Author: Melissa

Aug 29

1050 I’m exhausted and hurting. Need to take nap to recharge batteries.

Commented that I don’t know why I’m sooo tired.

Dezirae says well you’re not used to making breakfast, a birthday cake, and frosting.

I argued that I didn’t do much.

Dezirae replies, You haven’t done that much at one time since your lightning strike.

I thoght a moment – true.

It has also been a rough of extra pain and migraines from the two Hurricanes that came thru Gulf this week! When I feel this drained, I must rest a while before I can do anything else.

Need to go get items for Joe’s bday dinner. He wants fried chicken, mashed potatoes, asparugus, peanut butter cake with peanut butter icing.

215 exhausted and head pounding. Joe got ice pack for my head. Laying down a bit. Gotta get better unable to get much done in this state

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/dehydration-headache#symptoms

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/ice-packs-for-headache

 

955p icing head once again bc it’s pounding.

 

Aug 30

630 every inch of me hurts greatly. Head pounding. Fingers feel like they’ll explode. Stinging needle pain throughout. No energy.

 

https://store.draxe.com/blogs/all/best-supplements-vitamins-for-energy?

 

8300 clouds getting dark. Looks like it’ll rain any moment.

900 rain let’s loose and down pours. I’m soaked. Good thing I not curl hair this morning. Mascara burning my eyes. Shoes soaked. Ugh!

1120 much trouble playing piano this morning. Can’t seem to coordinate my brain and hands. Eyes are very heavy. No energy.

Three visitors in church this morning. PtL!

345 took a 2.5 hr siesta. I wanted to stay longer but knew I needed to get up.

530 daughter reminded me her shoes broke this morning and she was barefoot. Took her to DG up the road. Not much to pick from. Thankful they had totes everywhere getting ready to restock. Asked if any of totes had shoes. They had cutest pretty lacey looking shoes and had her size.

600 forgot to pick offertory hymn for evening service. Started to look for one but got distracted. Service started.

Difficulty playing some of hymns not that familiar with. I know them (I Want that Mountain) but my brain is saying it doesn’t remember much of it. Some hymns I look at and go completely blank trying to play interlude before starting hymn (I can’t even recall the name of hymn – so frustrating at times). Intro is terrible. Once I start playing hymn, brain says Oh I know this one and I do fairly well job most of time.

Some days my brain is so tired and overstimulated that no matter what I just can’t seem to coordinate my brain, fingers, and keys. Today I had to just stop playing on last stanza bc I just couldn’t get it and though I asked God for help. It was more help to keep me from having a meltdown that help play it even fairly.  Of course, it didn’t help that I have been dealing with extreme pain and debilitating migraines all week.

Never mind that my house is a mess, behind on laundry, grass needs mowing (can’t mow wet grass), need to log grades, haven’t planned meals for week yet, and a long list of other things needing to be done. But God in His rich mercy put me in the path of a great chiropractor that not only recognizes the pains and multiple things I’m dealing with but is also able to help me. I felt immediately relief upon my visit Friday and am continuing to get relief from migraines. Still have headache but at least I can function some now. Need to slowly steady my pace but I will survive with God’s help.

 

No thoughts about it again until hymn just before offering. What ever am I going to do? Mind wants to panic. Heart asks God for help. Can’t blame no one but myself. Decide to play hymn next to hymn just sung. Whew!

 

Rabbit trails are strange at times. Lol.

 

1047p whole body aches. Feet tingling. Low back throbs. Legs achy burn. Hands tingly and swollen. Rt nostril slightly bloody but at least I can breathe clearly without congestion. Headache. Night meds taken.

 

Lord, please help me rest in Your arms tonight and wake tomorrow refreshed and renewed in You.

 

1152 wide awake leg muscles spasming

 

Aug 31

730 rough night. Joe woke up with vertigo kicking in. Dizzy. Vomiting. Woke me periodically during night. Felt bad for him. Gave him two.ginger capsules around 530.

Low back throbbing like toothache. Hands swollen & hurting. Rt nostril stuffy & slight bloody. Headache.

230 thunderstorm come thru.

430 decided to clean wall by trash can. Hot soapy water and bonami. Wiped wall and floor maybe 5 minutes and arms started cramping. Pushed till hurt too much maybe couple more minutes. Rt hand and wrist swollen twice size. Arms burning and cramping. Need to rest before I can do more. Headache.

