The Old Rugged Cross
God Rejoices Over Thee
Lightning Strikes – November 21-22, 2020
Nov 21
Rough night again. Overdid it yday causing extreme pain in evening. Made it difficult to fall asleep. Awake til after midnight. Woke every two hours. Woke in much pain! Must remember no lifting, rest, light loads, no hanging clothes, use heating pad, and anti-inflammatory aids. Need to start taking D.E. daily to aid healing.
1200 it’s been a stressful morning. Tried to register MS word on church computer only to real8ze I forgot power plug. It’s not a normal plug so OlInhave to wait to get it at church.
Put together a birthday pkg for Jakob. Attempted to click n ship but the USPS system glitched causing error and not allowing me to print label purchased. Had to wait for almost an hour to talk with a person to help me figure out how to get my label printed. Ugh!
Dezirae did awesome job on homemade pumpkin pies. Can’t wait to taste them.
I’m in much pain and exhausted. Need to lie down and rest a while. Tummy hurts. Face flushed and feels hot.
Learned last night checking drug interactions that I shouldn’t be taking prednisone & naproxen because it could cause “increase the risk of side effects in the gastrointestinal tract such as inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and rarely, perforation.” Would explain why my tummy/abdomen has been hurting more and why I’ve been burping and passing gas much more.
If you’d like to check interactions between drugs you take, check this site out.
https://www.drugs.com/interaction/list/?drug_list=
930 discovered someone put turkey on wrong shelf to thaw and it bled all down the fridge. Yuck! Had to clean it out. Yuck! Yuck! Now my chest is throbbing again.
1124 vitamin that reverses numbness & tingling
Will have to read later when I’m not so tired.
Headache. Neck hurts. Shoulders ache. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Legs ache. Lower let leg chin down to foot tourniquet tightning feeling wit numbness & tingling. Feet ache. Center of chest throbbing. Skin sensitive. Noises bothersome.
Nov 22
700 some days when I wake to much pain I think it’d be nice to not have pain at all. Then I think if I didn’t have persistent chronic pain I’d probably not pursue researching how to diminish pain. Or have the knowledge to share in helping others.
I hurt from head to toe. Several very tender spots.
Excited about Thanksgiving Dinner at church for lunch today. Praying the people we invited come as well.
1230 Joe put Jakob on FaceTime call to have hole church sing happy birthday.
27 people total in all services. 7 visitors – 2 were brand new. Oh, I forgot to get TJs address. He needs prayer. In similar situation as Chuck was except lost part of rt leg from being run over by motorcycle. Lord, please protect him & provide his need.
440 I need to lay down a piece. I feel a crash oncoming.soon. Can’t push anymore.
900 wow! Surprised I slept that long. I could sleep longer. Forcing self to get up to check on family. Most of food put away. Joe had kids do it. Awh! I ache all over but will push to finish putting rest away.
1000p ready for bed. Pushed long enough. Exhausted and hurting all over. Headache. Neck hurts. Upper Back stinging. Lower back & rt hip stinging throbbing. Legs ache. Random muscle spasms through torso & legs. Feet ache. Arms deep bone ache. Feel like I’ve been through a battle. Tongue white patch front center, lesions on back half, and feels bit swollen. Need to get more peppermint mouthwash.
I can tell I’m out of magnesium…my muscle spasms are kicking it up a notch. Amazing how one vitamin/mineral or lack thereof can affect the whole body.
Lightning Strikes – November 19-20, 2020
Nov 19
530a woke from bad dream. When I woke my hands and wrists were stinging burning throbbing almost as if on fire feeling. I hate having nightmares. Woke to feeling clammy but freezing. Had to pull covers over me to warm up.
550 decided to check emails since I probably won’t fall asleep quickly.
Glucapro …just another weight loss scheme. Wasted time. Ugh.
749 things I know I wrote/typed aren’t in journal. Don’t know what happened. Frustrating.
