Month: October 2021

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Lightning Strike Journal Entries 18-20 September 2019

Sept 18

8:00a- got to talk to my sister for a while today. Almost lost track of time. 

10:00p- I’m exhausted and wore out from today. Co-op, store, home to rest a while (actually took nap), then back to store to grab few things I forgot earlier. Took another nap after dinner.

I’m hurting all over. Hands swollen and achy. Shoulders and back throbbing. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness. Lower back throbbing. Muscles randomly spasming in legs. Feet burning tingling pain. Stomach hurts. Chest center aches. Eyes watery. 

Currently resting between exercises. Not sure I’ll be able to finish…starting to fall asleep writing it. Skin itchy. Headache. Forearms ache.

10:35p- icy burning sensation in chest center, burning tingling sensation in upper back, legs, and feet. Head is pounding. Took pain rx shortly ago. Hope it kicks in soon. May have to take muscle relaxer. Don’t like taking them bc they give me nightmares. 

11:45p- Took migraine rx to get rid of headache. Headache finally easing. Taking med for sleep.

Sept 19

12:30a- almost asleep and one of kids phobes scared me

5:30a- broken sleep most of night. Woke at 3:30a. Neck hurts. Lower left leg pins and needles with tingling 

11:57a- I’m so exhausted and sleepy. No energy. Need nap. Whole body aches. Rt ear ringing. Headache.

12:00a- This weather really messing me up. Could feel it coming though I knew it not. Lethargic and hurting more than new normal. It’s storming.

4:00p- promised Dezirae to go Walmart to check if they would do online price match online pricing for bookbag she wanted. They did!! PtL! Saved $11 Whoop! Whoop! 

Started storming while inside store. Not going out now. It’s thundering & lightning!!!! Trying to stay calm. 

Door greeter asked me to please not go out while it’s lightning. Told her not to worry. I won’t bc I was struck by lightning two years ago. She gasped. Asked what happened. She replies I’m so glad you’re okay. I told her I’m alive. It’s left me with lasting side effects. She asked what. Told her nerve damage, brain injury, chronic pain among others but I’m doing my best to work thru it. She tapped me on arm and said, “Bless your heart.”

7:33p- need to remember to bring socks to church. Feet freezing. Jakob went and got my blanket for me. If I allow my feet to stay cold long I get headaches. 

9:00p- cold, feet cold. Put socks on.

Hands swollen and achy. Headache. Rt ear hurts. Nose itches. Rt ear itches. 

11:59p- starting to get sleepy. Nech hurts. Tired.  

Sept 20

7:00a- hit snooze. Feels like I just fell asleep. 

7:15a- gotta het up. Need to take Jordon to work. 

8:00a- crazy how certain sounds upset me now. Could hear leaf fluttering under the hood. Think I might need ear muffs.

9:00a- decided to make breakfast. Dezirae showed me how to make bird’s in a nest. Pretty neat. Tasted good.

10:30- realized I needed to input grades before I get too far behind. Took me while to figure out what’s what. Gave myself headache. Ugh!

1:13p- I’ve a headache. Center of chest hurting. Neck hurts. 

2:17p- chest is really hurting causing lft eye to tear up. Took rx. 

I’m beginning to think something else going on because it’s never taken me this long to get over the Costocondritis before. It’s frustrating being limited in physical activity. Makes me feel lazy but when I give in to the guilt I end up hurting myself worse. Ugh!

2:30p- went to Buccees to get deer corn and lunch. Too crowded and too many noises. Had to find a slower corner to calm the spirit.

Hunger started to kick in so headed towards food section. Head is swimming. Too many senses swirling around in head (noises, colors, sounds, scents, etc.). Saw a lady trip over her own feet and thought I was falling reached out to grab Joe’s arm. He looked at me funny and then I realized it wasn’t me. 

3:30p- entire upper chest stinging!!! I do not like stinging pain. Sam I am.

4:00p- why do people have to play their bass so loud? It hurts my whole body!!!!

4:15p- bloody nose unexpected. No notice. Wish I could figure out the cause. 

6:12p- stinging finally stopped but it feels like a thumb hit by a hammer. 

8:37p- chest still throbbing. Feet freezing.

11:24p- so tired of hurting. Took pain rx & muscle relaxer. 

