I had it over 20 years ago, and Dr. Google wasn't what it is now. So when it came on, I was left wondering "WTF? Is it a stroke?" I sympathize with the author t

I had it over 20 years ago, and Dr. Google wasn't what it is now. So when it came on, I was left wondering "WTF? Is it a stroke?" I sympathize with the author to some extent, though it seems the change to her appearance hit her much harder than it did myself. I've got most functionality back, but still have a crooked smile. Meh, adds character, I guess. I found out the hard way that my bagpipe career will never get off the ground, as I can't seal my mouth well enough to blow ($35 for that practice chanter I'll never get back). Can't whistle anymore, either (no great loss there). One eye has a hard time closing as tightly as the other, but I can still wear contacts so it doesn't have any practical bad outcomes. Treatment might have changed over the years, but the prednisone I was given really layed on the depression. Make note of that should you get a case, and prednisone is prescribed: you're depressed because of the high dose of steroids, not the fact that your face is all crooked. Prednisone didn't seem to do any good anyway. I guess I'm rambling to say that if you wake up one day and half your face doesn't work, and assuming it's not a stroke or something, it won't kill you. It'll get mostly better, but your face might have some added "character" when it's over. But mostly: no one will notice more than you do, so quit worrying about it. Most people I meet, when told, have no idea. My wife notices when I get tired (eye droops a bit). And now you have a story about the day you thought you were having a stroke.