Author: Melissa

August 28, 2017

8:25am – My arms feel heavy, slight headache, watery eyes, sneezing, bloody nose, eyes hurt, whole body hurts, out of breath when I got dressed, freezing but no fever, feel bloated.

4:10pm- I’m exhausted!  heart beating fast, left hand feels funny, sinuses hurt, slight headache.

 

My mom told me about a lightning strike support page that I could contact for more information.

It is www.lightning-strike.org.  I sent them an email today to reach out.  Hopefully, I can get some direction as to how to move forward in healing.

excerpt from email sent –

“I am currently suffering with following side effects: constant muscle pain, muscle spams, extreme fatigue, extra sensitive to light, loud noises, & touch, memory loss, easily confused, lack of concentration, frequent headaches, sporadic involuntary muscle jerking, stiff joints,  difficulty walking (feel like I’m in middle of choppy ocean on boat), dizziness, impaired speech, difficulty understanding things, elevated blood pressure (higher than normal), hightned senses, etc.

My primary doctor has subscribed muscle relaxer and pain medicine. I hate taking medicine. 

Up until last week, I had to wear sunglasses all the time because the lights hurt my eyes.

I saw eye doctor two weeks ago.  He check and said he didn’t’ see any permanent damage, and thought that my symptoms were neurological.

I see info on internet on statistics from lightning strikes, but nothing on recovery for victims.  It’s been frustrating because I can’t go and do like I once could.  It’s not only effecting me, but also my family and friends.  I’m supposed to be teaching classes starting next week and I’m not sure if I’ll be up to it.

 

10:38pm – received care package from a sweet friend today.  It was a handmade wreath and homemade soaps.  I really needed the encouragement today.

I’m missing my son whom we took to college over the weekend.  My husband got laid off.  I’m hurting, exhausted, and can’t think straight.

Heard from a friend I haven’t seen in years.

I actually talked in person to friend whom sent the care package.  Sweet friend.

Have to make notes on everything because I’m having trouble remembering things.

August 26, 2017

6:39am – Didn’t hurt as bad as I thought I was going to from the trip when I woke up.  Able to take a shower without help.  Still getting dizzy when I move too fast.  Pain level at a 5 right now.

11:00am – Entire back and butt hurt, left hand & elbow hurt, brain foggy feeling, trouble speaking.

Figured out after talking with the Lyons that all my symptoms resemble fibromyalgia.

5:00pm – My back is hurting bad all over… trying not to show it, buy my eyes won’t quit tearing.  Sharp pain through middle of chest.  Bright lights starting to hurt eyes.

I think this trip is already a bit much on me.  Need to stay strong for my son.  He needs to go to college.  I don’t want him to put his plans on hold because of me.  With God’s help, I’ll manage to get through this.

Thankful that we were able to spend time in sweet fellowship with Greg & PJ Lyons, and family before dropping Jakob Smith off at college.

💡I know what stores need to do for customers…they need a checkout lane just for handicapped people.  I have to use a wheelchair when I go to the store.  Walking too much causes too much pain and I tire quite easily.

August 27, 2017

It’s official! Jakob is beginning his college days. The family is on an emotional roller coaster right now, but we have peace that he’s where God wants him.
P.S. I didn’t know it was going to be this hard. God’s got this! We love you, Bubba ( Jakob).

6:39am – Woke up with my heart beating hard and fast, lower back near butt throbbing.  Stuffy nose.

7:04am – I was crying this morning (I’m on an emotional roller coaster right now).  Joe asked me what was wrong.  I told him my heart was hurting.

9:04am – My eyes are hurting & I have a headache.

 

 

August 23, 2017

8:00am – Had rough night.  Chest hurt some in middle of night.  Periodic ringing in rt ear.  Cold – had to wear socks to bed.  Woke up with eyes feeling crusty, mild pain, and slight bloody nose.

10:53am – Made breakfast & cut Joe’s hair.  I’m sore, tired, and starting to get a headache.  Need to rest a while.  Made Homemade Bisquick Mix.  Right lower back now cramping.  Applying heating pad.

8:50pm – Went to Lighthouse tonight so Jakob can say goodbye to his friends.  I enjoyed being able to sing.  Mrs. Bowser called me a trooper (Had to ask Joe what she meant by that later).  I guess it’s good.