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Lightning Strike Journal Entries 16-17 September 2019

Sept 16

7:00a- fell asleep sometime after midnight. Woke before alarm. Feel like I could sleep longer. Whole body hurts. Sinus congestion. Eyes watering. Both hands and arms numb and tingly upon waking. Hands swollen and achy. Toes & feet achy. Legs ache. Low back throbbing. Rt hip aching. 

11:20a- bp 96/68 hr 64. PT said she was okay with Bp but if it gets any lower she’d be concerned.

Three contributing factors to balance: vestibular, central (muscles and joints), sensory receptors (eyes). [Had to google when I got home because the only words I could remember her saying was vestibular and thre contributing factors].

Suggested neuro psychologist for the cognitive issues. (I know I need help in this area but one I don’t have funds right now and two I’m quite leary about trusting my cognitive issues to a secular psychologist. I know it would help with the cognitive reasoning as well as the anxiety. I’m going to pray that God will provide.)

PT did some testing to check progress. Overall I am improving even though it’s not where we wanted me to be but I am improving. PtL!

I asked her what the students thought of their testing & assessing me. She said that they all have said that was their favorite sessions because it was such an eye opener and helped them on so many levels especially with a lightning survivor.

She also asked me if it was okay to have a second therapist join our session next time to see what she thinks; and kind of get a second opinion on therapy and progress. 

God is so good!

https://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorder/human-balance-system

https://www.livestrong.com/article/49331-factors-body-equilibrium-balance/

12:00p- muscles in back and arms pins and needles sensation.

5:00p- Dezirae graciously offered to cook dinner. Feet freezing. Put socks on. Starting to get headache.

6:00p- headache eased once feet warmed up. Took socks off.

8:00p- feet starting to get cold. Headache getting stronger. Stomach hurting.

11:13p- trouble falling asleep. Rt hip throbbing. Low back throbbing. Hands swollen, achy, and tingly. Feet cold though have socks on. Still have headache. Rear end throbbing. Upper back aches. Legs ache. Muscles randomly twitching thru body. Lower lft leg tingly and achy. Center of chest hurting. Eyes itchy and watering.  

11:30p- sharp pain in chest. Good it feels NOT! 

Sept 17

4:15a- fell asleep from exhaustion sometime after midnight. Woke suddenly shortly after 4am. When I looked at clock it was 4:20ish. Rt hip screaming. Pins and needles crawling up and down body. Muscle spams mid lft side. Read my Bible on my phone. Prayed for people that came to mind. Fell asleep praying.

7:00a- think I finally fell back to sleep sometime after 5:45 only to have nightmare about being stung by giant bees. The bites swole up like giant warts. The only thing that would kill them was some liquid in a 2 gallon pump sprayer. Later found out the liquid was windex. Ugh!

Oddly enough I woke with following song on my mind…

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart. I will enter His courts with praise I will say this is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

He has made me glad, He has made me glad. I will rejoice for he has made me glad. He has made me glad, He has made me glad I will rejoice for he has made me glad. 

Think it’s based off Psalm 100:4

Rt hip still throbbing but not like it was at 4am. Whole body hurt when I woke at 7am. Took a while to get moving. 

8:00a- PT says I need to try to get back more flat when doing some of the exercises she’s assigned. Decided to try the “legs up the wall” pose while doing them to see if it helps. I’ll try to remember to keep ya posted.

I’ve actually been doing it periodically but it’s been hit and miss. https://www.doyouyoga.com/6-benefits-of-legs-up-the-wall-pose-48440/

10:30a- TBI mtg. It amazes me how much people light up when they see Dezirae and myself. Mrs Teresa even took time to sit with us to chat a while.

2:15p- finally home. Need a nap before volleyball game tonight. I’m exhausted. Can feel myself crashing. Rt hip really hurting. Not sure what I did to aggravate it.

3:30p- dumb gps is taking me on interstate. I really dislike interstate!! It is 15 minutes shorter than I remember of route we took in past. I can’t remember route but I know it wasn’t interstate. 

6:00p- Dezirae’s team won match. 3-0. On way home, I yawned and my jaw and neck cramped bad. Had trouble shutting mouth. Extreme pain in jaw and rt ear. Took quite a while for it to subside.

9:12p- I’m so exhausted! Jordon suggested I take the pill that helps me sleep so I can get some much needed rest. He thought it was Tylenol.

Rt hip really hurting. Low back aches. Feet cold. Put socks on. Lower lft leg numbish feeling and is icy cold. Neck aches. Headache. Hiccups. Sinus congestion some. Upper shoulders ache.

