Life is hard. Kindness, courage, and love will help you prosper.
Author: Melissa
Hello, my name is Melissa. I grew up as a pastor's kid and am now a pastor's wife. I'm married to Joseph Smith, who is the Pastor of Pine Air Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL. We have three miracle children here on earth and two in heaven.
As of July 18, 2017, God graciously allowed me to survive being struck by lightning. Five years later on March 31, 2022, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer HER2+ and HER2-. Today, I can say, together with God's help, I am an OVERCOMER!
Because He lives and His mercies renew every morning, I can say I am a Lightning Survivor, Cancer Warrior, and Daughter of the King!
6:00a- I’m tired. Eyes weeping, whole body aches, muscles in left leg, headache, rt ear hurts.
7:00a- just realized I forgot to take my bp rx yday. Checked bp – 121/82 hr 69. Thank you, Lord. Now to get rid of headache.
10:00a- 2 loads clothes washed. Post Scripture Journaling Intro to blog. Need to figure out how to upload pdf.
10:30a- field trip to park with parents, kids, & Grandma. Grandma says it’s first time in years she’s going on picnic.
2:00p- just home from picnic at park. I’m wore out and hurting. Time to rest and enjoy hot cup of peach tea. Crashed for 10 minutes. I was hoping for more.
4:30p- I think I got the first month for Scripture Journaling posted. It’s not the way I was wanting but I’ll get it figured out eventually…baby steps.
Time to start preparing for dinner.
11:30p- center of chest hurting horrible, skin itches, pain all over, headache
April 16
3:00a- I had unexpected fall in middle of night last night. I lost my balance and fell into our closet. Thankfully, I missed the larger furniture but did manage to scrap my lower left leg up. My husband jumped up to help me. My left leg has a small lump and is bruised and I feel like I’ve been beat up.
7:54a- I feel like I’ve been thru a war zone. Headache. Left leg is a little swollen.
10:30a- received call from friend that needed lending ear. Prayed with her over phone.
11:00a- TBI mtg.
12:00p- feet feel like ice & tingly, head hurts
1:00p- talked with Ron & Teresa about what happened with Dr. They’re glad I’m seeing new Dr. Teresa said Dr needs to know about falls so it can be documented in my files. They are gonna check into trying to find a way to get me some physical therapy.
2:30p- I’m exhausted and hurting
2:54p- called Dr office. Left msg with nurse about incident and about being banged up & legs & feet tingling.
3:10p- Kids Dr’s office called to remind me that it’s time to schedule annual checkups. Discovered that I accidentally threw away one of their insurance cards. Thankfully I had number written down. Had to call ins co to request replacement card. Ugh! Suppose to be resting…not getting far.
4:15p- going over to mom’s house with Dezirae for my Grandma to try to teach us how to quilt. My mom did reflexology on feet. Eased tingling a little.
5:30p- time to make dinner. Spaghetti & meatballs. I’m not hungry.
10:00p- sat in chair lr most of night. I’m wore out. Feel like I was beat up not able to give anymore. Left lower leg gradually hurting worse. It’s swollen and hurts to touch. Tongue still has white patches and scratchy to swallow. Didn’t get much done. Indigestion.
Left foot tingling, left leg lower hurts, low back & rt hip aches, headache, tired but awake, seem to need bathroom more, stuffy & congested
6:00a- so many nightmares why do they trouble me so they make no sense. What is my brain trying to process?
Whole body aches. Muscles twitching throughout body. Low back and tailbone throbbing as if I fell hard but I didn’t.
7:38a- headache. Left hand itches especially knuckles
9:00a- on our way to pick up my Grandma in North Alabama. She’ll be staying here for two weeks.
10:30a- thought it’d be good idea to bring laptop to work on bulletin for tomorrow. Not! Sun too bright can’t see screen too good. Ugh!
