Thursday, June 25, 2015

Bell's Palsy Update: Day 1,095

Let's start this post on a positive note, courtesy of the folks at Blue Mountain cards (http://www.bluemountain.com):



Happy? Good. Remember that feeling. 'Cause it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Sigh.

Three years ago today, I experienced the worst day of my life.* After a few frightening hours, I was diagnosed with a neurological condition known as Bell's Palsy, which in my case affected the left side of my face. If you are just joining me on my adventure...or have forgotten how it all played out...you can revisit my original post on the subject and read forward, starting here: http://adsit2.blogspot.com/2012/06/there-good-news-and-bad-news.html. Go ahead...I'll wait.

Fast forward to 2014. At the two-year anniversary, I wrote about my realization of how I had moved from "recovering from Bell's Palsy" to "living with the residual effects of Bell's Palsy" in this post, written one year ago today. I specifically mentioned my "new normal" in this one:  http://adsit2.blogspot.com/2014/06/bell-palsy-update-day-730.html. Yeah.

Well, here it is, June 25, 2015. So, how do I like Normal, now that it's no longer new? Truthfully, not much more than I did then. Because of the lingering effects of synkinesis (explained very well here:  http://www.facialparalysisinstitute.com/8/synkinesis.html), I still have to take Neurontin (generic name: gabapentin) daily to manage the unpredictable and painful muscle spasms in my left jaw, although I still cannot take the dosage level recommended by my doctor. He first said 1200 mg/day...which practically made me catatonic; down to 600 mg, which was still too high; down to 300...and finally down to 150, which still makes me drowsy but which allows me to function better. Thank goodness, because I don't think I can cut the pills down any further! 

My speech patterns remain the same as this time last year, with stress or excitement causing me to stutter over certain sounds (b, p, f, m, and s) and struggle with certain words (specifically the word "specifically"...;-). I also still involuntarily wink my left eye when eating, drinking, or sipping through a straw, or when I try to smile really big. Nothing has changed there. 

The other things that haven't changed are (1) how often I hear "oh don't worry about it. No one can tell." And (2) how much I still want to respond "but I can tell." And (3) how very fortunate I know I am because some people with Bell's suffer much more lasting nerve damage for many more years, and/or much greater visual evidence of synkinesis.

So, pretty much same song, third verse. At least on the Bell's Palsy front.

[Digressing a bit. Otherwise, healthwise, I'm currently sitting here in my lounge chair with my left foot on an ice-pad. Why you ask? Because I have sustained another repetitive motion-type injury, and I'm following doctor's orders to "ice, elevate, and limit use."

What now? Well, after looking at the X-rays of my foot, Dr. W said "non-displaced acute sesamoid stress fracture of the great toe." Never heard of it? Me either. Treatment: restricted activities (limit walking and standing with weight on left foot, no stairs, no climbing ladders...as if!), elevate when possible, ice several times daily, anti inflammatories, wear thick-cushioned shoes, no barefootin' it even from the bathroom to the bed(!), and STOP HYPER-FLEXING MY FOOT WHEN KNEELING & TENDING TO MY RAISED BEDS (the probable cause of the problem). Here's a link to more info if you are curious: http://www.footeducation.com/foot-and-ankle-conditions/sesamoid-stress-fractures/

I'm really beginning to wonder whether a friend of mine is right-on-the-money when she asked "is there a little black rain cloud hanging over your head?" Either that, or whether I'm right in thinking "who knew gardening was such a dangerous sport?"! Geez-Louise! At this rate, I'm going to work my way through the Physicians Desk Reference in record time.]

Ok, back on topic. I figure I can continue to sing this same Bell's Palsy song, updating my posts year after year...or I can try something different. If you know anything about me, you can probably guess which one I have chosen.

I am pleased to post that, in writing this update, I did follow some of those links, just to test them. Lo and behold, I discovered that Dr. Steenerson's Atlanta Ear Clinic...where I received fabulous treatment years ago when dealing with the acute phase of benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV), also offers neuromuscular facial paralysis retraining for Bell's and synkinesis patients. Read more here: http://www.atlantaearclinic.com/facial.htm.

How fast do you think I made THAT call? Hooray! I have my first three appointments on the books, starting in August.

My fervent hope is that, this time next year, when I write my Bell's Palsy Update — Day 1,461, I will finally be able to put that period at the end of this chapter in my life.

