Week 5 - Sunday
Today I am finding ways to live with my face. Carol helpfully pointed out my wrap-around sunglasses will protect my eyes from the glare of light. You thought I was going to say she had pointed out she had been finding ways to live with my face for years, didn’t you? No, it’s more helpful advice from the Bell’s Palsy Information Site.
I did look at this website myself and it makes sense of the symptoms I am experiencing. Looking at the causes of Bell’s Palsy I can see this fitting my situation - ‘the potential triggers appear to be related to conditions that affect the immune system’. Well, mine is under massive attack right now. They also cite Bell’s Palsy being quite common amongst the HIV population, again challenged immune systems.
Carol got me some artificial tears from the chemist and found the microwaveable ‘wheat bag’ to provide moist heat on my neck - both giving welcome comfort to the new side-effects. So I have been walking around indoors on this gloomy winter’s day looking very cool in my shades ….
At the moment I think I am coming out of the initial shock of having yet another ailment and moving into feeling outraged that there is more to contend with. I think anger is the healthiest response I can muster at the moment.
This afternoon, however, we enjoyed a seasonal pastime - we put up the Christmas tree. A smaller tree this year, with roots in a pot. We decided this would be environmentally friendly as we will put it in the garden afterwards and plant it in the spring. As ever, it was fun getting out the favourite decorations we have kept over the years. I am sure it took hours to do all this as I am definitely slower than usual. After the task I took myself off for a half-hour nap.
Tomorrow I am setting off to meet up with Ben who will accompany me to the hospital for my monitoring blood test on my haemoglobins and to see a neurological specialist about these recent symptoms.