Migraine. Facial sinus pain. Sinus rx taken. No work. Drink stress relief tea. Sleepy getting. Take relpax. Hope pain in brain help go.

Aug 26

1:30 had trouble swallowing food and choked. Trouble breathing. Choking hurt chest and upper body something fierce. Took while to stop. Felt weak and much pain once stopped. Had to sit a while. Drinking didn’t help either.

400 in great pain. Head pounding. Feeling funny. Nose slightly bloody. Sinuses congested. Hurrican Laura now Cat 4. Will hit LA tonight sometime. Wrists severely swollen & throbbing. Back throbbing. Rt hip stinging throbbing. Muscles periodically spasming. Legs ache deeply to bones. Feet throbbing & tingling. Feel as if I’m crashing. Laying down a piece.

520 took pain rx

530 sudden gush of bloody nose rt nostril

540 Asked Dezirae to get a veggie ready for dinner. Need to sit.

She offered to draw an Epsom salt bath for me after dinner since I was hurting so much. She’s a sweetheart💕

Wouldn’t think that a storm that’s over 300 miles away would have any effect on me so

830 2nd bloody nose while in tub. Lasted couple minutes. Head pounding.

900 head still pounding. Taking migraine pill to ease headache.

1038 still have bad headache.

Curious if my headaches/migraines and nosebleeds can be related?

https://www.healthline.com/health/headache-and-nosebleed#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1

It’s not overly dry outside. In fact it’s quite the opposite due to Hurricane Laura in the Gulf. It’s very humid. My BP is under control with rx though I haven’t checked it in a while. I’m pretty sure I don’t have a nose infection. Unsure about anemia. I don’t inhale chemicals nor do I take wage in or any other blood thinners. I do have a TBI.

 

Aug 27

645 woke to another bloody nose. Makes me feel very weak and drained of all energy. Headache.

1045 headache increasing. Sudden sharp stabbing pains in center of chest. Stop me in my tracks.

100 feeling very weak again. Inside of me feels very spasmodic and trembling. Tired. Laying down a piece. Very tired.

600p bloody nose again. My nose hurts. Feeling weak and drained. Face hurts. Head hurts.

730p Feeder bands from hurricane causing periodic storms today. Storming now.

950 migraine now rages. I’m irritated and very moody. Trying to talk with me sister on phone but having trouble hearing bc hubby talking. Throws me his phone telling me to read his text to my sister. His phone blinds me and hurts my eyes bc brightness all way up. My brightness all way down and is still too bright. Ugh!

Sipping stress relief tea to see it’ll ease headache and calm my nerves. Wanted chammolie but I’m out.

Mom offered me an ashwaghanda in church but I had to decline bc I’m allergic. She forgot. It’s okay.

Looks like I need to schedule Dr apt. Spot on neck is more welty and lump on lft arm looks like it’s growing. Ugh!

I guess its good I’m spacing out. Have chiro apt tomorrow. Can let him see what’s going on.

Tired of the nosebleeds. Nose hurts. Put vasoline in end of nostrils to soothe. Feels weird. Head pounding even in dark room. Whole body hurts.

1100 felt nerves easing slowly first then headache beginning to ease…no longer migraine but major headache. Eyes watering. Sinuses congested.

Applied pain rub to back of neck, temples, & forehead liberally. Took 2 Tylenol. Put phone on eclipse mode

 

Aug 28

530 woke to nosebleed and migraine. Took migraine rx (relpax).

745a Dr apt. Dr concerned about my needing to wear sunglasses inside. Told him have bad headache and been dealing with migraines this week. Also been in great pain bc of the Hurricane. Oh, and bloody noses. He agreed there’s a great change in barometric pressure with the hurricane. He said bloody noses could be related.

Definitely in a bad way this week. Every point he touched was severely sensitive. Admitted I had water leaking from my eyes.

Acupuncture (2 in back of neck, 2 in tops of shoulders, 2 in mid back, 2 in each hand).

Adjust neck & upper back. Iced head. Go back in one week.

930 feel crash on comin6. Going to lay down a piece

145 Joe woke me. Wow! I didn’t plan on sleeping that long. Must have needed it. I’m still tired, but headache has eased enough that lights aren’t hurting. Bright lights are different story.

