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Oct. 18th, 2009 02:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsI've spent the last few days reading at Bell's Palsy sites and forums and feel I should steal their headers and use Day 5 with Bells. However, as it's not just me I'm talking about how about we go for
I have to say, the forums are a great place to lurk. My doctors were great but there's only so much they can do, it's people that have actually had the same thing or are going through it now that have the best advice and tips. Like, it's usual for things to keep getting worse for up to 24 hours. The day I got diagnosed I could drink using a straw, the day after I'd gone out with James for a drive, got a drink and it was impossible to use the straw as I couldn't purse my lips. Trying resulted in many slurping noises and me cracking myself up, which in turn made things worse because laughing isn't fun due to being a really obvious reminder that there's something wrong. Honestly, more than the faff of eye care and difficulty eating/drinking/talking it's being able to laugh and smile I miss the most.
Learning to tape my eye has been am experience. The first night I used one strip which peeled off, so I added more when I woke in the middle of the night. I may have gone a little overboard because waking up it was like I had my own mini net of tape on my eye. The next night James went old skool Frank and gave me a cross, which actually worked quiet nicely, but not as well as buying bigger tape and just taping over the whole eye. It's not the best of looks, but better than my eye drying out. That would suck.
I've learned the best way to drink is to use a cup with a built in straw or a bendy straw and gently nip my mouth closed on the paralysed side, that allows me to suck and stops the constant spilling that was going on with normal cups. Eating means bite size pieces and constantly having to move food from where it gets stuck by my gums by poking at my cheek. Somehow I doubt I'll be eating in public any time soon.
Appearance wise my mouth looks a little better today but I'm still rocking the one brow higher than the other look, which in combination with the lack of smile makes me look like a cross between being curious and ill-tempered. Sounding out Ps and Bs is still an issue -- I'm sure Pansy spends half of her time looking at me going, the hell? Is she talking to me or what? Then again, it could be her usual cat like scorn.
My eyes ache after a while and man do I get tired easily, seriously wiped out, but reading reports that seems to be normal. All in all I'm doing okay, frustrating for sure but everything I've read says the best thing to do is relax and be patient, and I can do that. In fact, in a way it's a good thing that James' op was put off until now because it means he won't want to be out doing things and we both get to kick back and heal. Will we get sick of each other? You know it. Is it time we both need? Yep.
Talking of James. He's home and in a lot of pain right now, I'd be more worried if he wasn't the amount of metal work they've put in. Things are looking good so far, he's in a half cast for weeks and then a full one for months but he's able to wiggle his fingers which is awesome. He's on the couch right now, arm propped on two pillows and covered with blanket as he channel surfs. I found out that his operation was nearly cancelled again when they lost his paper work, fortunately his surgeon stood and yelled until it was sorted. So now all that's left is recovery.
Hee, he gets a few sentences I get paragraphs, it's all about me, baby! *g*
Right, I plan on actually tackling my in box now. I know, try and contain your excitement at that news. The usual fannish content will be back asap, so all you new people, don't worry, I'm not usually this focussed on medical stuff.
Well, okay, I lie. Maybe I am but there is a a difference between medical stuff like this and boys in CAGES with torn ears and blood and illness and hugs.
I have to say, the forums are a great place to lurk. My doctors were great but there's only so much they can do, it's people that have actually had the same thing or are going through it now that have the best advice and tips. Like, it's usual for things to keep getting worse for up to 24 hours. The day I got diagnosed I could drink using a straw, the day after I'd gone out with James for a drive, got a drink and it was impossible to use the straw as I couldn't purse my lips. Trying resulted in many slurping noises and me cracking myself up, which in turn made things worse because laughing isn't fun due to being a really obvious reminder that there's something wrong. Honestly, more than the faff of eye care and difficulty eating/drinking/talking it's being able to laugh and smile I miss the most.
