IT'S NORMAL

These past two months have been a tremendous challenge.  I had an allergic reaction to an over-the-counter cream which left me with inflammation and tremendous raw wounds.  The intense pain and nausea came on so quickly.  It brought up thoughts like, “Why is this happening?  What am I supposed to do?” 

After about five days, the pain and nausea traveled to my stomach.  It was so distracting that the majority of my thoughts were on comfort and/or finding some relief from the intense pain.  I felt so trapped and saw no end in sight.

 Yesterday I had an endoscopy where a small camera was placed down my throat into my stomach.  I was fully sedated and only have memories of waking up in the recovery room.  But the best part of all was learning, “Your exam was normal”. 

Upon waking up this morning I was so totally aware that this was the first time in two months I felt totally normal again.  Today was a routine day, but that routine reminded me so strongly how wonderful normal and routine days are.  Quite often, we take those days for granted as when experiencing them, we never think it could totally end.  We so often take our health for granted, until it is taken away.

I hope to never again take “normal” for granted.  It is a treasure; it is a gift; it is what keeps us going each day.  I have often said to patients and families, “Embrace this moment, as that is all that any of us have.”  Such true words, but so often, so easy to forget.  I hope this is a lesson that I will always remember.  So please, let this also become my normal.

 

IT’S NORMAL  

     

I woke up this morning feeling normal.

It’s been almost two months

since I have felt that amazing,

commonplace, natural trait. 

 

It was just eight weeks ago that I was jolted

so suddenly away from my normal lifestyle.

My control was abruptly swept away

as the pain and nausea were now the ones in charge.

 

My focus swiftly turned to finding relief,

but not knowing which way to turn.

So many physicians puzzled with a diagnosis

as all of my tests kept coming back “normal”.

 

It was likely an allergic reaction

triggering a bacterium which caused an ulcer.

Yesterday, with tremendous relief,

the scope results stated, “Your exam is normal”.

 

It was so wonderful to get up this morning,

take a shower and get dressed for work.

To eat a simple breakfast with no pain at all.

 Everyday tasks; so wonderful, yet so normal.

 

Yes, it’s fun to travel or to purchase a new car;

but what I treasure most is simply being with my family;

spending time with my friends or just going for a walk.

It’s called ordinary; it’s called routine.

 

What I love most of all is so what I deeply cherish.

               It is simply called “normal”.