NOTE: I wrote this quickly, there’s probably much needed editing, but I am fairly tired, and will be sure to edit it later. Sorry if it reads badly. Thank you.
Well, I haven’t written a proper blog post in a long while, and at first it was just a time thing and being lazy and not having an idea what to write about. Then I did have something to write about, but it kept posting throughout the week despite the fact that it was incomplete. I was just not having time to write or the inspiration to write. Now, these past two weeks, that were going so well, something happens. The latest thing to happen is just…heartbreaking, but whatever, but what happened just before that, well, it was interesting and gives me an appreciation for…well, people who have to suffer through this.
For those who know me, I’m a walking health nightmare. I had a childhood disease that almost killed me, I’ve broken a bone despite being very non-athletic, I had an internal organ removed, that normally occurs with women in their 40s, and now…a reason why I haven’t written, but yet written now, is a bit more strange. In the world, there is a condition that effects 1 in 5,000 people, and I was the lucky guy to get it. I never knew what this was, but apparently a lot of people I know are very aware of this condition. I have, Bell’s Palsy.
I guess it sounds worse than it does, because the word Palsy is in there, but half my face is paralyzed. It’s weird thing to experience, to feel and to know that half your face refuses to move. I can’t blink, smile, laugh properly, or even look normal as half my face is animated while the other half looks pissed. I’m not complaining about it because it goes away over time. Months. But it is just a fascinating experience, and honestly, I don’t know how to feel. Normally in a situation like this, where it effects my ability to speak, to eat, to do a podcast or to even work, you’d think a person would freak out. Instead, I find it kind of funny. As I like to joke, and let people know I’ve become Harvey “Two Face” Dent, or the Phantom of the Opera, my sense of humor has now made it’s way to my face. It’s almost a prop.
An example of this is when I was at the local store buying a pair of glasses because my eye won’t blink, so it gets all sorts of crap in it and dries out. In front of me was a wee child, who waved hello to me. I waved back and tried to smile. My smile was of course, distored as only one side of my mouth went up. I knew I looked like a freak, but the child found it funny. So my face is now a part of the punchline!
I’ll leave some links for people to read more about this occurance. Just know that it came on me suddently, the symptoms came on quickly, and it can be caused by simple things like a cold virus. The virus inflammates a nerve and boom, half the face becomes paralyzed. BUT, as I said earlier. VERY few people get it. 1 out of 5,000 people get it.
In conclusion, as we speak, my face is half not moving. It will stay with me for some time, it will hopefully get better sooner rather than later, but it’s just a very interesting turn of events. I just like to collect fun and unique health problems that are non lethal (potentially), but sure makes life more entertaining.
Oh wait! Last thing! There were two celebrities who got this, so at least I am amongst their ranks. And they’re two good celebrities too. Pierce Brosnan and George F-ing Clooney. Not that I have any association with them other then they had Bell’s Palsy just like me! Hahaha! Okay.
LINKS:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/bells/detail_bells.htm
Bell’s Palsy Information Site: http://bellspalsy.ws/
