Chapter 16 - THE DOCTOR WHO WOULD NOT SAY DEMENTIA
Dr. Shah’s deposition became critical.
Defense asked:
“Did Marcus report memory concerns?”
“Yes.”
“Repeatedly?”
“Yes.”
“Could family observe symptoms not present in office?”
“Yes.”
“Did you consider cognitive decline possible?”
“Any reported decline warrants evaluation.”
“Did you rule it out completely?”
“No physician can rule out all future decline.”
Defense liked that.
Then prosecutor:
“Did you diagnose dementia?”
“No.”
“Did cognitive screens support major neurocognitive disorder?”
“No.”
“Did you advise Marcus to restrain Helen?”
“No.”
“Lock her in kennel?”
“No.”
“Spray her with hose?”
“No.”
“Take her car keys without discussion?”
“No.”
“Seek emergency guardianship?”
“I told him legal decisions require independent evidence and appropriate evaluation.”
Then portal.
“Were some messages sent from Helen’s own account?”
“Yes.”
“Did Helen later deny authorship?”
“Yes.”
“Device logs?”
Linked to Marcus.
Then Dr. Shah produced a note from my appointment six weeks before cage.
Patient states son increasingly controls household and finances. Patient uncertain whether concerns reflect ordinary caregiving tension. Denies feeling unsafe at present. Plans to review bank access independently.
I had forgotten I said that.
“Why didn’t you call adult protective services?” defense might ask.
Because I denied abuse and no clear mandatory trigger under that presentation; she advised me independent financial review and safety planning.
Fair.
Could system have intervened sooner?
Maybe.
I had minimized.
Again.
Then one note:
Patient visibly anxious when discussing son.
Defense could say anxiety/paranoia.
Prosecution could say fear.
Neither automatically.
Then neuropsychologist testified later:
I was competent.
Could still make mistakes.
Could still be manipulated.
Capacity is decision-specific and not perfection.
Good.
Then Marcus’s lawyer offered new plea.
No custody? Maybe community confinement.
Prosecutor declined due cage planning.
Still.
Then Marcus asked through lawyer for permission to write apology before trial.
I said no again.
Therapist asked:
“Still afraid you’ll mother him?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think that is weakness?”
“No.”
Progress.
Then I saw him once accidentally.
Courthouse hallway.
He turned corner.
We stopped.
Bail order prohibited contact.
He stepped back immediately.
Good.
No “Mom.”
No approach.
That small compliance affected me.
He could follow a rule.
Then I thought:
Why did it take a judge?
That anger returned.
May you like
Healing is rude.
It brings hope and rage in same bag.
