Mom Takes Daughter to the Doctor After Weekends with Dad — Doctor Sees Ultrasound and Dials 911
The golden afternoon sun streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the room as Lydia Matthews folded the last of the laundry. But her heart was heavy with worry. It was Sunday evening, and Derek would be dropping off their daughter, Aubrey, any minute now. This routine, once filled with excitement, had become a source of dread for Lydia. Each weekend with Derek seemed to leave subtle but unsettling changes in Aubrey, changes that gnawed at Lydia’s maternal instincts.
As she glanced at the clock, she felt a tightening in her chest. It had only been three months since the divorce, and the custody arrangement was still fresh and raw. Every other weekend, six-year-old Aubrey stayed with her father, and with each return, Lydia noticed the exhaustion etched on her daughter’s face, the dullness in her bright blue eyes, and the way her normally cheerful spirit seemed to dim.
When the sound of a car door slamming outside broke her thoughts, Lydia rushed to the front door. She opened it just as Derek was walking Aubrey up the path. His trademark smile was plastered on his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Hey, kiddo! Did you have a great weekend?” he announced, his voice too cheerful to be genuine.
Aubrey nodded silently, her small fingers clutching the straps of her backpack. Lydia knelt down to her level, brushing the hair from her daughter’s forehead. “How about a nice warm bath and then some dinner? I made your favorite chicken soup.”
“I’m really tired, Mommy,” Aubrey whispered, her voice barely audible. “Can I just go to bed?” Concern fluttered in Lydia’s chest. Something was off. This wasn’t just fatigue from a fun-filled weekend; it felt deeper, more troubling.
That night, as Lydia tucked Aubrey into bed, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong. Her daughter’s normally slender frame seemed different; her tummy protruded noticeably, round and firm in a way that didn’t match her thin arms and legs. “Does your tummy hurt, honey?” Lydia asked carefully.
Aubrey nodded slightly. “Sometimes, mostly after I eat at Daddy’s.” Lydia’s heart sank. What kind of food was Derek giving her? “What do you eat there?” she pressed gently.
“Cereal, sometimes drive-thru, and just snacks,” Aubrey replied, her eyes downcast. Lydia tucked her daughter in, feeling a growing sense of dread. This wasn’t just a simple case of picky eating; something more sinister was at play. Determined to get to the bottom of it, Lydia reached for her phone and called Dr. Evelyn Walsh, Aubrey’s pediatrician. “I need to make an appointment as soon as possible. Something’s not right with my daughter,” she said, her voice trembling with urgency.
The next morning, the waiting room of Dr. Walsh’s office smelled of lemon disinfectant and cherry lollipops. As Lydia guided Aubrey through the colorful waiting room, she could see the fear in her daughter’s eyes. When Dr. Walsh entered, her warm smile did little to ease Lydia’s anxiety.
“Hello there, Miss Aubrey,” Dr. Walsh said, her voice soothing. “I hear your tummy’s not feeling so great.” Aubrey nodded, pointing to her midsection. Dr. Walsh’s expression shifted as she began her examination. Lydia watched her carefully, noting the slight furrow that appeared between the doctor’s brows.
“Have you noticed any changes in Aubrey’s appetite or bathroom habits?” Dr. Walsh asked gently. Lydia explained how Aubrey had been less hungry after weekends with Derek and how she frequently complained of stomach aches. The doctor’s concern deepened as she examined Aubrey further.
“Aubrey, sweetie, what kind of foods do you eat when you’re with your daddy?” Dr. Walsh asked. “Cereal and sometimes drive-thru,” Aubrey whispered. “And where do you sleep?” Dr. Walsh continued. “On the pullout couch, but sometimes Jimmy sleeps there too.”
“Who’s Jimmy?” Dr. Walsh asked, her tone shifting to one of concern. “Daddy’s friend’s son. He watches me when Daddy has to work,” Aubrey replied, her voice barely audible.
Dr. Walsh maintained her gentle demeanor, but Lydia could see the worry etched on her face. After the examination, Dr. Walsh pulled Lydia aside. “I’m concerned about several things I’m seeing,” she said quietly. “The distension is significant, and I want to run some tests immediately. Blood work and possibly an ultrasound.”
The days following Aubrey’s doctor’s appointment were a blur of lab visits and worried glances. Lydia had taken time off work to bring Aubrey for blood tests, which the little girl endured bravely. But as the weekend approached, Lydia’s anxiety grew. Derek was scheduled to pick up Aubrey for another visit, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
Then, the phone rang. It was Dr. Walsh’s office. “Mrs. Matthews, we’ve received some of Aubrey’s results. The blood work shows she’s anemic and has some nutritional deficiencies that are concerning. We need to schedule an ultrasound immediately.”
