Author: Melissa

April 16

730 woke to every inch of me in pain! My left lip stinging as if being zapped by an electrical charge of sorts. I hit snooze hoping in few minutes it would cease. Alarm goes off in 5 minutes. Nope now I have headache.

830 still hurting from head to toes with headache increasing in severity. Rt ear hurting. Get up to use restroom and almost fall back down. Legs feel like Jello and feet sting standing on them.

900 moving kind of slow this morn. I’m painfully sore all over as if recovering from being beat up or an intense rigorous workout. Never experienced either just know I hurt.

915 today’s goal is to figure out how to convert mp4 to wma for CD player. Trying to get sermons recorded for shut-ins due to this Coronavirus junk. I’ve been trying for two weeks.

After trying to figure it out & with a little help from friends, I finally figured out how to convert an mp4 to CD for an elderly man in our church so he can listen to the sermons. Thank you, Lord!

Time to go rest my brain for a bit. I’m tired. Head pounding. Vision blurred. Decided to play “The Key of David” wholetones while laying down. Had to get Jakob to help me figure out how. I may be technically challenged at times but not going to let it stop me.

1159 whole body aches, rt hipn& low back throb, lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling, center chest achrs, arms hurt and sore

 

April 17

930a Slept in late. Joe’s BP elevated and migraine. Rough night. Hurt all over. Woke to both arms being numb and tingling. Rt hip hurts.

100p Took kids to Lowe’s with me to help get the rocks to finish my flower garden out. Surprised how many people at Lowe’s getting supplies for home projects. Had to get kids to push buggy to car. All that weight hurt pushing.

300p met M Puryear at church. Rest of life jackets have come in. She asked if we were still willing to paint name on them. Excited to have small part in their preparations for the mission field.

She asked how I’ve been doing with the storms that came thru. Told her thankfully we just had some winds but I could feel them in my body. She was amazed. Can’t explain but I feel on coming storms deeply in my bones. Maybe something to do with the barametric pressure change. We jokingly said I could be a weather girl bc my body can feel it. Lol.

400p delivered first preaching CD to Bro. Sure hope I can remember how to do the next one. He seemed happy to see us.

930p Frustrating that pushing cart and finishing flower garden has made my chest hurt again. Rt hip throbbing. Hands hurt. Tired. Legs ache.

1020 weather forecasts storms next couple days. I can feel it deep in my bones. It’s a deep achy throbbing pain. Currently feel it from neck to toes.

1144 oops just found out forgot to take my morning meds. Other than deep muscle bone pain & chest throbbing…I feel okay. Sounds funny reading it back but it’s the new “normal” for me – in constant pain. Some days I hurt more than others. Every day I have a choice to wallow in self pity or to rise above and ask God to help me do the tasks I can handle and look for ways to be a blessing to others. Today I chose to take care of my husband. Love him bunches.

 

April 18

530 Joe accidentally woke me early. Tried not to be grumpy but it felt like I had just fallen asleep. Didn’t fall asleep until after 1am sometime. He apologized and told me to him back to sleep. Took me a bit but woke later around 9am. I loathe sleeping in that late. I’m trying to stay on some kind of schedule so I can sleep better at night. Not doing so hot lately.

Tried to work on my computer for little bit to get CD drive back working to no avail. Frustrating bc I’m trying to burn preaching CDs. Ugh! Called PC guy but they’re apparently closed today. Will have to try Monday.

Had to get out of house today. Decided to go get few items at the store. It was crazy there as if everyone else had same idea! Took me two hours. By time I got home I was in much pain from all the walking behind the buggy and needed to rest.

Joe gracious and cooked dinner. He experimented by trying to air fry the fish and shrimp. Wasn’t his best dish but I was thankful all the same.

Been having periodic sharp stabbing chest pain on rt side of chest since around 7:30p. Decided to increase my Vitamin C intake as well as drink V8 juice with hot sauce. Later applied pain balm to chest area and took naproxen 500mg. Chest is quite swollen especially on rt side. Will have to take it easy for few days.

My whole body seems to be throbbing. Feels like major thunderstorm brewing. Deep bone throb. Headache is minimal thankfully for now. Neck aches. Hands swollen and throbbing. Elbows feel bruised. Back throbbing. Shoulders stinging. Low back & rt hip burning throbbing. Legs ache. Lower lft tourniquet tightening feeling with some numbness. Feet stinging and tingling. Sharp periodic stabbing pain in rt side chest. Feet freezing. Putting feet next to Joe to warm up. It’ll probably wake him. Lol.

April 13

1250a craziness of my tbi is that I have memory challenges. I am in process of trying to read a book other than my Bible. I am currently on chapter two. I read first chapter twice and still don’t recall what I read. There are whole periods of time missing in my memories from my past. Wish I could get answers to the how and why. It’s like my brain has selective amnesia.

