Chapter 8 - WHAT SHE TOLD THE DOCTORLinda claimed she took Evan to the pulmonologist because I was ignoring his worsening symptoms.
That was partly unfair.
Partly not.
Evan had complained twice that fall about getting winded during soccer.
His regular pediatrician’s earliest available nonurgent appointment was in January.
I put it on the calendar.
Linda wanted something sooner.
She could have told me.
She didn’t.
She booked Blue Ridge.
According to Dr. Samuel Kline’s chart:
Linda reported that Evan used his rescue inhaler “almost daily.”
Evan reported:
“Maybe once a week. Sometimes less.”
Linda told Dr. Kline I was anxious about his breathing and “encouraged him to medicate every sensation.”
Evan told him:
“Mom says follow the plan.”
The discrepancy was documented.
Dr. Kline scheduled pulmonary function testing.
He did not diagnose Evan as malingering.
He did not tell Linda to restrict inhaler access.
His written instructions said:
Continue current controller therapy. Rescue albuterol should remain readily accessible for acute symptoms.
Readily accessible.
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Linda left the appointment with that paper.
Twenty-one days later she snatched the inhaler from his hand.
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