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 10-12 January 2021

Jan 10

650 overslept. Strange dream – I was reliving David & Goliath story but in modern day I was a congresswoman facing off against Pelosi. Joshua 1: 9 repeating in head.

Whole body achy & stiff. Low rt back still has intense pain like I fell and bruised it deeply. Bending over causes intense pain. Moving slowly.

Lightning Survivor asked about what has helped to ease neuropathy pain.

Following article gives list of supplements that can help…

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326917#diet-and-lifestyle-tips

I personally take B vitamins, magnesium (500mg or more), Calcium with D3, turmeric, etc. I’ve taken alpha lipocic acid, but didn’t notice much difference at the time. One of my doctors gave me Cognitex Basics which helped with brain function too. Need to get more.

130 exhausted from morning services. Feel like I need to crash. Low back & rt hip throbbing.

315 slept maybe half hour pain kept me awake.

830 exhausted. My head feels swimmy like it’s floats in mucus.

 

Jan 11

750a woke late. Slept hard once I fell asleep. Could sleep longer but need to get moving.

10a sat on floor to try to help Rae with math. After little bit tailbone felt like someone hit it with a sledge hammer. Told Joe I may be injured but at least I’m still mobile. Lol.

230p realized I didn’t have my phone. Didn’t know if I dropped it in store or left at friends house. Began to panic. Tried to call hoping it was at friends house but she didn’t answer. Wasn’t sure I had right number. Went back to her house. It was there thankfully. Sigh of relief.

I’m exhausted and wanting to go home but Joe asked me to take Rae to phone store so she could get her new phone.

Need to also pick up Joe’s rx. Dr confirmed sinus infection.

All this running around is taxing on me. I’m not feeling so good myself now. Need some rest.

1150p if only my brain would let me sleep. Runny nose. Congested. Sinus pressure. Exhausted. Headache. Rt ear hurts. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Legs achy. Feet freezing. Hands achy & swollen.

 

Jan 12

830 woke from bad dream to back arms and hands stinging horribly.

1210 been trying to study for bible study tonight. Topic isn’t hardly touched on the rabbit trail I’m attempting. Want biblical aspect. Brain hurts. Eyes feel blurred and heavy. Need to rest. Lunch break

1245 headache. Brain hurts. Feet & hands cold. Sinuses congested. Thirsty. Tired. Whole body aches. It’s 66 inside. Put hoodie on to warm up. Need a nap. Took Tylenol sinus. Think I might be fighting a sinus infection too.

140 trying to decide on ice breaker for tonight. Rt hand sudden feels like it’s on fire! Shake hand but sensation still there. Low back feels like ice. Pull sweatshirt down to cover it. Sensation slowly creeping up back to middle & sides.

500 getting ready for tonight. Face is flushing. Cheeks feel like they’re on fire. Headache. Sinus congestion. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Facial pressure and pain. Exhausted. Tummy feels bloated. Feet cold but not freezing. Need to lay down for bit.

1100p ladies mtg went well. Only got thru half the lesson.

Headache. Sinus congestion and pain. Stuffy nose. Rt ear hurts. Neck hurts. Chilly sensation in base of neck travels down spine to mid back. Cramping pain in lower lft abdomen. Low back & rt hip hurt. Hands swollen and throbbing. Skin feels like it’s crawling. Eyes heavy & hurt. Legs ache like I walked a mile. Feet hurt and cold.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 07-09 January 2021

Jan 7

750 almost forgot to write. Woke around 9:00am. Feel like I got ran over. It hurts to move. Need to try to move to loosen up my joints.

Washed load of towels. Decided to work on hanging up clothes and trying to straighten closet a little. 3/4 way through I turned and stepped wrong and hurt my lower back. Ough!

Need to sit for a while so I decided to balance the checkbook. Took me three hours because I wrote couple things in twice and didn’t write in several things. Had to use excel to help.

Using heating pad on lower rt side. It hurts like the dickens to walk

945 pain is off the charts!!! It hurts to move. Heat not helping. Skin stings. Arms & hands throb & burn deeply to bones. Headache. Thirsty like I’m dehydrated. Grouchy but trying to mind my p’s and q’s. Annoying cough today. Tongue hurts. It’s cover in white again and welts.

Forgot to take morning meds. Took evening meds plus 1/4 muscle relaxer & pain rx. Have Dr apt in am to finish from Wed apt. Will stop by chiropractor’s office to see if they can fit me in.

Joe says I pulled muscle. He applied pain eo rub to help.

