My parents’ voices echoed outside the room while arguing with a nurse. A doctor entered soon afterward with a tablet while introducing herself as Doctor Ingrid Salazar.
She examined the chart carefully before speaking in a calm professional tone.
“Your blood tests show strong indicators of multiple severe food allergies and something known as food protein intolerance syndrome,” she explained clearly. “These conditions can develop during adolescence and become dangerous when untreated for years.”
My mother sank into a chair while tears filled her eyes. “She was healthy when she was younger and nothing seemed wrong,” she whispered weakly.
“Conditions like these change over time,” Doctor Salazar replied firmly. “Repeated exposure to trigger foods can cause escalating immune responses that eventually become life threatening.”
My father shifted uncomfortably while staring at the floor. “We assumed she simply disliked certain foods and exaggerated symptoms,” he admitted quietly.
The doctor raised her eyebrows slightly. “These reactions can easily become fatal under the wrong circumstances.”
The word fatal settled over the room with heavy silence.