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Bell's Palsy Journal - My Bell Palsy Experience, Bell Palsy Symptoms, Bell Palsy, BellPalsy.com, My experience with bell palsy, my day to day journal of my bell palsy experience, bell pasley information, bell palsy, bell-palsy, bellpalsy.com, bel, bell, palsey, symptoms, information, journal, log, daily
The Patient
I am a 36 year old white male. I'm 5'6 and weight apx. 170 lbs.. I am in reasonably good health. No major health problems.
I am married with two 3 year old sons.
I would say that my stress level is usually on a very high level. Recently, I have had an extra amount of stress due to my businesses growth, having to small children and having a new home being built all at the same time.
Before the Doctors Diagnosis
The Week of Sept. 17th to 21st, 2001- I noticed a swelling and irritation on the right side roof of my mouth. I didn't think much of the time and remember thinking that I must have some type of sinus problem. The swelling stayed the same throughout the week and the irritation got a little worse. I started to notice that I was getting a headache.
I remember laughing and telling with my wife that I had dripped some soda on my shirt while taking a drink from a cup.
Sept. 22st, 2001- Friday Night - I remember that I felt a headache that kept building in strength and by that night. Woke me out of a deep sleep, took some aspirin and tried to go back to bed.
Sept. 23nd, 2001- Saturday - I remember feeling fine for most of the day. Later that night I started to feel that something was happening to the right side of my head. Again I was woken up by a bad headache that now felt more like an earache. I was still thinking that the pain may be caused by pressure from my sinus problem or that the pain from my sinus is radiating pain to the right side of my head. It must be caused by what was going on in my mouth.
Sept. 24th, 2001 - Sunday - I woke up and realized that something felt out of sorts with the right side of my face. Nothing major just not normal. I spent the day outside with the kids and monitored myself. By the evening. I was starting to think that if it were not any better. That I should go by the doctors office in the morning.
After the Doctors Diagnosis
Day 1 - Sept. 24th, 2001 - Monday - I woke up in the morning and remember realizing that something has definitely happened to the nerve in my face. The right side of my face felt like it had been shot with Novocain. It was hard to make my p's, b's & f's. I started to think that it I may have had a stroke but realized that nothing was wrong with my right arm/side. Once I described the problem to the doctor. He checked me out physically, took my blood pressure which was 120 over 88 and tested my hearing and eyes. He diagnosis Ed my problem as Bell Palsy, explained some of the causes and effects and explained that it usually only lasts about three weeks. They took some blood to insure that there were no other problems that might be causing this problem and told me to schedule a follow up appointment in three weeks. My doctor prescribed Pregnazone to help keep the nerve from inflaming more.
I went back to the office for a little bit and tried to deal with what was happening to me mentally. I kept trying to think about why this was happening to me. Am I not taking care of myself enough?, Too much stress ? I called my wife to let her know what was diagnosis Ed and made it a short day at the office. I spent the rest of the day at home trying to deal with my circumstances. -
Day 2 - Sept. 25th, 2001 - Tuesday - I stayed at home today, relaxed, took my medication and tried to deal with the thoughts of this being permanent. Trying to be understood while talking is next to impossible. Drinking from a cup was an adventure and eating from the right side of my mouth was tough. I started to do some research on the internet and found some facial exercises that I could do.
Day 3 - Sept. 26th, 2001 - Wednesday - I decided to take another day off and explained to the girls in the office that I would be needing their help for the next few weeks to insure that everything in the office runs smoothly. My wife Linda has started to to control of the situation. Insuring that I not get stressed out and relax. She read in the handout that the doctor gave me that stress may be a cause in part to my Bells Palsy.
Day 4 - Sept. 27th, 2001 - Thursday - I'm still taking my meds and generally don't feel any pain. I'm finding it hard to communicate and noticed that my right ear is very sensitive to loud sounds. I'm putting in about a half a days worth of work. I'm having my assistant handle most of my calls for me and just doing paperwork type of work. My wife Linda is trying to keep my life as stress free as possible. And I'm just trying to deal with this and trying not to let it get to me. My brother showed up at the office today without notice. He found out this morning and stopped everything and drove up from Boynton Beach, Fl. to see if he could help out. Once he got here I think he got some relief that I was o.k. and able to function in a normal manner for the most part. I told him that I loved him and that I appreciated his concern but that I was able to handle everything for now. It was nice to know that I've got his support if I needed it.
Day 5 - Sept. 28th, 2001 - Friday - No Changes Good or Bad. Today. Staying with my meds. Spent a half a day at work and just trying to take it easy. My son Zachary said that my smile is broken and even though I'm trying not to smile because it looks so odd. That made my day. He's help remind me that I should keep my sense of humor through out this ordeal and deal with it one day at a time. We called my Dad and Sandra today to let them know. They were concerned but I assured them that everything would be o.k. My dad told me that he remembered his mom having Bells Palsy when he was a kid. She had an almost full recovery which I think gave him some relief.
