Health issues can be a blessing

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A month and a half ago I got up and found my face and neck swollen on the left side. My initial thoughts were I had gotten into something that I was allergic to. Benedryl didn't make a difference. The next morning I remembered that my mother in law had a bout with Bell's Palsy a few years ago. I looked it up online to refresh my memory and after reading the symptoms which included pain at my jaw and the back of my head I realized that is exactly what was going on so went to the doctor. For those of you unfamiliar with it, it paralyzes one side of the face, in some instances both sides are affected. Most often the side affected will droop and your eye won't close all the way. It isn't preventable and really there is no treatment. It pretty much has to run it's course, in most cases, a few months, but sometimes longer. It can also return. Many people have come in and asked, "may I pray for you?" I tell them no. Now, let me explain. My blood pressure has always been high, especially first thing in the morning. The top number usually ranged between 187 and 197. That is stroke level people. None of the doctors I had seen prior to this made a fuss about it. So, I thought it isn't that bad, I guess that is just normal for me. The doctor I saw when I went about the Bell's Palsy had a fit. They put me on blood pressure medicine and I am doing much better. The thing is, in the two weeks prior, I had gotten up with one eye bright red. I thought I was getting an infection. It was actually because of my blood pressure. So yes, my face is still paralyzed on one side. My eye finally closes. I do still have to put drops in it. My speech is almost clear. And it's getting old. But, it may just have saved my life. So I don't want prayers. I am blessed. This was a wakeup call. I'm listening.