Chapter 23 - The review hearing
The court scheduled a routine review of temporary oncology authority.
Not because anyone filed emergency papers.
Because the original order required it.
Maddie had completed most chemotherapy.
Surveillance phase approaching.
Julia asked:
“What do you want?”
“Sole oncology authority through first year, like order says.”
“That is already current.”
“After?”
I hesitated.
“Maybe joint with tie-break to treating recommendation?”
Progress.
Nathan proposed:
Joint medical decision-making restored after oncology team declares active treatment complete.
If parents disagree on cancer-related surveillance or late-effect care, follow treating specialist unless either parent seeks court review.
No unilateral cancellation.
Direct access.
Written notice.
That could work.
Then Maddie’s opinion.
“I don’t want either of you making every appointment a custody thing.”
Fair.
Judge Cole reviewed compliance.
Nathan had followed all recommendations.
No interference.
No new concerns.
I had communicated.
No blocking records.
Then the judge modified future order:
Upon completion of active treatment, general joint medical authority resumes.
For oncology surveillance and treatment-related late effects, specialist recommendations control in disputes, with me designated administrative coordinator for twelve additional months.
Neither parent may cancel specialist-ordered follow-up unilaterally.
That was less power than I once wanted.
More safety than Nathan once tolerated.
Correct.
Then Judge Cole said:
“The objective is not to freeze parents forever at their worst decision.”
I looked at Nathan.
He looked down.
Then:
“Nor to pretend serious decisions cease to matter because behavior later improves.”
Both.
Court supervision reduced.
No new hearing unless problem.
Then Maddie finished her last planned chemotherapy cycle.
Not a bell-ringing spectacle? Some hospitals ring bells, but could be. She refused.
“I don’t want everyone staring.”
We respected.
Nurses made a small card.
She kept it in her backpack.
Then first post-treatment CT and MRI scheduled for six weeks later.
Surveillance.
The word itself made me nauseated.
Nathan asked:
“Do you want me there?”
I asked Maddie.
She said:
“Both.”
May you like
So yes.
The next chapter would test whether we could sit in the same exam room where five weeks of silence had once changed everything.
