One year later… A twisty tale – Last Part!!

Really I am loss of words today… there is so much to write and then there is none… Seems pressure of putting it as Last Note of the series is dawning upon me... I want this note to be memorable and perfect but this pre-defined target is acting as hindrance to my thought pattern. So I will let it flow naturally without worrying much about the end result J it may be bit emotional on some fronts but it will be natural - the true way…Links to all first 7 parts are below for your reference...

Date – 30th April 2012
Scene – Home

Mind is an amazing evaluation tool; if you are facing a problem alone it flags it as Big Issue but moment you know there are others who have gone through the same issue it considers it less serious. By this time I came to know of others who have faced Bales Palsy – One of them was my Lead and dear Friend Anubhav who had it while he was in class 12th and recovered completely. Other was a colleague of my friend - Kshama and he also recovered in 2 months or so. My cousin bhabhi also faced this some years back and she is also fine now (infact she has one of most beautiful smiles that I have seen around)
All these gave me courage that if they can be all fine; so will be I.

By now exercise was not a fixed 3-4 times in a day affair; I stopped going to washroom to do it J - I used to do it as and when I get time (overall exercise time increased) specially in car while going and coming to office…  It was fun on Signals and nearby person thought I am making faces to him ;) Exercise gave me its own sweet moments – Shubh use to watch me daily when Physio use to make me multiple face expression and many times he played with me by becoming Physio and asked me to make some expression or another. Mockingly got angry on me for not doing it right J

Mom and Dad also came to Pune in between multiple times; Dad as always was cool and would not agree at any point of time that I have any effect and I look perfect. Mom was also supportive but I knew she had some worries which she tried her best to hide from me to ensure I don’t think about it. Blessed to have them – Love you!! 

Date – 30th May 2012
Scene – Home

BAP had three kinds of Impact on me. Facial – the one that others can make it out like my Smile pattern, eyebrows etc. Non Facial – One that only I can feel like Elasticity of Screen, Muscle strength etc. which is not visible to others. Third and Most important Emotional J
By this time my Facial Expression were back to normal and others can’t make it out that I had BAP. Journey to recovery on Facial front was not easy after I faced setback on my initial targets J but gradually and steadily progress was made - Eyebrows and eyes were first to fall in line; they ended 3 month long strike - best part was I can now blink my right eye – that was huge relief; wish my Surat Physio would have seen it. After tough negotiation ;) and working - Nostrils were the next set to become loyal to me but my lips were the most tough nut to crack; they would just don’t budge to open up.

I badly needed my lips to work back in there normal self (as its public forum can’t describe all disadvantages in detail); I had my unique way to get my favorite curve (Smile!!) back - when we give a good smile all our front teeth’s gets displayed but in my case my right side teeth’s went in to hiding as they were covered by lips and now my target was Teeth Count… Target was to increase Teeth count every 15 days when I smile and it worked… It made me realized that small but consistent cumulative targets always do wonders. Slowly one after another my teeth started to peek out from hiding. In the whole process I got a special gift – as my muscles were toning up; I used to get Dimples (I love dimples; really!!) on right cheek for brief 15-20 days but sadly they parted ways as muscles got strengthened. By end of June the Smile Curve was back J and the right side of face was functioning was almost back to normal!! So Out of 3 impacts – first was gone; two more to go

Date – 22nd June 2012- 8 AM
Scene – Patankar Hospital Pune

Clock struck 8 and after few minutes I got my new bundle of Joy – Parv. God blessed us with our second Kid. After few hours this little cute; adorable fellow was in my hands; half asleep - looking at my face and suddenly he gave me a smile. A Smile which was the cutest that I have seen till date; which made me forget all the worries...  forget all emotional backlog that I carry with me. His Birth made me more cheerful, more forward looking and if you have such wonderful bundle of joy who wanna think about some stupid BAP emotional aspects of past J and thus by now Out of 3 impacts – two were gone; one more to go which was Non Facial impact !!

Date – 28th December 2012
Scene – In front of my Laptop – writing the last note J

Today exactly one year back I got Bales Palsy!! I still remember each and every moment of it; those are moments which are meant to be forgotten but they will always remain close to me… The whole BAP; its effects and recovery have made me realize many important aspects of life. It has given me many learning’s which I would have never gone through in normal life… it has made me realized importance of family; friends; importance of staying Positive and have constant belief in God and in one’s self…

Coming out of BAP was a long process which I thoroughly enjoyed and treasured; it was a great roller coaster ride - there were definitely some low moments but that’s part of the overall parcel… it would have been a different story if I would have not got support of

Sheetal – She was a constant companion to whole journey; she witnessed it from the close quarters. She was the one who needed utmost care during those times (pregnancy) but she was the one gave all required support to me; stood strong with me; answered my all stupid Q’s dailyJ ;motivated me always – she firmly believe that it will pass and I need to look forward… YOU MADE IT POSSIBLE!!

Dinesh and Vicky – Guys you can’t believe what your presence meant a year back when I was alone at home… you were the first light of hope; I can’t forget the ease with which we met all specialist; conducted all test. You stayed jovial in hospital and never let me realized that it a big deal I still remember your lines in hospital – Sala kisko itna aakh mara tuney kal jo ye sab huaa J

Parul – Don’t know what to write buddy… this is the not the first time you have helped me sail through. This beautiful friendship of past 10 years is going strong by each passing day… you were always there when I needed you and this time was no exception. Your words did wonders to make me believe that I am a positive person and I should stay that way… Thanks for everything dear!!

Rolly – The Beer girl J; you motivated me at time when I almost gave up on my exercise regime and Beer deal put me back on track… talking with you [though its rare : (  ] made me forget the worry part of BAP specially the jokes ( shhhh…) Thanks for being there yar !! we will surely have Beer party some day J

And some special dear relatives who told me - “This is not the age to get such things”, “ye to ab kabhi thik nahi hoga” and what not…. I wanted to prove them wrong; the urge to prove them wrong was above all… Special Thanks guys J
Now about the third impact – Non Facial – I have also recovered on that front and its back to normal… I can proclaim that I have recovered 98% … Remaining 2% will always remain with me…  that’s the way I want it to be… It’s the parting gift from BAP and GOD – Biggest thanks to you Sir J

I still don’t have exact answer why I decided to write down all this after a year… I am not in habit of writing diaries or putting blogs… Intention was never to portrait myself as Fighter or to indulge in self-praise (I am really sorry if it ever sounded that way). I am always bad at holding things or hiding emotions and maybe that’s the reason why I am putting all these here in front of you…

                   Somehow this was my way to declare Victory over BAP (Battle of Palsy)….

            Thanks for reading – all your comments and likes that you have made in this journey of 8 notes are  valuable and will be treasured always !!