2:45p- minor car trouble delayed us. Met Uncle and Aunt at Shakey’s Pizza. Now heading back home with Grandma and all her luggage. I have headache. Buttocks and back really hurts. Gonna be interesting next couple weeks as Grandma is almost completely deaf no hearing aids cannot lip read and doesn’t know sign language. She’s suppose to shew me how to quilt. Guess I’ll return favor and teach basic sign. Sad when no way communication to make. Actually have dry erase board to write conversation out
7:15p- made it home safely. Mom made dinner. Face feels flushing. I’m wore out.
10:15p- I’m utterly exhausted and hurting all over. Migraine. Taking rx. Nose stuffy but runny. Bulletin done. Low back and rt hip throbbing. Rt ear hurts. Fingers ache. Strong winds. Notice that under tornado watch. Lord, keep us safe in the midst of storm. Indigestion. Chewed 5 Papayas.
April 14
4:00a- phone call. I’m so tired and hurting. Bad dreams. Bad storm last night.
7:00a- I don’t want to get up. Every inch of hurts. Sore throat.
The marketplace is empty No more traffic in the streets All the builders’ tools are silent No more time to harvest wheat Busy housewives cease their labors In the courtroom no debate Work on earth is all suspended As the King comes thro’ the gate
O the King is coming The King is coming I just heard the trumpets sounding And now His face I see O the King is coming The King is coming Praise God, He’s coming for me
8:00a- Told Joe with tears streaming down face today would be one of those days that I’m tempted to fake it bc I feel aweful. Ate too much bread yday and thrush is hurting throat again.
8:30a- It was a feat but able to get ready on time. I’m looking forward to church. I need it today.
9:15a- hunny having technical issues trying to print sermon outline. Had to download driver.
10:00a- power flickered
1:34a- two visitors today though attendance down due to a family being out of town. Trouble playing piano. Feel like I’m in a daze. Enjoyed service though stressed (technical issues) and in much pain. Just want to sleep it off. Took Chuck to lunch. Keep thinking I may be in much pain but I’m blessed and others don’t have it so well.
2:00p- need to crash a while so much pain. Need to go back to Dr’s about thrush. It’s flaring again too.
4:00p- Joe trying not to scare me to wake me did anyways. Still hurting, but not as bad.
10:50p- feet feel numb and tingly, hands swollen and achy, finger tips tingly, pain throughout body, low back & rt hip throbbing, headache has eased down from migraine, arms ache, rt ear hurts, tongue & throat hurt, etc. Today’s pain makes me wish I had something stronger than Naproxen.
I AM GOING TO A CITY WHERE THE STREETS WITH GOLD ARE LAID WHERE THE TREE OF LIFE IS BLOOMING AND THE ROSES NEVER FADE.
HERE THEY BLOOM BUT FOR A SEASON SOON THEIR BEAUTY IS DECAYED I AM GOING TO A CITY WHERE THE ROSES NEVER FADE
What do you think of when you hear the word “lovely”?
When I hear this word “lovely”, I think of waterfalls in nature, a field of flowers, children playing, or watching dolphins swim in the ocean at sunset.
Do you desire to see God at work around you? Do you admire His handiwork (Psalm 19:1) in the world?
“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness therof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.” Psalm 24:1-2
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in the earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him , and for him:” Colossians 1:16
Everything was created by God and in Him alone do they exist. In essence, the world is God’s picture book for humans. Creation tells the story of our Creator and His love for us. In return, the world serves God by praising Him.
“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” Psalm 96:11-13
The KJV dictionary defines the word “lovely” as amiable; that may excite love; possessing qualities which may invite affection.
Advanced English Dictionary says that “lovely” means appealing to the emotions as well as the eye.
The Greek word for lovely prosphiles which interpreted means pleasing, agreeable.
Most scholars agree the word lovely carries the meaning of amiable, pleasing, and without ill feeling or anger. Our Christian conducts needs to exemplify this virtue.
If we go around with ill-tempered, begrudging manners, we will not only grieve Christ but we will also give a negative view of Christianity. This in turn will injure and defeat the cause of Christ. We must strive to portray a lovely disposition or else we lose our influence.
A Christian’s thoughts should be focused on things that draw us closer to Christ.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
The apostle Paul understood that our thought tend to control our actions. In Philippians 4:8, he gives us a list of things to keep our minds focused upon.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The command to “think on these things” requires more than just quick thought, but rather active continuous meditation. The kind that translates thoughts into actions. Actions that lead to growing spiritually in the Lord.