Just finished taking shower. Getting to where I need to wash hair and shower on different days. Arms fatigue out and cramp easily. Out of breath. Takes whole bc I have to take breaks to have enough strength to continue. Arms wrists and hands throbbing cramping now. Will have to rest a bit.
Discovered I typed journal notes in wrong location. At least I didn’t lose them. Ha.
10a TBI coordinator made in home visit. Sat at picnic table outside. Asked questions for survey. Brought couple activities to do with me. First was flashcards. Had to pick 5 cards and make a story out of them. First set: brush, dresser, mop, key, plate. Reminded me of Cinderella or Belle. Second set: pencil, ladder, clock, — I forgot first two words. She was surprised how well I did. I didn’t think it was that good.
Second activity: read story and answer questions. I got stuck on why filling positions had anything to do with missing school days. Only able to answer 2 questions. Had to be coached in one other. The last two I completely missed.
Said she didn’t expect me to be perfect but thought I did very well with memory.
Looking forward to testing with Dr Ogden in January. She will sit down with me to explain results/findings. Told her I have m8xed emotions bx I know I’ll have a migraine afterwards bc any use of brain function for period of time increases my headache, but I’m curious to see findings and where I need to work to improve.
She admitted I’m first lightning survivor to not only meet but work with. Praise the Lord!
1220 been trying to work on blog a little. Headache increases. Inner layer of brain tingly. Chills down spine. Hands & feet cold. Face feels flushed. Need to rest a while.
Ingredients in bread maker for fresh bread for dinner.
100 freezing. Feet like ice even with socks on. Putting on sweat pants to warm up. Have sweater on too. I definitely wouldn’t last long up North in winter. Haha.
300 starting to get ready for church. Chopped broccoli. Back throbbing so bad it’s difficult to stand. Arms and hands throbbing. Exhausted. Need to lay flat a while. Setting alarm so I’m not late.
442 oh I so have issues with being in car on road. Everything seems closer than they are making me feel like we’re going to get hit. Not good for my nerves. Family don’t understand. I don’t really understand it either.
445 half way to church it dawned on me that I forgot to grab the main ingredient for tonight’s supper. Ugh! I feel like such a dunce sometimes. Now what?
Have to stop at DG. Maybe they’ll have it.
500 DG don’t have it. Have to back up and punt. Burritos, corn, & chips it is. So frustrating.
515 I’m so behind schedule and low back is throbbing horrendously.
715 I forgot to pick offertory hymn. Ugh! Guess I’ll just replay last hymn sung.
1030 tired and exhausted. Skin itchy & sensitive. Eyes sensitive to lights. Headache. Whole body aches. Low back throbbing. Hands achy & swollen.
Nov 20
700 rough night. Up every couple hours. Woke at 7 to my lft arm and hand stinging and tingling but I was laying on rt side. Neck hurts. Headache. Lights bothersome. Rt hip throbbing. Feet tingling. Legs ache. Wrists and hands stinging. Chest not hurting as much. Kinda feel like I’ve been beat up.
300 decided to treat Dezirae to Starbucks with gift card. Shopped for items for bday box to send to Jakob.
600 I’m in lot of pain. Low back is throbbing horrendously. Can hardly walk. Joe says pain is written all over face. Tummy hurts too.
800 misunderstanding caused me to stress out over what and how things need to be done for this weekend. Too much for brain to comprehend and handle. Had to talk things out with Joe. Took a while for me to comprehend and figure things out. Had to write it out on paper. Cooking 2 turkeys, stuffing, rolls, pumpkin pie, cranberry salad, etc.
Need 8 gallons oil to deep fry turkey next week. Whew!
1000 back is killing me with pain. Headache. Hands and arms throbbing. Hands also stingy burn. Skin itchy. Legs ache. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling 4″ above ankles to feet. Feet hurt and tingly. Lower rt back cramping and spasming. Hot. My sheets feel like they’re covered in sand scratching my skin but I know there’s not any. Night meds taken plus pain rx.