During services, a young man behind us was rubbing hymnal on back of pew.  I wanted to turn around and tell him to STOP, but I held my peace – not only could I feel the motion in ALL my muscles, but the noise irritating me (like finger nails scratching a blackboard!!!).  All my senses seem magnified – noises are extra loud, lights are too bright, I can feel tiniest hair fall on my skin!

Both Mrs. Sanchez’s asked how I really was doing.  Told them that I have my good days and my bad days.  The hardest part for me in not being able to go like the energizer bunny I was.  I just can’t do much without wearing out easily.  Older Mrs. Sanchez (her name eludes me at the moment) said, “So you feel like you’re on the backside of the desert?”  To which I replied, “Yes. (Didn’t know what she meant until later).  Told them I’m claiming Lamentations 3:22-23 “It’s of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed…”  For me that is literally!  ha-ha.

August 25, 2107

10:00am – woke up in pain and right foot had sharp pain when I first stepped on it.  Got a bit dizzy moving too fast trying to get ready for the trip today.

*We take Jakob to college today.  I’m not ready for this let alone being able to wrap my head around all my difficulties right now.

2:03pm – My thighs and lower back are throbbing.  Have small headache.

We’re having fun at my expsense (one of my symptoms from recent accident is memory loss).
I told Joe I want that type of snot grass around our church sign (I couldn’t remember what it was called). Dezirae & Joe started cracking up laughing. Dezirae replied, “You mean monkey grass?”
I replied, “Yes. That grass looks like it has snot on the top.”
Joe says, “I’m not laughing with you. I’m laughing at you because that was funny.”
At least, I can heal with humor. 😃

August 20, 2017

9:50am – woke up late.  I forgot to set the alarm, I hurt all over, headache.  When I close my eyes, I see kaleidoscopes with many colors – making me feel dizzy.  Woke up tired.

3.40pm – Muscles in my left foot are fluttering.  Head hurts when I lay flat.  I’m exhausted, but headache is gone for now.

August 21, 2017

Woke up hurting.  Muscle spams in back.

I can feel the rattling of the thunder in my back.  Took pain rx before noon.  Need to take another.  Left foot feels funny.  have had to use bathroom more than normal.

Thought I was feeling fairly decent and decided to change my bed sheets, wash them and remake my bed.  That was a mistake!  I hurt so bad by end of day I was sobbing!

My husband put me in an Epsom salt bath to ease the muscle pain and then iced my back.  While I was in tub, my left elbow felt like the end was ripped off and gushing blood, but nothing was wrong with it.  My skin is really ashy.  I’m really thirsty.  Joe massaged my back with lotion and then iced it down.

I took both a pain Rx and a muscle relaxer before bed.  Hurt so bad I couldn’t fall asleep until after 12:30am.

August 22, 2017

Once I fell asleep, I actually slept all night.  Woke with a headache and still hurting but not to the point of crying. Could hardly move.  I’m so tired.  Left elbow hurts.  Eyes watery.  Stuffy nose.  Feel weak.

5:15pm – So much to do to help get our eldest son, Jakob, ready for college.  We leave on Friday.  I’m not ready.  I’ve overdone it and can hardly move.  Ugh!  Lord, please help me.

11:06pm – Headache finally eased somewhat.  Thankful that one day my trials will all be over.  Don’t know why, but I’m craving oranges like crazy!

August 17, 2017

12:18am – It’s frustrating knowing that I used to know how to do certain things and now I can’t remember how to do it (phone).

2:50am – Woke up to a phone call.  It was a scam call.  Ugh!  They shouldn’t be allow to call people that late at night.

My back is still throbbing…have to wait another 1.5 hours til I can take another pain pill.  Ugh!  I’m tired of pain.

5:29pm – Hurting all day.  Pain pill haven’t touched it today.  It’s a wonder people don’t keep pushing forward to try to recover from injuries.  I really need to rest, but Jakob leaves for college next weekend & homeschool officially starts on Monday.

August 18, 2017

9:36am – Slept good last night.  Magnesium helping.  Ache all over, neck hurts.

3:12pm – Nosebleeds are frustrating

5:00pm – One child’s lesson plans down for a month down…one to go…

10:13pm – Getting chill down spine on back from neck to middle of back, muscle cramping in neck, knees hurt, top right let has hot sensation.