9:39p- lower lft leg now prickly, burning pins and needles sensation

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation

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Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Ingredients:

½ cup butter

1-2 tsp minced garlic

2 cups milk

2-3 TBS cornstarch

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Salt & pepper to taste

Stove top Directions:

Melt butter in medium sauce pan over medium heat.  Mix cornstarch in milk until well blended. Add garlic and milk to pan and whisk until combined. Bring mixture to a simmer (do not boil).  Stir often. Whisk in cheeses and stir until smooth. Cook for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.  Enjoy!

Crock pot Directions:

Place butter, milk, and seasonings in crock pot.  Cook on high for 2 hours (low for 4 hours). After 2 hours, whisk in Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch; mix until combined.  Let cook for 15 – 30 minutes to thicken. Make sure sauce is boiling before adding remaining cornstarch.  Once sauce thickens, add any additional ingredients you want to serve with the sauce.  Let heat for about 15 minutes for other ingredients to heat thoroughly.  Enjoy!

Notes:

*Yields 2 cups of sauce. Serves  5 people.

* Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days.

* Freezing leftovers is not recommended.

* There are endless possibilities to use this sauce.  Possible add ins include:  Pasta, Ravioli, Chicken, Ham, Broccoli, Spinach, topping for pizza, etc.

* You can substitute the milk for heavy cream.

* To make a Keto version, use only butter, heavy  cream, and Parmesan cheese.

P.S. I used to have a difficult time deciding on what recipe to choose for the week, but recently it dawned on me that I can just pick a recipe from my weekly meal planning that stood out to me and post it. For me, it makes meal planning a little more fun trying to figure out which recipe I will post on my blog.

I don’t just pick one to share here on my blog, but I also do it to share with my son and his fiance to help them while they are at college, and hopefully, it’ll become a source of recipes they can use once they get married.

I hope you all are enjoying the recipes I am sharing. I try to share ones that our family not only loves to eat, but also ones that are frugal for a tight budget.

P.S.S. If there is a recipe that you would like to see me post, please feel free to submit suggestions. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 14 -15 September 2019

Sept 14

6:50- woke to both hands and arms being numb and tingly. Had nightmare. Toes cold. Lft lower leg tingly. Low back throbbing. Stomach hurts. Stuffy nose. Hurt all over.

12:00- ladies and I put together gift bags this morning for the first responders. I’m exhausted and feel like fading fast. Nerves spit firing. Low back aches. Hands ache. Muscles randomly twitching thru body.

1:00p- nervous about making the gumbo. Asked Sis Talina to help. Kids helped vacuum, mop, sweep, clean doors, wipe walls, sign cards, finish up gift bags & close them, clean nursery, etc. 

4:00- trying to fix a window Bro Jerry noticed my hands were shaking. Thought I was hiding it but guess not. Told him it was from my nerves.

5:30p- stop at store on way home to pick flowers for tomorrow. 

6:30p- made it home, put pizza in oven and crashed on chair in living room. I’m exhausted and hurting. 

7:00p- finished up bulletins. Asked family to help fold them and put revival fliers in them. 

10:00p- I’m beyond exhausted and really hurting all over. Chest aches. Hands swollen and achy. Lower left leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness. Lft toes tingly. Back and shoulders stinging. Surprisingly I only had a slight headache today. Shooting sharp pain in rt hand to elbow. Been having trouble taking backwards and messing up what I’m trying to say. Rt shpulder throbbing. Rt hip throbbing.

Sept 15

4am- startled awake to sound of door shutting but couldn’t determine from which it came. 

6am- took long time to fall back asleep. Had nightmare. Apparently kneed my husband in back sometime in night. I’m tired. Whole body aches. Muscles randomly twitching thru body. 

7:15a- Dezirae lets me know three gift bags are missing thank you cards. Ugh! Now have to open all of them to find which three and put thank cards in them. Wish she told me yday.

9:30a- wrote tithe check. Thought I put it on my purse but its not there. Ugh! Brain is swimming today. One of twins brought me a carmel apple today! Awh!  Brain feels like it’s swimming. Feeling xtra dizzy. Lord, please don’t let me fall. Eyes blinking excessively. Trying to stop but they wont. Bothersome.

11:30p- my friend and her daughter finally came. Yay! Found check…I inadvertently put it in my Bible. Lol. 

