Day 12 -  Courage in pause Some days, courage looks like sitting in a doctor’s office, waiting for answers you can’t control. Today was that kind of day. My brother drove us to my neurologist appointment, and even though I tried to stay composed, inside I was holding my breath. The visit began with what felt like an eternity in the waiting area—though it really wasn’t. The room was immaculately clean, and neatly stacked health brochures lined the side tables like little reminders that everyone there was waiting for something. The staff were professional yet kind, their calm efficiency making me feel both cared for and quietly reflective about all that had brought me there.. My husband took charge of ...

  “Always Smiling, Always Me” When the Days Grew Harder “Smiling Through the Struggle” Between days 8 and 9, my condition worsened. I continued to journal every experience and the insights God was giving me. I thought deeply about what it meant to have friends and family across the world praying for me. But I also wondered—did they really know what to pray for, since I couldn’t share the full extent of my challenges? My family did their best to protect me. My husband took all my calls and messages, responding graciously to the many warm, encouraging words sent our way. I was literally counting the days until my appointment with the neurologist . At the same time, I was in week two of my Business Economics class . In the middle of my physical turmoil, I was completing my Master’s degree —unable to attend classes, yet somehow still exc...

When ordinary things like blinking or sipping water suddenly take extraordinary effort. By Day 8, my eye felt more strange and uncomfortable. It seemed more open than I had ever seen it, almost refusing to blink naturally. That made it feel dry and exposed. Seeing my eye so wide was unsettling; I often stared at my reflection, trying to adjust to a version of myself that didn’t quite feel like me . My mouth got more distorted as the days progressed, and eating or drinking became daily challenges as I spilled and drooled on myself more often than I care to admit. Something as simple as taking a sip of water required patience and focus. There were moments of frustration, embarrassment, and even tears. While I waited for my appointment to see the neurologist , I tried different ways to drink — using a straw, tilting my head, even holding my lip in place — but that only helped slightly, and not enough to stop the water from slipping down the side of my mouth. Each time, I felt the cool liq...

                Representation of my acupuncture session 🌿 Day #4 – “My first acupuncture session—an unexpected step on this journey to smile again.” “Shaken, stretched, and strengthened through the process of healing.” Each day brought a new chapter in this journey with Bell’s Palsy —some moments uncertain, others filled with grace. I learnt that healing doesn’t always follow the path we expect. Sometimes, it’s found in the unfamiliar, the uncomfortable, and the unexpected ways God chooses to work. While we waited for an appointment date to see the neurologist , my son who was insistent that we take an alternative route to prevent further damage, took me for my first acupuncture session. I had many uncertainties—but I felt at peace, so I went. Like my Primary Care doctor had hinted, the acupuncturist mentioned that the extraction process that I had the week before could have contributed to my condition. He further explained that presc...