I didn’t get shampoo in my eye today…!!!!

Thanks to modern technology and the iPhone, I was able to have a “virtual” appointment with my Stanford surgeon and his fellow while I was in the mountains… and they think they have a diagnosis for me explaining why I was having so many changes in my facial appearance and its function. They believe that I have an uncommon, underreported phenomenon called Delayed Facial Nerve Palsy – and that it is treatable. A miracle, if you ask me. While I was in the hospital, they thought I had aseptic meningitis but I tested negative for it. One of my surgeons co-authored a medical study on Delayed Facial Nerve Palsy. The report drew the conclusion that a pseudo aseptic meningitis diagnosis predisposes patients to this virus. After a long phone call with the doctors and using my iPhone to send about 15 pictures of my incision, ear and various facial functions (i.e. smiling, winking, raising my eyebrows), they were confident with their diagnosis and even went as far as to say, “Adri, we’re going to get you your smile back.” Music to my one, good ear.

With the help of five new medicines, my doctors set the expectation that most people get better within six weeks to 1 year, but I am already noticing improvements. Instead of waking up every morning with double vision and some new facial weakness issue – and the fear that comes with the unknown of getting worse, I am waking up better. I didn’t get shampoo in my eye when I showered this morning implying that my eye was able to stay closed. Again, a true miracle in my opinion.

Thank you for following the blog, and for your support and prayers that have helped me get back on the path of recovery. I can’t wait to see you when I’m back from the mountains, and hopefully show off my fixed smile!

(Side note: Don’t you think I should call Apple and tell them about how the iPhone helped me? “There’s an app for that.”)

Just when you thought it was over...

So I know I said we were closing the blog but unfortunately Adri has had some setbacks. Last Thursday she woke up in the morning and had double vision and some other nerve issues. She called Stanford and she was asked to come down to Stanford for a CT scan. It was a really long day and after her CT scan and meeting with Dr. Harsh, he confirmed that she is having some late on set nerve symptoms. The CT scan looked good and there was nothing glaring which was good news. The other tough news to swallow was that he is not sure of what is causing the symptoms but he is hoping they are temporary and hopefully things will self correct during her recovery. Everything right now is a wait and see. If we get to a year and she is having these same issues then they we re-evaluate and consider these nerve issues permanent. Waiting is the hard part, wait, wasn't that a previous blog entry? It is still true!

Adri is currently up in the mountains and slowly working on her recovery. Her balance is still a bit shaky but she is making progress. She waled 2.2 miles, slowly, but she did it. She will most likely sleep the rest of the day but she is so goal oriented that she is really trying to push herself within her bodies limits and the direction of the doctors. I felt like the coll older sister the other day because I let her drive within the subdivision in the mountains. She had a little bit of a rough time backing up and turning but it is all practice. She did pretty well but not sure she is ready for a long roadtrip.