3:00p- had good turn out today. Mayor of Bayou, Chief of Port Police, Police officer of Bayou, Fire Fighters, and Military were there. One saved today too. PtL!

4:40p- twas putting food away quite slowing. I’m exhausted and fading. Son tells me he will get it bc I need to go lay down and rest. No argument here.

5:40p- awaken by phone call. I’m so tired think I’ll lay down just a bit longer.

8:30p- Joe came to check to see if I was okay. Got up for little while. Still wore out. Put food in cooler away.

10:00p- think it’s time for bed. School in am. Pt tomorrow.

Sinus congestion. Whole body hurts. Headache. Ears ringing off and on. Hands swollen and achy. Rt hip throbbing. Neck hurts. Feet cold…put on socks. Low back throbbing. Chin itches. Starting to feel chilly.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 12-13 September 2019

Sept 12

8:20a alarm went off at 7am. Hit snooze so I thought and fell back to sleep. So tired. Nightmares. Hence reason I don’t take muscle relaxer very often. Quoting scripture in head to combat them. 

Chest & back throbbing. Turned from stomach to back and neck and chest popped loudly. Ouch! Hands swollen and achy. Feet have warmed up but still slight cool. Low back throbbing. Tingling in lft foot and ankle.

9:40a- sharp stabbing pain in center of chest again. I don’t need this right now!!! Frustrating. Had daughter step on back. Popped little. Son lifted me up. Popped little more. Muscles randomly twitching in legs.

11:32a- think I stopped a migraine before it started. last night my feet were icy cold when I had a headache. I ate a bunch of pretzels before going to bed. started getting another headache this morning. ate a handful of pretzels. my headache went away

9:30p- I’m cranky, exhausted, extremely hurting. Laying down icing chest. Hands numb.

Sept 13

6:45a- woke up thinking I overslept. Hands swollen, achy, and tingly numbish. Center of chest starting to get sharp stabbing pain. Stomach hurts.

7:26a- Joe graciously is taking Jordon to work for me. 

Ears both ringing. Stuffy nose. Feet hurt. Rt hip aching. Low back aches. Hands ache & tingly. Eyes watery. Center of chest aches.

I guess I have spunk. Was told that yday. Trying to figure out if that’s good or bad in my case. I guess good.

Dictionary says spirit, courage, determination. Example sentence is “had the spunk to overcome a 

severe physical disability.” Anyone notice the sentence is laking a subject?

I think that describes me. Cool. I may not look disabled, but I sure do feel it some days while most others I feel excessively challenged. I’ve always having to rethink how I can accomplish things without extra effort because some physical effort causes great pain especially if it involves me arms.

7:40a- hands ice cold (that’s new?), lower legs throbbing, low back throbbing, feet are starting to feel icy. Ears both still ringing.   

12:13p- wore out from Sam’s trip. Rt hip throbbing. Low back aches. Chest hurts & icy starting, feet cold, short of breath. Need to go pick up cake & take to church. 

1:30p- got shocked more than 13 times in Walmart!!! That really hurts!!! Not like normal people bc it lingers somehow in my body. Each shock feels like it gets stronger. Told me family to keep their distance bc it’s not funny.

2:00p- finally arrived at church. We worked on sprucing up church some (pine needles in flower bed, guys blew off roof, Dezirae & Joe swept ceiling of porch – just spreading pine needles made me short of breath, set up tables in fellowship hall). 

5:00p- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Center of chest icy. 

6:00p- crashed on chair in living room for little bit. Joe jumped in to help.

8:00p- center of chest throbbing. Icing my chest for little while. It helped not hurt as bad still aches.

10:00p- walking down hall to room got very dizzy. Grabbed wall for balance.

10:38p- sometimes deep breathing hurts my chest. Sometimes I don’t know if I should push thru or not.

Box fan making funny noise all of sudden. Joe noticed couple screws missing. Told him I found one on bed this morning or yday. He mentioned that I fell into the fan couple nights ago. I don’t have any recollection of it. Hmm?

Entire back aches and feels tight. Shoulders hurt. Feet ache. Skin itching some. Low back aches. Neck hurts. 

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 10 -11 September 2019

Sept 10

6:15a- woke in a sweat. Burning up. 

7:20a- Dad called in earlier for surgery today. Gotta hurry to hospital. I hate rushing…causes me to forget things and hurts my nerves.

