Chapter 8 - THE DOCTOR WHO WROTE ME OUT
St. Catherine’s suspended Dr. Keane’s hospital privileges within hours.
He denied knowing the surrogacy contract was false.
He claimed Victoria presented herself as a patient advocate and the foundation paid for legitimate research.
The research produced no published paper, registered protocol, or ethics approval.
My new obstetrician, Dr. Hannah Brooks, reviewed my complete chart.
She found appointments canceled without my knowledge.
A high-risk consultation requested after an early placental concern had been marked “patient declined.”
I had never been told.
Three episodes of spotting were rewritten as anxiety-related descriptions without physical findings.
“The placenta is showing signs of stress,” Dr. Brooks said. “We cannot say the earlier care caused it, but you should have been monitored more closely.”
I transferred all care to her team.
Every medication order required two physicians.
My room moved to a secured maternal-fetal unit.
Michael visited under conditions we agreed upon through therapy and hospital security.
He did not touch me without asking.
He did not talk about forgiveness.
He spoke to the baby through the blanket.
“I’m sorry your first family lesson was that anger is dangerous even when it loves you.”
The contractions settled for four days.
On the fifth night, they returned stronger.
Dr. Brooks administered treatment to protect the baby if early delivery became necessary. She explained each decision before proceeding.
At 4:38 a.m., Nurse Sarah Cole entered my room carrying a tablet.
“Did Dr. Brooks discuss induction with you?”
“No.”
Sarah’s face tightened.
“Do not eat or drink anything.”
An electronic order had appeared in my chart.
It directed staff to begin cervical medication at five in the morning and transfer the newborn immediately after delivery.
The authorizing physician was Dr. Keane.
His privileges had been suspended two days earlier.
The order linked to an active court document naming Victoria as intended mother.
Hospital security locked the floor.
IT preserved the system.
The order had been entered remotely from a device registered to Keane.
Police reached his home.
He was gone.
His car was later found at the airport.
Inside the trunk were cash, a passport, and a handwritten schedule.
May you like
Friday — 9:00 a.m. board vote.
Thursday — child must be born.
