A glutton is defined by Merriam-Webster as “one that has a great capacity for enduring something”. The site then continues by using it in the following example, “a glutton for punishment”.
The next entry says, see Matt Cotcher.
Okay, not really. But it could - no it should.
Why? Seeking further insight into the protracted recovery of function in my facial muscles, I went back for more electrotherapy this week!
I have been experiencing frequent muscle twitching in my eyelid and my lip (left side, of course). Muscle twitching is reportedly a sign of reinnervation, although I have been unable to find written proof online. My most recent home therapy speech exercises seemed to spur the twitching, so my therapist and I decided it was time to hook me back up to the electrotherapy machine!
What kind of sick-o volunteers to get a couple of Hz's run through their cheek?
If it sounds uncomfortable, take my word for it – it is. It does not hurt, but it is an extremely unnatural and somewhat unnerving feeling.
I can remember daily electrotherapy treatments while I was still in the hospital full-time. I even had a therapist put the receptors on fully functioning muscle, so I could observe the difference.
While this all sounds masochistic (and probably is on some level), I am happy to report that it proved worthwhile!
I do not have pictures or any measure to quantify the gains experienced, but both my therapist and I agreed that there was significant improvement in the muscle responsiveness. With specific pressure and enough current, I even cracked a small involuntary left-side smile!
The longer the stimulation was in place, it produced more response. After 30 minutes or so, we observed slight twitching in the muscle up in my forehead. The stimulation flexed the muscle in my jaw, my eyelid, around my eye and in my cheek.
If it all sounds rather laboratory rat-ish, don’t worry – it is!
To reinforce the stimulation, I iced the mucles later that day. Logic being that the icing enhances receptor-awareness, thus improving nerve-to-brain communication. The icing sent many of the muscles right back to twitching – another sign of improvement!
With all these apparent improvements, I am still left with lots of unanswered questions…
- Why are these specific nerves taking so long to recover?
- Are these physical responses to electrotherapy and icing a guarantee of eventual functionality?
- Are there any clues to the rest of my recovery to be gleaned from this exercise?
As you can see, it is a challenge to stay focused and excited on these developments only. With so many areas of recovery so closely intertwined, it is difficult to sit idly and appreciate just how significant these latest improvements are.
What is next? Maybe more electrotherapy? I plan to discuss how to continue to accelerate these latest developments with my therapist next week. And besides, according to Merriam-Webster, I have a reputation to uphold!
Awesome news my friend. Thanks for sharing!!!!
Sounds impressive to me! I remember well the earlier days of watchhing this therapy and seeing “nothing happen”; so to hear of you having so much feeling as to orchestrate a left-smile and eyebrow-raise….I say Praise the Lord! Dad and I have acquaintanses from church who after many surgeries from an auto accident on his leg, they determined this week there may be nerve damage and are talking about the nerves “coming back”, so since I am very aware of the time factor with rejeuvenating nerves, I will be at least sending a card of encouragement and praying for these nerves in his leg. Press on my son!
You are awesome & so is the “stuff” you go thru, but, hey, whatever works – right? Printing this so Uncle Jim can read it & have some brilliant insight to your recovery! Wish it was that simple, but if he does, I’ll let you know. Love you bunches.
“If it sounds uncomfortable, take my word for it – it is. It does not hurt, but it is an extremely unnatural and somewhat unnerving feeling.”
shouldn’t that be a re-nerving feeling? in-nerving feeling?
whatever, that is fantastic news. almost as fantastic as you getting to marry miss freaking virginia. sheesh.
with respect to your question or those other things. don’t question the timing, matthew, just accept it.
this is great news. seriously.