Bell's Palsy- A Brief Note

In reading a guidebook regarding Bell's Palsy, I came across an article with a great and descriptive tittle: "Can't Whistle, Can't Spit." How true!

Bell's Palsy- Perspective

It has been three and a half weeks since I was first told I had Bell's Palsy. I am blessed in many ways. My recovery has been rapid and noticeable. Today I smiled fully. I can't whistle yet but I am getting closer. Many Bell's Palsy sufferers do not have such a rapid recovery. It can take years. And then there are those friends whose health reports are much worse. One has just been diagnosed with colon cancer that has reached the lymph nodes, another has acute leukemia, and a third just had a pacemaker installed. Blessed indeed.

Bell's Palsy-Overcoming Fears

My biggest fear through all of this has been losing the ability to speak clearly. I make my living from my voice, teaching US History. If my students could not understand me, I would be relegated to teaching online classes which are all work and no fun. Not only that, but I believe God gave me a gift with my voice. I use that gift, when called upon to read the lessons from the Bible in church. I had two opportunities this weekend past to do that and had no problems. Today, I lectured for two hours and for the first  time did not feel any discomfort speaking or as if I had "fluffed" a word.

Bell's Palsy- Continued Improvement

For the last two days I have been able to shut my left eye completely. I no longer have a problem rinsing and spitting when I brush my teeth. A friend who had not seen me in a week remarked on the noticeable improvement.

Bell's Palsy- Progress

Since I last wrote several days ago, there has been some marked improvement. Some movement has returned to the left side of my face. My smile is straightening out. The wrinkles are beginning to return to the left side of my forehead. Most important, though, is my speech. I am "fluffing" fewer words than before. Yesterday, in a two-hour lecture, I only noticed it once. Last night, when it has been more prevalent, I did not notice it at all.

Bell's Palsy- Surprises

Two surprises actually.
I was dreading teaching summer school, two hours lecture a day five days a week, with my speech problem. But (at least after two days) it seems to be working like therapy. I am more comfortable talking and my face looks better after the workout.
The second surprise is the support I am getting. It is a strange way to find out who the people are who really care, those that are rooting for me, praying for me.

Bell's Palsy

Today I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy.
No surprise really, we've suspected it for about ten days now. The relief is that it was not a stroke or a tumor.
What is Bell's Palsy? Basically, it is thought to be a viral affection affecting one of the facial nerves. The left side of my face is affected. I cannot close my left eye completely. The wrinkles are gone from the left side of my forehead. My mouth is crooked. I cannot whistle. I fluff some words when I speak, although people assure me it is not noticeable.
I lectured today for two hours and sometimes it seemed like I was slurring every other word. I notice now, four hours later, that the left side of my jaw is really sore but my pronunciation appears to be a lot better.