Between 2010 and 2012, she visited the Emergency Room 7 times – 3 for abdominal pain, 3 for headaches and once for a fall down the stairs. Each time a negative work-up followed by a swift discharge and a long drive home.
In 2013, she lost her insurance – a causality of her divorce and arrived at the county clinic. Routine lab work was notable for an AST of 63 and and MCV of 105, otherwise unremarkable. She was scheduled for a follow-up appointment but never showed.
In 2015, she returned after a 2 year absence and a 6 month alcohol treatment program. She wanted to know why her urine drug screens were always thrown out for being dilute according urine creatinine. This was likely a consequence of her petite frame and dwindling muscle mass. Her husbands divorce attorney used this against her. She lost custody of her two children, ages 4 and 6.
In 2016, she returned to clinic in tears one weak after a relapse. She had one swig of vodka in a Safeway parking lot.
The medical record states simply,
“SOCIAL HISTORY: Divorced. Rare alcohol use. 1 drink in the past month.”
otherwise unremarkable 