Fighting Bell's Palsy

After taking a bath last Friday, I went on my usual routine of checking myself in front of the mirror. I would like to know if I’m getting slimmer as an effect of my pure breastfeeding on Luke! Aside from the many benefits of breastfeeding, I know na super nakakapayat daw, hehe!

But then when I smiled, I noticed something different. Parang di pantay ang ngiti ko. Nakangiwi ako. Naka-favor sa left. Parang no reaction yung right part ng lips ko. Teka, ulitin ko nga. Change mirror. Aha, ganun pa rin. I cried. I thought I had a mild stroke. The day before, napansin ko while talking to a friend sa phone na nangingiwi ako magsalita. Pero di ko na pinansin kasi diretso naman ako magsalita after.

So that Friday morning, after noting na di pantay ang ngiti ko, I told Jay and my parents about it. I was crying. Sabi ni Jay, “Sige kindat mo kanang mata mo.” Oh no, I can’t squint my right eye! I immediately called a family doctor and relayed what I found out. He immediately said it could be BELL’S PALSY. Facial Paralysis in layman’s term. I asked if it’s related to my breastfeeding. No, it’s not in any way related to it. He immediately advised us to go to the hospital, he’d like to see me right away and endorsed me to the Physical Therapy unit. We were in the hospital in 15 minutes. When he saw me, he had no doubt it was Bell’s Palsy. What could be the cause? UNKNOWN. Up to now, puro theories pa lang. No proven fact.
1. It could be viral.
2. Exposure to extreme temperature.
3. Too much side-lying. (Pwedeng naipit ang nerves.)

Among the three, the nearest to my case is the last one. I always lie on either side when breastfeeding on bed. Pero wala naman akong kakilalang nagbe-breastfeed na nagka-bell’s palsy. Side-lying is one of the most comfortable breastfeeding positions. Saka di ba, pag- preggy nga dapat sa left side natutulog. So parang di naman ako convinced na ito ang cause.

Jay and my parents even had their own theory: STRESS. After delivery, they knew how stressed I was. Puyat. Recovery from 2nd CS after 10 hours of painful labor, etc, etc.

Whatever the cause is, this is a battle I have to fight. And I hold on to what the doctors said that this is NOT permanent. Bell’s Palsy is curable. 2 weeks to a month at the earliest. I just have to be faithful to the therapy sessions and medications.

I had to take steroids to prevent swelling of my right facial muscles. At first, our family doctor said I could NOT go on breastfeeding. I could not help but cry. I’ve exerted so much effort going on pure breastfeeding. It was just a week since I became successful on that. Well, it was to save my face daw, to avoid sagging. It was a good thing I detected the condition early. Some do because they notice facial deformities already.

That same Friday morning, I was asked to start the 6 series of therapy sessions. Iyak pa rin ako nang iyak knowing I had to stop breastfeeding. Baka nga nagtataka yung therapist kasi sabi niya gagaling naman ako pero tumutulo luha ko. More than anything, it was stopping breastfeeding that made me the saddest.

It was a good thing that while I was undergoing the procedure, our family doctor came back and told me that he had consulted an expert on steroids. And yes, it’s ok for me to go on breastfeeding Luke even if I’m on steroids. Yehey!

I was kinda emotional the first few days upon learning I have Bell’s Palsy. But then I realize my condition is not so bad.

Let me tell you why the Lord is so good to me.

1. I have this condition two weeks after delivery. If I had this earlier on while pregnant, steroids are a no-no for preggies. I read that for preggies, Bell’s Palsy strikes on the 3rd trimester.
2. I have this while I’m still on maternity leave. I have a lot of time going to the therapy sessions and check-ups. Ayoko ngang makita ng officemates ko na ngiwi ang mukha ko, hehe.
3. For some reason, I began storing breastmilk when Luke was 11 days old. I discovered Bell’s Palsy when he was 14 days old. That means, I have enough milk stored for him even if I have to go out.

It was said that my condition would go through a phase of regression. Lalala daw. Kasi for the nerves to regenerate, it has to complete the process of degeneration. That means papangit ako, hehe! Ok lang, sabi naman ni Dada Jay, love pa rin niya ko kahit pumangit ako, haha!

With the Lord on my side, this would be an easy battle. Plus the support of my family, Church mates, and friends is really overwhelming. I cannot ask for anything more.

Well, God is indeed good…all the time.