Friday, September 21, 2007

Not so good news

Well, after doing research tonight I found that electro therapies are not recommended for facial paralysis and may actually DAMAGE the nerve.
Oh well.
I will keep eating healthy, exercising and massaging my face though!
From what I have read it can take YEARS to recover though.

26 comments:

lryicsgrl said...

i am grateful that you investigated the electro massage.....it's a good idea to trust your instincts, always.....it could take years to recover, it's true. but, it could take less time, too!
i hope it is true that g-d gives you what you can handle.....just let him know you've got all you can handle for now, k!

i'm sending you an email......

xo

grace said...

Hi Sue, I am pleased to read that you are feeling better these days. Glad that you did research on the electro therapy before going ahead with it. Don't think about the 'years' part to recover, everyone is different, you never know..I hope it is not long for you.
be well, stay healthy, take care xx grace

Gina said...

Hi Susjoy, when I had bells palsey, it was for a few months and then cleared completely. For most people it usually does go away! So the odds are in your favor dear. You are in our thoughts, Hugs, Gina

only waiting for this moment... said...

Hi my dear Sue. I just wanted to tell you that I have had several surgeries in my life, and while none have been facial, I have been through nerve damage. In one experience, it took about two years for full healing. It's tricky because you heal so much at first and then sort of plateau, and then a VERY slow process sets in. You sound like you have come amazinly far already. So, time is now your best friend, I think.

May good things come to you. Keep the faith, dear lady.

Much Love
Natalie

only waiting for this moment... said...

Woops sorry for typos. I'm pooped today.

Also, way to go on the caveman diet. I need to be that way. I am a vegetarian and never felt better when I eliminated most processed foods as well. I need to get back to that. Once again, you are strongest when you are weakest. Look at how you inspire peple without even trying!!

:-)

Suesjoy said...

Thanks Sue- yeah I have been tested that's fer sure. I did have 4 electro sessions total - but I doubt any damage was done yet.
I was just feeling so good at that Buddhist Hospital - but I'll go back for a few more facial massages- why not?
And I did read that acupuncture without electricity is fine 3 or 4 months after surgery, so I will go back then.

Thanks Grace - oh I DID go for a few electrotherapy sessions, but as I told Sue, not that many.

Gina- hi there! Well, my palsy is from nerve damage, rather a virus so it may take longer. My tumour was really big, so they spent hours dissecting it from the facial nerve.
Thanks for thinking of me!

Natalie- Well, that makes me feel good - knowing that you also had nerve damage and it did take time.
I know I am supposed to be patient,but it's so hard. I miss my smile! Sujoy and Anjoli are teaching me how to make it look less severe. Thank you my dear.
Yeah doing ok on the caveman diet - I am not vegetarian though, sometimes I just gotta have chicken or fish. I will wean myself from the chicken eventually.
I just made a juice of 5 carrots, 2 bunches of a green leafy vegetable (I have no clue what it is- the leaves are huge) and an apple.
That's dessert - after Sujoy's curried chicken and brown rice! (I had very little chicken. I have to have SOME vices).
:)

Thanks guys! I will be strong I PROMISE.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ronzi said...

Dear Sue

Don't try to rush nature.. healing is natural and takes time. No machine or electrical device is going to get you back to 100%. Enjoy each day, love your family, your friends, and know those that truly love you back, are the one that are always there for you, good or bad.

You will be just find kiddo... glad you can feel my prayers.. they are coming at ya all the time.

Hang in there

Love Ronzi

ROB said...

Dear Sue:

I feel for you, believe me. Having just gotten over (though not completely yet) that whole pilonidal abscess thing on my tailbone. I was in misery. Just know that it's gonna be one step forward, two steps back, then three steps forward one step back most likely.

Be glad you have so many people thinking about you. People like myself, who have never even met you and probably never will yet are here for you regardless, just because you seem to be a great person. That's a pretty special thing:)

Long Live Rock!
Rob

Suesjoy said...

Dear Ronzi and Rob-
Thank you so much.
I woke up thinking EXACTLY what you both wrote. Be happy that so many people (including SO many whom I haven't even met) love you and care about you.
I just felt loved! Like I said, I am FEELING the love!!!
I am terribly homesick though. Missing the U.S. TONS. :(
I miss my friends there so much.
I will make friends here, but it's especially hard looking like this. I know it sounds shallow, and I need to get over it. I will, I know I will.
xxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

It's 11:11 and I'm seeing Rufus tomorrow!

You are here in spirit!

Laura said...

sorry... that was me. I didn't mean to steal Michelle's identity. Really I didnt! Of course, she loves you too.

Ahvarahn said...

I always find that research will always find evidence to the contrary, and hope you are getting good opinions form knowledgeable sorts. The internet will tell you that everything is bad for you. One thing that isn’t bad for you, is getting up and about and enjoying that wonderful part of the world. Are you singing? Are you writing songs/lyrics? Your new world might be the muse you are looking for. I am trying to find a bootleg copy of CTA floating around the internet, but it seems the artists are all sweet, kind and trustworthy sorts, so there is no illegal stuff going on, and God forbid, not even a whisper of any T.V’s being chucked out hotel windows or cars in swimming pools.

I need not tell you that the first few months in a new place are always the hardest. When I came here, I was overwhelmed, what with calling football soccer, and no soccer, cars with no stick shift, and the steering wheel on the wrong side, and driving on the wrong side of the road, Cadillac cars everywhere, no soccer, and Chinese food in little wire-close boxes, Disney World, and Elvis Presley, and French fries with everything. I still haven’t got over it ;) Did I mention there's no soccer?