New memories are quite challenging and sometimes nonexistent. I used to let it bother me quite so but came to conclusuon that fretting over it isn’t doing me any good so I’ll just let God handle that part while I do as I can in my recovery.

Playing memory games on my phone during day. Taking fish oil. I think a homeschool mom said there’s research about overcoming tbi with fish oil but I haven’t studied it out yet.

Might need to switch books. Current one not holding my attention let alone retention.

Going to try to go to sleep now for awhile. Praying dreams are finally sweet. I’m glad that I can chat with my sister from across the miles. I miss her and family

 

April 14

12:15a I have way stressed myself out trying to get ear straps figured out for face masks. Took me all morning. I am beyond hurting with full blown headache.

Decided to take down time by posting to blog before bed. Surprisingly excited at see that 14 people viewed my blog today. Yay! Really need to update the journal side.

Found out today that the TBI camp has been postponed to possibly fall as all summer activities have been cancelled and summer classes will be online as well.

Brain fogged and hurting. Headache. Low back severely throbbing. Rt hip aches. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling from midway below knee to ankle with numbness and tingly. Hands swollen and throbbing. Eye watery. Congested. Toes tingle. Knees ache. Skin itchy. Arms ache deeply. Body deeply aches.

News said that there were about 40 tornadoes touch down across south during severe thunderstorms yday. No wonder I’ve been hurting much more lately. Buttock hurts. Legs throbbing. Took muscle relaxer and Tylenol. Muscles cramping severely. Moments ago it was so bad it almost caused me to drop to floor and I wanted to cry out but didn’t want to wake my hubby. He not have good sleep last night. He needs to be alert at port.

930a Having a hard time waking up. Already slept hour and half longer than suppose to. Forgot to half muscle relaxer so I guess that’s expected. Severe muscle cramping subsided for now. Whole body aches. Headache. Eyes stinging. Hands throbbing. Low back and legs achy burning. Feet hurting. Guess I need to try to get up and move.

Thankful that God can restore even dry bones. Ezekiel 37:5

1159p Dezirae trying to get her schoolwork done early. While deep down I admire her determination, it’s hurting me physically and mentally! Today she worked on English all day. She got frusterated every time I told her we needed to take meal break. I have headache.

During lunch break mom brought me her computer to ask me to back up her files to flash drive. I prayed and was able to get the antivirus downloaded for her finally (Don’t know what I did specifically but it worked. Thank you, Lord!).

I’m hurting all over. Muscle feel very tight in chest and neck area. Feel bloated. Drank over 100oz today. Tired. Hands swollen and aching with periodic sharp shooting pains. Headache. Random sharp stabbing pain in lft hand and forearm. Lower let leg tourniquet tightening feeling. Buttock hurts. Sinus congestion with post nasal drip causing coughing. Center of chest hurts.

Reading scripture before I doze off for night…Ezekiel 11:19-21.

 

April 15

5.50 slept decent once I fell asleep. Strange dreams…I’m pushing through crowds of people searching for something or someone (I don’t recall). Everything is so vivid in colors. I know not the what or why but I’m searching nonetheless. That’s all I can remember.

Rt hip throbbing. Low back aches. Upper back stinging. Headache. Hands achy. I’m tired. Eyes watery. I’m hot but chilly. Neck hurts. Feet tingly.

729a can tell I haven’t done my physical therapy exercises in a while. Leg muscles twitching and brain feels cross-eyed.

740 Decided to take shower & use the massage shower head option to see if it’d ease pain in hip & low back.

Boy that was quite a workout. I’m so exhausted.

930 laying down for few minutes to see if it’ll ease.

1030 oops I fell asleep for an hour

1100 need to do home chores – put few items away in kitchen, wash load of clothes. Created Scripture art for Ezekiel 37:5. It tickles me to my bones. 🙂

1115 Rae discovered we’re out of printer paper. Found few sheets to suffice for now. Chose to look online for case prices. Wal-Mart least expensive and free pickup today. Need to get groceries for week anyways.

330 receive text that my pkg is ready for pickup. finally tell Dezirae she has to take break from schoolwork.

320 mom decided to order wholetones chroma for us to share. She wants me to use it first. She called the company to ask questions. She told them my story. They were intrigued. Maybe I’ll do a review on my blog about it. It’s music therapy that’s suppose to help reduce pain and help your body heal. They don’t make any guarantees in my situation but do give a year to try and if don’t help they’ll give money back.

https://wholetones.com/ 

330p need to get few items at grocery store.

500 what I thought wouldn’t take long took me over an hour then had to wait 20 minutes for my pkg pickup. Got mom some eggs. Still no butter on shelves. Ugh! I’m so done for the day. My hip is back to intense throbbing. I need to rest. Glad Jordon is cooking dinner tonight.

