My mono thread

[Karrie]

I am glad to hear you are staying positive!!!

Just think, when you get through this you will come back strong and you will have new goals for training!!! THAT IN ITSELF IS EXCITING!!!! ;D

[beckie]

so you are doing your body a favor by having this rest then-I'm sure you'll be better than ever once you can get back to the training!
Happy Christmas

[1705total]

I am feeling much better today. Every day I get more stanima. The migraines are gone and so are the aches and pains. I do not know what any type of activity would do, since all I have been doing lately is resting and fixing meals. I have been drinking 5-8 liters of water a day ( about 1.3 to 2.1 gallons). So I am staying hydrated. The only naggie problem is my left tonsil is still very swollen.
But all in all I'm getting better.

[beckie]

Thats great! I would just start out with walking,boring I know but you want as little stress on your body as possible!

[Karrie]

WONDERFUL NEWS!!! Hopefully you will be able to enjoy Christmas tomorrow!!!!! Have a wonderful time with your family!!!

[1705total]

Yeah, I actually have to put the tree up!!!
SO thats what the family has planned today. Then I wrap the presents once the little ones go to sleep.

[Karrie]

How have you been feeling the last few days??? How did Christmas go?? I bet you were wiped out after putting up the tree. Hopefully your day went good!!

[GerryT]

We're all thinking about you, buddy. Hope you and your family had a super holiday. And keep making progress and feeling better!!

[1705total]

Christmas went well. However I felt really bad the next day. Today something was right.

I woke up this morning with no taste in my mouth. I could barely feel what I was eating and sure couldn't taste it. I thought it was a little strange. Then I couldn't close my right eye. Then the entire right side of my face felt very numb!!!
I'm tired of the ER, so I went to Urgent care (small clinic) and the doc said I have Bell's Palsy. A virus that attacks the main nerve for the face. It causes paralysis of the face. Great huh?!?!? Yeah some one out there is trying to tell me something or is out to get me. I wonder if anyone has a voodoo doll and they are sticking pins in it??? The doc said the mono has me so run down that I am extremely susceptible for almost anything. Boy thats just great!
Life is grand!!!
But it really is just a nuisence. Its not painfull, just really annoying, but at this point I saying "What did I do wrong?"

Oh well, just another hurdle.

[Hoopie]

Oh damn my friend that SUCKS!!! Take care of yourself Steve! Screw working oput for a while. Get better for yourself and your family. Take care buddy!

[beckie]

Like the doc said,its probably happened because your immune system is being hammered by the mono,try not to get too down about it,it does get better.My spleen blew up to the size of a small football and I couldn't do ANY exercise...
Hang in there Steve

[Tim Wescott]

Wow........very sorry to hear about this complication Steve........I thought things were getting better.

How serious can Bells Palsy be............is it dangerous?

Best of luck my friend,I hope things change for the better as soon as possible.

[1705total]

Its not bad, just a nuisence. Basically my right side of my face is a little droopy. If I drink too much at once I drool a little. I can't open my mouth up as wide as I use to. The main danger is my right eye drying out because I cannot blink. So I wear a patch at night and put drops in throughout the day.

I am begining to think this to be a little comical.

[Karrie]

You poor guy!!!! We see pt's with Bell's Palsy and I ran it by the doc I work with and he said he is not surprised b/c like Beckie said, your immune system is down and you are more susceptible to other viruses. Some doc's prescribe Prednisone and some do not, I do not know if your doc mentioned it or not. You will recover it, again, takes time. Hang in there...one day at a time!!!! Also...a good sense of humor in not so good times is healing itself!!!! ;D

[1705total]

Yeah the doc prescribed the pregnisone along with an anti viral. This is just incredible. I keep asing God what message is he trying to send me?
In all seriousness I wonder whats next?
My doc called me today and was very concerned. We talked and she thinks I am passed the bad stuff and i should be feeling better soon.
i hope so.

[1705total]

Gerry,
thank you so much for the phone call. Your like a brother to me and your concern is comforting.
Thank you

[GerryT]

Steve, it's mutual and we are brothers. I keep praying and one day this will be behind you. Keep the faith and we will see each other again one of these days!

[1705total]

Just a quick update.
Things are getting better, but slowly. The face is still a problem. I talk funny especially when i lose my tempar, and then my wife can not take
me seriously! It is kinda funny!
My eye just needs attention, so that it doesn't dry out. The funny thing is that one eye is near sighted and one eye is farsighted. Some my glasses have a differant prescription for each eye, well the right affected eye is having trouble focusing. So not even the glasses are helping. It makes reading a little difficult.

All in all my spirits are coming up along with my energy levels. I am doing more around the house, like some Ironing and laundry, as well as cookie dinner. If I over do it a little I just lay down and relax.

I am hoping to return to work later this week. i think by Thursday I should be ready!

[beckie]

Thats good to hear!

[GerryT]

Glad you're a bit more energetic, buddy. Just take it a day at a time.

Might be better just working an abbreviated schedule for now and work up to a regular schedule. You need to take the down time if you get tired.

In your corner, brother. Good luck and God bless.