in front of you in shorts, sandals with socks, and a tucked in white t-shirt if you want to go for the “guffaw-look”.

I was also the 'senior male in a polo shirt and cargo pants' that day.

One sided stiffness or paralysis is more common and can be attributed to a few things. Bell’s Palsy is the most common reason- a condition that can be caused by Lyme disease or other infections.

It was not that I could not move my mouth, it was that every facial expression was either a flat, dead look, or a grimace. I was trying to smile, it is as if I have forgotten how, since I just could not get my face to do it.

But, I will mention it to the doctor when I go in for the next visit... assuming I get to do that. Things are not going well enough to even consider it right now.

yes INDEED

But, it is an issue and I would like to see what he says, even if I feel that is not what is going on here.

I think it is more defeat, failure, and utter disillusionment with everything.

but let the doc make that determination

I suspect growing up in a medical family has soured me towards the profession, because I can see the mistakes and fumbles better than most can. I also have a better idea of what to do about most medical issues than most. Sometimes I find it tough to go to the doctor because the last two that I have had are little more than 'switchboard operators' due to their constant redirection to specialized medical professionals with little in the way of effort on their part. And, they do this for every visit, regardless of how simple the injury/condition may be. That just costs me more money, as I would rather just go to the specialist directly. However, I cannot do that, as the GP must refer me to the specialist first.

Nice racket, eh? But, I will go anyway. I am already in debt up to my eyebrows, why not add some more to it?

I too tend to procrastinate, yes indeed.....and seeing a doctor in America sucks for far too many people. A new example, the idea that someone needs to get a prescription to get a covid shot is utterly ridiculous. Some docs need to have seen you within six months to write a script, and that costs money. Racket indeed.

I have been trying, though.