Lightning Strikes – November 17- , 2020
Nov 17
500a woke with song on mind but forgot tune as soon as I was awake enough to realize it. Suddenly nauceous and tummy hurts. Sinuses congested.
530 had to make quick run to bathroom. Think 6k Vitamin C is my bowel tolerance right now. Ugh. Not sure why I’m nauceous.
Exhausted. Cold (it’s 68 inside). Feet cold. Put socks on.
550 took ginger capsule and going back to bed. Whole body aches. Lft side hurts like I got punched. Eyes watery. Middle of back cramping. I’m tired. Need more sleep.
558 suddenly have indigestion. Ugh. Rubbed pain relief oil on belly. Center of chest hurting.
843 nauceousness has eased. Tummy hurts little bit. Chest hurting more. Very tired.
1155 chest center really starting to hurt more. Took naproxen.
1215 spoke with nurse about costochondritis flare up. Will talk with Dr to see how she wants to proceed. If don’t hear from her, check with pharmacy after 5pm.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384935/
230 called pharmacy. Hate not knowing. Pharmacy said rx is ready for pick up. Dr called in prednisone 20mg for 7 days. Will pick up on way home from Sam’s.
400 I’m wore out and hurting from shopping trip. Kids did the lifting for me. No wheelchairs available & to out of stock again. Glad I bought mine last week. Chest really hurting. Hurts to breath deep. Headache worsening. Almost lost my balance coming out of store. Grabbed Dezirae’s arm to steady myself.
1017 exhausted. Moderate headache. Neck hurts. Rt ear rang periodically off and on. Arms ache. Hands swollen and throbbing. Tummy hurts. Upper back & shoulders ache. Rt hip hurts. Legs throb. Lft ankle tourniquet tightening feeling. Chest stabbing throbbing pain. Hurts to breath deep. Tender spots on abdomen especially lft side. Feet throbbing tingling stinging pulsating pain. Toes hurt. Sinuses congestion. Tongue has white patches with few open wound loking sores. Skin itches.
Nov 18
550a didnt sleep well last night. Tossed & turned. Joe woke me at 430a not on purpose. He started to rub my back and it startled me out of sleep.
930a picked oranges. I like oranges. Looking forward to making orange marmalade again. Will have to look up how to make it again.
1000a feeling a little better today. It’s nice not having constant sharp stabbing pain in chest as much. If only I can get the nerve pain to stop too. I’d feel like a new me. Hehe.
500 low back throbbing like infected toothache. I have to sit and rest. Can’t take pain no more.
530p fell asleep in chair after dinner. Couldn’t go no more.
800p slight bloody nose. Headache.
1000p whole body stiff and achy. Headache. Neck hurts. Eyes sensitive to lights. Shoulders ache. Arms& hands throbbing. Hands tingling. Rt side throbbing & cramping with crampy pain radiating to center of back. Rt hip throbbing. Low back throbbing. Legs pulsating ache. Feet hurt & tingly. Nose slightly bloody. Throat tickles like something stuck. Tongue feels tingly & achy. Rt inner ear itches & tingly. Skin feels like it’s starting to crawl. Night meds taken + pain rx.
Fervent – Liz Rogers
Lightning Strikes – November 14-16, 2020
Nov 14
700 woken to light being turned on. Still very tired and hurting all over. At least chest pain has eased.
1130 soul winning has exhausted me more. Good visits.
1240 feel like I’m about to crash. Need to rest a while.
330 didn’t plan on sleeping that long. I’m still very tired. Feel like I could sleep longer. Zero energy. Body feels like it’s on shut down. Guess I’ll just rest today.
1150 much pain. Believe having a costochondritis flare up. Very painful. Effects sleep
Nov 15
600 woken to Joe rubbing my back. Apparently I’ve been moaning in pain every time I tossed and turned.
