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!
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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 19-20

Feb 19

1000 woah! I must have been tired. Slept 10 hours. Whole body aches deep all over. Upper body & back aches exponetially like I overworked out in a gym. The only thing I did different yday was attempt to vacuum the livingroom. Tis good I was able to do so, but man the pain hurts.

Guy coming today to look at house about possibility of buying it. Not thrilled about moving (mainly the packing part), but curious to see how God is working in our lives.

1022 stepped on scale to check weight. I’m disgusted. Gained back the 6 lbs I just lost. Ugh!

Stopped drinking the juicing from store bc 95% of them have a little bit of banana in them. By weeks end, I almost went into anaphylaxis…throat was quite swollen to point I was having trouble swallowing & sinuses were severely congested. Had to take Benadryl to counteract. If I’m going to do juicing, it has to be on my own terms without bananas.

200 went to run errands for friend. When I got to firehouse, realized my phone was missing. I went into panic state of mind. Quick prayer asking Lord to keep my phone safe and help me find it quickly. Called pharmacy. Front clerk hadn’t seen it. Let her know I was on my way back to retrace steps. Once back at pharmacy, checked with pharmacist. When I was having trouble with paying for the rx, I set my phone on counter and forgot about it. Thankfully, pharmacy clerk put it up for me. I let front clerk know I found it. She remembered me from earlier bc I gave her a gospel tract.

Great article in this weeks Guardian Newspaper which gives a reasonably accurate and non-sensational explanation of the story of someone who was hit by lightning, and the help she got from the LS&ESSI:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/16/lightning-strike-survivors-support-group?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

930 chilling sensation at base of brain and back of neck. Asked Joe to feel back of neck to see if he could feel it. He said it was chilly to the touch but not bad like my back or chest gets. Told him I was just checking to make sure I was really felling it or not.

Feb 20

Went to church for few hours today to do some sprucing up and install lights at sign , on poats, and replace bulb in security light.

Unable to go out soul winning due to cold weather (29° brrr). High today was upper 50’s.

Joe decided to spend the night in mission house on way home. I got upset because I still had alot to do to get ready let alone pack clothes, makeup, toiletries, three meals, etc. Being thrown off my schedule throws me in a tizzy especially if I feel rushed. It upset Joe. After I completed bulletin and printing it, I calmed down enough to ask Joe to help me get ready. He agreed but was surprised at how much I packed just for one night. Lol

The lights the guys installed look good and certainly brighten up the sign and front yard at night.

Decided to change nail polish. Got frustrated bc it took me several hours and I kept messing up. Feet are freezing bc I painted toenails too.

Slight headache. Chilling sensation at base of neck and top of shoulders. Hands, wrists, & forearms swollen and throbbing. Low back & right hip throbbing. Legs ache. Funny taste in mouth. Tongue white patches. Allergy bumps on top of arms. Feet freezing & tingling. Toes tingling. Tired

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 17-18

Feb 17

800 I’m done with this car. Dash lights came on and engine making weird noise. Pulled over side of highway. Called Joe. Able to turn around and make it to Wal-Mart parking lot

815 discovered serpentine belt fell off. Can’t drive car. Ugh! Can’t think straight. Need to go pray.

Prayers please.  Daughter & I got stranded on road again this morning…the serpentine belt fell off. Thankfully we were able to get it to a parking lot this time.

Will have to borrow a car to get husband & son picked up from work this afternoon, then need to get car towed or fixed in its current location.

My faith is really being stretched. I’m done being stranded, but we are barely staying afloat after last month’s Covid encounter. I know God will work things out. He always does. I’m just a child inside a warrior’s armour needing time to cry a while.

Need God to provide a miracle. I just am in need of prayers.

 

It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,

Standin’ in the need of prayer;

It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,

Standin’ in the need of prayer.

 

Lately, I’ve been winning

Battles left and right

But even winners can get

Wounded in the fight

People say that I’m amazing

Strong beyond my years

But they don’t see inside of me

I’m hiding all the tears

 

They don’t know that

I go running home when I fall down

They don’t know Who picks me

Up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

‘Cause deep inside this armor

The warrior is a child

 

1120 mechanic friend called to say he could help this afternoon.

1230 friend discovered water pump went bad which caused belt to throw. Several phone calls to find one in stock.

145 Mom picked up Jordon from work.

426 still in store pkg lot. Couple trips so far inside store to get oil, antifreeze, & rt sealant.

