Update on my health

It's been quite a "ride". Today marks 3 weeks since I found out I have Bell's palsy. I had gone to see Dr. Michel a week later re: my sinuses and he thought 50mg of prednisone for 10 days straight with no decreasing was a better way to go to stop the Bell's. PTL, I think the high dose of prednisone really did a number on the inflammation and the paralysis is going away. I can close my eye tight now, but it doesn't always stay and it still doesn't just blink, but it is way improved. Dr. Mervitz, the eye doctor, is really amazed at how well it is doing. I did have a scratch on my cornea, so he has been seeing me quite regularly. He is a really good ophthamologist and I like him a lot. Today, I saw him again and he said I have the beginning of a cataract on my right eye. Has nothing to do with the Bell's, but - it figures. They take a long time to develop, so I guess they'll be watching it. My vision is blurred in my right eye. Dr. Mervitz says that is because that eye is very, very dry and we are trying different drops to help it along. He said the scratch is healing fine. I see him again next Weds. morning and then he is going away for awhile, so will see what he has to say. To say the least, it is wonderful not to have to wear the patch anymore and to be able to eat and talk better. I still use a straw in my drinks, as my lips don't seal real well yet, but it is coming as well. I am finding my hearing quite disturbed on the right side. Loud sounds are louder and more echoing and it hurts, so I try to cover or put a plug in if I know the noise level will be higher. I am still fighting this sinus infection and 2 weeks of antibiotics are doing nothing. I may have to go back and see what other antibiotic might work. I can finally blow through my nose, so that does help. It's a strange thing to be so paralyzed and it's made me realize how many things we take for granted. My smile isn't quite as big on that side yet and Erin looks at me funny, but she is happy she can see both my eyes and I don't scare Evan as much. So, I am doing better. Thanks so much for all your prayers. I especially want to thank my care group for their love and support and prayers. I love you ladies very much and cherish our friendship!!

51 years ago - yesterday March 21st

Ok, all you "oldsters" - wonder how many remember the old evangelistic meetings we Baptists used to have. They usually lasted at least a week - every evening and twice on Sunday. A travelling evangelist would be the main speaker and sometimes he brought special music or something special for the kids or whatever. I remember one young evangelist we had - I believe his name was Lance Ross (no relation) and he was so cute and so sweet. His wife played the marimba and was she ever good!!! She could play with four sticks and really go fast!! Anyway, at the end of the week, he kissed me on the cheek and I swear I didn't wash that spot for a long time. I think I was about 7 or 8. Anyway, back to 51 years ago. On March 21, 1958 we were having an evangelistic meetings week with Rev. Clifford Lewis. He was a very dynamic preacher and I really don't remember much about the meetings except his preaching. I was 6 years old and remember sitting in the front row with my friends listening to his sermons. I'm not sure what night it was - it could have been a Sunday night and maybe the last one. Anyway, his sermon was on heaven and hell and which one were we going to? Well, as I sat there listening, I realized my mom and dad and brother were going to heaven when they died, but I wasn't. My little child heart was crushed and I remember during the invitation thinking I should go forward and ask Jesus into my heart. But I was pretty shy back then and little afraid. After the final prayer, I went over to my dad and told him I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart. My dad was a deacon in the church - who better to go ask? He took me to Rev. Lewis and they both took me back to a room behind the stage. I remember vividly the coolness of the room, the very cold metal folding chairs we sat on and the cold tile floor where we knelt. After Rev. Lewis explained salvation, asking Jesus to forgive our sins and live in our hearts and asked me if that was what I wanted to do, I said yes. He knelt on one side of me and Daddy on the other and I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart. I remember it all so clearly. Rev. Lewis told me I had to go tell someone, so I went out and found my mom sitting and waiting and I told her. The church was made up of a lot of my relatives and I imagine my mom had spread the word, as I got hugs and kisses from aunts and uncles and of course, my dear grandma. I have always loved the fact that my brother, sister and I were privileged to grow up in a church with close friends and relatives and to have the wonderful Christian heritage we had. Those memories are dear to me. So, Happy Birthday to me - 51 years ago!!