August 19, 2017

Woke up with small headache and slight bloody nose.  BP 137/98.  Stepped on tack.  It hurt going in, but I didn’t feel it after that.  Joe took it out for me (didn’t feel that either).

11:09 – Ringing in left ear – only lasted about 30 minutes

10:36pm – Had my parents take me and the teens to the Back 2 School Bash at PCC today.  I didn’t want the kids to miss out on account of me. The kids were afraid to leave me at first.  I promised I would stay put unless I had help.  They were okay with that.

It was a struggle at times.  All the noise was too much for me at times.  At times, I hurt so bad that tears streamed my cheeks.     I just wanted to crawl in corner and hide, but I wanted the kids to have some fun more.  This whole ordeal has not only affected me – it’s affected the whole family.

I am wore out.  I hurt all over, headache, stuffy bloody nose, heart beating hard & fast, eyes watering.

Glad they were able to have some fun for a change.  Guys played ball, bowling, ice skating, rock climbing, and more.

Lord, please help me to not hurt so bad in morning.  I have to last for Jakob’s College send off party after church tomorrow night then I can crash.

Posted on Facebook sometime today –      It’s mind boggling that we will be taking Jakob to college in less than a week! I’m excited about his next chapter preparing for missions, but will also miss having him home. He’s been a big help at home and church especially since my accident in July.
I know that he will be in good hands at Tri-State Baptist College. I also know that God will take care of him.  Philippians 4:19

August 14, 2017

Did you know?
“Lightning can strike more than 100 miles from a thunderstorm.” -Outdoors360

https://outdoors360.com/lightning-can-strike-100-miles-thunderstorm-heres/

*If you’re interested, there’s also a link at the bottom of page at the above link that will take you to another website that discusses how lightning does strike from that far away.  My mind is blown away at all this information. There are some pretty cool videos about lightning strikes that you can view on this website.

I haven’t personally taken the time to view a lot of them.  Right now I’m doing good if I can sit in front of a computer for longer than 30 minutes without getting a headache.

Symptoms/Happenings today:

Heart feels like its beating hard.  Muscles twitching from neck down.  Indigestion.  Dizzy & unbalanced (constant, but worse when I move too fast).  Confused easily.  Easily frustrated.  Pain level at a 7 today.  Forget things easily.  Tire out easily.  Trouble sleeping.  Word finding difficulty. Trouble with spelling and/or flipping letters or numbers.  Sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds.  Trouble with reading out loud.

August 15, 2017

I overdid it today…my back is throbbing, exhausted, etc.

August 16, 2017

Woke up in so much pain…feels like I got beat up again.  It hurts to move.  Headache, stuffy nose, bloody nose, whole nine yards, etc.

Thanks for tagging along with me on my journey.  Until next time…

August 12, 2017

11:18am – I’m freezing!!!  It’s 78 degrees.  Can’t move fast or I get dizzy.  My whole body aches.

12:47pm – Praise:  I went to the eye Dr this week.  Dr. was very nice and understanding though I was in pain.  He said that from what he could see I have no permanent eye damage (I even have same script from 5 years ago).  He gave Rx for eye drops to calm my eyes.  Believes my side effects stem from neurological damage.

4:20pm – I hurt all over.  It’s a chore to move.  My heart feels like its beating fast.  I’m tired.

I’m warmed up though.  It took a couple hours with socks on feet and under blanket.

10:22pm – Had to take a pain pill so I could go to church for kids Back 2 School party.  Sat most of the time, but was able to take pictures and be there.  Enjoyed the fellowship.  Don’t like having to wear sunglasses, but it helps me not be so dizzy from lights bothering my eyes.

August 13, 2017

9:23am – Feeling woozy this morning and cold.

1:37pm – Left second toe feels like the tip was ripped off, but there’s nothing wrong with it.  My whole body aches.  Muscle spasms in back are almost too much to handle.

11:02pm – Nausceousness eased about 5pm.  Muscle spasms eased after taking Aleve about 5:30pm.

If I remember correctly, it’s not proper speaking etiquette to begin your speech with an apology, but oh well.   I apologize for not being on lately.  My world has been topsy-turvy the last couple weeks or so.

About two weeks ago I overdid it with my activities including putting up letters on a bulletin board at church.  I was already hurting more than normal, but was by bedtime every inch of me was hurting extremely!!!

