Chapter 2 - WHY POPPY WAS IN THE ICU
Poppy had been sick for five days.
It began with a cough.
Then fever.
Then the kind of tiredness adults call a virus because viruses are common and parents need ordinary explanations.
Her pediatrician examined her on Day Two.
Lungs mostly clear.
Oxygen normal.
Hydration acceptable.
Home care.
Fluids.
Fever control.
Return precautions.
Nothing negligent.
Nothing missed dramatically.
On Day Four, her fever rose again.
She stopped wanting food.
Breathing became faster.
Laurel took her to urgent care.
Chest X-ray showed pneumonia.
Oxygen at first:
92 percent.
Then 89.
The urgent-care physician sent her to the nearest emergency department.
There she needed supplemental oxygen.
Antibiotics were started because bacterial pneumonia could not be excluded.
Over several hours, her oxygen requirement increased.
The community pediatric unit was uncomfortable keeping her.
Transfer recommended.
To the regional children’s hospital.
PICU bed available.
That was medicine.
Then family arrived.
Cole.
Laurel.
Me by phone initially.
I asked:
“Do they need a children’s center?”
The doctor said:
“Yes.”
I said:
“Then transfer.”
Cole later transformed that sentence into:
Enrico ordered an unnecessary luxury transfer.
False.
The physicians made the clinical decision.
The transport company was a contracted pediatric service because Poppy needed oxygen monitoring en route.
Estimated patient responsibility before insurance:
$2,300.
Maybe less after processing.
Maybe more depending deductible.
Cole could afford it without noticing.
That fact mattered.
His net worth was approximately $19 million.
Mine was larger.
Neither man’s life depended on $2,300.
So why did he care?
May you like
Because he believed the invoice belonged to me as a matter of principle.
That principle had been growing for two years.