8:02a- Dr’s anxious to start surgery. Joe & Jakob praying with Dad before they take him back.  

I have this problem

https://migraine.com/blog/my-weirdest-home-remedy-tool/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=promoted&utm_campaign=Erenumab-CAS4&utm_confid=sovh175sq

https://results.wethinkhealth.online/topic/22/migraine+causes+symptoms+and+treatment/?utm_campaign=3JNHrS8&g_ci=23843874188640591&g_ai=23843874200330591&g_adi=23843874200590591

12:30p- talked with firefighters ate foosakley’s. Asked them if they encountered lightning survivors. Not really they said. Heard of them mostly. Joe introduced me. Wow that’s amazing. I really need to designed some type of business card to give to bring awareness.

2:08p- I’m beyond exhausted…about to crash. Dad went thru surgery well. Finally in a room. Ran errands with family picking up donations for big day on Sunday. 

Nerves are on fire. Chest throbbing. Legs and back throbbing burning. Took rx. Taking a nap. Phone been crazy busy too. Mechanic can’t see car until next Tuesday. Ugh! I don’t need this now.

Stomach cramping rt side. Brain crashing fogged burned out too much thinking overload. Forgot where I was going with this. Muscles spasming randomly throughout body. Neck hurts mostly rt side. Headache. Lights & loud sounds bothersome.

4:30p- don’t know why I tourture myself going to vball games (except to cheer my daughter on as I’m able). I know it gives me headache with loud noises and the lights and cause my nerves to fire up. Love my daughter❤

6:45p- visiting my dad in hospital. He’ll be in at least one night maybe two.

Rcevd info from TBI about concussion… https://www.wndu.com/content/news/Dos-and-donts-when-dealing-with-concussions-559854391.html

7:21p- center of chest stinging

10:00p- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Headache. Muscles and nerves on fire. Muscles in back stinging. Low back throbbing. Calves burning and ache. Toes throbbing. Hands swollen and achy. Center of chest icy burning. Lower left leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness & tingling from mid lower leg to toes.

10:50 feet cold. Getting chilly. Tired but wide awake. Arms ache. Took muscle relaxer. Cramping in lft calf

Sept 11

6:45a- woke up freezing! It’s not that hot in house. Got about 7 hours of sleep. Feel better than I have in a while yet I feel like I could sleep longer.

8:00a- Co-op today. Kept not only messing up my words but also fingerspelling words backwards. Talk about ultimate dyslexia if I had it. Frustrating! Gained student today. Need more chairs.

12:25p- I’m exhausted. Brain feels scrambled from information overload. Lft Hand tingly. Feet tingly. Legs ache. Rt hip hurts. Muscles randomly twitching thru body. Need to rest a bit. Dezirae making lunch.

12:50p- lunch eaten. Feel like I’m gonna crash. Laying down for little bit.

7:00p- so don’t like taking showers anymore cuz they wear me out and make me short of breath. Have to rest afterwards before I can do anything else.

9:00p- think I’ll go to bed. I’m exhausted from today. Brain doesn’t want to work right. Muscles randomly twitching thru body. Lower back throbbing. Rt hip throbbing.  

9:30- feet are like ice. Put on socks. Pm pt exercises. Neck hurts. Rt hip throbbing. Lower lft lg numbish from mid to foot. Rt hand throbbing. 

Read something recently about migraine trigger indicators. One possibility is ice cold feet just prior. Hoping to prove that wrong. Slight headache I do have. Upper chest aching

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I Think I’ll Just Praise Him Anyways by Amy Brown

Happy MONDAY!!! Just a reminder that Jesus loves YOU!

This week’s devotion is “I Think I’ll Just Praise Him Anyways” written by Amy Brown! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us!

I Think I’ll Just Praise Him Anyways – Amy Brown

I would like to start off by saying that we serve an AMAZING God! The Lord has brought me through so many storms and valleys throughout my life that it would literally take a book for me to be able to share it all! But this is what the Lord impressed upon my heart to share with you ladies, and my prayer is that you will be refreshed and encouraged, knowing that we serve a God who “is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above ALL that we ask or think!”

