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Dr. Jonathan Mathews

Dr. Jonathan Mathews was a neurology fellow specializing in epileptology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He first met Edward Pennington and Eleanor Pennington as a first-year neurology resident when Edward broke his arm after slipping on ice in 2018, about three years before his summer 2021 intracranial-pressure crisis. His patient, respectful care earned their trust; Edward continued to ask for him at follow-up visits. When Edward became seriously ill in 2021, Eleanor contacted Jonathan even though Dr. Hall was Edward’s regular neurologist. Jonathan later helped care for Edward at Hopkins and monitored his EEG during VP shunt surgery.

Career and Clinical Practice

Main article: Dr. Jonathan Mathews (Career and Legacy)

Jonathan was a first-year neurology resident when he met Edward during the treatment of Edward’s broken arm in 2018. By summer 2021 he was a neurology fellow in epileptology. His work with Edward included advising Eleanor about a worsening seizure, participating in his hospital care, and monitoring his EEG through VP shunt surgery and difficult postoperative recovery.

Appearance and Manner

Eleanor thought Jonathan looked younger than she expected for a specialist. He had kind eyes and a soft, steady voice. In Edward’s presence he moved deliberately, crouching to speak at his level rather than standing over him. He was sharp and measured in clinical discussions, but gave Edward time to answer and treated his formal, literal way of speaking with respect.

First Meeting and Continuing Trust

When Jonathan was called to see Edward during treatment for the broken arm, he read the intake and accommodation notes before entering, knocked, and introduced himself as a first-year neurology resident there to listen before further decisions were made. He addressed Edward directly, asked how Edward wished to be addressed, and explained proposed steps before touching or proceeding. When Edward struggled to speak, Jonathan asked whether Eleanor could finish his answer rather than transferring the conversation to her without his consent. He documented Edward’s need for direct, formal speech, a consistent care team, reduced light and overnight disturbances, and Eleanor’s presence as his chosen support person.

Edward strongly wanted Jonathan involved in his follow-up care and continued to ask for him at later appointments. Edward also kept in touch by email, sometimes sending Jonathan medical articles he thought he would find interesting. Jonathan replied. By the time of Edward’s 2021 crisis, both Penningtons remembered him as a doctor who understood Edward’s neurological and sensory needs without speaking over him.

Edward Pennington’s Summer 2021 VP Shunt Surgery

Main article: Edward Pennington VP Shunt Surgery (Summer 2021) - Event

After a severe seizure left Edward with unusually prolonged confusion, speech difficulty, and nausea, Eleanor called Jonathan because Dr. Hall’s next appointment was weeks away. Jonathan stepped away from his attending to speak with her. While making clear that he was not Edward’s treating neurologist, he recommended a repeat MRI with epilepsy protocol and a 72-hour ambulatory EEG, asked Eleanor to send her video of the seizure and its aftermath to Hall’s office, and urged her to press for an earlier appointment. He offered to try to arrange a Hopkins consultation if needed.

Julia Weston coordinated Edward’s subsequent admission and intracranial-pressure workup. At the hospital, Jonathan approached a frightened Edward slowly and assured him that he did not have to face the evaluation alone. Jonathan joined Julia and the neurosurgical team in discussing how to examine and treat Edward while accounting for his seizure history, sensory distress, and unusual responses to sedating medication. He was present during Edward’s lumbar puncture and later joined the discussion with Eleanor about shunt placement when medical treatment had not relieved the pressure.

During the operation, Jonathan monitored Edward’s EEG, reported cortical activity to the team, and called out a brief intracranial-pressure spike accompanied by cortical irritation. He remained involved during Edward’s difficult emergence from anesthesia, alongside Julia and the recovery team.

Professional Relationships

Edward and Eleanor Pennington

Jonathan’s care during Edward’s broken-arm hospitalization made him someone Edward specifically requested for follow-ups. Eleanor trusted his calm, direct approach and contacted him in 2021 when she could not get Edward a timely appointment with Dr. Hall. Jonathan told her, “I care about him too. He’s one of the most brilliant men I’ve ever met. And he’s lucky to have you.” His role in the crisis did not replace Hall as Edward’s regular neurologist.

Julia Weston

Jonathan and Julia worked together during Edward’s hospital evaluation, procedural planning, shunt surgery, and recovery. Julia ordered Edward’s admission, MRI, and intracranial-pressure evaluation; Jonathan contributed his knowledge of Edward’s epilepsy and clinical needs and monitored his EEG in the operating room.

Memorable Quotes

“I’m here to listen before we make any more decisions.”

(Introducing himself to Edward during the broken-arm hospitalization.)

“You’re safe. You’re not in trouble. And you don’t have to do anything alone.”

(To Edward during his 2021 hospital evaluation.)

“I care about him too. He’s one of the most brilliant men I’ve ever met. And he’s lucky to have you.”

(To Eleanor when she sought his advice after Edward’s severe seizure.)

“Some things never change.”

(To Eleanor, laughing at her report that Edward still refused ginger while recovering from the seizure.)

“Propofol starting… now.”

(Beginning intraoperative EEG monitoring during Edward’s summer 2021 shunt surgery.)

“ICP spike. A brief one. Cortical wave looks irritated—he’s reacting.”

(Reporting an intraoperative EEG change during the surgery.)

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