Welcome Back, Maurice DuBois!

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Welcome back, Maurice!

It was a very exciting day for CBS2 on Thursday as Maurice DuBois returned to the anchor chair, following an extended hiatus brought on by Bell's palsy that caused weakness on the right side of his face.

"I can't tell you just how great it is," DuBois said. "All the love and support has really been overwhelming. It's been overflowing; uplifting."

For DuBois, a whole month felt like forever. For two long weeks, he could not move the right side of his face and he spent days wondering if it had been permanently rearranged.

But on day 14 came a breakthrough – he could finally make tiny movements.

"That's a big deal," DuBois said the doctor's office at the time. "It was frozen last week."

Neurologist Dr. Raymond Coll ran a series of weekly tests to make sure nothing else was going on. DuBois had been through the normal course of steroids and antiviral medication, and afterward, they just waited it out.

Week three was very exciting – with baby steps, but more progress. Finally, after a month, there was a huge sigh of relief.

"You've come a hell of a long way in four weeks," Dr. Coll told DuBois.

CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez explained that inflammation in a facial nerve is believed to be the cause of Bell's palsy. When the nerve comes out of the brain, it passes through a narrow, bony canal that does not provide enough room for the nerve to swell up. Thus, the nerve shuts down and the paralysis results.

"The nerve stops working. No signals are getting to the muscles in your face, and that's what causes the paralysis or the droop," Gomez said.

About 40,000 people a year develop the condition.

Most people with Bell's palsy start to regain normal function completely within a couple of weeks, and usually recover completely or with very few after-effects.

As to whether Bell's palsy can come back, Gomez said it is rare for such a thing to happen.

CBS2's Kristine Johnson asked DuBois whether he views things differently after his bout with Bell's palsy.

"You know what? When the old cliché about your health is everything – it's obviously a cliché because it's true," DuBois said. "I mean, when you don't have your health, you have nothing, and you can't do your job, and your kids – I mean, you start to put everything into focus and perspective, and hopefully get a few things in order; get things together in life. But I have to tell you, the outpouring of support has been absolutely tremendous. I heard from people from all walks, all across the country – even the world. It's just been a lot, and wonderful, so I thank everyone for it."

Indeed, many were consistent in expressing their support and well wishes for Maurice:

Tune in tonight at 11 p.m. to learn more about Maurice's recovery.