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 3-4

Feb 3

530 woke several times in night to use restroom. Woke suddenly from terrible nightmare. Feeling very groggy from migraine ex’s.

700 migraines sure do take a lot out of a person. Slight bloody nose.

230 trip to Wal-Mart. Needed few groceries. Also chose to get needed items for church instead of treking downtown to Sam’s. Able to walk behind buggy, but struggled with pushing and controlling direction of buggy after Jordon put bottled water on bottom.

330 letting Jordon drive home. My anxiety levels are high! I can tell we haven’t been anywhere much lately. Let me clarify, Jordon is overall good driver. I get nervous even if Joe or I am driving. My brain kicks into hyperdrive…I envision defensive driving and what other drivers are going to do or car is going too fast for my liking. So many things could happen. I try to stay calm. I hum hymn in brain or quote Scripture. I pray a lot! Still my nerves are in flight or fight mode.

I have recently by accident discovered a new coping mechanism to help reduce my anxiety levels while riding in car. Joe was driving other day and I inadvertently picked up one of those squishy orange pieces that you plug your ears with to dampen sounds. I started squishing it to see what shapes I could make. This in turned took my focus off the road and helped to keep me calm enough that I didn’t once yell or scream. I noticed it upon reaching our destination. I mentioned I needed a larger one. Dezirae found a Yoda-shaped squishy toy at the thrift store the other day. We washed it and it has become my new riding companion while traveling.

700 chatting with friend via a texting. Discovered our CPA charges a lot more. May try a new one this year. It’ll save bunch of money.

In most cases it’s best to chat via phone, but with TBI it’s easier for me to chat via texting/messaging. I have difficulty comprehending what is being said because it takes all my energy to focus on person speaking and trying not to get distracted on whatever else is going on around me. This way if I don’t understand what was said I can ask Joe to interpret for me. It saves for lot less confusion.

1030 surprisingly had less pain today. Still got tired after activity but not terrible.

Headache it tolerable. Neck hurts. Hands ache. Skin itchy especially neck area. Low back aches. Legs ache. Lower lft leg slight tourniquet tightening feeling with minor numbness down leg to foot. Feet freezing. Toes sting. Ears humming. Muscles stiff.

Night meds taken.

1115 chest starting to hurt something aweful.

Feb 4

530 forgot to hang keys up from yday. Woken to ask where I put them.

700 bad headache. Going to try to sleep it off.

800 bad headache still here. Not sure why so sleepy. BP slightly elevated 128/89. Going to drink some herbal tea to see if that’ll help.

Headache has eased ever so slightly. Wondering if something’s a muck and need to get it back in balance

 

Info from LS&ES support group…try a supplement called PEA. This helps regulate glial cells in the brain.

A lightning strike can cause these cells to go haywire! I’ll send you a link. I’m (Matthew an ND (Naturopathic Doctor) so this is what I do. https://vitalitus.com/product/pea/

Could glial activation be a factor in migraine?

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19036526/

Glial Cell Activation and Neuroinflammation: How They Cause Centralized Pain

https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/pain/other/glial-cell-activation-neuroinflammation-how-they-cause-centralized-pain 

http://doctoryourself.com/naturedoc.html

1145 severe pain in center of chest!!!

Bent over to touch toes to pop chest back in place – small pops.

Feet freezing! Putting wool socks on.

300 took longer to help Dezi with her English. Kept getting off topic. Head pounding more. Brain & vision feel blurred. Eyes dancing rapidly.

400 headache won’t quit. Yawning a lot today.

My headache is affecting my speech. Saw a DG bag on side of road and tried to say “DG point for me – bag in ditch.” Instead, I said “DG point for me gab for me.” Ugh.

Heading to church. Have lots to do to get ready for services next week.

720 head hurts so much that my eyes feel like it’s going cross-eyed. Face feels flushed. Cheeks feel hot.

1100 still have migraine. Took night meds. Taking relpax. Only take it as last resort because it makes me drowsy.

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 1-2

Feb 1

700 rough night. Comforter felt like lead blanket and I felt as if I were suffocating yet shortly after I removed it I felt as if I were freezing. Woke to moderate stinging pain through body. Bad headache.

