bell's palsy

I had never heard this name as an ailment till 9 pm on 18th june 2010. I was feeling a tingling sensation throughout the afternoon on my face and was a little anxious about it. Just after dinner I was washing up and as I was spitting out, it hit the washbasin in a different projectile. I was wondering what is the matter and I repeated the process. Ditto results. I immediately called my doctor sister and she asked me if I can close my eyes. I realised no, I cannot close them voluntarily. She said you have 'bell's palsy'. Nothing to worry about, totally reversible.Take these medicines and go to a hospital tomorrow she said.

I immediately packed bags and headed back to Chennai and was there in less than 6 hours flat. Personal consultation confirmed the diagnosis, with my sister saying, ' it is a typical case'.We headed straight to physiotherapist and treatment started immediately.

Now let me explain what this is all about. The facial muscles do their job of eyebrows raising, eyelids opening and closing, nostrils taking in air, lips pronouncing clearly and keeping their shape because of nerves.The nerves originate near the ear and branch out all over one side of the face. The ear got infected (heavy breeze in bangalore that time) and was depressing the bunch of nerves. Hence the condition.

The treatment was to arrest the infection first. Simultaneously sending mild electric impulses to the nerves to get them activated.Also physiotherapy. I felt the physiotherapists who were helping me out for the over two months treatment were really ministering angels. And it was sheer magic that they were able to coax and cajole the nerves to come back to action, and helping the muscles get back their elasticity.

In the meanwhile the eyes had to be protected, as they are more prone to infection now because of not closing naturally. In the night I was asked to plaster my cheeks to keep them from sagging. I was looking quite a sight with eyes closed and plastered and cheeks plastered. It happened that forgetting my present state, one day I opened the door to some friends of my daughter. While she had told them that I am not well, they thought I am really bashed up. I had to tell them over and over again, that I am quite fine, only I look scary now!

I had to relearn vowels and how to pronounce them, I had to blow baloons and chew innumerable chewing gums and raise my eyebrows at nothing in particular.

All this was happening without mommie dearest getting any wind of the whole thing. I thought I was sufficiently recovered to make a quick appearance to their place. But what I did not plan was to give a "BIG' smile. The smile went so crooked and amma's face registed horror. All the best planned visit ended in a fiasco.

But then everything went back to pre 18th June days soon enough. God, sister, sampy and physio made the magic happen.