Guess What…?!


I’m taking another blogging break.

I know I haven’t really returned from the last one fully yet, but there is a different reason for this break. I have only gone and developed Bell’s palsy, and the whole right side of my face is paralysed.

I have a gorgeous smile on the left side of my mouth, and nothing on the other. I can now blink with only one eye. Flare one nostril. Pick up different sounds with my right ear. And I have a gorgeously smooth forehead – on the right side.

I can’t close my right eye, so I have to sleep with an eye mask on, and use eye drops to stop my eye drying out. I’m taking steroid medication for the muscle loss.

I have to get as much rest as I can, although I am still working and concentrating on computer screens, so I have to try to get a balance between being on screen and off, which is why I’m taking time away from my own computer.

Hopefully, this won’t be for too long, but we shall see. I can’t in all honesty stay away from Blogland for that long, so I’ll undoubtedly be popping in and out as I love reading your posts, even if I do so only as a lurker. I’ll probably be liking more and commenting less, but again we shall see there as well.

It’s only my face that’s affected, and the rest of me feels fine, and I’m handling what has happened OK. I can even see the comical side of it… especially when I laugh. When I laugh, it sets others laughing, which makes me laugh more, so they laugh more – and so on. In the end, I have to say “Don’t make me laugh… you won’t like me when I laugh.” And we laugh.

It’s a reminder really… anything can happen at any time, which makes it all the more important to enjoy the moments before that ‘anything’ happens. And really, more than ever, to keep Feeling Good.

I was going to switch the comments off for this post, but I’ve decided to leave them on. If you do leave a comment, I will try to reply as soon as I can… and this goes for all of the other comments on the other posts you’ve left recently that I’ve failed to reply to.

I shall apologise for this delay, and advise that normal service will be resumed in due course.

Keep smiling! Open-mouthed smile

47 responses to “Guess What…?!”

  1. colonialist avatar

    mutter, grumble Everyone is trying to upstage me with medical problems. Well, at least you do do things by halves!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Sorry, Col. Half smiling here now as well!

      Like

  2. anotherday2paradise avatar

    A good sense of humour always comes in handy, Tom. Hope you see some improvement very soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Aw, thanks, Sylvia. Here’s hoping.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Visionkeeper avatar

    Well now TL, I do hope all goes well for you and things clear up sooner rather than later. Very sorry to hear about this. That must be a very frightening experience when it first happens! There is a lesson to be learned within the trauma TL…There always is and most often it is for the better. Out of all bad comes good my friend. Sending blessings and healing your way. Rest well ….VK ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, VK. Yes, I’m seeing positives. I wasn’t too frightened as the symptoms seemed to appear gradually, but I had to be tested for other things, in case it was a stroke I’d had, and I did feel a little worried in the hospital… and the ambulance that took me there. Still. I was treated by very nice people… although they all told me my blood pressure was high. Just resting now and not doing what I said, and popping on here before I log off properly for my break.
      Thank you for your kind words, VK.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Visionkeeper avatar

        Scary stuff TL….I hope you get better quickly and are back in the game 100%…Regain your strength and stay restful. Sending prayers your way…I hope the mansion takes good care of you 🙂 VK

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Tom avatar

          I’m getting there, VK, and being looked after wonderfully.
          Thanks, again.

          Liked by 1 person

  4. bcparkison avatar

    Oh Tom..something is always jumping in our way. But I have to ask…Have you had any toxic ‘shots’ lately?Something caused this…It doesn’t just fall out of the sky…well…actually some of the toxic stuff does but hopefully youll get this thing beat.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Beverly. It is certainly a different experience. It just happens, this condition, for unknown reasons… or perhaps to the select few. Stress or virus could also bring it on… and it is that time of the year… I’m hoping for a swift improvement, but it has to run its course. Thanks for commenting, Beverly.

      Like

  5. Susan Feniak avatar

    I will leave a comment and don’t you even worry about answering. Take care of yourself. Feel more like yourself soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Susan.
      I have more movement in my face now, although not complete just yet. I’m loving the resting, which has to be helping the recovery.

