Re: AW: AW: AW: AW: TO: Beth RE Lackey Farms

[Guest guest]

You know I have been reading about how you miss being able to smile and thinking about it. I know a person who is completely paralyzed and he smiles more then I do! His mouth cannot move but his eyes sure do the job...He laughs with them. It gives me a warm feeling when I am around him. So just keep smiling...we can see it even if your lips don't twitch!

Jane

[Guest guest]

I guess that I am part of that unlucky 3% that get Bell's Palsy within a short time frame. My right side was attacked and then only 15 months later, my left side had the same result. It has now been over 3 three years since the last time and my mouth still does not have the same smile. One side droops a little more than the other. I also have had a problem with one eye not fully opening as it used to do.

Steve

[Guest guest]

, The nerve that controls your facial muscles goes through a small hole in your skull...and when the nerve swells, the facial muscles can't move...It is caused either by a brain tumor, trama to the skull, or a virus. Mine is a virus. The virus is the same virus that causes shingles...In my case, I have been under extreme stress from a divorce in 2000 (after a 29 year marriage), a remarriage, 3 moves, and then I have a very dysfunctional family. Very... So the virus is opportunistic - when you are most stressed out, it can attack...thing is...most people that get this only get it on one side...and then the other side maybe 9 years later...I have it on the second side..all within 22 months....Only 3% people ever have it that soon after one episode. It's called Bell's Palsy if you want to google it... Beth Starks wrote: How did that happen to your face? Von: thefatmanwalking_group [mailto:thefatmanwalking_group ] Im Auftrag von Beth LackeyGesendet: Samstag, 15. April 2006 20:53An: thefatmanwalking_group Betreff: Re: AW: AW: AW: TO: Beth RE Lackey Farms , I am an emotional eater...and although I am not much overweight...I use food for comfort, eat for the wrong reasons, etc...So over much of my adulthood...I am not comfortable with food...I feel like it's an addiction...I want it too much, etc. Since that picture of me was actually about 23 months ago...the summer of 2004, and I got sick with this facial paralysis, I have gained 10 pounds. Now that doesn't sound that bad, but I was probably 10 pounds overweight BEFORE I got sick, so that now makes me 20 pounds overweight. Even though I have muscles, etc...I am only 5'2" and the 20 extra pounds shows in my

clothes, and I have gone up one dress size. YUK. I get so depressed not being able to smile...I would rather have a leg amputated...I could still look people in the eye and greet them with a big smile. That is one reason I retired...I couldn't meet my students with a smile...A smile is so therapeutic for everyone - especially the person GIVING it...I have got to get over this because my face is permanently damaged on the right side...and of course, now I have it on the left. It's nerve damage....But I have made up my mind to stop hiding out on the farm...gonna start getting out more...and just go on with my life. I still need to lose that 20 pounds...ARRGGG! Beth Starks wrote: I missed the story about the facial paralysis. You look beautiful in the photos and I’m sure you look just as pretty now. Have you gained a lot of weight since then because you look slim in the photos. I wish I had that body! Von: thefatmanwalking_group [mailto:thefatmanwalking_group ] Im Auftrag

von Beth LackeyGesendet: Samstag, 15. April 2006 00:40An: thefatmanwalking_group Betreff: Re: AW: AW: TO: Beth RE Lackey Farms - The lady with the peaches and the golf club is me...before my facial paralysis...I guess that was 2 1/2 years ago...I'd give anything to get back that smile...to heck with losing weight!

Beth How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

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[Guest guest]

Beth, I suspected that was the cause of your facial paralysis. I had it in 1991. It developed over the course of a 12 hour shift at work at a time when I, too was having a ton of stress in my life. A pulmonologist made rounds in the unit the next morning and diagnosed it. He put me on mega doses of steroids and it resolved in a few days. He said the proper move would have been to send me to a neurologist to rule out stroke, but by the time they had ruled out a stroke which there was small chance of it being, and prescribed for the Bells palsy, the damage would possibly be permanent. So I have a pulmonologist to thank

for treating my neurological illness. I did not know of the stress connection before you told me, but it fits upon recollection, and, maybe thankfully, I did not know about later getting it on the other side. Maybe, since it has been 15 years, I am more or less in the clear. Another strange thing. About the same time a friend at another hospital also had it and told me that within a month three other employees there were diagnosed with it. Coincidence? Who knows. W.

Re: AW: AW: AW: AW: TO: Beth RE Lackey Farms

,

The nerve that controls your facial muscles goes through a small hole in your

[Guest guest]

, Amazing you had this. Lucky you had such a good doctor. The first time I got this they gave me meds...and because I am SO doggone stubborn about my body, I read about the disease on the internet and there were questions about whether steroids worked. My husband and I decided I should not take the meds since 90% of people get better on their own. Well, my right side did not fully recover...So when I came down with it a month ago I took Acylovir (prob spelled that wrong) and steroids....and man...the left side is so much better already, however not fully recovered. I should have taken meds first time... I'm so glad you didn't get it again...It's certainly no fun...but what sickness is? At least it's not cancer, or anything fatal, right? I have a lot to be thankful for and I'm trying real hard to beat this depression from the change in my

face. However, I'm stubborn again...doctor wants to give me "pills" for depression...Paxil, but again...I'm not taking them....Do I ever learn??? LOL I am just taking walks...resting...and enjoying Steve's forum with all you guys! Bethlabtrek1941 wrote: Beth, I suspected that was the cause of your facial

paralysis. I had it in 1991.