When I hurt this bad, I do not sleep well nor do I even feel like eating.  I did manage to drink a smoothie because I know I at least need sustenance.  I do make sure that my kids are taken care of for the most part.  They are such a big help and have been very supportive through this life change.  I thank the Lord for my miracle children every day even on the days that they frustrate me so.

Anyways,  I  when I overdo it  I’m usually down for the count for several days.  When I saw down for the count, I mean chores go undone, kids make the meals, and I am usually in bed or on the couch curled up with a heating pad, a bottle of my homemade pain roller blend, and most likely have to take pain pills more than I would like to just until the pain subsides enough that I can at least ignore it momentarily.

Last week, I attempted to harvest and can pumpkin, but had issues with not only my strength and stamina but also my pressure canner.  What a mess that day turned out to be !!  I’ll share that story later.

I went to a brain injury support group session today so my brain hurts from the extra activity.  I need to rest for now, but I will do my best to update more posts tomorrow.  Until then…

P.S.  Thank you for sticking with me on this journey, I pray that it is not only a blessing to someone else but maybe also helping someone else out along the way.

August 9, 2017

Did you know?
According to www.lightingsaftey.com, 80% of lightning strike victims survive, but 25% of them suffer major after effects.

*Been trying to research information about recovering from being struck by lightning on the internet.  Very little information if any.  Why isn’t this phenomenon studied out more?

Symptoms/Happenings today:

Woke up in pain and feel like crying.  My eyes hurt so bad.

Able to be seen by Eye Doctor today.  Thankfully, I have no permanent eye damage.  Doctor says that my vision seems to be the same.  He prescribed eye drops to help calm my eyes some.  He said that he felt that most my symptoms are neurological.

My eyes hurt.  When I close my eyes, it feels like I’m on a boat in the middle of a choppy ocean.  I wished it calm down so I can rest.

August 10, 2017

Did you know?
“Lightning can heat the air it passes through to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5 times hotter than the surface of the sun).”  www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

A good safety tip according to this website, “When thunder roars, go indoors” because there is no safe place outside in a storm.  This site is full of good safety tips about all kinds of weather.

I guess my case is a little more abnormal than usual because it was not storming outside – it was a sunny morning & I was indoors.  :0

Symptoms/Happenings today:

12:35 – Had to balance checkbook today.  Discovered I hadn’t done July’s!  I got confused and temporarily forgot what to do.  I got so worked up that I couldn’t remember what to do that I cried for a while.   (I can’t believe I forgot how to balance a checkbook.  I used to be an accountant for a couple of companies. I was good in math.  How can I not remember?  This is crazy!)  Stopped and asked God to help me remember.

It took me several hours because all the numbers kept blurring and jumbling.  I finally managed to get it balanced.  I have a major headache now though.

3:53pm – Had to cut Joe’s hair for an interview.  Had a dizzy spell afterwards and had to rest a while.  I’ve had a headache most of the day and nothing seems to be touching it.  If only I could get rid of this headache.

10:27pm – Able to play piano for church tonight, but had to wear sunglasses as my eyes were extra sensitive to the lights today.  Headache all day.

Almost fell several times today due to dizziness and feeling unbalanced.  Able to catch myself so as to not actually fall.

August 11, 2017

It’s been a rough day for me.  I’m thankful that our children are old enough to help with the cooking when I am not able.
Teaching your children to learn to love to cook has many future benefits. 😊 Thank you, Lord!

Symptoms/Happenings today:

8:36am – Eyes are little blurry when I awoke, but felt okay until I moved too fast and fell back on the bed.

12:30pm – Mom took me to the P.O., Dollar Tree, & Walmart to get stuff for PABC Back 2 School party.  I sat in Special Needs chair being pushed thru Walmart.  Kids had to do the shopping for me.

Mom saw a couple of paramedics and asked them if they ever dealt with lightning strike victims & what Dr to see.  They said a Neurologist and that I’m lucky to be alive.  I told them I was with God’s help.

Mom insisted I stay in cart to be pushed to the car.  I couldn’t handle it – shaking my head going across the pavement made me feel nauseous!! Had to get out & walk with cane.

4:31pm – Got chilled and goose bumps appeared all over skin.  It’s 87 degrees outside and no air in the car.  Makes no sense.

6:27pm – Muscles in back are aching horribly and twitching like I’ve overdone it today.  I hope not.  Taking a pain rx.