Instructors know that student pilots teach us much more than we give in return, particularly when failure is involved. One student who showed me the meaning of dignity while floundering in the borscht of humiliation was Karl. But what’s in a name? Any veteran knows that if you do something outlandish, you’ll receive a nickname. Mine, when I was stationed at the Presidio of Monterey, California, was "Bronson," gleaned from the forgettable TV show "Then Came Bronson" (1969-70), starring Michael Parks as a lugubrious motorcyclist on his Harley Sportster, seeking Zen cred by emulating James Dean. Questionable choice since Dean’s quest had ended in a 1955 road accident.
Paul,
I am so sorry the virus combo needed to trigger Bell’s Palsy inflammation somehow came alive. Thankfully, you were able to guide the Champ to a safe conclusion. Likewise, you seem to have a protocol in place to begin beating back the viral cocktail and resulting load that triggered a resurgence of Bell’s Palsy symptoms.
Heckofa way to introduce some little known history of “Iron Ass” LeMay, including Sir Charles Bell’s obscure up till now hassle with the FAA resulting in his loss of his Third Class medical. I am sure Otto Lilienthal took note of that Hooveresque FAA heavy handedness when launching from the sand dunes outside Gary, IN. And, I am sure both Wilber and Orville was aware of these facts as well making sure no FAA officials were present at Kill Devil Hill for similar reasons.
We are sending up requests of healing HP for you. The mighty Champ needs regular exercise as well as what flying does for us/you as one of the best therapeutics to help deal with the challenges that life seems to be so indiscriminately handing out these days.
However, we want more of your articles being introduced in a much more healthy way rather than “there I was” situation suddenly and certainly unexpectedly thrust upon you. We are rooting for a short mending time for you and your family. When appropriate, please let us know when you return to the skies.
Wow, really sorry to hear that you are afflicted. I hope it clears up soon. Thanks for the medical lesson on Bell’s palsy. I had heard of it, but did not realize its cause or how it affects the body. I had assumed that, once it manifested itself, it was permanent. Although, to someone who is suffering, it probably seems like it will never go away. Nerve related maladies are still poorly understood and offer few remedies or treatments. It’s good to know that it will not permanently ground you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Paul, my ears ring from constantly from hearing ‘lazy ass’ so it was refreshing and interesting to hear about someone with an ‘iron ass’.
I’m glad to hear that apparently the condition won’t affect your ability to fly. I had an inner ear sudden dizziness illness related to the eighth cranial nerve back in the 90’s that took it’s sweet time (3 years) to fade away, so I can truly understand the required patience needed. Hang in there, best thoughts to you.
For some, acupuncture by a licensed practitioner can eliminate or reduce the effects of Bell’s Palsy. I can imagine that the most severe cases can mimic Dudley Moore’s post-dentist visit in the movie “10”.
I had an Bell’s Palsy attack over ten years ago, while airline flying. My doctor used electrical stimulation on my face for several weeks. A neighbor women had it at the same, and she used steroids.
My chief pilot who came from a military background, told me it was common issue. I’ve never fully recovered.
Decades ago a relative had Bell’s palsy and his doctor treated him by injecting him with a mega dose of Vitamin B as I recall - but the vitamin may have been some other letter so don’t try this at home. His symptoms diminished to large degree over 24 hours and after 3 days, problem solved.
Paul, your Champ has auto-land? What a coincidence! Wasn’t too many months ago that I, as a senior pilot, began to wonder what would happen if the Luscombe had to land itself. Could it? Would it? Blessed with a wide expanse of luxuriant grass, I made a repeated number of landings in an attempt to understand what, exactly, the Luscombe required from me to make a smooth and comfortable landing.
It turns out that the Luscombe, if landed into the wind on our splendid field of grass, needed so little from me as far as effort was concerned that it was both revealing and somewhat surprising, which gave me a great deal of confidence that the Luscombe would certainly be my friend during a medical emergency.
The next morning, I discovered that the Luscombe, amazingly, if left to its own, needed little or nothing to make an equally fine takeoff.
The Palsy didn’t affect your writing skills or wit Paul, nor I suspect your flying. Best of luck in your hopefully quick recovery. I’ve been meaning to ask if you would give me my first ever small airplane BFR someday. Am still counting on that.
Excellent review of Bell’s Palsy – thanks! For dozens of years, I have successfully and safely treated these episodes by one (or two, maybe three) IV infusions of a gentle hydrogen peroxide formula developed by my friend Charles Farr, PhD, MD, in 1987. Treatment is best started as soon as reasonable after onset of symptoms. Recurrence still happens, so it is symptomatic not curative. I suspect that ozone infusions would work as well but I have not had experience treating Bell’s with that and H2O2 is easy and quick to administer. Dr. Farr investigated the approach when he discovered that peroxide infusions had been successfully used during the brutally devastating 1918 “Spanish Flu” pandemic but the procedures then were crude and severe side effects were common. His research devised safe and effective protocols for viral illnesses, including episodic “flu.” Mainstream medicine has not adopted this approach. – John Parks Trowbridge MD, FACAM, Who’s Who Top Doctor in Advanced Medicine, Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award
Mr Berge,
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had to clean my keyboard from reading yours and Bertorellis’
writings.
Sending you all the positive waves that I can and hoping you’re flying sooner than later.
Pssst, the airplane doesn’t know you’ve got the palsy!
Mark M
HI Paul, I got the t-shirt when the right side of my face dropped for 6 weeks and now 20 or so years later a slight droopy right eyebrow is all that remains of Bell’s. During a check up years following, a doctor said many think it is a result of aggravated stress lowering the immune response, allowing a dormant virus to find a nice spot (the 7TH cranial nerve) to take over. If COVID and the U.S. national election wasn’t enough, regular daily activities have a way of piling up to exasperate stress. In my case I think it was accumulated stress that may have brought on my condition, and a little review was in order. In the mean time, “no soup for you” for a while, and a strategically placed mask also works as a bib, all the best and keep your p…funny side up.
Hello Paul,
I guess not too many readers are devoted to John Donne, and certainly no man is an island in the global aviation community; we are all part of the main.
Best wishes in these awful times.