My normal is NOT normal

I had an two experiences yesterday that reminded me that what has become normal to me isn't normal. The first happened during my 5 hour doctor visit. Yes you read that right it really says 5 hour. I'm seeing a new allergist because my last allergist quit on me. He decided that he simply couldn't manage my case. While I met with the fellow working under the main doctor it hit. As I rattled off my medical history even just over the last 3 years it is just ridiculous to be honest.

Most of the time I don't stop to think about how sick I've been. When I have to tell someone else about it though I notice. It's those moments that remind me that what has become completely normal to me is NOT normal. I think it's worse when this moment happens with a medical professional. The average person doesn't have a full understanding of how close some of the close calls have been or how unusual it all is. A medical professional is all too aware of both. The doctor did a lot of the wide eyed are you really telling me the truth look? It's usually the seriousness in my face that clues them in that I am not joking, lying or exaggerating. If they were worried before they realize that I'm completely serious it only intensifies. He handled it fairly well being a still new doctor. I have this sinking suspicion that I will be the case he's still talking about ten years from now because it's just so darn weird.

The second experience was when we stopped by Alex's recruiter's office to finish up more paperwork. The recruiter was wearing cologne... Thankfully we caught it fast as I sprinted out of his office and to the car for the liquid Benadryl. Liquid Benadryl, AC in the car and my rescue inhaler later I was doing ok. When I came back into the office about fifteen minutes later I sat on the opposite end of it from the recruiter. But that's not what reminded me of why my life is very very far from normal. That has become par for the course. It was when I asked the recruiter a question. I asked, "If something happens and he needs to be contacted how do I do that?"

I'm sure that as a recruiter he's answered that question countless times. However it was the look on his face that made this different. He had that wide eyed look of understanding. It's amazing to watch someone's face as the wheels begin to turn and click. He realized that I wasn't asking just to know or in an abstract maybe I'll need this at some point way. I asked in a I know I'm going to need this I was just in the ICU two weeks ago way and it kind of freaked him out. That's when I'm reminded that my life isn't normal at all. I think it says something that you can unnerve someone who has been in the military for decades with a question. I'm not sure if it's a good something or a bad something but it says something. At the very least it says loud and clear my normal is NOT normal.