In “The Big Sick,” a romantic comedy wrapped in a health crisis, Emily (Zoe Kazan) talks about how she expected to change after almost dying and being put into a medically induced coma. She was going to do the things she always wanted to do. She was going to be a better person. She was going to see the sun rise every day.

“But then I realized I had to get up early.”

It’s a funny but profound statement on the notion of change. A health crisis such as cancer is disruptive, unplanned and requires a certain amount of emotional energy to get through.

But do you change? Do you want to change?

A friend is determined to live her life differently. She’s organizing events for breast cancer survivors, living her life with zeal and savoring every moment.

I just want things to get back to normal.

I want to waste a Saturday afternoon watching HGTV without guilt. I want to take my dog to a local brewery and savor the latest release. I want to be rewarded in my job for my creative thinking.

But something’s changed anyway. In these last few months, I’ve been reminded of the love that I share for my friends and family. Of the times I’ve helped others selflessly. Of the times I’ve accepted help, especially during chemo with my cold cap patrols.

I haven’t changed. But I’ve appreciated who I am a lot more. In a way, that’s kind of a change.