Last year, our family went through one of the hardest trials that we’ve ever had to face together as a family. My dad had been in the hospital with some major complications from an everyday procedure he had gotten done weeks prior, and he had to have emergency surgery to have his colon reconstructed. That, in itself- was very scary and very serious, but little did we know in the days following, the storm we would be facing. His emergency surgery had been that Saturday, but by Wednesday, instead of him getting better, he was getting much worse. During this timeframe, our church had a huge outbreak of Covid, and my mom finally convinced the doctor to test my dad for Covid. He came back positive, and on top of that, he had double pneumonia along with blood clots. At this point, the hospital sent my mom home, and she was no longer able to go and see him, and she had to be quarantined for the next 14 days. We weren’t about to let my mom be alone for all those days, and my 14-year-old daughter volunteered to go and stay with her. The entire time, I felt God had given me peace that my dad was going to be ok, but it wasn’t very long when things began to get much more serious. I’ll never forget this day…on July 4th, I got a call from the doctor at the hospital. I was numb as I was listening to what the doctor was telling me- they had done everything they could for my dad, but he wasn’t going to make it through the night, and they were calling the family in for us to say our goodbyes to him. Long story short, my mom, my husband and I went to the hospital to sit outside the glass room in the CCU where my dad lay. The nurse spoke to us saying how sorry she was, but they had done everything they could. I remember looking up at her and saying to her, “He’s not gone yet, so we’re gonna keep praying!” She replied, “You don’t understand. Your dad is the sickest man in this hospital, and I don’t want to give you a false hope.” I responded back to her, “You may not know my God, but we serve an amazing God, and we know that God can heal him, and as long as there’s breath in him, we’re gonna keep praying!” Come to find out later, this nurse that cared for him that night had been at this hospital the longest and was considered the best nurse there- NOT a coincidence!!! We were there the entire night and watched God perform miracle after miracle. They sent us home the next morning around 6am. And guess what?! My dad had made it through that long night! The next phone call I received from the doctor was promising. He told me that my dad was a fighter, and since he made it through the night, he wanted to give him a fighting chance. They had called Duke University (which happens to be one of the top hospitals) and were going to transfer him there for my dad to get the best care possible! When they called Duke, there was only ONE BED available in the CCU- again, NOT a coincidence! It was a breath of fresh air, and it brought so much peace to our hearts, and somehow, we knew that God was going to heal him. I don’t have the time to share everything. Each day brought its own challenges. Some were a step forward, and other days it seemed he would take two steps backward. But through it all, God was so faithful to us, and gave us the strength to make it through each challenge we faced. After 68 days of being in the hospital, we were able to bring my dad home!!! What a day of rejoicing, and what an AMAZING God we serve!!!

I’d like to share one last thought which will explain the title for this devotional. My teenage daughter, Brianna, writes and composes gospel music. She started at the age of 13 and is now 15 years old. She has written of total of 35 songs now, and we’re so thrilled with how God is using her life! My mom is a great woman of faith and a true prayer warrior. When Brianna went to stay with her during her quarantine days, they had a conversation together. She looked at Brianna and said to her, “Well, so far, God has protected my husband and brought him this far, and He’s also protected me from getting Covid, so I think I’ll just praise Him anyways!”

The hardest thing to do is to praise Him in our storms and valleys, but God INHABITS the PRAISE of His people. When we begin to praise Him, we have complete AUDIENCE with Him. It’s kinda like when we overhear someone talking good about us…we enjoy hearing good things said about us, and we listen intently to what they’re saying, right? It’s the SAME way with the Lord. God DELIGHTS in praise, and when we thank Him and praise Him, He begins to listen intently to what we’re asking of Him. So, I challenge you ladies who may be in the midst of a storm right now, to start praising Him and thanking Him for everything you can think of, and God will begin giving you peace and strength! If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it! And I promise you’ll come out on the other side with a greater faith and compassion for others!!!

Through the words my mom said to my daughter that day, Brianna wrote this song below entitled, “I Will Sing His Praise Anyways.” God has used my dad’s testimony as well as this song to help encourage many, and my prayer is that God will get ALL the HONOR, GLORY and PRAISE for ALL HE’S DONE!!! HE IS WORTHY!!!

Philippians 4:6-7“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/i-think-ill-just-praise-him-anyways-amy-brown

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Lightning Strike Journal Entries 8-9 September 2019

Sept 8 

7:00a- overslept forgot to set alarm

7:30a- prednisone seems to be helping. Neck on both sides seem to be a little less swollen than yesterday. 

8:30a- choked on my drink. forgot to raise hands to ease it waving my face with left hand until my husband reminded me to. still didn’t raise hand. done choking by then.