Learning to tape my eye has been am experience. The first night I used one strip which peeled off, so I added more when I woke in the middle of the night. I may have gone a little overboard because waking up it was like I had my own mini net of tape on my eye. The next night James went old skool Frank and gave me a cross, which actually worked quiet nicely, but not as well as buying bigger tape and just taping over the whole eye. It's not the best of looks, but better than my eye drying out. That would suck.
I've learned the best way to drink is to use a cup with a built in straw or a bendy straw and gently nip my mouth closed on the paralysed side, that allows me to suck and stops the constant spilling that was going on with normal cups. Eating means bite size pieces and constantly having to move food from where it gets stuck by my gums by poking at my cheek. Somehow I doubt I'll be eating in public any time soon.
Appearance wise my mouth looks a little better today but I'm still rocking the one brow higher than the other look, which in combination with the lack of smile makes me look like a cross between being curious and ill-tempered. Sounding out Ps and Bs is still an issue -- I'm sure Pansy spends half of her time looking at me going, the hell? Is she talking to me or what? Then again, it could be her usual cat like scorn.
My eyes ache after a while and man do I get tired easily, seriously wiped out, but reading reports that seems to be normal. All in all I'm doing okay, frustrating for sure but everything I've read says the best thing to do is relax and be patient, and I can do that. In fact, in a way it's a good thing that James' op was put off until now because it means he won't want to be out doing things and we both get to kick back and heal. Will we get sick of each other? You know it. Is it time we both need? Yep.
Talking of James. He's home and in a lot of pain right now, I'd be more worried if he wasn't the amount of metal work they've put in. Things are looking good so far, he's in a half cast for weeks and then a full one for months but he's able to wiggle his fingers which is awesome. He's on the couch right now, arm propped on two pillows and covered with blanket as he channel surfs. I found out that his operation was nearly cancelled again when they lost his paper work, fortunately his surgeon stood and yelled until it was sorted. So now all that's left is recovery.
Hee, he gets a few sentences I get paragraphs, it's all about me, baby! *g*
Right, I plan on actually tackling my in box now. I know, try and contain your excitement at that news. The usual fannish content will be back asap, so all you new people, don't worry, I'm not usually this focussed on medical stuff.
Well, okay, I lie. Maybe I am but there is a a difference between medical stuff like this and boys in CAGES with torn ears and blood and illness and hugs.
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no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 01:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 01:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 02:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 02:18 pm (UTC)James' surgeon rocks! It would have been terrible if his surgery had been delayed again because the hospital admin was incompetent.
I'm sending all the healing thoughts and good will I can find to you and James! I hope you'll both will heal swiftly and without any complications. *hugs you and him*
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 02:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 03:15 pm (UTC)http://justinsgayhero.livejournal.com/781666.html
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 03:29 pm (UTC)Much love and hugs!!
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 03:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 04:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 04:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 05:20 pm (UTC)And you... I'm glad it's all about you. It takes some adjustment, but Bells can be tolerated. Plus, now you can REALLY get away with saying "I'll be there with BELLS ON!!!"
Hah!
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 05:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 05:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 05:52 pm (UTC)Bell's Palsy really doesn't sound like fun but yay for dealing with it as well as you can. Same goes for James, pain = boo! but wiggling his fingers = yay! :)
but there is a a difference between medical stuff like this and boys in CAGES with torn ears and blood and illness and hugs
Hee! &YOU;
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 05:54 pm (UTC)We'll both get there eventually. Thank you ♥
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 05:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 05:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 06:21 pm (UTC)Yep. The forums have been a big help, and I love that so many people the world over go out of their way to help others like this.
Apparently James' surgeon was going crazy and wouldn't even consider putting it off again. Thank goodness!
Thank you. I suspect we'll be getting on each others nerves big time soon, but much better that then the alternative.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 06:25 pm (UTC)Thank you ♥
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 06:26 pm (UTC)Thank you ♥
no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 06:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 06:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-18 06:29 pm (UTC)Thank you <3