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 Journal Entries 26-27 January 2021

Jan 26

Every fiber of my being is screaming in pain! Bad thunderstorm passed through last night. Will have to take rx pain med to get about today. Sinuses severely congested. Post nasal drip causing cough. Headache.

930 received call from nurse. My retest came back negative. My theory worked! Now do I keep my quarantine or what? It isn’t over until Friday. Hmm?

1130 Joe picked up grocery order from Wal-Mart. 2nd time I’ve done it this way. Both times had several substitutes. Not happy but I can live with them. I still prefer in person shopping only doing this way due to quarantine. got very dizzy. Had to sit a spell til it calmed down.

200 went with Joe to pick up Jordon so I could take his car home. Stopped at Ulta for Dezirae. Just that little bit wore me out. Had to rest for a while when we got home. Gonna have to work on building back up my stamina.

Made dinner – taco stroganoff. Used Instapot to brown beef, saute onions, & melt cream cheese. It has been big help. Loving this God given thoughtful gift. Exhausted. Sat to catch breath and rest a bit before serving dinner. Guys came home from hunting as I sat down. Joe sweet enough to serve me. Told him just a little bc I’m not feeling well at moment. Kinda of feel like I took several steps backwards with this covid junk.

 

 

Jan 27

Been awake since 7:30. Rough night. Restless. Severe indigestion and much pain made getting comfortable near impossible. Fell asleep sometime after 2am.

Woke exhausted and hurting much. Headache. Eyes watery.

Coughing ensued around 8am. Applied Vicks to feet again. Took morning meds plus Tylenol Sinus.

Researching treating pain naturally. Came across following that seem to be worth researching further.

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

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

I have found on my own trials that the more C I take the less I hurt, but I haven’t figured proper amount for self yet. Going to try to learn more about juice fasting.

Folded and put away load of clothes. Wash load. Put load in dryer. Another load in basket to fold. Don’t have any more energy. Feeling weak and dizzy. Need to rest a while. Dezirae working on schoolwork.

Laying down while listening to rejoice radio.

Forgot to open curtains. Dark in room. Went in room to do something don’t recall what. Forgot the fan was near end of dresser near door. Bumped into fan almost fell and in trying to catch myself I knocked the tv & DVD player onto the floor. Ended up yelling Oh no! Dezirae came to check. Told her I was okay and attempted to tell her what happened except forgot what to call item under tv and called it a vcr instead. Picked them back up and checked to make sure they were still working. Thought I broke them. Ugh.

Dezirae helped with dinner. I couldn’t get the chow mein cans open. Cooked rice in Instapot.

After dinner, I was so wore out that I ended up crashing on couch for about an hour. Now will be up for a while.

Headache eased. Tired. Sinuses getting congested. Rt ear hurts. Skin feels itchy. Cold but no fever. Low back hurts. Rt hip throbbing. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with tingling & numbish to toes. Lft foot freezing while rt foot is just tingly & firey pins & needles. Neck sore. It cracked several times today when I turned it too far to side. Collar bone cracked couple times today each time causing moderate pain in chest lasting for about an hour.

Upon taking night meds discovered I forgot to take morning meds. Ugh. Took additional C, zinc, & a melatonin. Taking naproxen to ease pain for sleep. Also applied sleep lotion.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 24-25 January 2021

Jan 24

1149 almost forgot to write today. Had very rough night. Body had trouble regulating temperature making me very uncomfortable and difficulty staying asleep. Forgot to take last night’s meds. Woke up coughing but not as bad. Whole body normal pains. Muscles randomly twitching through body. Multiple headaches some near migraine.

Decided to finish up Scripture Journaling for month but scheduled post for next month as to ease stress. Only could work on it half hour at time then rest for hour or so bc each time increased headache. Looking forward to Neuro test results in hoping it’ll explain why concentration on things increases headaches.

Sporadic coughing through day. Took cough med for bed. Drank bunch of liquid which caused multiple runs to bathroom.