Lydia’s heart raced. “What do you mean? Is it serious?”
“We need to rule out several possibilities,” Dr. Walsh replied carefully. “Given what we’re seeing, I’d feel more comfortable if she stayed in one consistent environment until we complete our evaluation.”
Lydia’s stomach dropped. She knew she had to call Derek, but she dreaded the confrontation. When she finally did, his angry voice filled her ear. “This is ridiculous, Lydia. You can’t keep making excuses to interfere with my time with my daughter.”
“It’s not an excuse, Derek. She’s genuinely sick!” Lydia pleaded. But Derek was adamant, insisting he would pick Aubrey up as scheduled.
When Derek arrived to pick up Aubrey, Lydia felt a knot of worry tightening in her chest. She knelt down to Aubrey’s level, trying to mask her fear. “Remember, sweetie, I’m just a phone call away. Anytime, day or night.” Aubrey nodded, her blue eyes wide with a mixture of apprehension and resignation.
As Derek drove away, Lydia felt a deep sense of dread. She had sent her daughter back into an environment that might be causing her illness. That night, as she lay in bed, she made a silent promise: whatever was happening, she would get to the bottom of it. Her daughter’s well-being depended on it.
The next morning, Lydia received a call that would change everything. “The stool sample revealed evidence of a significant parasitic infection,” Dr. Walsh explained. “We need to act fast.”
Lydia’s heart raced as she processed the news. Parasites? How could this happen? “There are several ways,” Dr. Walsh explained carefully. “Contaminated food or water, poor sanitation, exposure to infected surfaces.”
That evening, Lydia sat down with Aubrey, determined to uncover the truth about her weekends with Derek. “Can we talk a little bit about your time with Daddy?” she asked gently. Aubrey looked down, her fingers fidgeting with her blanket. “It’s okay. You’re not in trouble,” Lydia reassured her.
“Jimmy doesn’t like to make food,” Aubrey finally whispered. “And the kitchen is really dirty.” Lydia’s heart sank. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, and the picture they formed was deeply disturbing.
Days turned into a blur of worry and preparation. Lydia’s lawyer advised her to seek a temporary suspension of Derek’s visitation rights until the situation was resolved. The day of the emergency hearing arrived, and Lydia’s heart raced as she entered the courtroom.
When Derek walked in, he looked different—disheveled and worn. The judge listened carefully as Lydia presented her case, detailing the medical evidence and the concerning conditions at Derek’s home. “Your Honor, my daughter is seriously ill because of the environment she’s been exposed to,” Lydia pleaded.
Derek’s attorney countered, claiming he had made changes and that he loved his daughter. As the judge deliberated, Lydia felt a mix of hope and fear. Would they see the truth? Would they protect Aubrey?
Finally, the judge ruled in Lydia’s favor, suspending Derek’s overnight visitation until further notice. Relief washed over her, but it was bittersweet. The battle was far from over.
In the weeks that followed, Lydia focused on Aubrey’s healing. With the help of Dr. Walsh and a child psychologist, they began to rebuild their lives. Barbara, Derek’s mother, stepped in to help supervise visits, creating a safer environment for Aubrey.
As Aubrey’s health improved, so did her spirits. She began to thrive, her laughter filling the house once more. And slowly, Lydia and Derek began to communicate better, working together for their daughter’s well-being.
One sunny afternoon, as Lydia watched Aubrey play in the park with her friends, she felt a sense of peace. They had weathered the storm, and while the journey had been painful, it had also brought unexpected growth and healing.
Derek arrived, looking more composed and engaged than ever. “How’s my girl?” he asked, kneeling down to hug Aubrey. Lydia smiled, seeing the genuine love in his eyes. They were learning to co-parent, to put Aubrey first.
As they walked home together, Lydia felt a glimmer of hope. Their family might not look like the one she had once envisioned, but it was strong, resilient, and bound together by the love they all shared for the little girl who had taught them how to be better versions of themselves.
Months later, as Lydia tucked Aubrey into bed, she reflected on their journey. They had faced unimaginable challenges, but they had emerged stronger. The fence Aubrey had drawn around them wasn’t about keeping the world out; it was about creating a safe space where healing could happen and love could grow.
As she kissed Aubrey goodnight, Lydia knew that they were on the right path. Together, they would continue to navigate the complexities of their family, always prioritizing love and safety above all else.
