From Hell's Bells and Back - A 5 year, 3 month Bell's Palsy Recovery Update (postpartum)
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- Опубліковано 27 чер 2017
- Hello everyone!
It's been years since I've uploaded an update video. I filmed it exactly five years, 3 months from the date of initial onset of my bell's palsy (or Hell's Bells). It took a day or so of editing, but I must say it's been bittersweet to reflect upon how far I've come.
Some may watch this and say, "she's ugly", "she hasn't healed all that much", or "look at her jacked up face", but you know what...I've heard all of that, in real life, plus some. A very wise man once told me, "never point a finger because there will always be three more pointed back at you." For those of you who don't know, they are your own. You don't know what fate has in store for you so be careful should you jest.
The beauty in all of this is what has truly emerged from the ashes of such a devastating disaster. Many blessings. A healthy, beautiful and incredibly intelligent daughter who has loads of personality and talent. A community of people who have been both helped and helpful through their own trials with Bell's palsy; who have watched and are watching me at my worst and what they know to be my best (which is still only part of what I once was in a physical sense) while offering kind words of support along the way. The friendships that have been maintained and established through thick and thin. Family that has been there for me and loved me every step of the way.
I'm happy, and relieved, that I could open up and share some of my weakest (and what some may consider "ugliest") moments throughout this storm, and although day to day life whisked me away I've been fighting all the while and all the way. In fact, I still am to this day. Smiling and laughing as much as I can, because quite frankly I'm grateful.
I'm grateful for the patience and humility it has taught me. Although, at times, I wish I could have gone about it some other way. I'm grateful that it wasn't worse and that I have regained as much facial movement as I have. I'm grateful to not have to go to bed looking like a pirate anymore, to be able to squint when the sun is out or when the wind blows, to ride with the windows down in a car, to have eyes that water and a mouth that salivates, for muscles that now actually receive and respond to the messages sent to them from my brain. They may react "wonky", but I suppose that adds character.
I may not be perfectly healed, but when I think about it. I never really was perfect. No one is. It takes some getting used to, but there is another side to this "condition"...a better side. Staying positive, getting rest and taking care of yourself is paramount even though it may seem impossible. I pray all those that subscribe to my channel or watch my videos because they are suffering, or have a loved one who is suffering this condition, achieves a full and swift recovery.
As I've been known to say, your odds are looking good, my friend, since strategically I hit the Bell's Palsy crap jackpot; so the likelihood of your doing the same is slim, right?!? If only my luck worked in the other direction I would have hit the lottery jackpot a few times over. This is my lot in life though and it's worth something...it's proven to have value. Not in a monetary sense, but in an humanitarian one. I have learned the true definition of beauty and it is not found within the confines of societal or social norms. It's not sheerly physical. It's not that shallow. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, which calls for a lot of introspect these days. One of many takeaways from this life altering event...life is short, a gift, the real beauty is all in how you live it.
Thank you...to all of you for your continued, positive support.
Well wishes!
Sincerely,
Belle
Thank you so much for your everything you shared ❤
You are amazing and so resilient. I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with Bell's two weeks ago. No signs of improvement yet, but I am trying to stay optimistic (when I'm not feeling depressed and hopeless and like this will NEVER go away). You are inspiring and have given me a lot of hope, so thank you so much for your bravery in sharing this video. And BTW, I think you look amazing - you can't tell you had Bell's and the weird mouth movements you think you have are actually really adorable.
How r u doing now, did it go away after u had ur baby & how long did it take ?!?
Thank you for the update! I was affected with BP the day my son was born...4/28/16. I'd had weird eye twitching during my 3rd trimester...now I know what to attribute that to. Anyway, watching your video is me exactly, I'm dealing with all of the same "side effects". FYI...you're beautiful! I know I hate when people tell me "you honestly can't notice it at all anymore". I'm like, "Seriously?!" because I'm reminded of it constantly...I can feel the synkinesis happening with every expression. Thanks again for sharing and blessings to you and your family!
Casey
You're very welcome. Thank you for watching and for the compliment. I'm always grateful for both. I completely understand your agitation when people say those things...in fact, it was/is one of my peeves. We have to get to know an entirely different reflection staring back at us in the mirror (many of us avoid mirrors) - it can be quite unsettling and harder than those unaffected may think to adjust to such changes (no matter how small). You can still heal...don't give up hope. The body and God do amazing things!
-Belle
Belle's Palsy Thank you! Yes. At one point early on I was constantly checking the mirror for improvement, then once a day or so, until I stopped checking. Now occasionallyoccasionally I'll notice something in the mirror that has improved, so I do believe I have more healing in store for me yet. I still have pain on the affected side of my face and take that as a good sign? I I think it's the nerves that are still healing.
Yes. God and the body are amazing! 😘
Your latest video since 5yrs ago... Hope you now totally recover
Insparational... I got bell's palsy back in 2011 and in our community nothing like that had ever happed.. I cried, felt like an outcast n i have been living like that untill i recently started watching your videos and doing the excersices and its working... Thankyou thankyo thankyou
*Inspirational
I never heard of Bell's palsy until I got it over 3 months ago, and I see no recovery yet; it is horrible! My eye won't shut down, and I left side is flaccid, and thank you for sharing your story. You are
beautiful, and have a sense of humor that makes a smile inside. Life is short and unpredictable, but when the going gets tough and the tough gets going. You are tough. Enjoy your time with your daughter and family ❤
Hi have a good day to you beautiful and thank you for the video you been sharing with,God bless you,im also suffering for this 5 years and 3months today but im not loosing hope to fight for my full recovery,i know God is with us and He listen our heart,so goodluck and always think positive whatever happens lets continue our life with God and trust and believe His will that everything will be fine.