Spent half hour working on college class – Doctrines of the Bible. That gives headache too – reading and answering questions. Ugh. Something I have to work through. Taking Excedrine migraine to see if it’ll ease headache.

Used my nasonex to dry up sinuses.

Jan 25

112a wide awake. Purposely didn’t take nap so I’d be tired even after unrestful sleep yday. Ugh!

Turned to try to get comfortable. Ribs on lft side got caught taking breath away with pain. Once I got them loosened muscles in lft started cramping. Got them calm and did same thing to rt side. Ugh.

954 CDC says that a person after 14 days is no longer contagious even if they have symptoms. Nurse said she tested positive 21 days afterwards. She waited a week then tested again and was negative. Just because you test positive doesn’t mean you have it. It just means they detected virus proteins. Frustrating.

Testing a theory. I’ve been using nasonex (1 spray each nostril in pm and only in am if needed). Used it last night and this morning. Retested this morning. I can come out of quarantine after 1/27. Joe can come out 1/23.

700 suddenly feeling lethargic. Temp 99.5.

1100 fell asleep now awake but tired. Heachace. Neck hurts. Body aches more than normal. Hands throb. Feet tingle. Lower left leg numbish & tingling. Cough. Took cough med over counter. Night meds. Vitamin C 2k mg & zinc. Using Sleep lotion.

1130 bottom just dropped out. It’s raining hard. Taking Tylenol & melatonin.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 22-23 January 2021

Jan 22

100 coughing fits hurt my body…not my chest, but rather send sharp electrifying pains down legs to toes. I’ve taken delsym, C, & zinc. Applied Vicks to bottom of feet & chest.

2:09 wide awake. Can’t sleep. Decided to pray for everyone who comes to mind.

700 not sure how long I prayed before falling asleep but got through bunch of people. Woke to use restroom. Whole body stings and aches. Temp 99.1

845 fell back asleep for little over an hour. Body still stings. Funny smell in my nose. Skin sensitive – hair on neck and fave feels like insects crawling on me – unnerving. Vision blurry like there’s a mucus film over eyes. Had to rub eyes to help it clear. Sinuses congested. Woke from strange dream (seeking out Dr’s who might care to help me heal while in midst of a war. Realize I need a new goal – finish college for one but also determine something I want to do (purpose in life). Yet I’m conflicted bc I don’t know what I want to do. Don’t know what I’m good at with my current limitations.

Tongue still covered white and small lesions all over. It hurts today.

1040 showers are such a chore. Worn out and must rest a bit to catch my breath and easy fatigue arms. Coughed up a bunch of phlem. Thankfully it’s clear for most part.

100 spent half hour working on blog. Exhausted. Headache. Need to rest a while.

Feet are freezing. Chilling sensation gradually moving up legs – up to mid chin.

300p apparently I fell asleep in chair. family surprised me. Told me that they were cooking dinner for me as their way of showing appreciation for me taking care of sick family even while I was sick. It’s nice to be appreciated.

600 funky smell stuck in my nose. Can’t figure it out.

https://neuroticmommy.com/2018/02/07/how-to-use-onions-against-colds-flus-and-bacteria/

https://patient.info/news-and-features/what-causes-a-musty-smell-in-the-nose

900p temp 99.7. I feel hotter than that.

1030 decided to pick up a textbook to work towards finishing my bachelors degree. Took me a bit to find book. Found Christmas present I forgot about. Still have birthday upcoming. Lol. I could literally hide my own Easter eggs. Lol.

Able to read for about 30 minutes before my eyes started hurting and blurring. Discovered I have about 5 classes left to finish. It’s doable at slow pace.

Headache. Brain/vision blurry. Funky smell in nose. Fever. Cough. Post nasal drip. Low back aches. Head itches. Lower let leg tourniquet tightening feeling from calf down with numbnish & tingling.

I’ll have to try to remember to brew some thyme & oil of oregano peppermint tea tomorrow

Jan 23

1130 trouble waking. Extremely tired today.
230 multiple hiccup burps.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 20-21 January 2021

Jan 20

840 woke with horrible headache. Body hurts all over as if I’d been beaten up. Once I sat up my nose started bleeding. Only lasted minute or so. They leave me feeling weak. I lay back down while reading Bible.

