Bell's Palsy, Day 6

I skipped a day by mistake, but really there's not a ton to report. I did have a doctor's appointment, which went well. He confirmed the ER diagnosis and said to continue the course of the medications. He also advised patience. The recovery is different for everyone, but the fact I never lost any tactile sensitivity was a really good sign. I guess some people do. I've also avoided involuntary drooling. I guess many people don't. He said although much about the condition is still mysterious, it looked good for a full recovery.

The patience bit is something I've come to understand as I talk to the increasing number of people I'm finding out have had this or know someone directly who has. Some people get it more than once, especially if they had it as children or teens. Their later bouts last only 2-3 days. One friend had it and didn't start to have any recovery until a week and a half after onset. So, I've gotten an early start on recovery, but it appears mine will take some time. That's okay with me, as long as it heals. I'd like to be over taping my eye at night, and also be able to eat more easily, but I'm sure that will come.

Today my face seemed to lift a bit better, easing the asymmetry. My mouth seems to form a straighter line rather than drooping so much on the right. I haven't made any huge strides in new areas or strength of control, but I think chewing is a bit easier (for those who haven't thought about it, you use your cheek muscles to push food from the side of your mouth back up into your teeth--hard to do when your cheek muscles won't respond). Patience...

I've started doing my lunch time walks again. This event has has been wake up call in a few ways. After my gall bladder surgery, the weight loss Bubbles and I were accomplishing fell by the wayside. That's going to change. It's time to be healthier. The goal of the walking isn't just to reestablish my routine, though, but also to help relieve the stress of work and to increase overall circulation, which I hope will help lessen inflammation and thus speed recovery. At the very least, I'm hoping for some placebo effect.

I'm also learning some important personal lessons. I've always been a bit repulsed by physical deformity. I suppose it's only natural, but it's not right, and I've always known that. Being repulsed by your own face in the mirror is quite a revelation. Being disgusted at your own inability to eat normally is deeply humbling. It builds tolerance and empathy for others. I also suspect small imperfections that have bothered me in the past won't so much in the future. What are they compared to a working face? While I don't like what I'm going through, it will help me be a better person if I let it, so I'm trying.