Come Back in Six Months

“What did the doctor say about your foot?" I asked.

“I didn’t ask him about my foot.”

“Why not!  It has really been bothering you!”  

“I was at the eye doctor’s,” Jeff reminded me.
 
We had a good laugh about that.  My confusion was an indication of the number of doctor visits and procedures he had this summer: eyes, each foot on different days, each leg on different days with follow-up visits for each, kidneys, teeth, skin…  Jeff was especially eager to have his legs and feet fixed so he could enjoy our trip to Germany.  Which he did!

Some people visit Germany for Oktoberfest and journal the beers they consume - either quantity or variety.  Jeff did neither.  As Brother-in-law Mark phrases it, Jeff “licked” his way through Germany trying different flavors of eis (gelato).  In 16 days of touring, Jeff tried 20 different flavors.  Yes, that means he averaged more than one cone per day.  We had a wonderful time enjoying beautiful scenery, great food, good company, and each other. 

At one time - not so very long ago - the words “Come back in six months” would have seemed like a scary, daring experiment.  After eight years of regular oncology visits stretching no longer than four months in-between, Jeff was comfortable with Dr. Porter’s pronouncement.  He told Dr. Porter and Nurse Heather, “I’m going to miss you.”  He knows – and I do, too – six months is alright!