Exodus 16-18. Daily verses: James1:2-3; Psalms 67:4; 52:8-9.

Ears ringing. Nerves stinging. Light bothersome. Head pounding. No energy. Nose stuffed and congested. Eyes watery. Low back near tailbone throbbing. Taking migraine rx.

250 took me an hour to figure out how to order few groceries online. Not paying $25 for delivery. Will have Joe go pick up.

Joe says I look pale white and sent me to bed. Took pack of crackers with me.

600p two item I ordered weren’t in stock. Two had to be substituted. Not impressed.

Got up to finish cooking dinner. Not hungry. Sat with family for little while then back to bed.

1000p not tired. Decided to drink Chammomile tea to help me sleep. Night meds taken. Delsym for cough (it gets worse at night). Vitamin C 3k + Zinc 50mg.

Jan 21

1250 still wide awake. Tummy hurts. Think 3k mg of C was too much at once. Whole body hurting aweful. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Took rx Naproxen & 1/2 pill muscle relaxer. Need to sleep.

1000 finally fell asleep after 2am. Woke from nightmare & praying for family in my dream. Lft arm and hand numb and tingly. Headache.

Bible reading: Exodus 19-21; Psalm 67:4; Galatians 6:7-8; Psalm 65:4

1230 Joe decided to cook brunch.

130 I managed to wash few dishes and throw load of clothes in washer. Entire back now stinging chilling burning sensation. Sitting a while.

400 trying to figure out if b12 Cyanocobalamin is ok instead of b12 methylation

550 severe stomach pains. Nerves in hands, arms, & back sting. Face itches. Feet chilly.

1030 I now have the runs. Yuck.

“Methylcobalamin is used primarily in your liver, brain and nervous system; in fact methylcobalamin is the specific form of B12 needed for nervous system health.”

https://www.justvitamins.co.uk/blog/cyanocobalamin-versus-methylcobalamin/#.YApX4bdMH3A

1100 Tummy hurts. Feeling weak. Tired. Funny taste in mouth. Nerves in back chilling burning. Rt ear hurts. Headache.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 17-19 January 2021

Jan 17

1210p gently trying to stretch out my sciatica pain as I can endure the pain while trying not to cry . Trying to find position I can sleep in.

945 very rough night…hardly slept at all.

1140p tummy gurgling like crazy. Low back & rt hip throbbing but not as bad as yday. Coughing much. Trying to stay hydrated. Continuing to take Vitamin C 4k mg, Echinacea 2 capsules, & zinc 50 mg. Night meds taken.

Diffused thieves oil in house most of day.

Muscles throughout body sting. Stuffy nose. Mild headache. Exhausted. Weak.

Jan 18

1045 woke to both arms severely numb & tingly. Back throbbing. Headache. Still tired. Strange dream. In a strange land searching for something I know not what. Ears ringing.  Sinuses congested. Low back throbbing.

Feels like cough is in chest more. Need to up my vitamin C.

1230 Son has problem with history books not matching up. Student book is older than lesson planner. It’s frustrating both of us. Him bc I’m not making sense though it makes common sense in my head. Me bc I’m having difficulty verbalizing the easy fix and Joe has to interpret for me.

Now my brain hurts like crazy. My vision is blurring. Sinuses contesting more making me cough more which in turn make my whole body hurt worse than it already does. Need to go rest a piece so I can attempt Bible Class with the kids.

900 just finished making bed. I’m wore out, hurting, and exhausted. Rt wrist & forearm throbbing with sharp pain shooting up to rt shoulder. Entire back has burning sensation like it’s on fire!  Chin feels numb suddenly. Strange. Need to rest awhile.

1000p decided to eat pickle. Burned my tongue. Ouch. Tummy hurting now. Pickles are not my friend right now.

Muscles are twitching randomly through body. Doesn’t feel good.

Jan 19

1200a tummy hurts bad. Bloating.