9:00a- that I can’t wear heels right now and put the wrong shoes on. back started throbbing when I walking at church. had to take shoes off. 

10:00a- lost & confused in SS. Not understanding sheep & goat analogy (Matthew 25:31-46). Gave me headache. Magnified brain fog I already had. Ugh!

11:00a- can’t seem to get hands, brain, & eyes to coordinate to play piano. Gave it my best effort. I know importance of music in service so I will continue to do my best until God supplies another pianist to take my place. I will not be offended in the least – I love to sing.

11:30a- both legs from knees down shooting throbbing pain. Top of left foot & toes partially numb. Toes tingling in rt foot. Rt hip hurtd. Tingling in arms & hands. Neck hurts. Low back throbs.

It’s hard to follow preaching. Hardly ever get all the points down. I try to take notes to help understanding and comprehension.

Just realized I forgot to notate about confusion & trouble comprehension of atty call on Friday. Had to have her explain to my husband. I think I frustrated her. 

Sometimes (maybe a lot) I not know how to explain pain. I don’t remember how certain pains feel. Memory is a whole other issue. 

Like pain shooting in my legs right now are like a dull stinging pulsating shocking pain. Makes it hard not to focus on that instead of what’s going on around me. I have no clue what syntax would cover that type of pain. It radiates up and down from knees to feet up lft side then down rt side.

Center of chest feels like I’ve gotten frost bitten.

2:00p- face & upper chest area super flushed – looks like a sunburn. Face kind of feels like it too. I’m so tired. Need to rest a while. Stressed out about next Sunday’s event. 

4:00p- attempted to finish bulletin board by putting letters up “Thank You For Your Sacrifice”. Got them pinned up but had to ask Dezirae to help finish bc arms and chest started hurting. 

6:30p- trouble getting brain & hands to coordinate playing piano. 

 Chest starting to really hurt. Ugh! 

It’s almost like when I get this bad that I have to treat myself like a fragile ceramic doll. 

11:30p- low back throbbing, neck hurts, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness up to midcalf area, toes tingly, headache, sinuses draining, stuffy nose, hands swollen and achy, muscles randomly spazzing thru body, muscles in midsection cramping, center of chest aches, tired but still awake

https://www.chronicbodypain.net/learning-how-to-cope-with-degenerative-disc-disease-and-what-not-to-do-exercise-can-be-hurtful/

Sept 9

6:15a- feels like I just fell asleep. Rough night. Fell asleep sometime after midnight. When I shut all lights off, I saw spots like disco lights all over room. It was very strange kept me from falling asleep for quite some time. Woke again at 2am and 4:30am.

Taking Joe to work. Car still down. Hopefully take to mechanics tomorrow and not cost too much or it’ll be sitting longer. This stresses me bc I have lots to do this week for Sunday preparations.

7:00a- stomach hurting bad thru to back

8:00a- Jordon suggested I lay back down for half hour to rest. 

Stomach hurting bad. Hands swollen and achy. Sinuses congested making it hard to breath. Face hurts. Chest center aches & icy. Pain pulsating in upper left back. Feet like ice-put socks on. Legs ache. Muscles randomly twitching/spasming thru body. Tush hurts. 

12:45p- going to friends house to get help with finalizing plans for Hometown Heroes Sunday. Stopped at produce market and post office on the way.

5:00p- Think mtg went well. Have to stop at store on way home to pick up items for dinner. 

6:00p- Joe & kids helped bring in food and put it away while I started dinner. I’m exhausted and hurting.

10:15p- Have several businesses on hook for donations. Had to type up letter on letterhead. Will have Joe sign in am. I’m exhausted and hurting.

   Back throbbing. Headache. Lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with partial numbness from knee down to foot. Hands swollen and achy. Eyes watery. Brain fogged. Dizzy. Lips parched. Muscles randomly twitching thru body. Lft leg aches. Feet hurt. Center chest aches.

   Forgot about calling Dr’s today about medical records. Gotta do that tomorrow. Ugh! 

   Today went good but I’ll be glad when this week is over. Too much stress on me right now.

11:45p- stinging needle pain in hands, arms, legs, and back

Posted on

Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 5-7 September 2019

Sept 5

8:30a- feel a little better but still very weak and lightheaded. Slightest wrong move my muscles cramp/spasm bad. Ugh!