Day 6 - Sept. 29th, 2001 - Saturday - I spent a relaxing day with the boys and in general, just took it easy. No improvements. I'm taking my meds and have started to do facial exercises. At night. Linda does gives me facial massages and I am constantly insuring that my right eye stays moist. I'm continually manually blinking my right eye and am using eye drops.
Day 7 - Sept. 30th, 2001 - Sunday - Another relaxing day and another day with no improvements. I'm starting to get concerned that I might not recover. I keep telling myself to stay positive but sometimes its hard. I'm doing a lot of research on the internet and am trying to get as much information as possible about this disease.
Day 8 - Oct.1st, 2001 - Monday - Mom called upset that I hadn't called her or my sister Rainey in Alaska. I understand how she feels but I'm just trying to deal with this. I'm really not in the mood to broadcast to everyone that this has happened to me.
Day 9 - Oct. 2nd, 2001 - Tuesday - No Improvements. I'm trying to fight the negative feeling I'm feeling about why this is happening to me and if I'm ever going to improve. I'm getting a little more comfortable at work but for the most part I'm trying to take it one day at a time and hope that I will see some improvement soon.
Day 10 - Oct. 3rd, 2001 - Wednesday - No Improvement. I've come to the realization that I have been burning the candle at both ends and that I have to much going on in my life. A positive from contracting this disease is that I realize my mortality and am refocusing on the things that are most important to my. My family, my health and the quality of my life. I'm an accomplishment junkie. I love the feeling I get from accomplishing things but that leads to having to many things going on at the same time. I am rethinking how I am going to go about getting things done, how I prioritize my goals and am going to make sure that I have a lot more quality time with my family. I think that I have always kept a good balance but I'm going to make sure that I put more focus on my personal side and less on with achievements and work. The most important thing that I accomplish is to insure that I spend as much quality time with my family.
Day 11 - Oct. 4th, 2001 - Thursday - I'm starting to feel that I am dealing better with my Bells Palsy. I had a good day at work but I'm still trying to keep my stress level low. I'm spending about 6 to 7 hrs. a day at work and things are starting to really get back to a somewhat normal state at work. Linda has been very supportive and is also helping me keep my stress level at home very low. I'm trying to stay positive throughout this experience.
Day 12 - Oct.5th, 2001 - Friday - We had my Dad & Sandra over for the weekend and I could tell that they were concerned. Before I got home from work. Linda jokingly told my Dad to not react when he sees my face. So when I walked in, I could see the relief on his face. I laughed at the story and then they could see my half smile. They thought that my left side of my face was effected. I showed them that it was my right and they seemed to find some comfort in my explanations. Sandra said that I have a sinister smile now. It was funny. We had a good
Day 13 - Oct 6th, 2001 - Saturday - We took the boys out to play and pick up a few items. We had a good day spending time together. I think that by the end of the day my parents could see that I could fully function in my daily activities and I'm glad that they were able to see that no matter what, I'm going to be all right.
Day 14 - Oct. 7th, 2001 - Sunday - I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm either dealing with this better or that I'm having some small improvements. It's easier to use my mouth. Had a relaxing day and went golfing with my brother in law. It's still hard dealing with my Bells Palsy when I try to speak to strangers and in insuring that I protect my right eye. I have started to wear sun glassed to protect my eye and am continually keeping the eye moist.
Day 15 - Oct.8th, 2001 - Monday - I'm feeling a little better about my recovering every day. It seems as though it's easier to talk and I'm speaking more clearly. I don't know if I'm dealing with this better or if I'm having small improvements on a daily basis.
Day 16 - Oct. 9th, 2001 - Tuesday - Had a rough day at work. I had to deal with a few customer complaints and its hard to have a conversation without being concerned with how I'm sounding over the phone. Most of my day is spent on the telephone with customers and that has been my biggest challenge since I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy.
Day 17 - Oct. 10th, 2001 - Wednesday - Each day seems to bring little improvements. Very minor and I don't think that most people notice but I do. Things are starting to get a little easier to deal with each day. I'm lucky to have so many supportive people in my life. The girls in the office have been great and My wife Linda couldn't be more supportive. She has been strong throughout this ordeal and I'm lucky to have her as my best friend and wife.
Day 18 - Oct. 11th, 2001 - Thursday - I had a good day at work and I'm starting to feel comfortable with all the daily activities that I experienced before I was diagnosis Ed with Bells Palsy. I'm noticing that it is easier to drink from a cup and bottle. My speech is improving and I'm getting my more and more of my confidence back that I need in my working environment
Day 19 - Oct.12th, 2001 - Friday - A tough day at work but I'm noticing small improvements each day.