Rather than filling our minds with junk which causes us to worry we should set our affection on things that will matter for eternity (Matthew 6:33).
When our thoughts are filled with virtuous things, they will have no room for the cares of this life. We will then be able to fully place our cares upon Christ, and the problems of this life will not have the ability to separate us from seeking God and hinder us from serving Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls.
8:25a- Whew! I haven’t slept that long in long time! Fell asleep around 9:30p (It’s usually midnight or after) Woke about 1:30 to use restroom and fell right back to sleep (usually takes me hours) and woke just before 8am. Thank you, Lord. Had strange dreams and feel sore all over like in fight, but oddly I feel somewhat refreshed (haven’t felt that since before the lightning strike). Progress is always possible. Been talking with one of my survivor friends. She’s shared some of her gi issues and what she’s done to help improve. I’ve been trying some of suggestions. I think it might be helping. Been regular where before I wasn’t. 3:45p- attempting to paint the door frame at church. Low back already hurting. Rt arm cramp so bad I can barely hold brush. Forcing thru then done for day. 7:30p- trouble focusing to play piano, vision and brain feel blurry. 10:00p- low back throbbing, rt hip throbbing, I’m freezing cold . Shivering under covers. Joe not believe me at first till he got closer. Helped me warm up which helped me fall asleep.
April 12
2:30a -woke from bad dream with tears streaming down face. Dream not make sense nor do I care to remember any of it. Forgive in spite of painful memories. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Stuffy nose.hard to breath. Headache. Rt wrist and elbow stabbing pain. Took tylenol & benadryl to help. Applied pain rub to rt hip area. 7:30a- took me long time to fall back to sleep. Woke again about 7:30. Rt hip still hurting, lft hand numb and tingly, headache, feet hurt, tired 8:00a- muscles in legs randomly twitching 10:00a- need to pull up Dezirae’s ASL classes online, but wifi not cooperating! Wireless network connection not have valid ip address. I don’t need this with headache. Lord, please help guide steps to get resolved quickly without adding to my headache. Need to reset configuration? https://windowsreport.com/wi-fi-valid-ip-configuration-windows-10/ That didn’t work. 11:00a- 1 load washed & in dryer, dinner in crockpots (bbq ribs & scalloped potatoes). Yum! Trouble with ASL classes. They reconfigured website now have to pay to continue. Have to back up and punt, but I need to rest my brain a while. 3:00p- balancing checkbook…have lots of things messed up – wrote few things in twice but mostly forgotten to input data at all. Just gotta keep trying. Bills paid thru pay day. 8:00p- It’s 76° inside and I’m freezing. Words not coming out right. That which I mean to say comes out totally different. Sometimes I catch what I said wrong and sometimes not. 10:00p- headache, tummy pain, rt ear hurts, low back aches, rt hip hurts, vision blurry at times, finger tips ache.
3:30p- husband getting dental work done today. Have errands to run. Floral arrangement for Sunday. Found something at Hobby Lobby and got extra flowers to tweek it. Deposit at bank. Picked up my glasses. Don’t think I’m gonna be able to handle them. Distance is good but anything other than center vision is blurry and almost double vision. Will try for couple days. If not, exchanging for single vision. Ugh! Already deal with blurry vision & dizziness dont need to add to it.
Depending on my activity level and the weather, I get sporadic muscle spams throughout body but mostly in my legs. I’m 20 months out from my lightning strike. Unbeknownst to me, my husband has been doing experiment the last week. He says the days he lightly massages my back in early mornings while I’m still sleeping I seem to have better days. The days he skips my days are more painful and I haven’t been able to do so much. Interesting.
4:30- had to go get rx for Joe filled. Wait time about one hour. Did some shopping. Walking behind buggy. Jordon ran ahead to get items to help make it faster. Low back and hips throbbing. Had to sit to rest. Once home, had Dezirae cook dinner bc I was hurting too much to stand anymore. Skin extra sensitive. Dezirae accidentally brushed up behind my left arm. It felt like she scratched it with broken glass. Ouch! 11:00p- muscles spams randomly throughout body but mostly in my legs, hands throbbing, rt ear hurts, random sharp stabbing pain in left foot. Brain not shut off. Tired but wide awake.
