Savannah Mares-Sedillo initially dismissed a slight numbness in her tongue. Days later, she awoke with a strange sensation spreading across her face. Her eye burned, and her face began twitching. Despite this, Mares-Sedillo went to work, busy filming auditions.
"That evening, I started feeling unwell. The next day, my lip and eye felt odd, but I ignored it. I had to be up at 6 a.m. to film an audition with a 10 a.m. deadline," she recounted.
The audition was physically demanding, requiring Mares-Sedillo to run and perform other actions. By the time she finished, half of her face was paralyzed. When she tried to smile, only one side of her face moved.
The actress recorded a video for her mother, asking if this was normal. Her mother warned it could be a stroke, a condition that ran in their family. Mares-Sedillo immediately contacted a medical professional and drove herself to an urgent care center as her vision deteriorated.
After being turned away from one medical center due to insurance issues, Mares-Sedillo went to a nearby emergency room. There, doctors discovered a double ear infection and diagnosed her with Bell's palsy (facial nerve paralysis). This condition involves weakened or lost facial muscle movement due to facial nerve damage, causing facial drooping, difficulty closing the eye, and affecting expressions. Causes can include viruses, cold exposure, trauma, immune disorders, or underlying diseases.
Mares-Sedillo worried her face would be permanently altered. The doctor reassured her that early detection was fortunate, but recovery could still take months. Stress, they believed, was a likely factor, as it weakens the immune system and increases inflammation. She was prescribed 4 medications, including two different antibiotics and a strong steroid.
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Savannah Mares-Sedillo documents her recovery from Bell's palsy. Photo: *People* |
While her career was on hold, Mares-Sedillo used TikTok to document her recovery. She connected with others experiencing the same condition, who recommended acupuncture as a supplemental treatment. The positive comments from the community, acknowledging the visible improvements in her face, became a significant source of motivation. "I take my medicine every day, keep up with acupuncture, and make videos because I want to show people that you can get better," Mares-Sedillo shared.
Her biggest takeaway: "No matter how unique you feel your situation is, there's always someone else going through it." She added, "Even in dark times, you can still persevere and hopefully find something positive. Find the little things to help you get through the rough patches, and it will do a lot for your mental health."
Binh Minh (*People*)
