So, I've finally mustered the courage to post my YouTube videos! There's something refreshing about plastering "bedhead" videos on the Internet for the world to see.
The good news is my physical and emotional condition have significantly improved. There's nothing like regaining more and more movement each day! As a wise man once told me, "you really have to feel bad to appreciate feeling good"; and "it takes feeling good, after feeling bad, to know how bad you really felt".
I felt really bad, for a really long time. Seven months to be exact! I can finally look at myself in the mirror without cringing!
-Belle
Hi Belle,
ReplyDeleteI have Bell's that I came down with post-partum, probably from being pumped full of excessive IV fluids at the hospital after a serious hemmorage after the birth of my second little baby. (Oh what we do for our little ones.) I am at about day 77, ok, exactly day 77, and have just the movement in the crows feet area you have. Anything new? I have had NOTHING else and had a complete paralysis. By the way, when you are talking on camera, you look very pretty and it is hard to tell to someone without Bell's that there is much different about you. I promise I am not just saying that. You can email me offline if you prefer. I am very glad to find you because your (complete) paralysis, timeline, and current everything feels so similar to mine.
I hope you are enjoying your little one every minute. It is THE BEST!!!!!
Hey Kim,
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your coming down with Bell's as I know how tough the recovery process is. It's much more difficult than many consider it to be, physically and emotionally. It is refreshing to hear from you and know that the posts and videos are helping! So, thank you! I'll try to blog/vlog more frequently now that I know I am reaching others in need of support.
Bell's is a rare sacrifice of motherhood; one we wish we never had to contend with. I've battled with the "why me" mentality at times and quickly realize that I'd rather it be me than my baby. I bet you've had the same thoughts, too.
And, to think you had to deal with the hemmorage issue after the birth; you are truly one tough cookie!
It doesn't come as a surprise that you know exactly what day of recovery you are in. I could tell you the exact time I came down with Bell's and the exact day I first saw movement. It is the most challenging test of patience I have ever endured...and I'm all about instant gratification. I no longer count the days. You'll get to this point, too. You don't believe it now...but, trust me.
When I first noticed movement it was literally so minute that when I tried to show others they couldn't even see it! I was so excited though that it was enough to make them happy. The old adage "slow and steady wins the race" seems to have become my personal mission statement. Ha!
What ever you do try to relax (as difficult as that is)! My recovery has seemed to accelerate with the elimination of stressors. Of course, you won't be able to eliminate them all. My baby was the one thing that made me happy for a long time! Without her I would have been admitted to the looney bin.
Day 77 is surely no fun! I remember I acquired Bell's on March 26, had my baby girl on May 21 and didn't get any movement until 21 days post partum. Movement at this point is a good sign...no matter how small. Try not to get discouraged.
I have noticed some changes since my last video. I believe my pucker is a bit straighter these days and I'm getting some of the lines back around the right side of my mouth when I pucker. Never thought I'd be excited about wrinkles...but, hey I'll sure take them these days! I'll post another video tomorrow so you can see.
Thank you so much for the compliment; I'm sure you know how much it means to me. Bell's has really taken a toll on my self confidence and that's a recovery process in itself.
Here's to a new year full of recovery and special times with our little ones! So, glad to meet you...I'll touch base via email as well.
The video is up now. :)
DeleteHi there. Thanks for sharing your story. I’m almost at a week of being diagnosed with Bells. It’s been really hard seeing the slow depletion of movement on the right side of my face. I’ll be 40 weeks pregnant in 2 days and thinking about having my baby with half of my face being broken is devastating. Hopefully you’re still around - I’d love to talk if you’re ever available.
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