I think about you and your family all the time, and if I am ever in Taipei, well, that could be scary. My recent surgery was done in Winchester, not MGH, and I had a great doctor, though I was ready for Dr. House. It was nothing really in the scheme of things, no more than if it was just a spot removal, and I expect to be fully operational by the end of the month and eating something less bland than cardboard with bananas ;) They say I can drive on Wednesday, which will be a relief to the dears at home, as I expect that I am driving them crazy.

Be well, be lucky and take care of yourself,
Love
Paul.

Suesjoy said...

Paul!
:)

I had a GREAT day today...mainly because I discovered a Dunkin' Donuts next to the Hello Kitty store.
I think I feel a song coming on...

NO! I am not really singing...although I started to TODAY!

Ah, I know Winchester well. That sure is a speedy recovery.

No soccer...Gosh I love soccer. Mostly (men's) soccer legs....mmmm.

I hope you make it to my neck of the woods someday. I really must organize my Formosafest. Pete and Rachel and Martha promised they'd play! (really). :)

Thanks for making me LOL (I do hate that phrase, but ya did).
xxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Eating right, massage therapy, and accupunture are all great ways to help your body recover and your face to gain strength. I looked in my Linda Page's "Healthy Healing" book this morning to see if there was anything else she might suggust to help you. Here are some ideas: Polarity Therapy, Magnet Therapy, Guided Imagery (I recommend this one), Kinesiology, and Reflexology. For the food and suppliments, the recommendations are too great to write here, but a couple of the reoccuring suppliments are: rosemary, aloe vera, ginger, sea greens, chlorella, royal jelling, vitamin C with lots of bioflavonoids, lecithin, St. John's Wart, Gotu and Kola. The reflexology point on the hand is the tip of the thumb (like from the knuckle closest to the nail to the tip), just rub the tips of your thumbs when you think of it.

love ya,
chelice and leo

Vallypee said...

Ah Sue, it's been far too long since I've been here, and I'm so terribly sorry you've been having such a difficult time since your surgery. The ups and downs are so totally reflected in your writing, but you seem to have incredible resilience and I think you're marvellous.

Don't worry too much about all the different things you read. There always seem to be articles and 'experts' who will oppose almost anything, so if I were you I would do what makes you feel good, and do what the people you trust suggest. You can't follow everything, as with all the contradictory information, you would end up doing nothing at all...or going crazy!

I remember my mum saying rather sourly when she was on a diet once that someone had told her that even lettuce will make you fat if you eat enough of it, and that tomatoes are poisonous, so she might as well eat cake and enjoy life!

Look after yourself Sue, and I will be back, I promise! xx

James Casey said...

If it's any consolation, Sue, I've never been able to stand your face, so, you know, don't rush to massage or anything. :-P

ginab said...

I wonder if swimming might or could help. There's a kind of tempered pressure in the water, very even-keeled, very gentle. Otherwise, yes allow Sean to massage your face. I am glad you researched the e-therapy. Seems more new,the therapy, besides.

What's really neat is how receptive everyone is to helping and encouraging you. Sean is a good person for sure.

happiness,

-ginab+bb

Suesjoy said...

Chelice-
I have to talk to you!! I can easily get reflexology. Thanks for the advice!!xx

Val- oh so nice to see you - you and Paul are correct - I know I can't believe everything I read, but it still made me a bit nervous. I appreciate your thoughtful comment! I am learning to be patient and take care of myself!

James- ha ha ha. :)

Gina- aw you are so sweet. It IS heartwarming - all the love around this place. It helps.
Swimming- YES! I keep forgetting to bring my bathing suit to the gym.
Thanks for the reminder!!

xxxxxxxxxx

Gina said...

Been thinking about you, hang in there and big hugs.

grace said...

Hi there sue!

How are you doing? I watched a great show on the Travel channel, it is the bizarre foods show, they were in Taipei, Taipei 101 buidling and others places around Taiwan, I thought of you.

Chris Capp said...

Hi Sue,

It's been awhile since I've made the rounds here and wanted to say hi. Glad to hear you are making progress, even though I know it comes with frustrations and setbacks. But the long-term path is up UP UP! And that's where you're headed.

These things take a maddeningly long time sometimes, so try to dig deep and find the patience. Celebrate the small steps!

And know that there are lots of folks [literally] around the world pushing for you!

We had the first big rain this past weekend in SoCal -- I'm sure you remember those! Lots of accidents, lots of stupidity, but gorgeous blue sky and green hills after. Hopefully it put off some of the fall's fires.

With prayers and good thoughts from L.A.,
Chris

Anonymous said...

sue,
call me next sunday (oct.30)
chelice

BlackVelvetLace said...

Hiya Swho, ouch about the e-therapy. I'm sure you didn't have neough of it to do any damage, and glad you found out sooner than later it's not a good thing to do. And to bolster you up, I'm stuck with my face and even YEARS aren't going to change THAT for the better! :P

~Lace~

Dale said...

Sue, a smile is a smile.

Thank you for your kind thoughts, and prayers back to you.

Love your friend
Dale

Suesjoy said...

Thanks so much Gina, Grace, Chris (yay for rain in soCal), Lace and Dale!!!

All of you: You totally ROCK and you have NO IDEA how much your support means to me.

I really love y'all to bits.
ta again sweeties!!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

http://www.formosafest.com.br/