April 10
6:00a- finally fell asleep around 1am. Awake at 2:30 & 4:30 & 5:30. Strange dreams. Long night. Rt ear aches, stomach hurts, low back throbbing, rt hip aches, hands throbbing, stuffy nose, feet ache, skin extra sensitive 9:00a- co-op today. Last day of classes. Next week is final play practice before their show. 11:45a- younger kids did very well during practice so teacher let them go outside to play in sunshine 3:00p- I’m exhausted and crashing fast. 4:15p- slept little over an hour. Still very tired. Need to get chicken in oven. 9:40p- exhausted and fading fast again. Not sure why. So lethargic feeling. Headache. Rt ear throbbing. Stuffy runny nose. Congested. Eyes watery. Rt pelvic area aches. Low back throbbing. Rt hip hurts. Upper back hurts.
6:35a- been awake since 4:30. Legs & back cramping. Headache. Forgot to set my alarm. Eyes are blurry. Sleepy. Frustrated bc I forgot to print lyrics to song I’m singing this morning. Computer moving slower than me. 7:00a- running out of time need to pack bag to finish getting ready at church mornings like these fluster me and causes anxiety. Thankfully family jumped in to help me. Decided to finish writing the monthly scripture writing plan that I’ve been researching and working on. Had Dezirae look at curriculum for next year History & Science. She chose A Beka. I have most of books already. Yeah! 6:30p- I’m exhausted and hurting. Feels like it’s going to storm soon. 8:00p- Joe sweet enough to buy pizza for dinner so I didn’t have to cook. During dinner my rt foot and leg went numb making it difficult to walk. It looked like felt like I was a cripple. Felt funny looked funny too. 11:00p- I’m exhausted and really hurting. Think I might conk out before midnight tonight. It’s rainging outsid e too.
April 8
6:30a- woke at 3:30 thinking I overslept. Woke again at 6:30 thinking its too early to wake. Lower back & rt hip throbbing. Muscles in rt leg are spasming. Stomach cramping. Slight bloody nose. Headache. Tongue hurts and feels swollen. https://thefemedic.com/thrush/common-tongue-conditions-mistaken-thrush/ Chest starting to hurt. I’m tired. Eyes watery Lft arm& hand going numb while laying in bed. 8:00a- got dizzy in shower & almost fell. Able to catch myself. Arms hurts horribly when lifting to wash hair. 9:00a- brain not working correctly today. All words coming out not what I’m thinking or trying to say. Trouble with dropsies – can’t seem to be able to hold onto things especially in left hand. Dezirae being smart alec. 2:00p- hung Joe’s clothes and put away some tshirts. My arms are cramping so bad it’s hard to move. Need to rest. 3:00p- can feel myself crashing – like I’m about to pass out 4:00p- slept for almost an hour. Need to start getting dinner ready. Jordon has play practice. My rt ear is throbbing. Going to get few items at store while play practice. Dezirae will help me. 5:50p- got call only few people showed. Cancelling practice. Sweet gesture. Rachel said she’ll bring him to me. Only been in store short while walking behind buggy and my hips are throbbing to point it hurts to walk. Dezirae getting me wheelchair. Messing up phrases all day. 7:30p- rt ear & rt teeth throbbing! Using orajel for mouth pain not helping. Drinking Thyme tea. Warmth feels good. It’s working. 9:00p- Joe sweet give me massage. It helps ease tension in muscles. 10:26p- wide awake. Took muscle relaxer & Tylenol. 10:45p- muscles twitching quite profusely in rt leg. Didn’t get much done today due to extra pain. Hard to do much or focus when this much. Left hand going numb. Trying to find pretty floral arrangement ideas for Palm * Easter Sunday.
