I give my all to You

Friday, April 03, 2009

Things to praise God for

I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy about 3 weeks ago. It's an illness that has baffled doctors 10 years ago, and are still a mystery to them. It's an illness where there is paralysis of the facial nerve resulting in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side of the face. The trademark of this illness is the rapid onset of partial or complete palsy. I got mine right after lifegroup on Friday when I was brushing my teeth. Yes, that's how sudden it can happen. Can't do anything to stop it from coming coz there're no prior symptoms. Just sudden paralysis. Doctors think that an inflammatory condition leads to the swelling of the facial nerve. This nerve travels through the skull in a narrow bone canal beneath the ear. The swelling of the nerve in this canal is thought to lead to nerve inhibition, damage or death. The cause of this illness is unknown, but doctors believe it results from the virus called herpes simplex type 1.

As a result of loss of facial muscle control, I can't move my lips, can't smile, can't close my eyelid properly (means I gotta tape my eye close at night to prevent the cornea from drying up, and I gotta keep applying eyedrops during the day), can't frown, etc. Eating and drinking is a challenge since I can't keep my lips closed on the left side, and speech is a problem coz I can't pronounce words with 'b', 'p', 'm', or 'f'' in them. That covers almost all English words I think..lol. Can't smile or laugh properly as well (and it's torture for me, a person who loves to joke and laugh). Basically, I've become those kinda 2-faced cartoon character where one side's smiling and the other side's practically expressionless. It was a shock for me, coz I didn't expect I'd get this illness again. Yep, I've had it before. First time was when I was in pri sch, and it was on my right. Now it's on my left. And doctors said there's about 5% chance a person who's had it may get it again. I'm one of those 'lucky' ones. (Now why aren't I this lucky in winning lottery? Lol..)

Anyways, my first thought was "Lord, why this again?!?!" But then..I thank God for this, coz I've learnt alot through it. Through this condition, I've had the chance to experience the genuine love and concern God has for me through my friends. I've also learnt how precious and important every part of my body is - never to take anything for granted again. It's also gotten rid of some of the pride in several areas of my life. Right from the time I lost facial muscle control, I was praying for healing. There was a healing prayer meeting 2 Tuesdays ago, and even though I wasn't fully healed on the spot, there was improvement immediately after prayer! There was visible improvement, and I definitely felt I was able to control my left upper lip alot better. Another thing to praise God for was the healing of the back ache that I was having at that time! All praise be to God!!

After that prayer meeting, I've been praying for healing every day. And I've been seeing improvement day after day. It's only been 3 weeks since I lost facial muscle control, but I'm already healing quickly. I couldn't speak properly, but now I can speak somewhat clearly. I can now pronounce words with 'b', 'p' and 'm' in them. Still waiting to be able to pronounce words with 'f' clearly. I couldn't eat properly, but now I can eat relatively well. I couldn't drink water without a straw, but now I can drink straight from the cup/water bottle. I couldn't lift my eyebrow, but now I can raise it alittle. Praise God!!! This much healing in just 3 weeks!! God is amazing!! Like His words say in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." And in Proverbs 4:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

I'm still waiting on Him for 100% healing, and till then and even after then, I'll continue to praise and worship Him and testify of His goodness coz He really is worthy of ALL praise!! =)