530 Dezirae curling my hair for my date.

Joe and I are going on a double date tonight, but it’s with a couple I’ve never met before and will actually be a marriage counseling session. I can’t give details but the husband suffered through a very traumatic experience recently. Joe thought that I might be able to help due to some of the issues I’ve dealt with from my LS.

I’m flooded with emotions. This is way out of my comfort zone, but I’m humbled and excited how God is allowing this cracked pot to be used for His glory!

1159 awkward at first but Joe broke ice by mentioning that I was struck by lightning three yrs ago. They asked questions and I answered. Once inside restaurant, they knew several people. It was cool. Ended up getting free birthday cake. Joe & I shared a plate. It was hard for me to keep up with the conversations. I’d also got tired. Able to share couple things that help me.

Think it went well. They both need help, but don’t we all.

I’m exhausted and have headache. Night rx taken. Tylenol taken. Headache getting stronger. Whole body aches. Sinuses congested but at least haven’t had another bloody nose since this am. Chiropractor helped.

Aug 23

630 woke from strange dreams. Still very tired. Head pounding. Whole body throbbing. Vision bit blurry.

Joe says that I was belly laughing in my sleep last night. Told him that’s funny I don’t know why I’d be laughing bc I was having bad dreams.

700 preparing for today. Missionaries the Williams. Meeting them for first time today. Giving them a blessing bag. Cooking lunch for them too.

830 got to church realized I forgot the salad and rolls. Ugh!

1230 lunch not quite ready. Have to regroup and change type to cook faster. They don’t eat much bread so it was okay no rolls. Enjoyed listening to them talk though I didn’t catch it all.

700p Sharp stinging in chest

745 my left leg went to sleep and is now very numb & tingly.

 

Aug 24

636 changing sheets and turning bed around took more than 30 minutes. I’m now in severe pain. Low back screaming. Upper body throbbing. Pins & needles sensation through upper torso and in lower legs. Feet tingling. Major headache. Very out of breath. Need to lay down for a while to rest. I’m exhausted.

800 wash load of clothes. Burned breakfast (sweet rice). Dezirae to rescue (home ec 😘).

Trouble figuring out how to fill out transcript info on form provided bc child took more classes than there’s room for. My brain won’t formulate how to process. I ended up using excel to type up info and submit. Hopefully it’ll work. Frustrating. It should be easy.

 

Aug 25

655a strange dreams. The dance is lost at sea…? Where did that come from?

My whole body aches deeply. It hurts to move. Sinuses congested. Thirsty – didn’t drink enough yday. Feel slightly dehydrated.

725 recvd msg from friend about neighbor being severely electrocuted 6 weeks ago and was asking for advise/suggestions.

 

Resources: 

https://www.lightning-strike.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lightningstrikesurvivors/?ref=share

Nerves when they are damaged will take the longest to heal.

In recovery, it’s most helpful to…

1. Have a good support group
2. Become your own advocate. Learn as much as you can about the disability.
3. Find a doctor willing to listen, work with, and help you.
4. Sense of humor & laughter provide great stress relief.

923 recvd call from Ron, a tbi resource person. Checking on me. Says I need to call my atty to see if he’s done anything else towards my case and let him know I don’t want his services anymore. Need to start getting copies of my records. Also, he’s going to start working towards trying to get me set up for Neuro testing. It give answers to extent of brain injury. Thank you, Lord!

228 rcvd call from Theresa, tbi coordinator. Checking on me. She told me that USA students still wanted to keep in touch to help clients stay socially active. Told me they picked me to participate. Told her I appreciated it but I wanted someone else who could use it more. Mtgs will resume first of year.

Told me she’s retiring mid November. Told her I’ll miss her and not to forget me. She said she could never forget me bc of my strong faith in Christ that I’ve been a blessing and encouragement to her. Awh!

415 rcvd call from scam likely stating there was possibly fraudulent activity on my ss# and if I didn’t answer call they’d consider something…. I didn’t say anything bc I was trying to process what was said. I didn’t catch everything either. Before I could say anything they hung up.

This upset me. I decided to check my ss account online. Found out that somehow my disability case was supposedly postponed. Then few days later it had been appealed and is waiting for a determination. I never filed an appeal. I needed a break to ease my nerves and then pandemic hit.

