Thanks to everyone who has been praying for my pirate face. It really is an honor to have people all around the US praying, many of whom I’ve never met in person. You guys are amazing!
So, I figured I’d give regular updates on this little “disorder” I have at the moment.
Well, my condition got worse. Not much, but when I posted last week, it hadn’t gotten as bad as I though it was going to get. By Thursday, I think it bottomed out. You can see from the pictures below the difference between Monday night and now.
However, I’m still grateful that it really is still a slight case. Most people don’t notice it at all. Really, it’s only when I laugh and smile that people can tell. For that I’m very grateful.
Here’s the good news that I’ve learned. It seems like everyone knows someone who has had it and I’ve been able to compare stories. The shortest bout was someone’s uncle that I met today who only had it for 10-15 days. The longest bout was someone who had it for 9 months (although I’ve read that it can last longer… but it’s rare). So, I’m encouraged that this thing is probably going to go away and life will return to normal.
So, here’s the funny thing I’ve learned. Today I taught a baptism class for a group of 15 or so kids and their parents. I learned that I have to be highly focused on annunciation, otherwise I sound a little like Sylvester the Cat. You know, “Thufferin’ Thuccotash!” So, if I didn’t pay close attention to the endings of my words, the weaker side of my mouth wanted to make slight farting noises. Not cool… but for a group of kids… pretty funny.
I am grateful for good friends though. Jonathan Cliff and his family drove through Austin and stayed the night. They brought my 4 year-old son a puzzle, but it was difficult enough, I think that they intended it for me. Maybe they were thinking that doing this puzzle one time a day would be the mental exercise I need to get my brain working correctly again. Thanks a lot Cliffs!
So, that’s my weekly health update. Keep sending prayers when you think of me.
Monday Afternoon
Sunday Evening:
Your problem is you smile too much. Stop all the smiling and laughing, and you’ll look perfectly normal.
As someone who has seen it up close, it’s not that noticeable…promise!
True funny story. As a children’s pastor I too experience a bout with Bels palsey that lasted a little over a year but it started while we were preparing for our kids Christmas drama & musical. I was directing and the kids had heard me say at least a 1000 times to watch my mouth so that I could help them with the music. Well here we are on the stage in dress rehearsal and laughter all around me from the audiance that was watching the rehearsal. So I began to watch the kids and guess what. They were watching me alright. Everyone one of them were singing out of the right side of their mouths and not letting the left side move. some even were using their hands to keep their mouths still. It was so funny!!!!!!!!!
That’s hilarious. Ha! Kids are the best. You had it for a year though? God bless you. I’m hoping for a shorter sentence than you had. 🙂