Legs are burning from walking. Had to try to turn wheel but it was locked in place at first. Had to have help turning wheel. Arms burning. Every inch of me is stinging.

449 I’ve walked almost 3 miles today (6717 steps).

830 feet freezing ice cold. Icy sensation in left shoulder like an ice pack is on it but it’s not.

1000 crashed on couch for hour or so. So exhausted from days events. Ended up walking little over 3 miles today. Exhausted from the exercise and stress. Lips chapped and burning from being dehydrated and going all day without eating till dinner. Face flushed and hot. Headache. Neck hurts. Center of back, lft shoulder & upper lft arm icy cold. Feet freezing cold. Center of tongue feels like I tried to scrap my taste buds off. Sides cramping horribly. Whole body throbbing. Ready to crash again. Night meds taken plus naproxen. Applied carmex to lips. Drinking water for thirst.

Feb 18

Exhausted. Whole body aches. Headache. Thirsty. Feel like I’m dehydrated.

Read Numbers 18-20, Psalm 113:18, Romans 8:38-39

700 picking up/tidying livingroom, vacuumed, & disinfected with Lysol Spray.

Wore out.

900 TBI coordinator came for visit. Had intern with her. Was suppose to go over neurophyschological testing report but I didn’t get mine. Dr was amazed at how I tested superior in some things but below normal in others. Makes me curious.

Coordinator was amazed that I was doing so well in my word retrieval today. Even more amazed I am driving. Told her no one ever told me not to drive so I haven’t stopped and I don’t go anywhere alone. I still hate driving on interstate but learning to adapt and face fears one at a time.

May be able to offer assistance with mtg payment since Joe was out of work due to Covid. She will check and forward info to me.

Will send me copy of report. I am to read over it and write down any questions. Dr Ogden has some recommendations to follow. Coordinator said she understands I don’t like certain things, but they are recommendations. It’s at least a starting point to help overcome the TBI. That statement kind of makes me little leary of what Dr suggested.

It is what it is. I am advocate for my own health. Dr’s can suggest things all day but it doesn’t mean I have to like it or do it if I don’t feel it is in my best interest. I have dealt suspicion what one thing is.

1000 feeling very lethargic. Deciding to rest a while.

Dozed off in church not sure how long. Jerked awake.

1230 Mom told me that she’s been searching for brain injury info -Drs who help TBI. She talked to a brain injury specialist about her recent incident at Lowe’s. He offered her a tour of the facilities. She also asked him if he’s treated lightning survivors. He chuckled. She told him it’s not a joke. My daughter was struck by lightning. He proceeded to explain that being struck by lightning is a rare occurrence. He got excited and asked to meet me.

230 very tired. Face feels flushed. Cheeks & ears feel like their on fire. Thirsty. Need to rest a bit.

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 15-16

Feb 15

545a throat not as swollen. Benadryl helped. Need to learn how to juice on my own. 90% of store juices have bananas in them of which I’m allergic to. Whole body aches but not as bad as the weekend. Sinuses congested. Headache. Exhausted.

Every gasp of nervousness or fear on interstate or in traffic causes my nerves to sting! Semi just cut us off.

Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

650 back home safe. Headache worsening. Load in washer. Need to rest a bit.

800 didn’t plan on sleeping that long.

300 stopped at Wal-Mart to get few items with kids.

400 on way to pick up Joe from work, guy cuts me off. Scares me but bc he’s on Dezirae’s side it make me angry . I think it through and just decide to blubber to myself. Don’t hurt my baby girl or I’ll hurt you.

728 costochondritis rearing its ugly head! Sharp immense stabbing pain in center of chest. Chest keeps popping if I move much in any direction. Reclining in chair with heating pad square in center of chest.

Stretches to ease costochondritis pain

https://costochondritis.com/stretches-for-costochondritis/

930 high pitch ringing sound in let ear lasting a minute

1000 using heating pad to warm bed up. Head spinning. Back throbbing. Sharp stabbing pain in chest. Arms & hands throbbing. Head pounding. Neck hurts. Feet chilly. Chilling tingling sensation at base of brain. Ears starting to get chilly. Exhausted. All the running back and forth drains me.

Feb 16

700 hard freeze warning…it’s 20° outside.

Woke to arms and hands tingling. Sinuses congested. Headache. Neck hurts. Feels like I broke a fever. Whole body aches deeply. Tired. Calves burn as if I just walked a mile. Feet feel like I’m stepping on broken glass as I stand. Vision is blurry making reading very difficult. Low back throbbing.

