My Journey Overcoming Bell's Palsy
Last August, I felt as though I was on quite the roll with writing my blog, maintaining my GPA as a graduate student, I had recently finished performing in our local theatre production, I was homeschooling my children and I worked for the theatre where our family frequently participated in shows. In a matter of days, all of that changed...well, most of that changed. I had a tender spot on my right ear (later I learned it was a cold sore) and literally over night, the virus began to affect the nerves on the right side of my face. This condition is known as a Bell's Palsy.
I couldn't move my mouth on that side, couldn't raise my eyebrow (although now I could cock my eyebrow!), couldn't blink, and drooled often. I had no control over that side of my face. It was horribly terrifying, but as an EMT, I understood the condition, possible treatments, and that I was covered by the Word of God! Because I couldn't blink, my eye would get dry and watered consistently. It was incredibly frustrating to have no control over even just one side of my face. And worst of all was that I couldn't smile.
Since it happened on a Sunday morning, I went up for prayer and knew I had received my healing. The next several months were a big lesson in patience and vanity for me. I had to come to terms with the fact that I was still the same person, but I looked differently than before. It took a lot to get me to come back out of my shell from hiding and seclusion, but with the Lord's help I overcame this situation.
Now, nine months after the initial onset of the palsy, I'm almost back to 100%! I have some residual nerve pain, but it is definitely bearable and I feel like my old self once again. Through the combined prayers of my friends and myself, I have seen my healing manifested. I additionally pursued cold laser therapy with my chiropractor (who is a Christian and prayed with me also!), and gathered as many friends to join alongside me to stand with me for the healing to come to pass.
Here's a picture of me on Mother's Day weekend so you can see the improvement.
Bell's palsy about 3 weeks after initial symptoms |
I couldn't move my mouth on that side, couldn't raise my eyebrow (although now I could cock my eyebrow!), couldn't blink, and drooled often. I had no control over that side of my face. It was horribly terrifying, but as an EMT, I understood the condition, possible treatments, and that I was covered by the Word of God! Because I couldn't blink, my eye would get dry and watered consistently. It was incredibly frustrating to have no control over even just one side of my face. And worst of all was that I couldn't smile.
Since it happened on a Sunday morning, I went up for prayer and knew I had received my healing. The next several months were a big lesson in patience and vanity for me. I had to come to terms with the fact that I was still the same person, but I looked differently than before. It took a lot to get me to come back out of my shell from hiding and seclusion, but with the Lord's help I overcame this situation.
Now, nine months after the initial onset of the palsy, I'm almost back to 100%! I have some residual nerve pain, but it is definitely bearable and I feel like my old self once again. Through the combined prayers of my friends and myself, I have seen my healing manifested. I additionally pursued cold laser therapy with my chiropractor (who is a Christian and prayed with me also!), and gathered as many friends to join alongside me to stand with me for the healing to come to pass.
Here's a picture of me on Mother's Day weekend so you can see the improvement.
Lyn,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your illness. I pray the Lord Jesus would make you well and cast out the enemy.
Thank you, Renee! I am doing so much better even than I was back in February. The Lord daily continues to heal me!
ReplyDelete