9 months post surfing accident

9 months and still counting.......

Me and my 3 darlings.  It is not the best photo of me, but it is real.

I recently had a check up appointment with my Neurotologist, Dr. Kunda.  She is such a fabulous doctor, kind, compassionate, attentive, thorough, and oh so intelligent.  I have enjoyed meeting her every couple months.  She monitors my progress and gives me helpful tips for how to best care and maintain my health with regards to secondary problems I have had to deal with due to my facial paralysis.


From my last visit she said I was at a grade 3 moving towards a grade 2, which is great because it is showing that I am continually progressing.  The last time I saw her about 4 months ago I was at a grade 4 progressing towards a grade 3.  I have continued to have slow gradual improvement for the past 9 months.  She said that I would have the most improvement within the first year of the injury.


So, at a grade 3-2 I can somewhat smile, with a smirk.  If I try to make a big normal smile my face becomes very asymmetrical and it looks very strange.  Since I can close my left eye again, which is a huge blessing, my eye squints a lot more and I don't have as much control over it.  So, I have to continuously think to try and open it up when I try to smile.


I am so thankful I can close my eye again.  That was the biggest thing to deal with on a day-to-day basis, putting my eye drops in my eye to keep it hydrated every couple of hours, and taping it shut every night.  I did that for about  7 months.


I still prefer to chew my food on the right side of my mouth because my muscle control on the left side is still pretty weak.  I can blow up floaty toys now, using my finger to help with lip closure, but still not balloons.  I tried to blow bubbles with my kids the other day and thought it would be no problem, but I was surprised that Naomi was blowing way more bubbles than me.


When I stop and think about how I look I am surprised at my ability to continue to interact with people around me.   Sometimes, when I stop and look in the mirror.  I think wow is that how I really look when I talk, smile, and laugh with people.  For the most part, I don't allow the injury to keep me from doing what I do each day.  There is a quote from Elder Hallstrom that I just love.  He said, "never let an earthly experience dismantle you spiritually".  I know through this challenge in my life I have developed a more personal relationship with my savior Jesus Christ.  He has given me peace, comfort, guidance, and much more strength beyond my own. He has made me a better mother and wife.  This challenge has taught me so much about myself.  My outer layer may appear different, but I am still the same person on the inside, maybe a little more humble and compassionate.    And that is a very good thing. For that, and so many other reasons, I am grateful for this challenge in my life.  
Here's to gradual improvement both inside and out......