The day was not without its dramas, or should I say, it was actually the whole weekend.
On the Saturday I was driving my daughter to Chester Zoo when I felt decidedly unwell with numbness in my mouth and face. I was on the motorway when I decided I had to turn around and try and make it back home but ended up calling my childminder, Rachel, to come out and help me when I reached Knutsford. Rachel ended up driving me to the hospital for checks. I spent three hours in A&E to be sent home to take some paracetamol.
My husband was out of the country at the time but had called my parents, who live in Scotland, to warn them what was going on. I later spoke to them and told them the hospital said it was best not to drive, so I had resigned myself to the fact I would miss my distinction. Late that night my parents called back to say they had decided to drive down early morning to take me to the show. After getting up at 3am and a four hour drive, they arrived the next morning at 8.20am ready to head straight back out to Birmingham at 9.30am.
It was great watching all the panels being assessed but when it came time to watch my panel I was a nervous wreck with sweaty palms and a heart which wanted to pound out my chest. The judges were very complimentary which was wonderful to hear and when John Long stood up to announce I was being recommended the relief was unbelievable.
After the show I went back in to the hospital as the condition had worsened and it was confirmed to be Bell's Palsy, a paralysis of one side of my face. I was given a course of steroids to take for five days with a visit to the doctor at the end of the week.
I am very grateful to my parents and Rachel for all their help this weekend. Without it I would not be as happy as am I now, even though I can only smile on one side of my face!
Below is my winning LRPS panel. Larger images can be viewed at Diffanglephoto
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