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[Guest guest]

Beth,

Steroids certainly have their down side, so if I had I had your information, I might have made the same choice. Not something you want to put in your body without good reason. Did the steroids make a difference? No way to know now. The antivirals available today such as Acyclovir were not around then, so that was not an option. Anyway, I am so glad it is working for you this time. Having had a manic depressive husband and now a son, also, there are times when I believe drugs can help at least that kind of depression, but since your depression has good and reasonable causes, working through all this would seem to be the rational course. One could call it a grief process, don't you think? Anyway, I hope all gets better as quickly as possible. I am off to work at the hospice for the night. Have a lovely Easter.

W

Re: AW: AW: AW: AW: TO: Beth RE Lackey Farms

,

Amazing you had this. Lucky you had such a good doctor. The first time I got this they gave me meds...and because I am SO doggone stubborn about my body, I read about the disease on the internet and there were questions about whether steroids worked. My husband and I decided I should not take the meds since 90% of people get better on their own. Well, my right side did not fully recover...So when I came down with it a month ago I took Acylovir (prob spelled that wrong) and steroids....and man...the left side is so much better already, however not fully recovered. I should have taken meds first time... I'm so glad you didn't get it again...It's certainly no fun...but what sickness is? At least it's not cancer, or anything fatal, right? I have a lot to be thankful for and I'm trying real hard to beat this depression from the change in my face. However, I'm stubborn again...doctor wants to give me "pills" for depression...Paxil, but again...I'm not taking them....Do I ever learn??? LOL I am just taking walks...resting...and enjoying Steve's forum with all you guys!

Bethlabtrek1941 wrote:

Beth, I suspected that was the cause of your facial paralysis. I had it in 1991.

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[Guest guest]

I will, Jane...I am that darn stubborn! LOL (smiling now)jjsmth@... wrote: You know I have been reading about how you miss being able to smile and thinking about it. I know a person who is completely paralyzed and he smiles more then I do! His mouth cannot move but his eyes sure do the job...He laughs with them. It gives me a warm feeling when I am around him. So just keep smiling...we can see it even if your lips don't twitch! Jane

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

, Yes, I think working through it is the best...that is so wise of you. Happy Easter to you and your family too, Blessings, Bethlabtrek1941 wrote: Beth, Steroids certainly have their down side, so if I had I had your information, I might have made the same choice. Not something you want to put in your body without good reason. Did the steroids make a difference? No way to know now. The antivirals available today such as Acyclovir were not around then, so that was not an option. Anyway, I am so glad it is working for you this time. Having had a manic

depressive husband and now a son, also, there are times when I believe drugs can help at least that kind of depression, but since your depression has good and reasonable causes, working through all this would seem to be the rational course. One could call it a grief process, don't you think? Anyway, I hope all gets better as quickly as possible. I am off to work at the hospice for the night. Have a lovely Easter. W Re: AW: AW: AW: AW: TO: Beth RE Lackey Farms , Amazing you had this. Lucky you had such a good doctor. The first time I got this they gave me meds...and because I am SO doggone stubborn about my body, I read about the disease on the internet and there were questions about whether steroids worked. My husband and I decided I should not take the meds since 90% of people get better on their own. Well, my right side did not fully recover...So when I came down with it a month ago I took Acylovir (prob spelled that wrong) and steroids....and man...the left side is so much better already, however not fully recovered. I

should have taken meds first time... I'm so glad you didn't get it again...It's certainly no fun...but what sickness is? At least it's not cancer, or anything fatal, right? I have a lot to be thankful for and I'm trying real hard to beat this depression from the change in my face. However, I'm stubborn again...doctor wants to give me "pills" for depression...Paxil, but again...I'm not taking them....Do I ever learn??? LOL I am just taking walks...resting...and enjoying Steve's forum with all you guys! Bethlabtrek1941

wrote: Beth, I suspected that was the cause of your facial paralysis. I had it in 1991. Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

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[Guest guest]

Yes, I was very much at the time. We had an extremely difficult project to complete on a time schedule and budget where I worked at the time. It was one of those situations where if everything did not go just right, then "heads will roll."

I was one of the ones who lost their job and insurance. I have since recovered emotionally and financially, but still have physical problems to this day, as mentioned earlier.

Steve

[Guest guest]

Steve, Well I am so sorry to hear you had to go through that...glad you have recovered...and thank you so much for sharing. Blessings, Beth ILOVECRDE@... wrote: Yes, I was very much at the time. We had an extremely difficult project to complete on a time

schedule

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