Normal??? What does it mean???

As we sat with Dad today, I really started to ask myself "what's normal?" I mean he has just undergone major surgery. He wants to know (and we do too)...is everything OK. Is he responding like a normal person would. Yet, I am pretty convinced there is NO such thing as "normal" (perhaps especially in this type of situation).

Because we are unique, because we are "wired" differently, and because we bring different sets of aches and pains to the operation, how could we know that every after surgery response is "normal".

So, rather than ask "Is this normal?" I think I'm going to change my thoughts and questions to: "Is this OK?" or "Is it acceptable?"

Dad's recovering well...he's in pain (which is OK)...and he's having trouble finding a comfortable seating position (which is OK)...he's occasionally a bit incoherent (which is also OK).

He's better (less anxious) when we're there. He at least has some support and people that can advocate for his needs. I came home tonight and will go back tomorrow evening to check in on him and everyone else up there. I also realize that almost as important as knowing the patient is OK...is knowing that the family is "OK" too.

I think we are. Everyone's holding their own right now. This is no short road we're on. It's going to require a journey that has only just begun. I think that together we'll be able to make it and we'll be FINE---er I mean OK...and THAT'S normal, right??? ;-)