My whole body hurts. Headache. Neck hurts. Arms & hands ache. Hands swollen. Low back throbbing. Rt hip throbbing stabbing pain. Legs stinging throbbing. Eyes watery. Feet stinging needle pain w/ tingling. Shoulders ache. Upper back stings. Slight bloody nose.
800 chest pain returned. Oh, I struggle to focus in this much pain. Forgot what I was doing in kitchen. Joe trying to plan for Thanksgiving. Excited about deep frying a turkey. Asked to allow me to focus just on today please. I’m suppose to sing today and I can’t even remember the song or even the tune.
830 remembered a sign a friend shared on FB last night. I actually thought to save it but struggled remembering how to retrieve it. Found it but don’t know it well enough to sing it. Remembered I had practiced it Thursday and have it set aside at church.
1100 brain is a bit cross eyed and blurry. Trouble getting brain, fingers, and eyes to coordinate. Eyes hurt.
E.I. excited about Ladies Cookie exchange next month. She said that she never made cookies before. She’s in her 60s! She asked for an easy cookie recipe.
200 laying down to rest
Nov 16
Took extra C last night to see it’d help. Actually woke in less pain than I fell asleep. Still very sore and ache all over.
430 figure out why my Costochondritis has flared up. Been having to hand wring clothes from washer and hanging to air dry. Hence, reason I’ve had to limit how many loads a day. Joe suggests it may be helping to rebuild muscles that I lost. Possibly but it hurts too.
530 noticed last few days that my stomach gets fully feeling.quickly and hurts after I eat.
1130 exhausted from today. Washed 2.5 loads today. Needed to wash sheets. Hung on line to dry mostly. Had kids take the rest of clothes down and put in dryer.
Whole body aches and stings. Chest center throbbing. Hands swollen and stinging throbbing. Headache. Rt hip throbbing. Skin itchy.
Took night meds, naproxen, & extra C.
Lightning Strikes – November 12-13, 2020
Nov 12
630 woke to get up with Dezirae. I’m still so tired. Feel like I could sleep for days.
She realized trash hadn’t been tsken out. Had to quickly get trash out to can. Pick up is today.
I ache from head to toe. Stretched and chest popped – that hurt.
1030 worked on uploading my lasts post to my blog. It took me a while to remember how to do some of the stuff. Really wish I had a tutor or something that was affordable. Need to rest. Brain hurts and body throbbing. Chest has stabbing knife pain with icy burning in back.
Able to get two loads of clothes washed. Had to hand wring first load. I’m thankful washer at least washes clothes. It’s temperamental on the wringing out part. Don’t like doing it bc my hands, arms, & back throb something aweful for while afterwards.
130 checked blog for something. Noticed I had 24 views today. Praise the Lord!
200 laying down for nap. Feel crash oncoming. I don’t really know how to explain. Extreme exhaustion with slow moving sensation like body if forcing shut down. If I don’t lay down or sit down soon I’ll pass out.
There’ve been a few close calls that as I was laying down I passed out. Like a sudden crash and going unconscious. It can be a bit scary at times.
330 finishing putting dinner together. Chest caught causing extreme pain!!! and stopping me in my tracks (not that I was moving very fast). I just moan but want to cry. Taking pain rx and Tylenol.
530 dinner turned out better tonight – slow cooker shepherd’s pie. I could only eat one plate before my stomach started hurting.
I was wanting to do something’s around church tonight but I feel so lethargic and hurt miserably. Laying down in nursery instead.
1155 gone to bed but awake. Back throbbing. Body aches. Hands & wrists hurt and swollen. Neck hurts. Exhausted. Feet throbbing and have stinging needle pain
Nov 13
800 woke hurting something aweful. Every inch of me hurts. Hurts to move. Headache. Arms & hands numbish & tingling. Back lightly stings. Low back throbbing. Tailbone area screaming pain – feels like I fell on it hard or was hit with 5lb lead hammer. Feet stinging and tingling. Chest feels tight, swollen, and achy.
