Singer-actress Frenchie Dy has shared with the public that she suffered another episode of Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes sudden weakness or paralysis in the muscles on one side of the face.
In a series of videos uploaded on her Facebook page, Frenchie detailed the incident which occured last Monday, February 3, marking the third time she has been afflicted by the condition.
“Third Bell’s palsy attack, kakaloka,” she expressed in her post.
Dy further detailed how she first noticed the symptoms.
“So, yesterday, habang nagla-lunch kami ni hubby, naramdaman ko na iba na yung panlasa ko. And sabi ko, ‘Ba’t ganito yung lasa, parang di masarap?’ And then, mga after 1 o’clock, nung umiinom ako ng tubig, naramdaman ko na tumutulo na yung water. So, sabi ko, ‘Shocks! Ito na, Bell’s palsy na naman, pangatlong attack.’ So, dumiretso agad ako sa hospital,” she shared.
Frenchie sought medical attention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, where her sibling works as a nurse. She first consulted her endocrinologist, Dr. Ligon, who later referred her to a neurologist for further evaluation.
“Pinakita ko yung labs [lab results] ko kay Dr. Ligon. So, tiningnan niya. And then sabi niya, ‘Wow! Congratulations, may Bell’s palsy ka na naman'”, the artist narrated the events. “So, ni-refer niya ako sa neurologist. So, tsinek nila ako kung Bell’s palsy nga. Tsinek muna kung may sensation ba yung parehas kong face, and then tsinek kung pantay ba yung lakad ko, pantay yung kamay ko, yung arms ko, and then okay naman.”
During the video, Frenchie momentarily paused, visibly emotional. Upon resuming, she admitted feeling disheartened but remained hopeful.
“Medyo naiiyak ako kasi pinanghinaan ako ng loob. Pero I know na maraming nagpi-pray for me. Nandito ang anak ko. Nandiyan ang asawa ko, andiyan ang mga anak ko, my friends. Lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin nandiyan so kaya ko ito, laban lang.”
She also showed the numerous medications she needs to take as part of her treatment, noting that this recent episode feels more severe than her previous ones.
“Pero ngayon, parang mas grabe siya, e. Unlike yesterday, nagagalaw ko siya. Ngayon, medyo hindi siya… hindi siya gumagalaw ngayon. So, sa kasunod na video, siguro makikita natin. Sabayan niyo ako sa recovery ng Bell’s palsy ko.”
Despite the setback, Dy remains optimistic and determined to recover with the support of her loved ones and fans. Her followers have since flooded her social media with messages of encouragement and prayers for her speedy healing.
“I’ll update you sa mga tests na mangyayari sa akin kasi gusto din malaman ng mga doctors bakit pabalik balik yung Bell’s ko. Pangtalo na ‘to so mga tests koMRI, EMG. ang hirap humanap at ang mahal pero go lang,” the singer said.
“Thank you guys for being with me. Samahan niyo ako sa journey to recovery nitong Bell’s Palsy ko.”
Frenchie was crowned the champion of ABS-CBN singing competition Star in a Million’s second season on August 21, 2004. Unfortunately, her singing career was put on hold in 2006 after she was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy.