7:30- woke around 5a to Joe rubbing my back. It felt good until he decided to try a vibrating massager on my back! It felt like I was being electrocuted again!!! Whole body tensed up!!! Now hurting more than I was before. Trying hard not to be in bad mood but I am.
8:00a- couldn’t take it anymore had to get up. Made biscuits and gf gravy for breakfast. Sky looks gloomy.
9:00a- mailed letter to Jakob.
9:21a- have to get ready to go with Joe to dentist. He chipped tooth and in pain he is. Been trying to make soft foods to help. Really don’t want to go anywhere yet.
In pain from head to toe, cranky, irritable, stuffy & congested, rt ear hurts…
Need to heal my parasympathetic system?
1. Control breathing (breathe slowly 4/5 in out)
2. Long walks
3. Mineral (potassium, magnesium, sodium) balance diet of meat & vegetables
4. Acupressure
Stress webinar by Dr. Eric Berg DC
11:19a- still in waiting room for Joe to be called. Don’t like what’s on TV. It’s irritating me. Guy said forget $15 hr job we need $30-$40 hr jobs. Is he nuts? Don’t people get it that when you raise work pay everything else goes up so in effect you never got pay raise in the first place? Common sense! Ugh!
Discovered I’m just taking maintenance dose of colloidal silver. Need to up it to medicinal dosage for the thrush.
Take Colloidial Silver on empty stomach 1 hour prior to eating. Am is best.
Take Probiotics pm is best.
Repair epithelial lining. Drink herbal teas (plantain, licorice, aloe vera, peppermint, marshmallow root, and slippery elm bark)
Also to heal mucus layer. Take 2,000 mg of vitamin C, 10,000 IUs of vitamin D, and a good B-complex daily. Taking 250 mg of magnesium can also help support the mucus layer.
1:40p- still in waiting room. Joe just called back few minutes ago. This office needs to learn efficient rhythm flow of patients. Continually apology without action is irritating.
Need to figure put how locate vagus nerve.
2:00p- dentist wants to pull 3 teeth, do a partial, and he has to come back because they don’t have time to do it today. Ugh! Given rx for infection I didn’t recognize. Checked good rx & called pharmacy he uses. Rx will cost $400+! Plus pharmacy is out of stock so they won’t have it until Tuesday. Told Joe he needs to ask for another rx bc we can’t afford it. He tells me to calm down. I’m so frustrated it just dawned on me that I’m sitting outside in rainstorm. It’s cold out here.
Second rx is much more affordable. $15.10
10:20p- cramping in left calf. My thought -” Oh, my acking calf!” The thought makes me giggle to myself. My whole body aches. It’s suppose to rain next five days. It’s been raining all day. My rt hip throbs. Wrist and hands throbbing. Headache. Eyes watering. Tired. Sinuses congested.
11:20p- calf cramping intensifies with every thunder roll I hear. Took naproxen.
April 5
7:30a- overslept my alarm by an hour. Woke to hearing thunder outside. Entire back immediately tensed up. Strange dreams but can’t remember details. Throat hurts. Rt ear aches & itches. Feet cold and tingly. Hands swollen and achy. Headache. Rt hip throbbing. Muscles in calves randomly twitching. Stuffy and congested. Tummy hurts.
8:00a- up and at ’em…decided to dehydrate some celery stalks. Started dough in bread maker for rolls later.
9:30a- Dezirae & I are going to perm Mom’s hair today to give her hair some body. It’ll take longer than normal bc I have to rest my arms ever so often bc they’ll burn and cramp holding them up.
1:15p- finally finished perming Mom’s hair. Thankfully, Dezirae finished putting all the lotions in at the needed times. She also helped rinse her hair. I guess you could say she got a cosmetology lesson today. 🙂
2:00p- decided to go get bushel of green beans from anniversary sale at local produce market. Going to can green beans tomorrow.
4:30p- started making dinner…homemade steak alfredo, sauteed green beans, homemade garlic rolls, & brownies. Labor of love. Forgot how much work is to make homemade gf alfredo sauce. It was delicuous though.
8:00p- received encouragement care package from my sister today. Enjoying drinking cup of organic golden peach tea in my new inspirational mug. She sent items for rest of family too. So sweet. Have to remember to send thank you note.
