A Visit from Bell's Palsy

On Sunday we were at Church, very much enjoying a special Stake Conference where Elder L. Tom Perry spoke to us, when Dan noticed that he couldn't close his left eye.  Assuming it was some kind of muscle spasm, I told him we'd put a warm compress on it when we got home.  But before we left church that day, he realized that the paralysis had spread to all the muscles on the left side of his face.  He couldn't smile or raise his eyebrow, etc.  Me, being the kind of overprotective Mom that I am, decided that a nerve is being pinched by a brain tumor and rushed him to the ER to get it checked out before it could grow any bigger.

3 Hours later, we left the ER with the comparatively wonderful news that it was "not a tumor" (remember:  Kindergarten Cop), but Bell's Palsy instead.  Whew!  That's a relief!

For those of you who don't know (as I didn't) about Bells Palsy, here's an article that describes what it is:  http://www.bing.com/health/article.aspx?id=articles%2fmayo%2f518713b29d2fbf1977e844bca6524327.html&br=lv&q=bells+palsy&FORM=K1RE1

The Dr. prescribed 3 medications (an anti-viral, an anti-inflammatory, and an ointment to moisten the eye that he can't close) and told us not to worry.  We are expecting a full recovery within the month.

Sorry there is no picture to post, but Dan didn't want me to post one while his face is still paralyzed (can you blame him?).  Thanks to all our friends who helped us through those first few hours of uncertainty and dare I say terror before finding out his diagnosis.