Day 20 - Oct. 13th, 2001 - Saturday - While doing my facial exercises. I'm noticing more movement in my right eyebrow and some slight formation of wrinkles on the right side of my forehead. I spent the day with the boys and totally enjoyed their company. Throughout my experience with Bells Palsy, I realized that one of the toughest things about having Bells Palsy is the thought of how I appear to other people. Spending time with the boys has helped me realize true unconditional love. They have not treated me any different. They just love to spend time with me because I'm their dad.
Day 21 - Oct. 14th, 2001 - Sunday - Today was a good day. I've noticed more movement in my right eyebrow. A very slight movement in my right nostril. I can tell that my speech more legible. Went golfing with my brother-in-law and shoot a fairly good round.
Day 22 - Oct. 15th, 2001 - Monday - About 3 months ago I got hit in the mouth by a golf club while I was teaching my niece how to swing a golf club. My tooth was loosened and slightly cracked by the root. My brother has been constantly on me to call my dentist to see if that might have been the cause or if could could hamper my recovery. I called today and was told that they had never heard of a connection between the two. Good News I guess. Slight Improvements every day and I'm starting to feel that I will have a full recovery.
Day 23 - Oct. 16th, 2001 - Tuesday - More Improvements. My speech is getting easier to understand and I'm gaining more and more confidence in completing my daily tasks in the same way I did before I contracted Bells Palsy. I've updating everyone of my loved ones about the improvements I've had over the past few days and that seems to have given them some relief.
Day 24 - Oct. 17th, 2001 - Wednesday - As I'm doing my facial exercises, and lifting my eye brow I'm noticing more and more definition in the wrinkles forming in my forehead. I keep showing Linda and she agrees.
Day 25 - Oct. 18th, 2001 - Thursday - My speech have improved to the point, that it is hard for me to notice anything difference in how I sound now and how I spoke before I contracted Bells Palsy. Because my business is an internet company and all of my customers interaction is over the phone. This is a major step for me, in that I'm gaining the all of my confidence back in being able to interact with my customers on a normal bases. I'm noticing rapid improvement now.
Day 26 - Oct. 19th, 2001 - Friday - Each day I'm getting better. My full smile is coming back and I am going full steam ahead at work. My wife and kids are heading out for a week to visit family in Louisiana and I've got a number of projects at home that I need to complete. I'm still trying to take it easy and will work at a slow and even pace.
Day 26 - Oct. 20th, 2001 - Saturday - I went golfing this morning with my neighbor and found out that he also had Bells Palsy when he was my age. He told me that it took him about three months to fully recover and that I should see small improvements each day. The more and more I talk to people the more I am finding that just about everyone knows someone who has had the disease before. I almost didn't even think about my Bells Palsy for the whole day. I got home and began my painting project.
Day 26 - Oct. 21st, 2001 - Sunday - Most of the day had been spent painting and watching a little football. I feel great with improvement each day. I am still trying to eat healthy, work at a slow pace and keep my stress levels low. I miss my family but am taking advantage of my alone time.
Day 26 - Oct. 22nd, 2001 - Monday - The girls at the office caught my eating chicken salad out of a zip lock bag and all laughed at me for being a typical guy. I told them that it was easy to make and that I wouldn't have any dishes to clean when I get home. I've finished my painting projects and the rooms look good. I'm sure that Linda will be happy to see what I've been able to accomplish while they were away. Each day it is getting easier to forget that I have Bells Palsy and that I am feeling as though I am getting back to normal. I am continuing to stay health and keep my stress levels low. I'm learning how to trim back my things to do list and slow down my pace a little. It's easy to fall back into old habits.
Day 26 - Oct. 23rd, 2001 - Tuesday - What have I learned by contracting Bells Palsy? What can I take way from this experience? And how can I improve my life from having this happen to me?
I think that I am more aware that as I age, I need to become more focused on my health and quality of life. I've realized how important my family is to me and how they are there for me when I need them. I realize that I'm a stronger person because of this and that I can deal with adversity, I'm more prepared when life throws me a curve ball. I'm more sensitive to the choices I make in my life. I'm more understanding of people who have a disability and how they feel and deal with their disability. I feel proud of myself for the courage I have shown throughout this disease and how my family has been so supportive. I realize that I have not fully recovered but that I'm going to get better.
Helpful Links
http://www.bellspalsy.com
http://www.bellspalsy.net
http://www.bellspalsy.net/links.html
http://womenshealth.about.com/library/weekly/aa123097.htm?iam=dpile&terms=bells+palsy |