Asked God for extra strength today bc I don’t feel like getting out of bed. Prayed for church family, and hurricane victims.

9:00a- decided to take a shower. Turned to turn shower on and muscles cramped so bad I had to stop. Head hurts. Neck & shoulders hurt & tightened muscles. Wore me out. I’m about to where I don’t look forward to bathing bc it’s such a challenge.

9:30a- need to rest a bit then start working on stuff for appreciation Sunday. 

10:00a- finally getting around to eating breakfast. Not hungry but know I need something in belly. Kids started schoolwork on their own. 

Don’t recall where I put my lists. Starting new ones. It can get so overwhelming at times. Choose to recruit help from older son and church family.

12:27p- Jordon asks what’s for lunch. Dezirae reminded him of meal menu on fridge. Jordon asks for soup instead. Makes me a bowl. I’m actually hungry for change eat burger & hot dog. 

4:40p- found out we are having missionaries tonight. Joe asked their daughter to play piano tonight to give me a break. Blessing because I was going to let him know I needed a break. God knows!

5:00p- realized I forgot to print rest of items for bulletin board. Have to put it on my to do list. Finally have a binder I can put it in to not loose it, hopefully.

6:45- Bro Jerry asked me how I was doing. I hesitated then told him fair bc last couple of days have been tough. He let me know he’s been praying for me. That was an encouragement. 

7:45p- realized I forgot to print prayer list for September. I dislike forgetting things so much.

11:20p- not able to fall asleep due to much pain. Scrolling on Facebook momentarily friend in NC posts that they are currently facing effects from Hurricane Dorian. Able to share comforting words and spend time praying for them for a while. Also prayed for missionary in Honduras that had to be rescued from their home bc of Dorian…prayed for their recovery efforts and strength in rebuilding process.  

Sept 6 

1:18a- still wide awake…getting sleepy…funny how praying can have that affect on you. 

Whole body hurts from head to toes – headache, lightheaded, neck hurts, shoulders hurt, back aches, rt hip throbbing, legs ache, lower lft leg from middle to toes numbish & tingling, heels & toes ache, muscles tight, hands swollen and achy, brain foggish, random muscles twitching thru body

5:30a- woken out of sleep abruptly by stomach cramping pain & severe low back pain. If only I could get the sleep I need, I might feel some better. Got the runs. 🙁

6:30a- taking Jordon to work. Forgot where I was going made wrong turn. Had to turn around.  Need gas in car. Jordon filled her up. 

12:30p- we dropped Dezirae off for her away vball game. Headed to Mostellar to check on medical records for atty. Had wrong fax # will resend.

Asked about making apt bc Costocondritis flare up isn’t letting up. Informed Dr I was seeing isn’t there anymore. New Dr won’t start until later this month. Ugh! Triaged with nurse. Spoke w/ nurse practitioner. They’re calling in steroid rx if not better to call for work in apt. Hope this works. I need to get better asap.

4:00p- Finally home again. I’m exhausted. Mind going 100 miles a minute. Decided to watch a mystery movie.

5:17p- Dad called to check on me. I had just fallen asleep. I’m exhausted not feeling too good.  

6:00p- ask guys to cook dinner bc I’m not feeling up to it. They graciously started it while I finished it up. Had them clean up too.

9:00p- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Don’t feel good either. Major headache.

Sept 7

12:00a- woke around midnight hurting. Not sure how to explain but like you ache all over when you have flu but with pins and needles at my joints and I don’t have the flu. Kept me awake for some time before I could fall back to sleep. Had migraine and had to take rx.

7:30a- feel like I broke a sweat last night. Joe says it’s just hot in our room. Think I’m going thru premenopause on top of everything else. 

Positive note my migraine is gone for now. I hurt all over. Chest too. Finding the right balance is hard to do sometimes.

8:00a- Joe told me to stay home and rest.

5:30p- chest really hurting sharp pain rt side thru to back. Icing my chest, took pain rx to ease pain. Ache from head to toe.

7:00p- horrible hiccups!! Hiccupped consistently for about 10 min.

11:30p- back 2 gargling with Maalox and Benadryl to keep pain & swelling down in tongue. Sores showing up again especially on right side of tongue. 

Sharp pain in chest and back easing but chilling burning sensation replaced it. I guess the prednisone is working. Sneezed hard now nose is dripping blood (bled for 5 min). Wish I could figure out connection. Frustrating. 

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