave home?”
If it were not for accidents, I would have very few patients, Carter thought as he headed for the Lazy J ranch. He tied his horse to the hitching post in front, and knocked on the door. Maude answered his knock. “Good mornin’ Doctor,” she said. “Mr. Case is out riding fence and will not be back until late. I reckon it’s Miz Carrie you come to see.”
“Good morning, Maude. Have you been getting enough rest? A new baby can keep you going.”
“Yes sir, I’m doing all right, and so is Miz Carrie. She’s getting her strength back. After what she went through, it’s a miracle. The baby is doing fine. Always hungry. Her milk came in today, so maybe that will satisfy him more. Come on in.”
They went down the hall to the bedroom. Carrie was propped up in bed with her son at her breast. She discreetly placed a blanket over her breasts. “Doctor Palmer! It’s so good to see you, especially under different circumstances.”
“How are you doing, Mrs. Jamison? It looks like the young fellow is doing well. You go ahead and finish the feeding, I’ll just sit here and we can talk. Are you having any pain?” he asked.
“Please, call me Carrie,” she said. No, not really, I am sore, but I guess that’s normal for someone whose belly has been cut open, isn’t it?”
Carter said, “Maybe tender, but there shouldn’t be much soreness after two days, unless you strain it. You haven’t done that, have you? They should be bringing the baby to you. You shouldn’t be lifting him yourself.”
“Maybe sore is not the right word, but I have lifted him to nurse. That should be all right, shouldn’t it?”
“I would rather you didn’t do too much of that for another day or two. You need to limit your bending too. Are you finished there? Let me check him over before you give him back to Maude.”
He took the baby and placed him on the bed, where he could examine him. With the stethoscope, he listened to the breathing of the baby. “His lungs sound clear, the heartbeat is steady and rhythmic. He’s doing well.
“I’m going to leave the room. Maude would you arrange the covers over her so the wound is bare? I need to make sure there is no suppuration. I don’t want an infection to crop up here and go unnoticed.”
“Doctor, I’m not real modest. I was raised on a ranch. You do what is necessary. I want to make sure everything is okay too,” Carrie said.
“No, no, it will be fine. Maude can drape the covers so I can see I need to see.” He left the room, and was summoned back in five minutes. He looked closely at the stitches and saw no puffiness. He gently prodded her belly. “Does that hurt?” She shook her head. He put his stethoscope on her abdomen, and said, “Your bowel sounds are normal, your breathing is steady and your heartbeat is regular. Carrie, you’re doing well. I’ll change the dressing here and get out of here before your son gets hungry again. I’ll be back in a couple of days to check again.”
“How long will the stitches be in, Doctor?”
“I usually take them out in a week to ten days. The ones inside will be absorbed by your body. It’s going to start itching in another few days. That’s a good sign and is an indication of the wound healing. Don’t scratch it. I am going to leave some calamine lotion to relieve the itching. One last thing, You can resume your normal diet, but go easy with heavy stuff like beef. It will make things easier for you.
“Maude, you take good care of the baby. He’s the first one I’ve delivered in years. I want to put his picture on a poster in my office, so I can show others what I can do.” He laughed, and said, “Goodbye ladies. Carrie, you remember my instructions.”
As he left, he heard Carrie say to Maude, “He’s a nice man. I’m glad he came to Helena.”
“We’re lucky to have him,” Maude agreed.
Chapter 13: A Letter From Helena
When she opened her mail, Elizabeth was pleased to find a letter from Carter. Elizabeth read the letter several times, placed it on the table, and buried her head in her hands.
She was happy for his latest success. He desperately needs positive things in his life. He saved the woman’s life and saved her baby. It’s hard to imagine operating under those conditions, but he made it work. Now the other part…
I hoped for this and now that it’s here, I don’t know what to do. I would have gone with him had he asked, but he didn’t. I should have told him about his son long ago, as Jim Gilbride suggested. Now, I don’t know how to tell him. I‘ve dug myself a hole and don’t know how to escape. I can’t tell him. I just can’t. He will be furious, and will never trust me. I’m just going to tell him it is impossible.
She made the decision.
Dear Carter,
How pleased you must be with the outcome of your surgery. Just think, you saved a life and brought another into the world on the same night, saving the rancher’s family in the doing. I am proud of you and happy for you. Surgery is what you were meant to do.
I have considered your request to join you in Montana and in marriage. I must decline your kind offer. My circumstances have changed since you were here, and my leaving Rockville is not practical. I have too many binding ties to consider it. Thank you for asking, I shall never forget it. I understand this might upset you, but it is the best decision.
I hope my rejection of your offer does not prevent you from keeping our correspondence alive. It means a lot and a new letter is the highlight of my day.
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth
After sealing the letter in an envelope and addressing it, she put it on the table in the parlor and planned to post it in the morning. She sat in her rocking chair and cried. Seeing his mother so upset, distressed Carter Patrick and he began crying too. She took him into her arms and rocked him until he fell asleep, as the silent tears cascaded down his mother’s cheeks.
The letter arrived in Helena seven days after Elizabeth had posted it, and Carter picked it up the next morning. He sat on a bench outside the general store and read it. He came to the part where she turned down his proposal. I have no right to expect more than this, but I had hoped for more. He picked up the letter, and reread it. The wording had not changed. She would not be coming to Montana.
He walked down the street to the Christian Church and found Jackson wiping down the seats in the pews. “Jack, can we talk for a few minutes?” he asked.
“Sure,” Jack said. “What’s on your mind?”
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“I’ve told you about the loneliness I feel. My next-door neighbor back in Rockville lost her husband in the war. She took care of my Lucy, in my absence. She held her hand when Lucy passed, and then she arranged for the funeral, believing I had been killed. After I came home, she encouraged me to practice medicine again. When I decided to rent my house, she rented a room to me, and also office space. She assisted in some of the surgeries. Not having a doctor’s detachment, she was devastated when we lost a woman and a baby in one night.
“She tried to talk me out of leaving, but understood that I had to. We’ve been corresponding the past two and one-half years. I asked her to consider moving here and marrying me. I received her answer this morning. She turned me down. I haven’t seen her in such a long time, but through our letters, I have come to care for her. I really hoped she would marry me. Everyone loves Elizabeth, and I do too. She would have fit in here. She has the kind of spirit the people here possess. What do I do, Jack?”
The Montana Doctor's Bride (New Brides of Montana) Page 5