Read Psalm 70:5, Leviticus 11-13, Deut 6:4-5, 2 Cor 9:8-11

But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. Psalm 70:5

Thankful that God’s compassion, grace, and love are never withheld from me. He is always there no matter the circumstances.

Researching info on fibromyalgia…

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

Interesting info about Vitamin C, calcium citrate, and magnesium citrate. I already take C and magnesium. Need to add calcium. Added calcium to supplements.

Need to rest eyes and brain for little bit.

Decided to start drinking smoothies or juicing for breakfast to see it’ll help my overall health. Little concerned smoothie had banana in it. Only 1/4 a banana so I should be okay.

Got dizzy coming out of post office. Had to grab Dezirae’s arm in addition to using cane to stabilize balance. Wish I could figure out cause…why I get dizzy more at times than others.

1050 stinging headache. Deep achy soreness thru body. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Stuffy nose. Hands ache. Night meds taken. Tingly freezing cold feet. Neck hurts. Excedrin migraine for headache.

Burping hiccups hurt the esophagus. Not fun. Soo tired.

Feb 2

800 For what reason must I always wake in much pain? Exhausted upon waking. No energy. Pain from head to toe. Severe cramping in rt side as I get dressed for the day.

I love the sweet fellowship with Christ as I read my Bible and pray. Truly as I wait on Him He gives me strength for my day and encouragement to push through the trial at hand.

Slight bloody nose. Beginning to think they are a sign of migraine attacks. Not clear if they’re auroras or results from migraine. Had migraine before bed last night. Took otc rx. It’s eased but still have headache. Ears ringing.

Refilled meds in pill container for week. Made mistake of filling rx for this morning. Can’t remember if I took morning meds or not. Ugh!

300 been trying to gather info for taxes. My brain is fried. Need to rest a while. Feet freezing.

700 head pounding. Feel like I have fever but don’t. Temp 98.3. Slight bloody nose. Hands freezing. Feet freezing. Exhausted. Lights bothersome. I think I have a migraine. Ugh! Applied cool pack to head.

900 soaked in Epsom salt bath for an hour. Head feels like it’s on fire!  My migraine is still raging, but my skin so soft and smooth. Taking relpax  rx and going to bed. Hopefully sleep will help. Feet are finally warmed up for now.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 30-31 January 2021

Jan 30

800 strange dream. Woke to both arms and hands numb and tingly. Head itches. Used let hand to itch but couldn’t feel hand itching. Felt weird. Neck hurts. Sinuses very congested. As I was sitting up collar bone and upper rt arm cracked. Ouch! Headache. Body itches. Eyes watery. It’s cold.

Haven’t done good job taking morning meds this week. Missed three days. Gotta try to do better.

Morning meds:

Edarbyclor 1/2 pill, propranolol 20mg 1 tab, Dexliant 30mg 1 capsule, Echinacea 400mg 1 capsule, B12 500mg 2 tabs, B6 100mg 1 tab, Vitamin C 1000mg 2 tabs.

100 church errand to find greenery for platform & a trophy. Found greenery at Hobby Lobby at 50% off. Yay! No finding trophy. Ugh. Will have to improvise – think outside box.

Mom says my numbness & tingling in mornings is symptom of fibro. Curious is the LS triggered auto immunity?

330 need to pull more yard debris to road. People finally coming tomorrow to pick up debris from the hurricanes last year. Have huge pile. Neighbor, Mom, & Dezirae helped.

500 freezing sensation in center of back. Had Joe check if it was discolored – no, but it’s icy to the touch. It’s so distracting.

1130 started load of towels too late in day. Waited to put them in dryer.

Headache. Sinuses congested. Post nasal drip. Hands & feet throbbing. Sharp pain shoot up forearms. Neck aches & stiff. Low back aches. Sides crampy. Skin itchy.

 

Jan 31

630 whole body sore, center of chest aches, legs ache. Feel like I was beat up. Joe sweet to rub my legs and back but it hurts so much. Nightmare – being attacked by octopus.

Took all my energy to get ready this morning. Exhausted. Headache.

Anxiety – accidentally discovered that squishing something while riding in car helps keep me calmer. Dezirae found Yoda squishy toy at thrift store to help.