10:48p- think I’ve overdone it today. My hands are throbbing like toothache! Neck hurts, low back hurts, rt hip aching
April 6
10:35p- wow! I forgot to write. Up since 4:30a. Took trash to dump with mom & kids at 7:30. Stopped at McD’s for breakfast. Had trouble reading electronic signs. Had to ask cashier few questions.
Made suggestion they have printed menus for those whose brain cannot process the signs that fast. (I am currently having trouble focusing on the written word or even adjusting my eyes to focus on moving objects. It makes my brain hurt, my eyes hurt, and causes dizziness)
Started working on canning green beans around 10am. 30lbs of green beans to shuck. I cheated and used scissors. Ended up sitting on floor bc it hurt my arms to reach bowl above table to beans in put. Finished up around 3pm. Tired. Sat for a while with Joe.
5:30p- started fixing dinner.
6:30p- rested for little while before starting bulletin for church. Dezirae helped.
10:30p- I’m exhausted and hurting. Hands and wrists are swollen and hurting, low back aches, the longer I’m still the more I hurt. Feet cold and itching, legs throbbing, elbows hurt, neck hurts, chest aching, arms hurt.
7:00a- got so hot in middle of night sometime that ended up throwing covers off me. Out from under and I’m cold again. Slept hard but I’m still tired. Thankful that it’s spring break this week.
Dawned on me that I remembered to plan for Spring break for school but it didn’t even cross my mind to plan any activities. Ugh! One day kids want to possibly go to science museum and thrift store.
If all goes well we will go to church to start painting floor in SS room this afternoon. Next step this is. Goal is to make it a sheet music floor. Only can handle physical exertion is short spurts.
7:30a- Keep wondering…What if my “brokenness” is about who it might help rather than me. I remember sincerely praying Jabez prayer months before I was struck. Proof is in prayer closet on wall.
I know I’m still trying to heal and always trying to heal, but what if my journey to healing is about reaching that someone who needs Jesus too?
Song on my mind…
Something beautiful, something good All my confusion He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife But he made something beautiful of my life
What if my “brokenness” is about who it might help rather than me? God can use our “broken pieces” for His glory if we just let Him.
9:13a- Entire body aches, hands and fingers swollen and achy, low back throbbing, rt hip hurts, burning freezing sensation in center of back, feet chilly socks on.
Sipping hot tea with honey, thieves, and colloidal silver. Tongue is looking better and throat hurting not.
Apple pie oatmeal for breakfast. Recipe suppose to be for 2 but can make it serve 3.
12:00p- Joe called to let me know that he talked with head Dr at clinic. Not happy with his response. Dr said he would talk with the Dr about situation. Joe said not good enough. Needs at minimum to write letter of apology to wife. Dr said he’s not doubting that he said it.
1:31p- Joe called to let me know that Dr I saw Friday called him a little bit ago and apologized!!! I will not see him again, but at least he apologized.
2:00p- At church working on updating SS room floor. Today’s task: paint the floor.
3:15p- Heading home. Floor painted. I’m hurting all over. Feet swollen. Hands and fingers swollen and achy. Low back aches. Toes tingling. Time to rest a piece.
5:30p supper with apple crisp made
7:00p- pushed myself and walked up to end of road and back. I’m done for day. I hurt all over.
8:45p- sharp stabbing pain under right eye. Head feels flush but feet are freezing.
April 2
4:30a- woke to Joe rubbing my back. Felt so good. Fell back to sleep.
8:30a- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Having hard time waking up. Just want to sleep pain away. Eyes blurry.
Rt hip throbbing, low back throbbing, hands swollen and achy, neck hurts, legs hurt, muscles in back and legs sporadic twitching/spazing, feet ache (at least their warm right now), toes tingling, rt ear aches
10:51a- I just want to cry!! Trying to add recipes to menu on blog and accidentally deleted everything!!! Now I have to figure out how to recover and I don’t even know where to begin. It’s taken me a year to get this far. Lord, please help!!