Read Numbers 14-15, 1 John 3:10-12, Psalm 69:13,

1000 Curious? Do you ever find yourself gazing over your life and just feel overwhelmed by God’s grace?

As I’m trying to gather information for taxes, I begin to think about my children… We will have one graduating from college and getting married next year. Our second son graduates high school this year, and then I will only need to prepare curriculum for our daughter who will be a Sophomore in high school. All I can say is Thank you, Lord!

You see I was struck by lightning 3.5 years ago. I sustained multiple health issues as a result…TBI (traumatic brain injury) is one of them. Many of my symptoms will most likely be lifelong and majority of doctors have no idea how to help. Though I look fine on the outside, I am in constant pain and headaches/migraines are a regular occurrence.

I feel like I lost three years of my life because I was just surviving and barely could comprehend what was going on in my life. Yet, I strove to keep moving forward while leaning on the Lord and my family. It was sometime last year that the fog I was living in began feeling like it was lifting and life began looking a bit clearer. Miraculously our brains are designed to heal themselves.

I stand amazed at how the Lord is bringing me through and is allowing me to continue to be used for His glory.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1200 center of chest is hurting horribly!!!! Sharp stabbing pain stops me in my tracks.

530 worked on trying to gather tax info for CPA most of day with breaks in between. Migraine oncoming. Brain hurts. Vision blurred & fogged. Feet freezing. Chilling sensation at base of brain. Took Excedrine migraine to stop it. Resting for night. Almost ready to take info to CPA I think.

550 center of back freezing cold.

1120 took several hours for feet to warm up to room temp. Migraine gone but still have bad headache. Took night meds. Noticed I forgot to take morn meds. Oh bother.

http://stormhighway.com/survivor.php

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 12-14

Feb 12

700 so much pain!!! Feel like I received a beat down. Head pounding. Whole body throbbing.

740 Joe was sweet and brought me hot tea. Said it was his thank you for doing awesome job trying to keep him calm thru the frustration of fixing the car. Awh!!

Read Number 7, Psalm 40:8

750 discovered it’s raining outside. Praying for Joe as he borrowed a car to go renew his license and exchange the part.

800 Two (2) weeks ago I started limiting my sugar intake more. Seriously reduced sodas. Began drinking smoothies or juices for breakfasts. Drinking more water.

I’ve noticed less abdominal pain and less bloating feeling. I’ve even been pushing myself to do more around the house and walk more instead of using wheelchair except on days my legs feel really weak and wobbly. Stepped on scale this morning… I’ve lost 10lbs!

1150 recvd call from Joe. Car is fixed!!!! Hallelujah!

1100p very lethargic feeling all day and it hurts to move much. Kept dosing off and on today. Hopefully get good night sleep and feel better tomorrow.

Skin hypersensitive. Sheets feel like I’m laying on gritty pebbles and it’s irritating me. Head pounding. Took night meds plus naproxen.

Trying to get comfortable. Rt hip popped loudly. Ouch! That hurt.

Feb 13

1045 can’t believe I slept that long. Nightmares. Deep bone and throbbing pain all over. I hurt worse than yday. It hurts to move. Bad headache. Can tell I haven’t taken much vitamin C or calcium lately. Need to remember to keep saturation levels up.

http://www.doctoryourself.com/fibromyalgia.html

500 the loud booming music from cars hurts my brain and bones!

 

1000p costochondritis feels likes its fairing up. Center of chest feels caught and hurts like the dickens!!! Moved to uncatch it popped few times. Headache. Whole body hurts. Tired

Feb 14

700 tried to grab alarm to snooze but couldn’t control hand nor close it to grip and dropped my phone. Whole body hurts, but not as bad as yday. Feet feel like stepping on broken glass. Sinuses congested.

740 throat is swollen. Had trouble swallowing morning meds & vitamins. Not sure what I ate yday to cause it to flair up.?

Hands are so swollen my ring on my left hand is cutting circulation off. Eyes feel heavy and I even took extra vitamin for energy.

1115 vision starting to get cloudy while trying to focus on the sheet music. Wish I knew how to explain exactly…vision gets cloudy/blurry but I can still see right in front of me, but the peripheral vision begins to enclose like a tunnel. The vision in front gets to be like I’m trying to look through a sheet of water. Still get easily distracted by noises around me but am getting better at channeling my attention. Center of chest pain increasing. Throat hurts. Sinuses calmed down.

