Chapter 9 - Why Mom’s Medications Changed Months Later
For several months after Dad’s death, Mom’s memories were inconsistent but persistent.
She kept saying Vanessa had been on the staircase.
She told me.
Her attorney.
Claire, later.
Even her church friend.
Vanessa treated every repetition as another symptom of decline.
Then Mom started receiving treatment for insomnia and anxiety.
At first, nothing suspicious happened.
She was genuinely struggling.
She barely slept.
She had panic episodes near the staircase.
Her primary doctor prescribed conservative treatment and therapy.
The real problem began when Vanessa inserted herself into the medication process.
She arranged a separate concierge consultation.
She described Mom as paranoid.
Delusional.
Obsessed with accusing family members.
Then came the new sedating medication.
Claire later found email correspondence showing Vanessa had specifically asked the concierge practice whether something could help “reduce intrusive nighttime recollections and agitation.”
That phrase sounded medically neutral.
In context, it was chilling.
The medication itself was not poison.
The doctor did not conspire with Vanessa.
He made a poor clinical decision based on incomplete information.
Vanessa exploited the result.
As Mom became sleepier and more confused, Vanessa told everyone:
“See? She doesn’t know what’s real anymore.”
Then she began discussing permanent assisted living.
Then selling the house.
Then reorganizing Mom’s finances.
The pattern finally became clear.
Vanessa did not need to erase Mom’s memory completely.
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She only needed everyone around Mom to stop trusting it.
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