Abnormally Normal
Tue 01 Feb 2011 Filed in: My Life
Yesterday I went in for my more-or-less-annual physical exam and barnacle check. Having been married to a nurse, I have learned to value these regular check-ups. Though discovering disease is more the exception than the rule with physicals, I haven’t forgotten that it was an annual physical that first uncovered Joan’s lymphoma. So I headed in to do my part to help support the local health care industry, even though I don’t think it needs my help. I survived the exam (including a bit of brain-freezing liquid nitrogen to the barnacles), enjoyed visiting with my friend and physician, and, pending lab results, was officially declared healthy.
I know the drill with lab results. If they are all okay, I get a copy in the mail, and that will be enough. If they reveal that something in my life needs tweaking, then I get a phone call from the nurse before they mail the results. Today the phone rang and the voice on the other end was not the nurse but my doctor. Instantly he had my undivided attention. How bad could it be? “I have your lab results,” he said. So bad he didn’t leave it to the nurse?! “Everything is perfectly normal; your numbers are great; I’m proud of you.” I exhaled and my more-or-less healthy heart started beating again. “Actually it’s the most normal piece of paper I’ve seen in long time,” he said.
I guess that makes me abnormally normal. Whatever that is, it feels good. And I was blessed by a doctor who probably sees enough bad news that he enjoyed passing on the good news. Though I’m mildly concerned about the kind of comments this statement might generate, I’m thankful to be abnormal in the best possible way.
I know the drill with lab results. If they are all okay, I get a copy in the mail, and that will be enough. If they reveal that something in my life needs tweaking, then I get a phone call from the nurse before they mail the results. Today the phone rang and the voice on the other end was not the nurse but my doctor. Instantly he had my undivided attention. How bad could it be? “I have your lab results,” he said. So bad he didn’t leave it to the nurse?! “Everything is perfectly normal; your numbers are great; I’m proud of you.” I exhaled and my more-or-less healthy heart started beating again. “Actually it’s the most normal piece of paper I’ve seen in long time,” he said.
I guess that makes me abnormally normal. Whatever that is, it feels good. And I was blessed by a doctor who probably sees enough bad news that he enjoyed passing on the good news. Though I’m mildly concerned about the kind of comments this statement might generate, I’m thankful to be abnormal in the best possible way.
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