Day 22, BPP-10: "Your Face Is Back!"

A Wrinkle At A Time

As I walked into my office yesterday afternoon, a co-worker, after not seeing me for a day, exclaimed “David! Your face is back!” Prior to having Bell’s Palsy and the way we playfully joke with each other at work, a comment like that would probably have been followed by a witty punch line. This time however, it was sincere. And it was nice to hear too.

The word on the street is that my smile is returning to the right side of my face. All the things that make a smile possible – mouth turning up, squinting of the eye, raising the eyebrow – are returning to normal, a wrinkle at a time. Who would have thought wrinkles were a good thing? I do now.

Side-by-Side Progress Pictures #4

After three weeks, I think the following pictures are a significant milestone. I’m doing my best to take natural-looking photos. If it looks like I’m smirking – I apologize.

Pictures in the left column were taken Saturday, April 12th, 2008 (except where noted on the side profile smiling photos).

Pictures in the right column were taken this morning, Wednesday, April 30th, 2008.

Straight Face 04/12/08:

Straight Face 04/30/08 (Today):

More Progress Pictures…

Smile 04/12/08:

Smile 04/30/08 (Today):

Eyes Closed 04/12/08:

Eyes Closed 04/30/08 (Today):

Raised Eyebrows 04/12/08:

Raised Eyebrows 04/30/08 (Today):

Smile – Left Side 04/16/08:

Smile – Left Side 04/30/08 (Today):

Smile – Right Side 04/16/08:

Smile – Right Side 04/30/08 (Today):

Still Recovering

As far as what still needs recovery:

I’m still waiting to get the full sense of taste back on the right side of my tongue. My right eye doesn’t seem to water or tear up like my left eye yet. My right sinus seems to get drier than the left. Loud noises or me speaking in a loud voice causes a “booming” sound in my right ear – this is pretty uncomfortable. Right eyebrow raises partially. The muscle in my right cheek doesn’t contract like the muscle in my left cheek.

Check back for an update!