Until then, would someone please pass me my ice-pack?

====================
* So, how can I think that the day I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy was worse than the days that my parents died? Probably because both of my parents had suffered prior to their deaths (Daddy from aplastic anemia, and then being in a vegetative state for seven weeks; Momma from lung cancer for several months), the day that each died was a blessed release from their pain. The day I was diagnosed with BP was the day the world shifted for me...without my permission. 

Sunday, June 21, 2015

All This...and Heaven Above

"I'm just an old hound dog
Roaming around, oh Lord
I've got all this and Heaven above
Oh, Atlanta
I hear you calling
I'm coming back to you one fine day
No need to worry
There ain't no hurry cause I'm
On my way back to Georgia
On my way back to Georgia..."
— Lyrics by Alison Krauss

We are on the road again, for the second weekend in a row. And since our destinations involved Nashville and Atlanta, I thought the song lyrics above...written by one of my favorite "country" artists (she is just so talented: singer, songwriter, and performer!) about one of my favorite places...was apropos.
Last weekend, Mr. T and I made it to a very special picnic with a very special group of people: my Lunn cousins. It was held at a fabulous park in Goodlettsville, organized by my oldest first cousin and his wife, who not only coordinated everything and everyone...but also grilled the hamburgers they provided...on one of the hottest days of the year, so far! Three generations from near and far were in attendance, and we were delighted to see the duo who drove the distance from AZ. Someone said "that's a long way to come just for lunch!" But you know what? I wouldn't have missed this chance to see these folks for all the tea in China...or all the meclizine in my medicine cabinet. Yeah...I had to overcome a vertigo episode to get there, but dizzy or not, I was determined to be a part of this happy get together. And Mr. T, who had driven 8 hours to get home from NJ on Friday, got right back behind the wheel to drive us the 8 hours to get to middle Tennessee on Saturday. Go, Mr. T!
Here are some photos of the family picnic (forgive the first few, as the lighting in the pavilion was not the best):

Thomas Adsit; Julie and Jack Lunn

Foreground: Terry Lunn

Roy and Ann McGuire

Walt Lawson; Kenneth Fly; Steve Clark; Kevin Lawson; Helen Fly Clark; and Ann Brown McGuire (back)


Thomas and Patricia Lunn Adsit


The First Cousins, from oldest to youngest: Kenneth, Wayne, Cliffordene, Terry, Ann, Helen, Walt, Patricia, and Jack

The "Outlaws:" Granville, Madge Ann, Steve, Roy, Irene, Thomas, and Julie


The Seconds and Thirds

Julie and Jack Lunn

Patricia, Terry, and Jack (Sidney Lunn's children)

And even though the picnic lasted just a few hours, we got to spend time with Bro and SIL J & J...spending the night with them...and Bro T, who met us for breakfast on Sunday. We also got to meet two extended family members (Bro T's stepson who drove him to TN and SIL J's aunt who joined us at Cracker Barrel). Oh, and Mr. T and I had an "interstate 40 reunion" with a couple of my Stewart cousins on our way to the Lunn picnic! So, all-in-all, it was a very social family weekend.
Then, it was back on the road this past Friday (with the Pound Pups this time) to get to ATL in time for a Braves vs. Mets game that Missy M had arranged as her Father's Day gift to Mr. T. We made it to our seats in time to sing the National anthem...which is an accomplishment, take my word. With somewhat low expectations for a good outcome (have you heard what they did to our roster this year?!), we endured many scoreless innings for the Bravos. Then, as the 8th inning rolled around, we went ahead 2-1, and the crowd went wild! It was a great finish, capped off with the Friday Night Fireworks...ooh, aah! Loved it!



Missy M made a fabulous salad (fresh baby greens, strawberries, walnuts, feta cheese, and cherry tomatoes from her garden...with a vinaigrette dressing...yum!), while Mr. T grilled fresh corn on the cob and thick strip steaks last night, and today I made blueberry pancakes for our breakfast...with blueberries from our garden. At least we ate well before we had to get back in the car!
And we have enjoyed being together. As a family. As it should be.
Oh yeah. I've got all this...and Heaven above. Sing it, Alison!
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Remember, check out the latest post over on our gardening blog, Gardening with Giants. Click here to go there! 

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