new diagnosis

So I do have mumps, but have also now developed Bell's Palsy - facial paralysis on the right side of my face. There is no real treatment for Bell's Palsy, and I will basically just have to "wait it out". The swelling from the mumps has not gone down yet, but this should happen in the next week or so.

Bell's Palsy is caused the by facial nerve getting swollen and getting compressed, and thus resulting in the inability to control the muscles of the face. Luckily it is not permanent, but it will take some time to return to normal. there is no real known cause, but it is believed to be caused by a virus, so in my case most likely the mumps virus.

I am dealing with this as best as I can at the moment. I will return to work on Monday, as I will no longer be contagious. I look forward to being around people again, but I do feel slightly uncomfortable with the situation at the moment. eating and drinking has become difficult - drinking is more comfortable through a straw, and with eating I get tired quite quickly. My right eye, due to its inability to blink, also becomes dry and I need to use eye drops at least every 2 hours.

It really sounds a lot worse than it is. Honestly, if I have been able to live with diabetes, I can deal with this too. I guess the only difference is that with diabetes you don't really need to share your conditions with others, but with this it may be noticeable to others. While my face is still "symmetrical", it can be noticed when i smile or laugh, and at times when I talk. And at least with this I know that it will pass, whereas diabetes is kinda for life...