Walking Through Faith in Hard Times
November 16-17, 2022
Walking through Faith in Hard Times is challenging, especially when facing illness, fatigue, and uncertainty. In these journal entries from a few days in November 2022, I share my personal experiences of living out faith in hard times each day, trusting God through physical trials, family responsibilities, and daily life challenges.
November 16
4:00 woke from dream that I forgot to fill out paperwork for Dr appt to neck hurting and head pounding.
4:40 Joe suggested I take my BP med. Told h I’d check my BP first. It’s 139/91 pulse 75. Yuck. Took 1/4 tab of BP Rx.
Front of neck hurts especially left side where it’s swollen at base of neck. I’m wondering if the immune therapy is affecting my thyroid. Think I need to request they check my thyroid.
https://www.thyroidproadvice.com/what-doctor-do-you-see-for-thyroid-issues/
https://marnieclark.com/chamomile-is-an-effective-cancer-fighter/
https://marnieclark.com/how-much-iodine-to-take/
Joe suggested I check my BP when I get up because my BP is too high right now. I may need to take another 1/4 pill.
Song: ♫The King is Coming♫
Scripture: Psalm 119:18; Acts1-3; Hebrews 6:18-20
Up to help Dezirae study for quizzes today. Brew cup of decaffeinated green tea. Put dishes away. Load dishwasher. Transfer purified water to containers. Still have a headache. Eyes watery.
Made brownies for nurses at Cancer center. Made phone calls. Able to get appt for dermatologist on Friday. Reschedule Dezirae’s eye appt. Called PCP to ask for thyroid check. Dr not in today. Nurse will call back tomorrow.
Nurses we’re excited about the brown bites. I hope they like them. I ate a couple, but my taste buds are all messed up so I’m not sure if they actually taste good.
Frustrated about my appointments today. Told that my appointment for chemo port flush was today, but when I tried to check in they told me that it wasn’t until next month. Ugh.
Cannot check in for the Radiation appt an hour early. Drs are in their weekly meeting. Mom and I leave to run an errand and come back. Still early. Wait in waiting room for twenty minutes. Nurse checked vitals. Weight 165. Bp 124/85 pulse ?
Nurse asked me about my lightning strike story. Give her shortened version. She exclaimed that it was a miracle I survived because most of them die. I politely corrected her to let her know that 90% survive and 80% of them last lasting side effects. Said Dr would be in the room in a moment. Dr didn’t come in until an hour later. He apologized. It was kind of stressful; I wasn’t certain how to read the doctor, and I didn’t get much more answers than I knew going in from my research.
But apparently, since I’m a lightning strike survivor, I was the hot topic at the doctor’s weekly group meeting. The radiologist said most of the doctors in the cancer group have never treated a lightning strike survivor. He had a lot of questions. I was glad to answer. My mom and I were able to tell him about the lightning strike support group on Facebook support group as well as the Lightning Strike website. That was our topic for the first 10 minutes or so.
Ive been so scatter brained that I totally forgot to print out information regarding lightning strike victims. Guess I’ll have to bring him the information later.
By the time he started talking about the radiation treatment Mom was able to come back into the room. She helped ask questions I didn’t think of.
I still don’t have peace about radiation treatment. My body has been through enough torture; I need time to heal.
Home in time to cook dinner. Rice tastes bland. Don’t like this recipe. Deer sausage tasted wonderful.
Need to take Dezirae to store to get few items for her trip. I’m spent but must push myself just a little bit more.
Once back home, I’m exhausted and hurting all over. I hurt so bad I considered taking a pain Rx pill. Not sure which one to take and I don’t want to wake Joe so I don’t take anything. Sing hymns in my head and fall asleep.
Blessings
- Able to spend time with my Mom today
- God gave me strength to endure extended Dr appointment even though it was frustrating
- Able to get Dezirae a few items for her College Days trip this weekend
- Able to get blood pressure in the normal range
- Called dermatologist to inquire about referral. Do not need one and they had an opening on Friday.
Symptoms
Pounding headache when I woke. Bp was high. Had to take total of half pill to get it down. Left ear periodically ringing throughout the day. Cysts on head hurt. Neck is hurting on back. Base of front of neck left side swollen and tender. Neuropathy in hands, arms, legs, and feet. Think I walked too much today (5047 steps). Legs throbbing and feet burning. Low back throbbing. Periodic sharp stabbing pain in abdomen. Chest aches. Exhausted and hurting from head to toes. Horrible taste in mouth. Tongue feels like the lightly salted almonds burnt my tongue and roof of mouth.
November 17
5:00 woke around 1:30am with extreme sharp stabbing pain in pelvic region. Don’t know what’s causing it. Head starting to hurt. Check BP -140/88 pulse 78. Take 1/2 pill of edarbyclor.
Remember PH is coming to pick Dezirae up for college days. Need to get dressed and going. I can take nap later. I’m so exhausted and tired. This headache isn’t helping either.
Get distracted. Need to refill e.o. bottle for applying to cancer area. Put dry dishes away. Brew cup of peppermint tea. Turn on dryer for heat. Unload dishwasher. Load dishwasher. Transfer purified water to jars and refill purifier.
Scripture: Psalm 119:105; 1 Peter 1:13
Up to help Dezirae before she heads to PCC College Days for two days. Share Scripture and pray with her. I miss her already. Wash load of towels. Fold and put away two loads. Change Dezirae’s sheets. Make fresh juice for two days. Clean bottom of fridge. Put towels in dryer.
PCP nurse called. Dr on board to test my thyroid function (TSH & T4). I just have to go in and tell check in desk that I’m there for labs. Can do it any time. I’m wore out and exhausted. Need to take a nap.
Decided to get some therapy – browsing at the bargain thrift store. Able to browse for about 45 minutes before wearing out. Able to make a quick stop at store before picking up the nephews from school. Found spigot covers at hardware store on way home.
Got to talk with Dezirae and Jakob today. Food donated at church today. Able to put some in freezer for the next men’s prayer breakfast. Able to save some for the dinner on Sunday. Mom helped me put the rest of bulletin board up.
Blessings 1. Given some money and able to give it to Mom to help pay for garbage service 2. Found few things at thrift store for gifts and myself 3. Dezirae seems to be having good time. I miss her bunches.
Symptoms: Headache. Low back throbbing intensely. Left shoulder feels like it’s out of place again. Tummy aches. Taste buds off – made hot chocolate and it tasted horrible. Forehead itches. Stinging needle pain in hands. Arms ache deeply and throb as if I worked out. Whole body hurts deeply.
Dermatologist appointment tomorrow for cysts on my head. I’m hoping they’ll be willing to help.
https://www.zocdoc.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-dermatologist-appointment/
