Hells Bells

To avoid all awkwardness if we run into each other, I did not have a stroke. I have facial nerve paralysis otherwise known as Bells Palsy. It seems like a pretty classic case with the symptoms coming on suddenly after having a bad cold. No solid evidence exists for treatment other than time and facial exercise but fortunately most cases resolve on there own in 1-3 months. I am going on 10 days now and just started to see a flicker of movement today which is super encouraging. It is mega painful and I can feel every nerve in the left side of my face pulsing if I am not drug up. Sleeping is the biggest hassle, the pain comes on the worst and I have to tape my eye shut.

Rest is key as the body requires a ton of energy to rebuild the damaged nerves and allow full recovery. It has put a damper on the late ski and early bike season but if I am patient it looks like it won't foul things up completely. After getting back into shape last fall for cyclocross I have a whole new respect for the bodies ability to recover and resume high level activity, this gives me confidence that rest now will only pay off later in the year.

If you see me snarling, drooling, pirate patched, or leaking food out the side of my mouth don't worry, I am aware of it and it is likely not a permanent.

Oh yea, my prototype Gripitz were stolen out of the Brighton parking lot on Saturday after I finished watching the PowderKeg rando race. So, if you see someone out on the skin track with some one of a kind self arrest ski poles, "arrest" them.
Thanks