I just got back from my last PT session. I'm pooped! I will definitely miss my therapist; she's such a sweetie!

My girlfriend Judy gave me the most thoughtful present today. She kidnapped me and insisted we go out to lunch. She missed me, I guess. But after lunch she pulled something out of her pocket and said she was embarrassed to give one of these to me, a beader, but she really wanted me to have it. It was a strand of prayer beads she had strung for me!

She said she prayed for me as she picked the beads out and again as she strung them. Every bead represents a part of my life, including a black bead for the RHS. She knows I’m not Anglican, but she knew I would like them anyway, because they would remind me that people were praying for me. That’s true, but I also love them because she thought enough of me to make them for me! Judy carries a rosary in her pocket all the time. I think I will be carrying her prayer beads in mine, because I need to remember that the prayers being offered for me are powerful!

It moved! The corner of my mouth moved! Everyone on the RHS site has said that there are stops and starts as we heal. For about a month I've been feeling as though the cheek muscles were trying to move, but I couldn’t see any sign of movement. Then, about three weeks ago, every time I did any talking or singing my face would get so stiff and achy… but still no movement

Well, today, I've got something to celebrate. This morning, I thought I saw the faintest flicker at the corner of my mouth when I smiled. Hubby confirmed that he saw it too. I wanted to do cartwheels down the street I was so excited! There’s a little dimpling at the corner and sometimes a teensy bit of pulling visible higher in the cheek. Maybe I really will smile someday without scaring small children!

Also, my energy level seems to be slowly improving and the painful itch in my ear is still going down. I've tried to be patient, but it's so good to finally see some real long-term progress.