1220 coughing fit ensues. Feels like I’m trying to cough up a lung. It hurts whole body. Took 2k mg vitamin C and night meds.

1000 woke from strange dreams to feeling like my cover weighed like ton of bricks making moving very difficult. Not good feeling to wake to.

Received phone call from Dr office. Confirmed I have covid too. Not allowed back in Dr’s office until I get a negative test result. Can’t get another test until 14 days from start of symptoms and am symptom free. That’s going to be fun game bc some of my symptoms I had prior to covid due to the LS. I’ll continue he to keep Vitamin C saturation high until I feel better. It seems to be helping with some of nerve pain too bc I haven’t taken much rx pain meds last couple days. We’ll see. God is in control.

650 pushed all I can today. Made Dezirae a birthday cake. Biscuits n gravy for brunch. Ordered pizza for dinner.

Cough seems worse but quiets after I take C

I’ve reached saturation but continue bc of the cough. Don’t want to get pneumonia. Hurt all over. Feet freezing up to chins. Nerves sting.

1150 cough keeping me awake. Took 2 TBS Delsym. Applied Vicks to bottom of feet & chest. Applied Nasonex 1 squirt each nostril. Took zinc 50mg, C 2k mg, & night meds. Sucking on hard candy to soothe cough until rx kicks in. Hopefully, I’ll fall asleep soon.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 15-16 January 2021

Jan 15

1228a still wide awake. Brain hurts but not slowing down. Light sensitivity. Took Excedrin migraine. Night meds taken plus extra C, Echinacea, & zinc.

The added stress on my brain from the neuro testing last week really did a number on my immune system and overall health. I knew I’d be down for days from pure exhaustion but I didn’t consider how it would affect me physically. Ended up sick like my husband. I’m praying its not Covid…feels more like a bad case of the flu.

Still waiting for results of Joe’s covid test. Quarantining stinks but then again I haven’t had much gumption this week either. It’s hard enough fighting to recover from LS let alone top it with flu like symptoms and a sick hubby. Yuck! This too shall pass.

 

it’s hard…extremely hard…especially when you’re in midst of it. Reminding myself…

 

Psalm 73:26-28

My flesh and my heart faileth:

but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

 

I haven’t felt much like Bible study this week either being frankly honest but I have kept up with my Bible reading & devotional app.

Read Genesis 46-50 & Psalm 119:25.

 

Need to work on adding next Scripture journal to blog. Have it partially finished. Maybe I’ll have energy to work on it tomorrow.

 

Chilling burning sensation in between shoulder in back radiating thru shoulder blades to mid back region. Cramping in let abdomen center chest area…hurts painfully.

 

Diffusing thieves in room to disinfect the air.

 

800a woke to bad headache. Muscles twitching randomly thru body. Eyes sensitive to light. Entire body stiff and achy. Sinuses congested with slight bloody nose. Taking migraine rx to ease head pain. Chilling burning sensation that starts at base of neck travels down spine to mid back.

 

1220p Received call that Joe tested positive for Covid. Whole family must quarantine for 14 days. Ugh! I have to go get tested now.

100 something feels weird in my eye. I take my glasses off to discover the nose piece fell off my glasses. Ugh.

1000p just spent half hour looking for my glasses repair kit (Jordon was helping me stay on target). He found $10 in one of my old wallets. Cool! Dezirae comes to see what we were doing only to remind me that I had one in my purse. Screws were too big. Ugh! Now I’m flat exhausted.

Getting bouts of nauceousness.

1120 drinking hot chammomile tea in hopes it’ll help me sleep tonight. Taking 2nd dose of C, Echinacea, & zinc. Tylenol sinus for the sinus headache & night meds.

Jan 16

1145 whew I slept a long time. Must of needed it.

Woke to feeling like my arms and hands were about to explode. Burning stinging sensation thru body. Head hurts. Woke from strange dreams …

100 a friend dropped off a large pot of wedding meatball soup. It’s so delicious!

Low back & rt hip is throbbing like an infected toothache!!! It’s hard to move.