I was under the impression that I had to start all over. I’m severely confused. Will have to call attorney tomorrow.

Been storming off and on all day. Barometric pressure drop causes extra pain. Head pounding from information overload today. Bright lights bothersome. Rt hip stinging pain. Night meds taken. Naproxen taken.

1019 screaming pain in rt hip & lower back. Feet cold. Sinuses congested and sinus cavities in face throbbing. Head pounding. So tired. Naproxen not touching pain.

Aug 20

130 woken by loud noise…almost sounded like someone knocking on door. Put robe on and went to check on it but none up nor sound discovered. Prayed myself back to sleep.

710a I actually have house to myself this morning. Kind of nice. Will work on chores little at time.

Sometime during morning discovered the paint jar wasn’t fully closed and tipped over causing spill. Oh, no! Thankfully paint was in a plastic bag or it could’ve been worse. Took to table not realizing paint leaking thru bag too! Paint on table. Paint on hands. Not water based. Ugh! Quickly try rinse stuff off in sink. Not washing off!! Making messes everywhere!. Wipe paint off table with paper towels. Whew! Takes bit but it’s off both areas on table. Decide to use some of paint to paint a life jacket. End up getting all over hands. Have to use nail polish remover to get if off hands. Takes a while to get mess cleaned up. Wears me out. Now feel like I need nap.

700p Dad leading singing tonight bc Rick sick. Throws me off bc only singing two stanzas without prior warning. I’m thinking it’s 2nd stanza when he’s singing 3rd. It tickles me so much so I start laughing and stop playing for a bit til I stop laughing then start playing again. What a mess! Certainly keep things lively in church. Not the typical Baptists. Lol.

1015 exhausted. Lights bright and bothersome. Headache. Feet cold. Low back throbbing. Rt hip throbbing. Thirsty. Upper torso burning throbbing. Hands swollen and stinging.

 

Aug 21

745a Went to bed freezing but woke up hot. Woke from nightmare. Had several of them last night. Couple of them scared me awake with a gasp. Whole body throbbing. Joints all really stiff and moving difficult. Stomach cramping. Lft arm and hand went to sleep while reading Bible. Had to sit up to relieve severe tingling.

Positive note headache has eased some. Lights still bothersome. Sinuses not as congested.

Maybe the colloidal silver & Probiotic combo is helping. Taking 2 tsp colloidal silver in am. Multivitamin w/ D, B12 mid morning. Vitamin C 1kmg am & pm. Probiotic with evening meal.

Tummy doesn’t feel bloated or hurt as much.

825a lft hand and arm went numb and tingling again. Can’t feel buttons on phone. Trying to post today’s verse. Frustrating.

930a muscles in lft arm spasming so hard that my family can see it. Tried moving arm to stop. Still continued. Lasted 20 minutes or so.

1220 I’m exhausted and haven’t hardly gotten anything done. Making kids do Bible & English today to finish schoolwork for week. Dezirae having trouble. Jordon breezes through. It upsets Dezirae Jordon gets done so quickly. He asks questions as needed. She upsets me for comparing & getting upset. Routine is out window bc Joe’s home.

1000p rt wrist throbbing and quite swollen most of day. Exhausted and deep bone pain thru body. Lethargic. Head hurts. Brain for fish.

 

Aug 22

750a so much pain does not make one want to get up. Woke from horrible nightmares. Need to calm brain back down.

Woke to both arms numb and tingly. Entire torso burning stinging pain. Hands swollen and throbbing. Legs ache deeply. Feet hurt. Toes tingly. The weight of Joe’s arm feels like it’s crushing my side – it feels so heavy (though I know it’s not). Neck hurts. My upper body warm but toes & tip of feet are freezing.

His arm may feel extra heavy due to extreme pain but I don’t complain bc it’s his way of showing he loves me and it’s comforting in the midst of the pain.

Should have expected the extra pain due to two named storms in the Gulf which are expected to hit land as soon as Tuesday. It’s been since I think around 1935 since this happened. First time in my lifetime. I don’t even remember what I’m suppose to do to prepare for hurricane.

Read Daniel 7-12. Verse that sticks out…

Daniel 12:10

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

We are in the midst of a perverse generation. Many seek to serve self and will hurt whomever they can to make themselves look better or advance their own cause. Many Christians are claiming 1 Chronicles 7:14 by mouth but their actions shew me their ways are tainted with the world’s standards. They have played on the line too much it has blurred their vision.