Hi baby so nice
Love to me
Best Farid
Bangladesh Dhaka
I woke up 3 days ago with a bell’s pulsy and I was and still terrified. I am 35 weeks pregnant 🤰 and I literally cry before i go to sleep and when I wake up. It’s so depressing I swear I’ve never been this low and down in my whole life but I’m grateful that I’m still alive ❤️ watching your videos gave me hope and faith that this is only temporary. Thank you so much for sharing.
How r u doing now, did it go away after u had ur baby & how long did it take ?!?
Hi baby so nice
Love to me best Farid
Bangladesh Dhaka
I did several exercises on my face.
Hi please share what you are doing to help your affected side. I also got Bell's palsy 3 years ago during my third trimester and I've gotten a lot better like yourself but my affected side could still use a little more improvement!! Thanks for sharing!!
Happy to! In fact, I'll make that my next video. I plan to post it this coming Monday. I think even if we wash our hands of it and give up actively working towards recovery for a time...we always have that spark of hope deep down inside that things will get back to what they once were or closer to it. I'm glad you found my video useful and requested to know more. I feel like I'm bursting with information, opinions and stories about it at this point. So, thank you for that! - Belle
*still* interested in an update video even in 2021!
I wish I could recover also from my Bell's Palsy even when it will take few more years from now.
Thank u sooo much for the update. I've had Bells for 5 months now.. n have all the mis wiring like u... :(
But When did the buzz & ringing finally leave from your ear ?
Ohhhh....I plan on posting this in a video soon. I think it was really cool how it came to be and I just don't think typing it out does it much justice. Subscribe (if you haven't already) and add notifications as I'm trying to create a list of the video requests and get to them as soon as possible and I wouldn't want you to miss this one. Hang in there - and keep on healing! I hope you have have a full and speedy recovery. God Bless!
Hi Belle! I'm writing on my fiance's behalf. Today marks six months since BP onset. We both want to thank you for posting videos of your experience. He had total paralysis for 95 days, and watching your videos was a beacon of hope for us during a very stressful time. He's now about 50% recovered.
We have a question for you: His BP-side mouth went from drooping, to straight - to slightly rising. So now his resting expression slants slightly upward on the BP side. It's especially noticeable in the morning (perhaps related to eye being taped shut all night?). There's also a bit more puffiness in the BP cheek. We're unsure--as is always the case with BP--whether the nerves simply aren't done baking and will even out, or if he could be left in a permanent upturned semi-smirk. The question at hand is whether to start doing facial exercises or not; do the possible gains that could come from doing exercises outweigh the risks of making things *worse*? Any advice you could share would be gratefully received.
Thanks again for sharing your recovery experience. -Debbie and Jeff, NYC
I'm glad you and your hubby found my videos helpful. I regret your husband is having to endure this. Personally, having an upturn of any kind in his smile at this point is a very good sign. It took years for that to happen for me...but, it's happening! My affected side still has a puffier cheek. I can only assume it's due to the contracture of the muscles that aren't used properly (no fault of our own). As you know, I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you what works for me.
I usually massage my "fat cheek" as I call it and apply pressure to the sorest of areas for about 20 to 30 seconds at a time to encourage the return of blood flow to the area. That blood flow, in turn, encourages healing. Furthermore, the massaging helps stretch those taut muscles. I find it to be relaxing, so I do it while watching t.v. or even riding in a car. Heck, who cares if you're massaging your cheek in your car. It's your life and you are getting well. I like to think that my face is more relaxed on the affected side and functions a little better after a nice massage for approximately five to ten minutes.
Moist warm clothes are also very soothing.
I've had some unexpected and expected "episodes" pop up in my life that have prevented me from posting new videos. Now, that those episodes have past I will jot this down to be included in my first group of updates as others are expecting some videos from me as well. So, subscribe if you haven't and turn on notifications because I don't want to promise an exact time frame...because, well...life happens. I don't want you to miss a video you are eager to see.
As for his "semi-smirk" in the morning, my guess would be because he isn't experiencing counteractive activities while he is resting at night - resulting in those muscles tightening up again. Think of it like a cramp you may get in the middle of the night. In my experience, that is something that can be overcome. ;) Tell him to keep his head and spirits high. I hope he has a full and speedy recovery. God Bless!
-Belle
Medam meku complete 💯 recover ayyindha
pleace what you doing to recovery
The line on your neck happened to me. What kind of exercises are you doing to lift your neck so that line doesn't appear. The vertical line?
Hi Belle, I am suffering from after effects of Bell’s palsy for past 3 years. I would like to know where you are getting your treatment from. Are you in SFO area?
How long it took you to have a healing period
You are really beautiful my progress is little bit slow passes 2 month still long way to go don't know will I get my smile fully back can't blow air in mouth muscle are pretty weak
Hi,im 8 months pregnat..and i have bells palsy now...im so depressed but ill never lose hope,i know i can pass this trials...wat exercise do you do??
I'm 7mos Pregnant & 2wks in being diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, it sucks & it's very depressing !!! 🤦🏽♀️😔
Hi Belle! Fellow pregnancy BP survivor here - I would love to connect with you but as having trouble sending you a PM. Any advice? Thx!
my handle at the g :)