Bell's Palsy

I spent the afternoon in the ER with Zachary today. He was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy which is a temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. The right side of his face is semi-paralyzed. He can't close his eye all the way or smile correctly. They think it's caused by a viral (herpes) infection that leads to imflammation of the facial nerve. It should go away in a couple of weeks. I hope we see improvement soon because he can't play his saxophone (he can't tighten the muscles around his mouth). He is taking a steroid and an antiviral medication. I have to tape his eye shut at night because it could get too dry because it won't close all the way. Wierd, but there should be no lasting effects.