I
am writing to share an update about my health.
I
went to the ER seven months ago today.
That date seems so long ago, as if time has gone by slowly. I remember reading about my first diagnosis,
Bell’s Palsy, and learning that it could take up to six months to get
better. I never thought back then that I
would still be struggling with this illness in 2020. Then, I remember reading about my second
diagnosis, Ramsay Hung Syndrome, and being told by the Neurologist that this
could take months to years to heal. It’s
hard to accept that I am still sick and not better yet.
Although,
I am getting better. I’m not healed yet, though, but I am healing.
A
good sign, no, a great sign is that
I’m back to work. I returned to CSU
Global last week on Tuesday and received the warmest welcome from my
colleagues. It felt good to connect with
people I’ve missed so much and who expressed how much they had missed me too,
with abundant offers of support and help.
I’m taking it very slowly as I transition back to the routine so that my
body can continue to heal. I would not
want to have a relapse. I’m so thankful
I can work full-time at home and that my employer allows some flexibility for
me to readjust to having a work schedule while still going to a few weekly medical
appointments.
So
mentally, my spirit is up and I am filled with gratefulness. I affirm that life is all about kindness and
being kind is all about love and gratitude.
Physically,
I am stronger, have less pain and able.
However,
I admit I still have a long way to go. The
virus really destroyed a lot of my nerves in my left scalp, skull, ear, face
and throat. All of my five senses were
thus effected. Even though the facial
paralysis got better after a few months, it takes a long time to regrow nerves
and rehab muscles. My left ear’s hearing
is still recovering as is my left tongue’s taste buds and my left nostril’s
sense of smell. The hardest part to heal
is my left eye because the six muscles that move the eyeball and affect our
vision are very precise, so I still have eye pain from eye strain and
blurriness. My final comment about my
body is about the pain I really continue to have in my left ear that barely
seems like it is easing up. I am not in
bed anymore all the time though and people won’t know there is anything ill with
me by my appearance.
On
a good note, I stopped taking the nerve pain medicine in mid-December. While I give thanks I had access to such
powerful medicine, I am grateful I am off those pills because they really effected
my brain. I still can’t believe I was
taking nine pills a day. Now, I utilize
herbal eardrops and CBD oil when my ear pain is intolerable.
Also
on a good note is that my yoga practice is consistent, powerful and nurturing
for my mind, body and soul.
I
started doing physical therapy with a company called zHealth over a month ago
that focuses on the nervous system and that’s been very helpful to rehabilitate
my muscles and stimulate my nerves. I
also started about a month ago getting five lidocaine shots in my upper left
back/neck every two weeks to help reduce the pain.
I’d
like to give the biggest shout-out that the human language allows me to express
to my dear husband. Jimmy has been
extremely loving, supportive, reliable, selfless and comforting throughout this
whole illness. My boys have also amazed
me with their resilience, understanding, protectiveness and even patience. My parents have been present, dedicated and
supportive. My brothers too have been affectionate,
caring and helpful. I have so many
friends to honor too and I thank each one of you who has been with me over the
past seven months.
While
sick, I read a book called “The Art of Hearing Heartbeats” over the summer and
there is a paragraph that I remember that influenced my perspective on life. It explains how every single human being
experiences illnesses, injuries and accidents.
Either directly or indirectly, either short-term or long-term, either
minor or major, it is human to get sick, get hurt and have health issues. This is important for me to realize because
it reminds me that hardships are to be expected and I must remember that I can
survive most problems that arise. Most
importantly though, I think being there for others when they are in the midst
of an illness, injury or accident is vital to our survival. Life has pain and we can help each other
endure. Love gives hope to those who are
sick and hurt. Again, it’s all about
love, gratitude and kindness, especially in times of need, pain and suffering.
I
conclude this update with the simplest reflection from my experience over the
past seven months. Human connections
help people make it through life’s challenges.
Whether with a stranger one time, with a friend tons of times or with
family periodically, connecting with each other by expressing love and
gratitude is the kindness way we can support each other between our birth and
final breath.
Namaste,
Susan
#RamsayHunt
#RamsayHuntSyndrome
#RamsayHuntSyndrome
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