900 chilling burning sensation at base of brain traveling down spine down back. Lights bothersome.

958 I’m freezing. Literally shivering in bed. Glad I don’t live up North bc I’d be a popsicle. Lord, please protect those in winter advisery weather keep them safe and warm.

Throat still swollen. Difficulty swallowing. Almost choked on night meds. Took naproxen & 1/2 Benadryl to see if that’ll help. Center of chest throbbing stabbing pain. Lips chapped. Headache. Hands swollen & throbbing. Whole body deep achy pain. Sharp pain inner side of elbow area. Very tired. Stuffy nose. Sinuses congested.

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 9-11

Feb 9

515 deep bone pain from head to toe. The tea helped sleep come quicker. Thankful bc the thunderstorm was getting fierce as Indozed off. Collar bone area feels damp and clammy.  Clammy feeling is moving down across shoulders and down arms.

Read: Numbers 3-4, Psalm 104:34, 1 Timothy 6:12-14

Goal today: put up hunting gear, take recycling to recycle center, start cleaning up/decluttering living room

300 In much pain and exhausted but feel good I was able to accomplish goals.

Now to rest 20 minutes so I can get ready for church.

Exhausted. Feel like I might pass out.

Muscle spasms in back frequent today. Trying not to make spectacule sitting in pew and getting it to stop is difficult.

1000 It so irritates me that I have to have someone in car with me for my safety. Grrr.  I know it’s for my benefit but it’s frustrating at times.

Whole body stings. Both legs from shin down to toes cold, and tingling.

Feb 10

800 collar bone popped while moving in bed. So tired and hurting aweful all over.

1000 thunderstorm rolling through. Bad headache. Body aches to bones.

700 center of chest throbbing

930 having car problems – possible alternator going bad. Joe informed that he won’t get covid pay…that’s a month without a paycheck! I have no clue how we’re going to pay bills. Rt ear throbbing, rt jaw throbbing, legs deep bone throbbing, skin hypersensitive, head itches,

1125 have bad headache

Feb 11

510 tired and exhausted. Ache all over.  Hot like I’m burning up.

645 car died on corner of body & Schillinger

950 all the excitement is too much I need to crash

1130 crashed for 1.5 hours.

920 Info on natural supplements for allergies

https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/best-natural-antihistamines#quercetin

A Dr when I was going to Victory suggested Bromelain for allergies. Thinking Quercetin might help too.

Been drinking juice for breakfast or eating 2 eggs for a week now. Reducing sugars. I’m starting to feel better. Bloating and stomach pain has decreased. I’ve lost 4 lbs so far.

1150 muscles and nerves are in hyperactive twitching mode. Deep bone pain from head to toes. Whole body hurts. Bad headache. Hands ache. Exhausted. Car still not fixed all the way. They’re having difficulty with serpentine belt. Lord, please help.

In so much pain!  Took night meds and naproxen 500mg for pain.

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 7-8

Feb 7

700 tired. Hurting from head to toe and sore all over. Sinuses congested.

Able to curl hair with curling iron – got half way before my arms started fatiguing out.

Twas able to push through to curl whole head all by myself today. Every progress counts! Keep moving forward. Thank you, Lord!!!

845- spiritual warfare ensues – Jordon’s car overheating and needs rescuing. Several people either late or sick and not coming. Forgot the ingredients for dressing.

200p decided to text oldest son to see how things were going with decisions. Degree/Wedding date/ etc. Trying to wrap my head around things in my mind what’s going on. Conversation not going well. Decided to ask Joe to help mediate. Explained what was going on. He ended up calling son. Had to explain that even though we’ve already had this conversation I had forgotten and was just trying to see how things were going bc I felt like I was out of loop. Tears escape my eyes.

It makes for frustration on all sides. They get tired of repeating things multiple times. I try so hard to remember things but just don’t. Even when I write things down I’ll lose or misplace where I wrote it.

It’s a new normal that gets most frustrating at times. Need to rest my brain. I chose to listen to wholetones music to calm my mind while I rest. Also, take deep breaths. It helps. I just wish I could find someone willing to sit and explain why is my short term memory so affected? Is there something I can do to help overcome? Is there something I can do or take to heal from this or even improve in this area? Sometimes I feel like I’m declining cognitively and in turn, it makes me sad and scared.

I know all things work together for the good (Romans 8:28). I know God will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). I am thankful for the Scriptures I have memorized as a youngin for He bringeth the specific Scripture to mind when I need comforting (John 14:26).