If I could only see this world the way You see, Lord, I just know I’d serve You more faithfully.😪

830a Asked Joe to rub the pain rub oil all over me. It’s helping. Still in lots of pain but can move slowly now.

Joe made breakfast: Grilled egg, bacon, & cheese sandwich

1000 kids asked to go to flea market. We brought my wheel chair due to me being much pain today. Passed out tracts. Met a guy that used to be in the daycare at church & his siblings went to the school. Invited to come join us. Neat to meet people who used to go to our church.

Stopped at Wal-Mart on way home. Needed few items for dinner. I’m exhausted but enjoyed the day.

4pm neighbors are having a party. Lots of people and music blasting. It’s so loud it’s rattling my chest and hurting me. Giving me a headache!

1000p finally quiet again. Now maybe I can try to get rid of migraine they gave me. Ugh! In much pain from head to toe. Both ears ringing. Skin itchy.

1100 nerves feel like they’re swollen and trying to expand past my skin.

Took night meds. Took Naproxen. Diffusing lavender oil. Applied sleepy lotion.

Aug 17

5am strange dreams. Whole body aches. taking JAS to work. Feet are cold. Put socks on. Found if I can keep my feet warm or from getting ice cold I can usually deter a migraine.

550 dash lights don’t work…used display light from phone. discovered car is on empty on way home. Then found out gas cap is missing. Ugh! Not very happy.

612 decide to straighten kitchen & living room a little. Start load of whites. Make cup of hot raspberry leaf tea. Fold two load clothes. Rt arm fatigued out and is cramping now. Exhausted. Decided to take 30 min nap. Sleeping with my freshly washed blanket. Smells so good. Feel like Linus. Entire torso throbbing like toothache.

200 thunderstorm came thru in afternoon. Jumped every time it thundered and lightning struck. Will the intense reactions ever subside?

900p low back throbbing fiercely. Rt hip severe pain. Lower lft LG tourniquet tightening feeling with tingling/numbish to toes. Headache. Going to bed

Night rx taken. Applied sleep lotion, immune roller blend to bottoms of feet, applied pain roller blend to hip area, naproxen,

 

Aug 18

1100a crashed on Chase lounge for about an hour. Couldn’t push no more. Still tired.

940 neighbor shot off his shot gun. I hate that. I jumped and yelled Ah.

Whole body hurts. Wrist throbbing. Rt hip & lower back throbbing. Center chest hurts. Stomach muscles spasming.

 

Aug 19

430 is too early. Must take Jordon to work. Freezing so put on sweater.

500a at least there’s hardly any other cars on road.

Sharp pain shooting thru eyes (lft to rt). Lasted about 5 minutes. Lights bothersome – yet I have brightness turned all way down on phone.

Wrists throbbing (rt more than lft). Upper shoulders burning throbbing. Neck hurts. Low back throbbing. Rt hip throbbing. Legs burning aching (like after heavy workout, but I haven’t). Sinuses congested. Feet burning throbbing yet chilled. Head hurts. Rt elbow throbbing & hurts to move it. Resting for an hour.

720 laying in bed reading Bible. Stomach muscles start spasming inside.

430p busy day. Kids both worked on top of school work. Took Jordon to bank to open checking account. Had to schedule appointment via phone & be Covid19 screened first. plus wear mask inside bank (felt strange). Apt went longer than normal bc the printer/ computer started acting up on lady. First pages started loading extra slow the when it came time to print our paperwork it wouldn’t print (at first it was only printing one page at a time then it just stopped). Wendy asked three different people for help to no avail. I asked her to email it to us and I’d print it at home. She apologized and eventually conceded she would email documents. I did secretly wonder if it was my electrifying personality that helped it mess up? Lol. Apt lasted almost an hour and half!

7p rt side screaming in pain. Center of chest hurting. Probably bc I overdid it today.

830 neighbors blasting their bass. Nothing we can do in county. Thought prayer that their system malfunctions. Ugh! Heavy rock n roll hurts my nerves and my ears

930p a flow showed up for a visit. Stomach hurts. Whole body throbbing. Headache. Hands throbbing & tingling. Low back intense throbbing.