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

https://m.activebeat.com/your-health/the-10-most-common-signs-of-fibromyalgia/14/

1120 it’s a blessing to be in church with family. Missing several people due to sickness or surgery recovery.

I get so frustrated at myself bc I royally messed up playing piano. Forgot tune of first hymn then totally hit wrong keys. It sounded aweful in my ears. I keep playing though bc I remember my piano teacher as a child told me to just keep playing even if you mess up bc most people in the audience won’t know you did anyways.

I am so tired. Eyes are heavy. Brain hurts. Eyes & brain feel blurry. Need a nap.

300p nap time didn’t go so well. Body in much pain. Hypersensitive. Joe was trying to help by rubbing back but the weight of his hand was making me hurt more. I wanted to lash our irrationally but didn’t. Just as I was falling asleep he’d put his hand on my back to rub it. It would scare me awake. Repeated several times. I gave up trying to sleep. Ugh. So tired.

1058 body hurts worse…pain is intense. Weather is changing. Wind is at 25 mph. Rt hip and low back throbbing. Hands & wrists throbbing. Center chest burns. Legs ache. Feet throbbing plus stinging tingling. Headache. Shoulders sting. Neck aches.

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Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 28-29 January 2021

Jan 28

544 startled awake by what I know not. Got up only to feel sharp stabbing pain in left foot when I stood. Lost balance. Used restroom. Checked house. Went back to bed as head is pounding – migraine. Background light on phone too bright though turned all way down. Think I’ll sleep it off.

930 still have migraine. Took Excedrin migraine. Closing eyes another half hour.

1000a headache is easing.

Goals today: deep clean master bath, begin gathering info for taxes.

100p yay  lunch date with Joe

300 completed documenting info for phone bill last year. Shower & toilet has been cleaned & trash emptied. Still have sink, walls, mirror, & floor.

Lost balance rehanging shower curtain liner and almost fell. Head hit curtain rod catching me from falling. Whew!

Out of breath. Arms fatigued out while hanging curtain. Ears ringing. Headache. Dizzy. Need to lay down a piece.

Joe & I agree on colors for auditorium.  Still not sure how far on accent wall due to odd shape in front.

Freezing cold. Joe says my skin is ice cold. Neck hurts. Headache slight. Sinuses congested. Exhausted. Rt hip hurts. Skin itchy. Reduced my milk to 1% seems to be helping. Hands ache. Periodic shocking stabs randomly through body making me jerk. Trouble with losing grip and dropping items. Shoulders ache. Nerves a bit stingy thru body.  Eyes look like I’ve been punched in face.

Took night meds, C, Zinc, melatonin, & naproxen.

Jan 29

730 eyes blurry. Having trouble reading Bible this morning. Head hurts neck stiff. Legs throbbing. Hands ache. Tummy hurts. Sinuses congested. Thirsty. Low back throbbing.

Recvd email about immunity. According to Dr Josh, a dysfunctional immune system can be an underlying cause of issues like:

  • Fatigue
  • Respiratory problems
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Poor digestion
  • Elevated stress levels
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Depression
  • Poor sleep

930 phone apt with neuropsychologist went well. Not exactly comprehend all that was said, but I’m improving well.

In summary, I now have normal brain for my age instead of smart brain (I’m not really liking “normal”). Scores were all over the place from superior to below normal. Do have some signs of depression, but that’s to be expected considering all I’ve been through. No doubt I have had a TBI, but doing good in recovery. She was amazed at how well I am recovering from the brain injury. She said our brains are designed to heal themselves to a certain extent.

Asked her about trouble with playing the piano. Exercises to overcome coordination difficulty with brain and hands at times. She said just keep trying. With all the difficulties I’ve encountered from my LS injuries, I most likely will never be like I was before. I needed to focus on my strengths and not so much on my weaknesses

https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/Cognitive-Problems-After-Traumatic-Brain-Injury

https://www.brainline.org/article/cognitive-problems-after-traumatic-brain-injury

Need to figure out how to improve my comprehension.

https://www.readingrockets.org/literacyapps/comprehension

120 shivering. Brr! It’s 65°. Raised rt arm above head to put sweater on. Right side torso cramped horrible stop me in my tracks.

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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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