 

Jan 8

7a rough night. Every time I turned I woke in extreme pain. Severe sharp pain in tummy at 1am. Constipation. Nightmare (taking a day trip on a beautiful Isalnd.

 

Evaluation questionnaire had almost 200 questions. Took me about 45 minutes to complete. Had to get permission to use dictionary bc I forgot what some of words meant and questions were bit confusing.

Felt like they were trick questions to see if I was delusional, or schitzophernic.

Peculiar orders come to me at times. T

I Have a great deal of stomach trouble. T

Dirt frightens or disgusts me. F

I am often sorry bc I am so irritable and grouchy. F

Often I get confused and forget what I want to say. T

Someone has been trying to influence my mind. F

I am never happier than when I am by myself. F

I feel helpless when I have to make important decisions. T

Most married couples don’t show much affection for each other. F

If people had not had it in for me, I would be much more successful. F

I recognize several faults in myself that I will not be able to change. F

 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4893-neuropsychological-testing–assessment

 

Went to chiropractor next. Did accupuncture and adjustment. Confirmed that I pulled two muscles in lower back. Suggested I might be a little dehydrated. Most likely a freak accident bc of the stress from the neuropsychological testing I endured day prior. Will be sore for few days but am already moving better.

Cracked the Dr up. I don’t recall conversation, but I replied “I’m different than the average bear.” To which both hubby & Dr chuckled.

Dr corrected me saying, “Well it’s suppose to say I’m smarter than the average bear.”

To which I replied, “Even with a brain injury I’m smarter than the average bear. Hehe”

Joe stated while laughing, “See what we have to deal with she does this all the time now.”

Dr said, “Oh.”

I told Dr that when I realize what I said wrong and it’s funny I’ll join them laughing. Lol.

Humor is good medicine.

1110a sitting on heating pad now. I’m exhausted. Headache. Hands swollen. Tummy hurts.

1130a hubby graciously fixing lunch so I can rest.

Went to bed after lunch. Slept until 3pmish. Had to get up and moving. Hurts to lay still for long.

1130 indigestion is horrific. Nothing is helping. Ginger soothes only while sucking on chew. Feels like I’d feel better if I’d puck. Don’t like the feeling one bit. Nerves making skin itchy. Whole upper body stings. Chest center hurts. Ears hurt. Low back throbbing.

 

Jan 9

800a when I finally fell asleep I slept pretty good except for a bad dream (in middle of accounting for a job, but suddenly forgot how to do my job. Boss yelled at me and started chasing me. As I was running away boss turned into scarey creature trying to eat me.)

Trying to figure out why some of questions were asked in exam. Found following website explaining…

https://bcmj.org/articles/neuropsychological-assessment-mild-traumatic-brain-injury-clinical-overview

 

830 low back feeling some better. Able to slowly move without moaning in pain.

430 chilling tingling sensation down spine.

450 having trouble opening tuna can with can opener. My hands don’t seem to cooperate. Keep dropping things.

600p slight bloody nose. Mild headache.

1140p low back throbbing intensely. Straighten lr before going to bed. Get ready for bed. Maybe standing 10 minutes and low back hurting so bad need to sit. Bloody nose increases. Headache strengths. Hands swollen & cold. Chest hurts – it popped while raising arms to put pjs on. Tired but awake. Feet freezing. Mid back has warmed a little. Tongue not as white coated. Legs ache.

Leg throbbing – stinging shooting pain from knee to

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 04-06 January 2021

Jan 4

6am woken to phone call. Not ready to get up. Whole body aches deeply, but not as bad as weekend.

700 laying back down. I’m so tired.

Read Genesis 19-21. Took cat nap.

800 ready to work on organizing recipes so I can find them quicker for meal planning. Washing comforter in new to me washer. Yay! Prepped veggies for crockpot soup.

School starts back up today. I’m not ready. Stressed over activities of new couple of weeks…dentist, cognitive test, birthday party, start gathering info for taxes, etc. Ugh!

1030 chest hurting, body sore

130 face feels flushed, chest sore, brain feels foggy, tired and need a nap.

250 at bank depositing checks. St middle back cramping. Can’t seem to wiggle right to get it to stop. Headache. Tired. They do not have enough tellers working today. Three lines open and currently 12 in lines and it grows. There were only 9 in line when I approached. I’d go inside if it were allowed. Ugh.

Face feels flushed and cheeks feel on fire. Don’t know cause.

