Dear ‘Looking for Normal’

When Does Life Actually Feel Normal Again?

Dear Transplant,

Everyone keeps telling me: “Now you can get back to normal.”

But what if I don't know what normal is anymore? My life before transplant feels far away.

My life after transplant is different. So, when does it actually start feeling normal?

— Looking for Normal

Dear Looking for Normal,

Maybe the goal isn't to get your old life back.

Maybe it's to build a new one.

Transplant changes people.

It can change your priorities, relationships, perspective, routines, fears, and dreams.

You may discover that “normal” isn't going back.

It's moving forward.

At first, life may revolve around your transplant.

Eventually, you may notice something wonderful:

You're making plans without thinking about your illness first.

You're laughing without realizing you haven't thought about your labs all day.

You're planning a vacation.

You're celebrating a birthday.

You're making memories.

You're living.

And then one day you may realize:

Transplant is still part of your story—but it isn't the whole story anymore.

There may not be one magical day when everything suddenly feels normal.

Instead, normal sneaks back in little by little.

Let it.

— Dear Transplant