      Like

      1. Susan Feniak avatar

        Keep getting better Tom. Enjoy that resting.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Tom avatar

          The resting is one thing I love doing, Susan! 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  6. CMStewart avatar

    Best wishes for a quick recovery, Tom! 🙂 Now’s the time to relax and pamper yourself.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, CM.
      The resting, relaxing and pampering is just what the doctor ordered. Bliss! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Elaine avatar

    I’m a strong believer that things happen for a reason Tom, maybe to slow us down to see things that we are missing or lead us along different paths. Acceptance even though we don’t like the things that are happening to us makes it easier. Feel the love from everyone on this site and keep smiling because we all know that our smiles come from within. 😉❤️😇

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Elaine, and your smiles from within comment is very true.
      I’ve been enjoying a lot of relaxing lately! And I’m now smiling externally just a little better.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Tom avatar

          Hehehe. Not quite as 😏 now!

          Liked by 1 person

  8. joylennick avatar

    Your upbeat attitude is so commendable, Tom. Here’s wishing you a speedy and complete recovery. I do agree that we all have our ups and down times, but carry on with your way of thinking and, with lots of hope (piled high) you’ll recover soonest .(Hubby and I have both conquered cancer.) Upwards and onwards. Hugs x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Joy – thank you.
      Keeping positive certainly helps with our ups and downs. Onwards and upwards indeed.

      Like

  9. Val Boyko avatar

    Take good care Tom. Blogland is always here for you when you are ready!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Val.
      I pop in for a quick read every now and then, in between napping and resting. It’s all good! 😀

      Like

  10. Halim avatar

    I hope you get well soon, Tom. Cheers!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Halim.
      Since my post there has been a marked improvement, although not 100% yet I’m getting there.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. BeckyB avatar

    Take care of yourself, and hope both sides are smiling soon xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Becky.
      Yes, the inside has always been smiling, and so has the left side. The right side is perking up a bit now! 😀

      Like

      1. BeckyB avatar

        That’s excellent news 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Soul Gifts avatar
    Soul Gifts

    Oooh, Tom, so sorry to hear this, But, it is a good excuse to get lots of rest. So do that. Rest.Recover. Always in the knowledge that you are surrounded by lobe and blessings. xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Hehehe! Thanks, Raili.
      I’m getting plenty of rest. Well, was, and I’m now making sure I still am again! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Soul Gifts avatar
    Soul Gifts

    Umh – that would be love 😁😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      😀 Hehehe.
      I knew that! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Chris Hall avatar

    Look after yourself, Tom. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Chris. I’m improving already, which is quite good, I’m sure!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. rugby843 avatar

    No worries, well be here

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      I will keep checking, Cheryl! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Diane Henders avatar

    Bell’s Palsy sucks! I haven’t had it myself (and hope I never do), but a couple of my friends have had it. No fun at all; although kudos to you for finding the funny side. I hope your bout with it is short! Listen to your doctor and take it easy – sending good wishes your way… 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Bell’s palsy does indeed suck, Diane, unless you need to suck, and then it doesn’t! Hehehe. I’ve found novel ways of drinking through a straw! It’s actually a novel experience to go through… when I couldn’t move any of the right side of my face, I couldn’t ‘feel’ it, but now that I can partially move it, I can ‘feel’ the non-moving parts. Most odd.
      And thank you. Your wishes are working.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. niasunset avatar
    niasunset

    Dear Tom, I am sorry to hear this, I hope and wish you to feel better soon. Love, nia

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thank you, Nia.
      I’m getting there, things are improving.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. samanthamurdochblog avatar
    samanthamurdochblog

    Sending a heap of autumn colored best wishes 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁 Feel better soon my friend and no worries about your tempis fugiting…😁x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Samantha. I’ve been recovering wonderfully thanks to plenty of rest. Now about them tempis fugits…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. samanthamurdochblog avatar
        samanthamurdochblog

        Tom – if you catch some tempis PLEASE can you send them my way…mine seem to have all run away, vanished in the mist… !! Glad to hear you’re feeling better though 🙂 x

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Tom avatar

          Hehehe! I think I saw that you’d noticed I managed to grab a handful… 😀 😉
          I hope you’re gathering more of the correct pace now, Samantha.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. samanthamurdochblog avatar
            samanthamurdochblog

            I have time…well a little…but also the attention span of a butterfly – ooh what’s that over there?!”

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Tom avatar

              I know what that feels like, Samantha.
              I’m actually meant to be looking for a book online now…

              Liked by 1 person

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