916 going to bed early. Tired and hurting & very cold. Tummy bloated and feels like it’s going to pop. Face itches. Skin hypersensitive…hair on Joe’s arms feel like sharp needles poking mine. Rt inner ear hurts & itches. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Tops of feet freezing even with socks on all day. Toes stingy-tingly and starting to chill.  Cramping lower rt abdomen.

1020 can’t sleep. Pain keeping me awake. Decided to look up info about testing on Wednesday.

https://verdugopsych.com/neuropsychological-evaluation-of-traumatic-brain-injury/

Too much info to read right now. Increases headache.

 

Jan 5

500 rough night. Woke at 1am with extreme pain in abdomen. Had to use restroom.

Woke again at 5am with milder pains.

645 strange sounds coming from abdomen. I just want some sleep.

Tummy upset and bit nauseous. Took ginger capsule to settle stomach.

700 chilling sensation up and down spine. Feet freezing.

1000p bad headache.. Much pain. Low back & rt hip throbbing.

 

Jan 6

630 rough night. Trouble falling asleep and kept waking up thinking I overslept. Detest alarm noise it irritates me to wake up to need to change it. Very tired. Whole body aches. Sinuses congested. I wonder if the zyrtec is even helping anymore. Moderate headache. Nervous about testing. Mixed emotions.

2p neuropsychological testing went longer than expected.  (appointment lasted from 8am-1pm). Dr told my husband that I look exhausted and need a break. I will have to go back Friday to finish (it’ll be another hour). I will get results at end of month. I am flat exhausted and will most likely be down rest of day.

Eyes started watering mid testing. Brain began fatiguing had trouble answering simple questions I should’ve known. Fought falling asleep on girl giving test. Periodic ears ringing.

345p Series of puzzles, drawings, matching, math problem, memory tests, defining words, spelling, repetition of numbers and words, naming object and animals. Thinking about it now tires me out. Bad headache, exhausted, rt hip throbbing.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305230/

745p just found PDF on neuropsychological testing wish I found it earlier

Neuropsych_FAQ.pdf

https://www.brainline.org/article/guide-neuropsychological-testing

 

God is so good in providing this testing. It can be an important tool for helping understand my injury and how to better help me improve and overcome.

800 going to bed early. Been dozing off and on since we’ve been home.

Learned my husband thought I was as smart as Stephen Hawking prior to my LS. I didn’t recall who he was. Just looked him up. He was a pretty smart guy. I guess that’s a pretty huge compliment. Awh.

840 trouble falling asleep. Asked Joe for some herbal tea to help me sleep.

935 Tummy hurts horribly again. Trots again. Ugh! I forgot Chammomile tea relieves constipation.

945 exhausted. Brain hurts. Headache. Whole body aches. Rt inner ear hurts. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Lower abdomen stabbing sharp pain. Legs ache. Feet sting. Toes tingling. Hands sting & tingle.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 01-03 Jan 2021

Jan 1

100a arms and hands stinging burning. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Need some rest.

700a woke from weird dream and exhausted. Trying to escape something?

Whole body stiff and achy.

800a I get to wash clothes today. That is my goal for today.

430 info was posted on support group page today – https://www.studyfinds.org/drug-isrib-reverses-cognitive-decline/

930 exhausted and hurting all over. Overdid it, but it was so worth working towards getting caught up on wash today. Sudden feeling of allergy attack. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m becoming lactose intolerant again. Tummy feels bloated and hurts. Took Tylenol sinus and going to bed. I have bad headache.

Dezirae & I worked little on planning her sweet 16th bday party.

Feel like I’m about to crash.

 

Jan 2

155a woke in severe pain!! Also feel like I broke a fever.

600a it hurts to move so much I just moan but I really want to cry

Joe gently rubs my back. It feels good.

830 body feels weird…my back feels like it has a fever, my feet are freezing, my head feels chilly, low back throbbing aweful, tailbone feels out of place and bruised.

Strange – went to use restroom and low back popped. It hurt but low back pain not as intense though it’s still throbbing maybe 8 instead of 9.

 

 

Jan 3

1215a finally going to bed. About choked on my night meds. Feel like one is stuck in throat. Ouch! Sinuses acting up all of a sudden.

130a awake to use restroom. It hurts to move. Applied pain rub to lower rt back region.

330a pain awakens me. I’m so tired.

530a must have been moaning in my sleep. Joe starts rubbing my back but even that hurts. I’m not telling him bc I don’t want to hurt his feelings.

630a alarm frightens me awake as I just fell back to sleep. I want to throw it across room. Today would be a day I’d be highly tempted to stay in bed. I will take pain pill and push on through Christ alone.

