Bells Palsy

Bells Palsy a very scary thing! I woke up one morning, let the dogs out, got my clothes out for the day,  went to the door to let the dogs back in. I tried to whistle and I could not. It was early and I was tired so I just let them in and got a shower and started to get ready for work. As I was standing in front of the mirror brushing my teeth I noticed the tooth paste and water drooling out of the right side of my mouth! My whole face on the right side looked like it was drooping! I  panicked! I called the doctor, the rest of my right side was good! The doctor told me to GET TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM! I MAY BE HAVING A STROKE!! then I really panicked! I called my husband who was getting off of the night shift to tell him and he told me he was on his way home. I sat in my living room with my mind going crazy if I was having a stroke should I not feel something else on my right side? would it start any minute? I was afraid to get out of the chair for fear I would find I could not walk and fall to the floor!
My hubby got home and took me to the ER. they took me right back. Checked me all over and said I had Bells Palsy.
Praise the Lord, I thought I am not having a stroke! I was given anti viral medication, acyclovir to take 5 times a day for 5 days and prenisone. I was also told I must protect my eye because it can not blink therefore it will not be able to keep moist, so add drops and tape shut at night with a night ointment. I was told Bells Palsy was caused mostly by a virus, they thought was the same virus that causes chicken pox. They also told me it would get worse before it got better. That was 10 days ago. I still have no activity in the right side of my face. Every once in a while I feel pins and needles or some pain, like pressure around my cheek bones or right ear.
Most days I am good but today I am having a down day. It happens! I find myself trying to smile every time I walk past a mirror and only half of my face smiles back at me! I am told and have done research that says this can last a few weeks to a few months, only rare cases last forever. Forever! That is very scary! I am finding out how vain I really am. I never really thought I was pretty but at least I could smile! Just to give a a glimpse of what it is like imagine you went to the dentist and got Novocaine in the side of your face and it is lasting for weeks! that is kinda it.

O well I am going to go for now. I will be back later, and maybe I will be able to smile!