Joe has migraine. Asked for migraine relief pill. Apologized because he had rough night with cramping and may have hit me couple times in night. Says he accidentally woke me couple times but I have no recollection of it.
334 laying down for bit. Crash oncoming. Severe stabbing pain in center of chest. Have to get up, bend over as if trying to touch toes. Chest pops and pain eases slightly.
1100 exhausted. Extreme pain in center of chest. It freezes me in motion…hurts to move. Hurt from head to toe but chest pain exceeds all the spian presently.
Believe I’m having a costochondritis flare up. Just want to cry but it hurts too much.
https://www.healthline.com/health/sternum-pain
Took Naproxen & applied pain roller to chest area. So tired
Leave It There
Lightning Strikes – November 10-11, 2020
Nov 10
700a woke up late. Thought for sure I set my alarm but I either hit snooze too much or didn’t set it. Ugh. Made sure I read my daily passage but will have to do my quiet time later.
800 said prayer before heading to dentist. Have to go on highway to downtown. I do not like driving the interstate. I avoid it if at all possible.
930 Dentist appts went well. Kids both have cavities. Jordon actually had several filled today. Dr & staff very friendly and put all our minds at ease. Dezirae even likes this dentist better. Thank you, Lord.
145 Dr appts went well. I’m flat exhausted. No energy at all.
400 crashed in chair in livingroom but feel like I’m about to crash again. No energy.
Dezirae made dinner. She wants me to teach her to make a pumpkin pie from scratch. Words that pleases this mom’s heart.
700 Ladies Mtg went well. Only two other ladies showed up. At least I’m not teaching myself. Challenged them to invite another lady next month plus we’ll do a Christmas cookie exchange.
Sinuses congested. Feels like hayfever or sinusitis. Skin itches and nerves feel like they’re crawling. Headache. Neck hurts. Eyes sensitive to lights. Back throbbing. Low rt back burning. Legs throbbing. Hands stinging throbbing. Feet stinging needle pain throbbing with tingling. Exhausted but awake.
Night meds & pain rx taken.
Nov 11
800 started cooking scrambled eggs on stove. Went to look for something in pantry (don’t remember what) Found something in pantry that should be somewhere else. Went to put it away. Found myself straightening in my room. Smelled the eggs cooking and realized I forgot them. Back to kitchen to find them in omelette form and ready to flip. I couldn’t do that intentionally when I try. At least I didn’t burn them.
900 bills paid for 1st half of month.
1000 decided to work on straightening boys room some while Dezirae works on math.
323 can’t push anymore..gonna crash for whole. Whole body hurts. Back sting chilling burning in middle. Hands and wrists stinging. Neck hurts. Light rain off and on today.
436 Joe called to let me know he was on way home. Scared me awake…scared me anyways. Trouble waking. Need to start dinner. I could sleep longer soo tired.
530 didn’t do so hot on dinner. I tried my best but it was mediocre. Families comments hurt my feelings. I know my feelings on my sleeves rather than lash out I chose to go pout outside on bench side of house. Needed to be alone. Felt like crying but was too tired to. I get easily emotional when I’m beyond exhausted. Cried in my heart to God telling Him my woes.
After a bit family came looking for me. Joe talked with me a bit. Joe thought it was funny I went outside to pout.
Little while longer went back inside. It was muggy outside anyways. Kids apologized. Told them I thought it better to go pout by myself than make a scene. I just need a good night’s sleep and a lot of rest.
Whole body hurts. Hands and wrists swollen and throbbing. Trouble thinking straight. Headache. Rt ear itches inside. Skin prickly stings in some places (hands, face, butt, thighs). Joe’s arm feels like lead ballon, but I need his touch. Legs ache. Feet hurt and tingle sting.
