Annnd We're BACK

First of all, I'm pretty okay and on the way to full recovery, slowly but surely.
Sorry to cause concern. 

I can't use the left side of my face, as in my left eye doesn't blink, I can only flare one nostril, I look like a turtle figuring out a piece of lettuce when I eat. 
The end of March proved to be the exciting build-up finale formed from a situation that's been brewing since November of 2024 that was far less innocuous than originally perceived. 

I am a person with MS, and therefore immunocompromized, and thus on an immunosuppressing infusion drug I take annually called Rituximab. Somehow, a rather exotic microscopic dirty beast found it's way into my ear canal and caused quite a scene. Mycoplasma hominis, which has no business being inside of my head, got to work and inflamed the heck out of the works in there and, next thing you know: insane ear ache pain, perforation to ear drum, and loss of ability to use the left side of my face. That's what can happen when you're on fancy drugs and little hipster germy blurbs come wandering into the playpen. The odds of this happening is just... exceedingly rare and random. I wish that sometimes I could just do SOME things in a less deluxe fashion, but apparently, even my bacterial experience is a Limited Edition Experiential adventure.  
It's silly. I can't believe it. But here we are. And now is now. 

The infection is now being aggressively treated, and quite properly. You can't throw regular antibiotics at this stuff, it doesn't work. I was in pain and discomfort for so long because no one was expecting to be fighting bizarre microbes within my clueless noggin.

I'm already having improvements, my energy is better, I can breathe more clearly, sleep is uninterrupted, the pain is tons less, and I am patiently awaiting the return to my facial function. But the pain isn't GONE, and the exhaustion is real after fighting for months, and there is much dizziness from the ear infection's messing with my equilibrium. I remain elated that 1.) I didn't have a stroke 2.) This had NOTHING to do with my lungs 3.) It has nothing to do with MS directly 4.) I am alive, and at home, safe and sound. 

I'm on bed rest until April 6th, doctor's orders. So if you'd like to support art and an artist with half a face right now, I'll be adding new and interesting bits and pieces to the emporium for your perusal. Maybe you'll see something you like. If not, and you still want to support somehow, my Venmo is @Julianna-Parr 

Thanks, as usual, for being here. xoxoJP