730 Joe sweet being by gathering items for lunch.

900 on way to church, Joe remembers we are having missionary today. Ugh! I didn’t remember nor prepared. Positive note we will take them out for lunch and I not have to cook. Thank you, Lord.

230p back at church I need nap feel crash in coming. Tummy hurts. It always hurts after I eat. Has to be a reason but I don’t know why.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 30-31 December 2020

Dec 30

6am woke hot n perspiry. Whole body throbbing. Low back intense throbbing. Legs ache. Feet slight pins and needles to stand at first. Arms ache. Very tired.

Started on Bible reading goal for next year. Genesis 1-3

400p driving home my right hand popped and caused extreme sharp in hand. Both hands ache something aweful. Need a nap.

800 showering still quite a chore. Arms cramping and fatiguing out. Out of breath. Have to sit and rest a while to catch breath.

930 been trying to get pics and info on year review for church last few days. Need to transfer to Joe’s laptop. My body is fighting back in pain!!

1000 headache. Neck hurts. Shoulders ache. Upper back aches. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Legs ache with random muscle spasms. Arms & hands throbbing. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with some numbness & tingling. Lft leg midway to toes and both feet feel like their freezing. Short of breath. Hands are beginning to sting. I’m very tired, but last longer than usual. Yay.

Periodic random sharp pains in lft abdomen. Oh, boy!

 

Dec 31

600 very rough night. Up every couple hours. I hurt horribly all over. Arms and hands throbbing. Body feels like storms coming.

845 Joe called to let me know appliance store finally had washer. He asked them to hold it for 30 min so I could go look at it. Only problem was I didn’t have a vehicle.

Also, we have friends coming at 9:30. I tried calling. Had to leave her a msg to push back until 10am.

Called mom  for help. She happily obliged.

Washer is a Maytag w/ commercial technology. I bought. Guys at shop loaded it in van.

Joe & Jordon will have to unload after church tonight.  Friends helped with cleaning livingroom and kitchen.

400p running late to pick up birthday brownie for quarterly birthday celebration. Brownie went over good. Tasted very good too. My flounder ended up being good.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 28-29 December 2020

Dec 28

800a woke to horrible pain in low back and rt hip is killing me. Drains me of energy. Trouble moving. No pain in feet. Slow moving today. Hands and arms numbish & tingly. Very thirsty.

1000a need to look for exercises to help with flexibility and tightening core muscles – I mean strengthening.

Found YouTube video about 6 exercises everyone should do

Tone & Tighten

Real fitness for real people

6 exercises you should do daily

  1. Chin tuck
  2. Neck & Upper back extension
  3. Doorway stretches
  4. Lower back extension stretch (cobra)

10 second hold, repeated 10xs, 2-3xs daily

  1. Tall knee hip flexor stretch

20 seconds hold, repeat 3xs, 2-3xs daily

Both sides

  1. Hamstring stretch

20 second hold, 3xs, 2-3 xs daily

1050 TBI coordinator wants to do in home visit tomorrow. At least right now they’re doing outside visits only bc of covid and the social distance rules.

145p burned my index finger on air fryer. Applied mustard to ease pain. Ouch!!! That hurts!!!

315p decided to go to store to get items needed for dinner tomorrow.

600 I’m feeling the exercising in my chest. It’s hurting something fierce. I hope I didn’t agitate the costochondritis. Need to sit still and rest a while.

930 decided to try hoverboard with kids holding each hand. Jordon hollard, “With your balance Mom No!” I told him I just wanted to try but with their help. I couldn’t balance too well and it only wanted to move backwards. I think I ran over his toes. Ouch! If kids weren’t holding my hand I would’ve fell on my face. Epic fail!!! Lol. At least at this moment I know I cannot ride hoverboard.

1000p finally remembered to pay phone bill. It was 6 days late. Ugh! At least there wasn’t a late fee.

1150p low back pain is extremely intense. Upper torso stings mildly. Neck hurts. Brain hurts. Headache. Tummy didn’t hurt as much today but still hurts some. Hands ache.

Dec 29

6a exhausted. Woke feeling as if I walked a marathon without preparing. Ankle to top of head hurts. Arms numbish & tingly. Low back throbbing.

830 having trouble getting moving today. However, I did finish reading my Bible for the year today.

945 exhausted and very lethargic all day. Worked on year end review in segments until brain started fogging and hurting. Sinuses congested headache. Easily agitated. Tired but not falling to sleep yet.

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