Well, I have had a mighty odd week! On April 17th, the day after Easter, in the morning at breakfast, I began to have a strange problem with my tongue feeling numb... foods started to taste "off" by dinner... Tuesday morning as I was getting ready for work, I noticed that the right side of my mouth was also now numb, and that I could not smile evenly, or hold water in my mouth to swish out the toothpaste.
I examined myself in the bathroom mirror and saw that the right side of my face was definitely less mobile. I started to freak out... but then reasoned that at age 34, I was a bit young for a stroke
I called out of work and got myself to a doc ASAP, and they took some blood to test for Lyme Disease, but were 99% sure it was Bell's Palsy. I was put on steroids, an antibiotic and an antiviral medicine. (Lyme Disease has been ruled out now, phew!)
Thankfully, and I really really am, I am not as bad off as some poor people who get this. It is not super obvious, unless I smile or laugh, but I talk out of the left side of my mouth and find regular eating a chore. Drinking from a cup is hard and I have found bendy straws to be my new accessory
Some people get it so bad it looks like one side of their face is melting off: their eye droops, they drool, they cannot close their mouth. So I consider myself very lucky.
It is not permanent for the big majority -- recovery usually begins in 2 weeks and most (80% plus) have full recovery in 3 months or less.
It is usually caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox and shingles -- both of which I've had. Luckily, I only have the paralysis of the "7th cranial nerve" without the shingles outbreak along it.
If any of you all have ever had shingles, you know how awful it is. I cannot imagine having it down one side of my face and near my eye! Yikes! I was lucky enough when I did have shingles to only have it 10 days. I not only took the drugs my doc gave me but I also took some "natural" remedies too, which I am doing again now: flax seed oil, chlorophyll, Ester-C tablets (mega-dosing on Vitamin C, 5 grams a day).
I do have to tape my right eye shut at night because it is stuck open on its own. I put drops in it during the day to keep it nice and healthy... no problems so far except a bit of blurry vision when it gets dry, but I'm doing ok. Still able to work and all...
So... I have been doing mundo research on BP and found it is very often associated with being under high stress, which I have been. My job is a constant thorn in my side, and the day I was diagnosed with this, I began to search the want-ads for jobs.
And I found a super-sounding one, right in the Berkshires, for Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival -- as a Marketing Associate-Graphic Designer! And I applied that night! And they responded the next day! WhoooooOOOO!
I sent in a portfolio sample of my graphic design work on CD yesterday... and fingers crossed... I will get an interview soon! Plus I am fortunate enough to have a big client of mine at my current job be a big cheese on the Board at the new company! What a stroke of luck eh!? And she is ready to speak on my behalf and happy to do it! Sounding better and better eh?
I am a bit worried about my current appearance being a strike against me, with the palsy, but I am determined to have a positive outlook, and I will just be as charming and professional as I am normally
I'm pulling for it... I really REALLY want to get a new job in a more enjoyable atmosphere with more fun challenges and passionate people, and I love the sound of working for a non-profit dance company! They've been around since 1932, and are quite the draw here in the Berkshires. They have all kinds of great dance companies come in from all over the world and perform... I am hoping if I get hired, that they have a big employee discount for shows
(I bet they do too!)
Now... onto the blessing in disguise part... With half of my tongue numb, foods taste very strange. All I can taste is sugar and salt, no nuances whatsoever. Plus, like I said, the chewing is tough to do without gnawing on my incapacitated lip
Enter in... Medifast RTD Shakes and LOTS OF 'EM! Good for ya and super easy to drink with their little expandable straws and pre-mixed perfection!
The temptation to eat anything Off-Plan is dramatically reduced
It's kind of like, why bother?! Can't taste it anyway! And it's not good for body healing, ya know?
So... I am on my way to a healthier body... and I am praying that I will soon be in a new, fresh job after almost exactly 7 years of punching the clock at my current one, and hitting the ceiling.
Just wanted to keep you all updated -- I'm not gone, I'm just recuperating and trying to spend less time on the PC these days
Hope you all are doing great -- and I'll see you off and on here!
Take care!!!
But with God's help, we do not have to give in to them...because of the strength that He gives us!
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