Set backs & a pep talk

We all have set backs in our lives every now and again.

Unfortunately I had one last week, hence the lack of blogging.

It’s been quite the week around here.

It started Monday night when I thought I was getting an ear infection.

I have never had an ear infection, but my ear just ached which then lead to a bad headache.

My eye also started to water uncontrollably like I had been cutting onions all day.

I thought this was all due to my ear ache so I took some Tylenol and went to bed.

The next morning Jared woke me up around 5:30am to say goodbye as he was leaving for scout camp and would be gone the rest of the week.

When I got up for the day I went and made me some breakfast.

It wasn’t until I started eating it that I noticed my mouth wasn’t working properly (picture milk dripping down my face).

I went into the bathroom and noticed my eye was drooping and I couldn’t raise my eyebrow.

I text Jared and told him it felt like the right side of my face was paralyzed.

He called me right away and said that it sounds like I have Bell’s Palsy and I should get in to see my doctor right away.

He knew this because he has had Bell’s Palsy twice in his life.

The rest of the morning was spent at the doctor’s office confirming that I do in fact have Bell’s Palsy.

They said it is actually quite common in the last trimester of pregnancy, but they have actually never had a case.

They did some nerve tests to make sure it wasn’t a mini stroke and wanted me to beware of warning signs of needing to head to the ER if it got worse.

I’ve spent the rest of the week figuring out what I am going to do with myself until this passes.

They really don’t know the true cause of Bell’s Palsy and don’t have a lot of answers for me as to when it will go away.

It usually does go away within a couple weeks to a couple of months and most of the time goes away once you deliver the baby.

Even though my face is numb, it feels very bruised and sore.

My ear is plugged, my jaw is sore, and I have a continuing headache.

The main thing is my eye won’t blink so I am blinking my eye manually all day or wearing an eye patch so it’s not irritated which has caused problems with figuring out how to drive.

However, I must say my family and Jared’s family has been overwhelmingly helpful.

Once again I am in awe of the love and support we receive when things don’t go as planned.

Since Jared was gone to scout camp (and out of cell phone range) both of our families really stepped up to help.

I didn’t have to cook dinner the whole time he was away. Jared’s family brought in meals the whole time.

My mom and sister-in-law, Heather, became my chauffeur as I needed to get errands done.

I always had extra hands helping with Luke.

My mom was amazing this week and made sure I was always taken care of  and planned things for us to do to take my mind off of everything.

I feel extremely blessed.

It was not the way I wanted to spend my week.

Since Jared was going to be gone I had planned out a long list of things to do with Luke before baby boy got here.

I also had a bunch of things I wanted to get ready for Jared’s birthday (which was yesterday) and none of them happened.

But life still goes on and we will get through this.

It’s just temporary and pretty miner to other things that could have happened.

My main concern is always for this baby.

If I knew this baby was going to be healthy I would have Bell’s Palsy my entire pregnancy if I had to.

I just really want this baby in my arms.

For now we will have to continue to wait.

I have a couple more doctor’s appointments this week and we will see what they say.

Maybe they will take pity on me and induce early, I doubt it, but I can always hope.

I am back to work and back to driving this week. 

I knew I had to figure out a way to drive or I would go crazy.

I have a system down and feel safe driving.

Even though I look pretty funny and it’s hard to talk I knew that I needed to go back to work and continue to do things that are normal.

Staying home all day away from every one doesn’t do me any good.

I will have to put a couple things on hold that I was wanting to do before baby got here.

One was the dentist, but since I can’t open my mouth on one side that is out of the question and the other was to renew my Utah driver’s license.

Taking an eye test and having my picture taken is out of the question.

However, I did borrow Luke’s eye patch one day and thought it might make for an awesome driver’s license photo.

{I even have the side smile down}

I think I have mentioned before that I am a realist.

I look at things how they really are, but tonight I am going to be the glass is half full type of girl and end this post with only the positive things that have come from this set back:

1. Bell’s Palsy is not contagious, that would really stink to be quarantined.

2. My weight gain might finally stop since I have a hard time eating certain things and everything has a metallic taste to it.

3. It’s made me (once again) realize how important family is and the importance of being close to them.

4. I have a great excuse for putting off going to the dentist.

5.  Focusing on the pain and numbness of my face has made be forget how uncomfortable this last trimester has been. I have barely remembered I am pregnant, well okay, maybe not.

6. I won’t ever take my eye sight for granted.

7. Jared said he would still love me even if my face was permanently like this.

8. Luke has been such a trooper through this and has been an easy boy to care for. He has even made me laugh as he tries to side talk like me.

9. I freak Jared out when I put the ointment in my eye and my eye won't blink, it makes me a laugh a little.

Maybe this wasn’t the greatest list, but there you have it.

On a side note Jared had an amazing trip to Zions National Park with the scouts (all except for the overly emotional wife back home part).

I call him nature boy because he is in his element when he is out in nature.

{He thinks he is younger than he really is}

We had a great Father’s day/birthday celebration BBQ yesterday for Jared and I am so so so thankful he is the love of my life.

It’s been a crazy year already, but I am glad we are going through this crazy life together.

Now it is on to Strawberry Days this week which is Jared’s favorite time of year so it should make for a great week.

Here are a few more pics from our week:

The cutest baby blanket ever that my sister-in-law, Angie, made for me:

The cutest newborn pajamas that my sister-in-law, Heather, gave me:

The cutest boys ever with big ol’ smiles:

Hopefully I will have my smile back again soon!