500 counsel session went well. I forgot what questions I wanted to ask. Need to check my notes.

545 looked in mirror. My left eye looks like it was punched but I wasn’t.

620 headache hurts. Closed eyes resting brain and ask God to help me with offertory. He helped.

I’m freezing. Feet ice cold. Took night meds plus Excedrine migraine.

Feb 8

515 slept pretty good once I fell asleep. Strange dreams. Feet warmed back up. I wrapped them in my personal blanket under the covers.

Whole body sore and achy. Feet feel like I’m standing on broken charts of glass as I stand.

Read Numbers 1-2; Psalm 18:19

Have to take Joe & Jordon to work today. Jordon’s car in shop.

Feeding evangelist and his wife dinner tonight. I have no clue what I’m cooking nor how I’m going accomplish it with all the running I’m to do today.

Found out preacher friend died today.

800 talked with evangelist after service tonight. Remembered one of my questions though I’m not certain it came out as I intended.

 

Explained that I have difficulty expressing what I am thinking at times and/or I do not comprehend what is being said. It takes all my energy to focus on person and what they’re saying yet sometimes it doesn’t register or compute in brain.

How do express I’m having difficulty without burdening others with my struggles?

That probably happens more when I’m stressed or fatigued. I agreed. Then when that happens excuse yourself and gently inform or remind them that I was struck by lightning and I’m experiencing some of the sides effects from that and ask them to either repeat what they said or reword so I can better understand.

This led to another question. I know God is not the author of confusion or fear, but the LS has caused lots of anxiety on several different levels. When the anxiety arises I quote Scripture to myself but the anxiety is still there. How do I resolve that? Ie: when riding in the car, my mind perceives that the cars on the road are not in their lanes properly and are heading for us which causes me to get panicky and holler. Joe then tells me to be quiet or stop.

Need to assure myself that Joe is stronger in that area right now and allow myself to trust his judgment. Maybe even develop our own kind of language to help work through it.

Why is it that I struggle more when I’m tired or stressed to get my brain, eyes, & hands to coordinate while playing piano? It’s so frustrating. Muscle memory. Need to exercise it more.

900 sudden bad headache on way home. Muscles randomly spasming. Low back throbbing.

1030 thunderstorm rolling through. Whole body is tensing up. Drinking sleep time tea to help.

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 5-6

Feb 5 

800 pictures in brain are going wonky…they’re going counterclockwise and not in sync. It’s making me dizzy keeping eyes closed. Exhausted. Headache no longer migraine. Slight chilling sensation in rt side of head. Lights still bothersome.

It must be raining nearby…I hurt all over. Feel like I’ve been beaten up and it hurts to move.

500 brain fried…been working on preparing for Sunday’s Chili Cook Off. Head pounding. Brain fogging & vision crossing.

830 Feet freezing. Back of head chilling sensation. Lower legs throbbing.

1030 chilling sensation in back of head has slowly moved down spine to tail bone. Whole spine has chilling sensation now. It feels really weird. Muscles randomly spasming/ twitching in body.

Feb 6

800 rough night. Exhausted. Thirsty. I hurt from head to toe. Feet feel like I’m standing on broken glass. Nose stuffy. Headache.

Lots to do today. I pray God gives me the strength and wisdom to get what I need done.

900 drank strawberry breakfast smoothie. Made me have allergy reaction. Had to take Tylenol Sinus.

300p tired and hurting. Dezirae & I finished getting mission house ready for evangelist and his wife. Updated shower curtain and added rug in bathroom.

We also gave the church sign a facelift by weeding flower bed, planting Gerber daisies, and laying mulch. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to plant marigolds or not so we left them off for now.

I’m sore and will probably hurt more later but praise the Lord I was able to get it done.

Dezirae changed mulch out for dirt and planted marigolds in pots by front church doors while I trimmed the rose bushes.

Few more things to finish in morning but that’s okay. We got a lot done. Thank you, Lord!

545 migraine

How can one person cope with migraines better than another? Is it a good support system or quality health care? Or something else?

1159 finally getting to bed. Took me a while to finish bulletin. Had to make several changes to the song service to go more with revival. It takes me a couple hours when changes need to be made. Plus the way I have to print them now takes long time. Need to figure something out that more time friendly.

I’m in lots of pain. Hands and wrists slightly swollen and throbbing. Low back throbbing. I’d back itches. Legs throbbing. Feet cold, sting, throbbing. Skin itchy and hypersensitive. Sides cramping.

 

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