Today's news was relatively good—with an emphasis on the relative. They've confirmed that my face droopiness wasn't caused by a stroke. There were no ischemic problems on the MRI.
So what is it? A neurologist just came by and was generally pleased with everything, including the fact that my droopiness extended all the way up my face. He says the cause is almost certainly a virus that inflamed a facial nerve, and it will probably take about three weeks to resolve. Yuck. In the meantime, I have trouble pronouncing b's and p's, and lots of trouble drinking water. The treatment for this, sadly, is plenty of dexamethasone, and you can imagine what that's doing to my sleep.
My counts are slowly increasing back to normal, and I can walk fine with no balance problems. I also have no fevers and no signs of neurotoxicity. So that's all good. I'm still very tired all the time, though.
Bottom line: this is Day 20 and it's all very unexpected, but getting better.
UPDATE: The latest diagnosis is Bell's palsy. No change in symptoms or treatment, though.
Focus on the goal and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hang_in_there,_Baby#/media/File%3AHang_In_There_Victor_Baldwin.jpg
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Sorry about that dex, but knowing the likely cause & relatively short recovery time is encouraging -better a non-lethal virus than some ominous neurological diagnosis. You'll overcome these obstacles with this treatment & attentive doctors!
Hold. Fast.
https://youtu.be/azMA6upM5-Q
For drinking maybe use a straw?
Bell’s palsy resolves over several weeks. Had it with a shingles infection 10 yrs ago. Hang in there.
I had it when I was in my 30s. It took quite a bit longer than a few weeks to resolve. Hopefully yours will go away soon, but if it takes longer, be patient. Sunglasses help if your eye is droopy. If your mouth makes it so you cannot smile without grimacing, I suggest wearing a mask. People will assume you are worried about a virus and won't notice whether you can smile well or not.
You are a 'trooper' and to be commended for sticking it out, putting one foot in front of the other inspite of all the unpleasant surprises you've had. We are all pulling for you and very proud of you!
Speaking of troopers, I think Kevin’s wife Marian deserves a shout-out too. It must be quite the ordeal for her now and over the years since Kevin’s cancer diagnosis. I hope this treatment, difficult as it currently is, will result in a more normal life for her and Kevin.
Seconded.
And thirded. Hang in there, both of you. And yes, a straw is the way to go for liquids.
Marian is awesome!!!
Fight on, Kevin. (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง
I hope that you don't get hiccups from the Evil Dex (like I have). https://www.google.com/search?q=dexamethasone+hiccup&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS815US815&oq=dexamethasone+hiccup
Those must be Evil Hiccups!!!!
Thank you for the update and the good news of hope.
For we do worry about you, and wish you well.
Yeah, I was reading down that and thought "Bell's Palsy."
As the great UK comic Graham Garden once said, it's a bit cruel to call it something that begins with a B and a P though.
That's not fun. Not even the same syndrome Justin Bieber had....
I hope it clears soon...and thanks for the update.
I mentioned Bell's Palsy on the 13th as something I would have suspected but which your physician had apparently ruled out or found it unlikely - must have been my old job instinct kicking in, as when- way back before it was heard of by many medical professionals or there was a name change for it - tempomandibular joint syndrome appeared to be what my manager had. He took the suggestion seriously, finding that a dentist who attended services in his church already knew about it. Palsy is less likely to be as long-term or as devastating as TMJ syndrome has been for many. Keeping up with medical journals was a benefit.
Ugh. Bell’s palsy is no fun. It’s rarely permanent but it’s why Ralph Nader’s face has been lopsided for decades. But, yeah, with prednisone or dex it can resolve pretty quickly.
Bad luck getting it on both sides at once. I’ve had Bell’s three times but only on one side at a time.
Feel better soon. From everything. Safe recovery too.
hang in there! get well!
Eh. P's are overrated.
Hang in there, Kevin. If it's any help, just imagine how much worse Rudy Giuliani is feeling right now.
Hang in there KD.
Meanwhile we shall keep the info "flowing"
It seems as though some in the information biz are finally catching on
https://www.businessinsider.com/baby-boomer-retirement-surge-spark-forever-labor-shortage-jobs-workers-2023-5
{snip}
..........The pill and the legalization of abortion sent fertility rates cratering — from 3.7 babies per woman in 1960 to 1.8 babies a decade and a half later. For a few decades, an influx of women and immigrants into the workforce kept the labor pool expanding................
{snip}
It dropped by 50% in a scant 15 years from 1960 to 1975
We are entering a decade of population retiring and half if not more trying to replace them. Its going to be a very bumpy ride
Its about time the main stream press started catching on
Maybe if we had a sane immigration policy we could keep the country going, and pay the boomer bubble of retirees.
Sorry it's a tough slog, but glad to hear it's all pretty much on track!
Glad to hear from you. Hang in there Kevin. You can do this. Patience grasshopper, patience. We're all pulling for ya.
Bell's palsy is doctor speak for "I don't know." It isn't really a diagnosis but it makes you feel like you got one. The official medical term is "acute peripheral facial palsy of unknown cause."
No, it isn't. It is an inflammation of a facial nerve that causes it to be pressed against facial bone, which prevents the nerve from activating muscles of the face.
Telling someone who is undergoing a variety of medical procedures that doctors don't know what they're doing is unkind and unfair to both doctor and patient. If you want to play the cynic, go badmouth teachers.
Bell's Palsy - who knows why anyone gets it, but being stressed with impaired immunity are probable causes. Seems like you are made to order for Bell's Palsy to show up. The doc is right about using steroids, it helps. Mostly though it's the passage of time that cures this ill. Patience is a virtue here. It does go away.