12:11 recovered lost info watching youtube video. Recipe added to blog…now to figure out how to get it to show up under the right category. Ugh!
12:30p- Figured it out but couldn’t tell ya how I did it. Thank you, Lord!
1:00p- Dezirae going out with friend and her mom for afternoon. Taking Jordon to Thrift Store. Hunting for a suit.
3:00p- He found one. Yeah!
3:30p- on to Wm to get dog food and key made. Walked behind buggy to get exercise. I’ll probably feel after effects later.
9:00p- was going to bed but kids wanted me to watch movie with them. I’ve got the munchies…first time in forever.
10:30p- I’m so tired. I didn’t remember half the movie.
Hands and arms ache, feet chilly and achy. Headache. Rt ear aching little. Low back throbbing. Rt hip aches. Legs hurt. Toes ache. Neck hurts. Fingers tingly.
April 3
4:30a – woke to Joe’s cold hand rubbing my back. The gentle rub feels so good but the stinging needle pain in legs and arms not so much. Stuffy nose, neck & upper chest hurt.
5:30a- stinging needle pain increases, muscles randomly spazing in legs, shoulders hurt, hands swollen and achy, chin itches
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7:30a -woke at 2.30 & 7:00a Feel like I’ve been beat up. Weird dream…I was thrown into a labyrinth and was trying to find my way out only I kept running into obstacles to distract me.
Tongue hurts. Skin itchy. Stuffy congested sinus.
10:00a- called PJ for advise. Thrush growing again. Tongue in pain. Hurts to swallow.
Going to get passports for kids for their trip with Grandma this summer. Stranger danger. Black Hyundai. Bald man with gun on side. Joe turned around to see where he’s going. Last house on right. Man at house for less than 5 minutes. Backed out of drive & parked in middle of road. Now leaving.
We live on dead end road. Strange vehicles in neighborhood make me nervous.
2:16p- feeling weird- shaky almost jittery. I haven’t had any caffeine. Eyes & Brain feel foggy and blurred.
3:20p- heading to church now. Arms, elbows, hands aching. I’m tired. Checking out colloidal silver info now. Need to rest.
6:00p- I’m exhausted. Brain is taxed to almost max. Brain feels foggy and eyes blurring. Easter dinner & continental breakfast signup sheets made, copies made, forms printed for church,
10:00p- drinking chamomile tea with tsp colloidal silver
10:30p- headache. Taking rx.
11:30p- tired but wide awake. Legs, feet, and toes stinging. Rt side of tongue feels swollen and hurts, hands swollen and achy, low back aches, rt hip hurts, headache still, feet cold, vision feels blurry
March 29
1:00a- still wide awake. Ugh!
1:27a- skin itchy. Taking melatonin.
10:00a- working on trying to pay bills this morning for month’s end. Found Valentine’s card I bought for Joe but apparently I forgot to give it to him. What’s worse is I still can’t find the gift I bought him for Valentine’s. If I find it, maybe an Easter gift now.
11:50a- messed up signing in for Dr apt. Looked at clock and read 12:50 so I signed in for 12:30apt & arrival at 12:50. That didn’t look right. Looked at sheet nurse writing on she wrote 11:50 arrival. Oops! Brains all messed up. Acknowledged to nurse I messed up and proceeded to fix mistake. Least I can laugh at myself. LOL!
12:17p- bp 118/82 p64 didn’t take too long to see Dr. Asked him about thrush. He said he wasn’t a thrush Dr but a brain doctor.
I told him all rxs I’ve been on. He suggested the next step was a smith and wesson and chuckled. It didn’t register right away. I first thought what kind of Rx is that? What’s worse is he said it again (not only that but my Mom & daughter were in the room with me).
I told him “No. God still has a purpose for me.” He changed subject. Asked about headaches. Told him I’m back to having them daily and I know it’s from thrush. He suggested I see an infectious disease specialist. Gave me new Rx but said I had to work up to a regular dose. He also wants to give me Botox. I told him I didn’t like that stuff. He asked why. I told him bc it’s a poison. He insisted. Said he could get it for free for me. I told him I guess.
Visit today angered me!
