Bell's Palsy

I have developed Bell's Palsy. It set in over the weekend. On Saturday morning my tongue went numb and things began to taste funny. Yesterday I woke up and had trouble eating my cereal. It was difficult to keep the right side of my lip closed.

Then I noticed I had trouble blinking and my right eye was watering.

This morning I began to have pain behind my right ear. I'm not exactly sure what else to say other than I simply look like a stroke victim. It's not noticible at first, but once I begin talking it's readily apparent.

There is no cure for Bell's Palsy and it is a temporary affliction. I should be fully recovered within a few months, tops. But until then, the regiment is fairly extensive.

First I have to take a two-week long splurge of steriods to keep my facial muscles from deteriorating. Then I must use an eye ointment to keep my right eye moisturized.

As you can imagine, this isn't exactly what I was looking forward to in the spring of '06.

The only possible cause I can think could be stress. Remember when I spoke on success? I said to be busy is to be successful. Needless to say, I've been incredible busy. I've been writing articles for StarCityGames, I've been writing, developing and designing for Worlds Apart, and at work we're gearing up for our huge annual conference. Between designing and planning and coordinating and worrying about timelines and what is getting done when, I may have caused this on myself.

Who knows what causes things with no direct causes. All I know is, I'm stuck like this for the near future.

Because I'm the kind of guy who laughs at life, I'm not too worried about it. I think it's funny and sad and interesting but ultimately frustrating. I just hope it doesn't interfere with my duties as a dad, husband, writer, or employee.

Thanks for reading and bearing with me as I learn to live without half of my face working properly. I'm sure this will all be over soon enough.

Turned into someone that you only know
When you're falling through your clothes