Chronic back pain

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

630 asked family if they wanted brownies. Joe told me I wasn’t cooking bc I needed to rest. Asked Jordon to make some cookies.

930 applied pain patch to lower back.

1100 patch area starting to burn some. Not sure if that’s supposed to happen or not.

1130 sat to use restroom and lower back snap crackles and popped! It hurt but I am able to move little better. Lower rt back & but area throb intensely. Why does it have to hurt so much!

I’m not taking it anymore. I’m going to bed. Maybe my body will wake in better mood and less pain tomorrow.

Ate on the soup all day and still have a lot left. It was big help as I was in no shape to cook at all today.

I hurt so bad I can’t even lay on my back in bed!! Attempting to lay on stomach.

Took pm rxs, zinc 50mg , C 2k mg, Tylenol sinus.

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 13-14 January 2021

Jan 13

500a Joe still sick. Bad dream (follow up Dr visit. Bloodwork showed some level elevated indicating oncoming heart attack. Level was 54 not under 45. Dr’s decided to admit me to hospital for observation. Didn’t want to go. Had to strap me to gurney. Once there I kept sneaking out of bed to visit other patients. Dr’s not happy.)

Whole body stiff and throbbing. Left nostril clogged making difficulty to breath.

Took Tylenol sinus, C, zinc, & Echinacea. Applied Vicks to bottom of feet and chest. Feel like I got ran over. Ugh.

630 trouble falling back to sleep. Tummy hurts.

1030p temple headache with vice grip feeling around head. Fatigued. Sensitive to lights & sounds. Tummy hurts. Watery eyes. Runny nose. Severely congestion.

Looked it up. Possible migraine. Guess I’m learning more about migraines.

 

https://curefitlife.com/IBS?gclid=Cj0KCQiA0fr_BRDaARIsAABw4EvkkxhSaqX4UvNSQrahOviCcAfsN2njqL3UdT8BpKh-fL8W3H3677oaAqGiEALw_wcB

 

Jan 14

1253 tummy hurts so bad I’m miserable. Constipation. Just drank 1/2 cup coffee hoping it will help stimulate nerves. Didn’t drink morning bkfst shake bc of congestion but I’m suffering otherwise.

Center of back freezing sensation suddenly. Head still pounding. Congestion has eased some enough I can breath some.

 

https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/understanding-gut-health

 

600a fell asleep after 1am. Still have migraine. Taking Excedrin.

 

1000a very rough night. Headache eased but not migraine anymore.

Made sure I drank breakfast shake (8oz almond milk, 2 oz whole milk, 2 TBS chia seeds, 1 tbs peanut butter, 1 tsp chocolate syrup, 7 ice cubes)

Chia.seeds have multiple health benefits. They are full of nitrients, antioxidants, full of fiber, high quality protein, etc.

 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6

 

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/why-are-chia-seeds-good-for-me

 

1200p finally able to use restroom. Tummy feels little better.

800p able to work on grades a little,  wash load of clothes, and put up turkey bone broth. Wore me out for rest of day. Headache increases.

 

Watching movie “The Rocket” it’s about a kid who endures a tragic head injury and loses his dream to play football in high school. He then has to find a new focus in life…running.

I can resonate with the kid in movie. Not only am I still dealing with multiple issues left from the lightning strike, but also I feel as if I’m reinventing a new me. The old me died that day and I’m desperately trying to find the new me or my new focus in life all while still trying to juggle what the old me did and this me wonders how in the world did I ever balance it all?! But for the grace of God I press on.

 

1000p tried to sit on my rt leg but my rt thigh cramped intensely!!! Had to adjust position quickly.

 

1130 head pounding. Eyes hurt. Congested. Feel horrid. Tired. Nerves hurt. Low back throbbing. Hands ache. Sinus pressure in face is aweful.

 

Applied Immune Boosting EO roller on wrists, back of neck, & bottoms of feet.

EO’s included are peppermint, frankinsense, thieves, & lemon oils mixed in carrier oil.

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