I’m not sure how to process what I was told today. I know no patient should ever be told what I was told today.
It was confirmed loud and clear that I need a new doctor. Insinuating that I just need to kill myself is just wrong!!! That man needs Jesus, but I’m not going back.
Need prayers! I’m not quite sure how to process what Dr said. Need to ask our Heavenly Father for wisdom and guidance. I don’t have a clue as to the type of doctor to seek out for long-term effects of being a lightning survivor.
2:00p heading to church as planned to start next sprucing up project at church. Goal is to transform SS room floor from ugly orange to sheet music floor.
4:49p- heading home. Just have to cook the kielbasa.
7:00p- met lady that was selling a laptop. It’ll work for Joe. Yeah! I’m happy for him and price was within our budget. Thank you, Lord!
Post from one of my survivor groups
Hey everyone!!! Just wanted to share some encouragement with my lightning tribe. Even though we have never met, we are all connected. We all care in some way, we all have a need to be loved and we all need hope for each new day. Know that as I pray daily for my 15 year old survivor, I am also thinking of you.
11:36p- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Muscles in legs twitching. Low back throbbing. Headache. Neck hurts.
I’m not taking new Rxs Dr wants me to take!!! Many of side effects are already what I deal with it’ll just magnify them and possibly make me crazy. Not gonna happen!!!
March 30
11:30a- while out door to door visitation met man that goes to church off and on. Husband and daughter met a man that had brain surgery several years ago. He explained several of his symptoms since surgery. Surgery was to help correct epilepsy. Husband told him you just explained what my wife deals with regularly. It’s interesting meeting people where they’re at and how God can use you to direct them to Him.
Able to have some one on one time teaching a lady how to witness and leading someone else to Christ. She was never taught.
1:30- Lunch at Jerusalem Cafe. Had Lentil Soup for first time. It was delicious! Gonna have to look for recipe.
4:30p- Joe and I got (he made me) eyes checked at glasses place. Able to help the girl giving eye test. Her mom has to walk with cane due to injury at work. Doesn’t have placard. Able to tell her how to get them.
My eyes have gotten worse. Ugh! Need progressive lenses. Figures. I do not like wearing glasses. I’m not got candidate for contacts either – can’t stand things in my eyes.
Bless the guy that was helping us. He took 20+ minutes trying different ways to explain differences between single vission, invisiline, line bifocals, & progressive lenses. I apologized several times because I just wasn’t getting it. My brain was overwhelmed. I finally told him it’s not that I’m a ditsy blonde. I just have difficulty with comprehending things since being struck by lightning. He told me it was okay. Joe even tried helping but it wasn’t helping. I finally understood after many minutes. I just wanted to do the single vision, but Joe told me to do the progressive.
11:55p- just dropping into bed. Had to get bulletin done for church tomorrow. Kept getting interrupted. Still have to finish printing insides.
Chest hurts, headache, hands swollen and achy, feet freezing, exhausted, low back throbbing, legs hurting
March 31
Good representation of nerve pain. Others have no ideas until they experience it first hand.
6:30a- My whole body hurts. Did too much walking yesterday. The weather must something amist (not sure it’s right word). Fell asleep shortly after midnight. Strange dreams – dreamt my brain got scrambled and I ended up talking like Yoda all night.
12:30p- crockpot dinner not done. Going out for lunch. Had to grab Dezirae’s arm on way to car. Ground seemed to be moving too fast under me almost fell even with cane.
2:30p- It’s cold outside! 49 degrees. It’s suppose to be Spring not feel like winter. Change in weather body feels. Laying down I must.
4:30p- wow. Didn’t think I’d sleep that long.
5:49p- rt hip aches. Low back aches. Feet Iike ice.
9:00p- I’m wiped out. Going to bed. Whole body feel like a popsicle. Got heating pad and put by feet. Took half hour or more for body to warm up.
“Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” Psalm 42:8
Photo courtesy of Encouragement From Women Who’ve Been There
I love how in the midst of battle David was able to encourage himself in the Lord. Thanks for reminder. It’s been tough week. Church services were encouragement today too.
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