Page 44 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“That’s good to know,” Danica said. “I just can’t see you sitting still. I bet you gave your mother fits.”

He laughed. This was what being nosy was about, even if it was friendly.

“She never let on one way or another,” he said. “I’ve got donuts.”

“Sweet,” Danica said. “Though on a day I’m not going to burn it off, it might not be so sweet.”

“You can do jumping jacks in the office when you’re on the phone,” he said, smirking.

“I could, but then I’ll feel like I can come get a second one. Let’s get them so I can get the first pick before everyone else gets here.”

“I’m here,” Nadine shouted. She’d walked away but obviously could still hear them. “I want one too.”

He went to his office with Danica on his heels and then Nadine catching up.

He opened the box and pulled out a jelly one first, then handed the box over. No reason to tell Justine that jelly was his favorite too.

But he couldn’t resist and when he was alone, he snapped a picture of his donut with a bite in it, the raspberry jelly coming out over his finger, then sent it to her.

He finished eating and looked at his schedule of patients for the day to get ready.

Before his first appointment, his phone went off and he pulled it out to see Justine asking if he cut himself, then adding a smiley face.

She had a nice little quirky sense of humor that he was thrilled he was getting to see part of.

He replied quickly, then put his phone in his pocket, slipped his stethoscope over his neck, and picked up his laptop.

“Good morning, Beth. I’m Dr. Mills. It’s nice to meet you. How are you doing today?”

“I’m great, Dr. Mills,” Beth said. “Nice to meet you too. It seems like I see a new doctor all the time on the island, but it beats taking the ferry to Boston for a six-month checkup.”

She was in her early forties and a four-year breast cancer survivor. Like many on the island, they might see a specialist on the mainland and then do their treatment here. At a certain point, their follow-ups could be done anywhere, but many at this stage of no issues tended to stay local.

“I’m glad that it’s available for patients,” he said. “Your blood work looks great. You said you feel fine. No issues or concerns?”

“Nothing,” Beth said. “I mean, I still have tingling in my hands and feet, but I know that is normal.”

He looked at the computer and noticed that she had her chemo dosage reduced four years ago for that.

“Neuropathy is a very common side effect of chemo. Have you noticed it getting worse?”

“Not really,” Beth said. “It’s more annoying than anything.”

“There are some medications that have been shown to work, but they are antidepressants, anti-seizure meds.”

“I’ll take a hard pass,” Beth said. “I know some meds for one thing work for others, but I don’t want to put anything into my body. I kind of hoped there was some physical therapy or stretches or something.”

“Actually,” he said. “If you’re willing, I’ll send a script to a physical therapist. They can tailor to your needs with strength training that will help it not get worse. There might be some massage that can be done too. I don’t want to answer that as it’s not my area of expertise.”

“Is there a therapist on the island or do I have to go to Boston?” Beth asked. Which was common.

“There is one on the island,” he said. “Not sure how soon you can get in.”

“I don’t care if I have to wait. I appreciate it,” Beth said. “Most times when I talk about this, I’m just told it’s a side effect and that nothing can be done.”

“I should have brought up physical therapy first, but it’s not necessarily as proven as some of the meds.”

“And many people would rather pop a pill,” Beth said, grinning. “At least most I know.”

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