Chapter 14 - COLETTE’S REVIEW
The hospital completed internal review.
First finding:
Colette appropriately redirected Bernice during the first episode.
Second:
The second mobility incident should have triggered a clearer visitor restriction after Elodie’s care plan specified assisted ambulation.
Third:
Communication between shifts failed to flag Bernice prominently.
Hospital changed:
Visitor behavior notes more visible in pediatric handoff.
Caregivers who contradict mobility/oxygen instructions receive explicit boundary documentation.
Escalation pathway simplified.
No lawsuit miracle.
No hospital villain.
I considered suing.
My attorney asked:
“What is your damage theory?”
Good question.
Elodie was not seriously injured by the fall.
Hospital responded.
Could I prove negligence caused substantial harm?
Maybe not.
I chose not to.
Colette called me after review, with permission.
“I’m sorry.”
“You already said.”
“I keep thinking I should have pushed harder.”
I understood that sentence.
“I keep thinking I should have noticed months earlier.”
She said:
“You trusted your mother.”
“You trusted a visitor after education.”
We both had versions.
Then Colette asked:
“How is Elodie?”
“Better.”
“Still has rabbit?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
Then:
“Tell her I said hi.”
“I will.”
Colette later became a witness.
Not friend.
Good.
Boundaries.
Then Elodie wanted to visit pediatric floor with a thank-you card.
We asked.
Approved.
She gave Colette drawing:
A rabbit wearing an oxygen tube.
Colette cried.
Elodie said:
“Don’t cry. It’s okay.”
Colette laughed.
“Fair.”
May you like
No trauma pageant.
Then we left.