1030 found a ream of misplaced paper. Oh well at least I won’t run out for while. Do need to order ink soon.

1050 going to bed. Headache. Yawned big and rt side of jaw & neck Charlie horsed! Ouch! Took couple minutes of massaging jaw to ease it up. Neck tight. Shoulders ache. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Legs ache. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with some numbness and tingling. Feet ache & tingle. Toes too. Cough. Sinuses congested but a little better today. Chest center hurting but no where near what it was last week. It’s about a 7 right now. Still have to take it easy for a while. Let this episode go too long bc of the pandemic and my anxiety about Drs attitude. Thankful she’s coming around.

Oh I totally forgot to share with my LS group. Need to share.

Feel so lethargic lately. I guess the pain is taking more out of me than I thought. Think I may need to increase b12 and add zinc back into regime for a bit.

April 10

1247a it’s thundering outside and I can feel it in my bones. Whole body deeply aches. Tired but awake.

 

April 11

Started day with bible reading & prayer. Chose to pray for all the pastors preparing msgs for Easter. It’s going to be quite a different day tomorrow…not able to do as normal. It almost feels as if world is trying to snuff out the churches and the hope of the gospel. Praying for America to wake up.

Spent lot of day trying to figure out how to convert mp4 to wam (?) to no avail. Gave myself bad headache in process.

Rae & I helped my mom figure out our ranch dip mix recipe so she could make dip. Gave parents a hug.

Also took a while to do bulletins. Trouble figuring out how to upload files to church Facebook page. Ended up asking question on Facebook to see if someone could help. Helped Bri with her paper. Rae helped me with the cinnamon rolls and resurrection rolls for tomorrow.

Decided to roll hair so it’d be curly tomorrow. Arms fatigue quickly. Took quite a while to do and low back throbbing something awful by time I finished. Center of chest throbbing. Stomach pains. Feet cold. Hands swollen and achy. Skin itchy (I think it’s just my nerves). Neck hurts. Rt shoulder area throbbing. Headache. Stuffy nose. Lft nostril feels like a tumor in top. It’s really sore and painful to touch. Tummy feels like I have a hernia though I never had one before. It really hurts when I move certain way. Cramping is horrible too causes me to stop in tracts until it eases. Muscles twitching in lft leg.

 

April 12

700 Happy Resurrection Sunday!

830 cinnamon rolls in oven finally. Turned on oven and set timer. When timer went off he asked if I wanted to to put rolls in oven. I said no silly the timer is to take them out. Sadly I forgot to put them it. L

Corn casserole & ham in crockpot. I’m exhausted. Low back & rt hip throbbing. I’m tired of pain.

My pain is nothing compared to Christ’s suffering on the Cross for my sin. Thankful that I serve a risen Saviour!!!

1200p Easter services quite different today. I’m quite exhausted and feeling lethargic.

145 had to have help walking cross to parents house for lunch. Feeling quite decrepit presently. Low back & rt hip throbbing awful something making it a chore to move.

330 enjoyed sitting and chatting with family after lunch. Getting very sleepy. Feel like I’m going to crash. God held rain off. PtL.

1042 laid down for your but never fell asleep this afternoon. I’m feeling run down. Tummy hurts horrible on lft side. Constipated today but then I forgot to take DE or C today.

Severe thunderstorm and tornado watch until 11pm I think. Only thing I know is this bad thunderstorm is messing with me bc I hurt horribly

April 7

0500 got up to use restroom. Calves still throbbing. Legs very weak I almost fell. Very wobbly. Whole body hurts.

800 really don’t feel like getting up today. I hurt so much all over and I’m anxious about my Dr apt not bc of the covid19 junk but bc my last apt with her didn’t go well and I had to write a letter and submit lightning strike documentation requesting she be willing to work with me.

Verse pops to mind “Be anxious for nothing”…oops it actually states…”Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” I confess my fault to God and decide I must have faith that God will protect me and He will answer my prayer. I also ask God to help us find hair ties to make the face masks.

936 finally remembered to call bluehost regarding my website renewal. Had difficulty trying to verbalize what I was asking and why. Finally had to explain I’m working thru tbi due to LS 2.5 yrs ago. Guy was very courteous and understanding. Call took over thirty minutes just to ask two questions. Able to renew for two years at discounted price. Thank you, Lord. Please help me to learn what I need to start earning money to help our income and to honor and glorify You.

200 Oh my brain hurts! Been trying to help Rae with music class today to finish up for the year. I also typed up my symptoms & rxs for the Dr apt. So much info swirling in my head.

430 huge praise!!! Dr apt went well. Dr.seemed to have new attitude towards my being LS. She listened and asked questions. Given steroid shot for the costochondritis flair up. Wt 205, temp 98.4, BP 107/77? Glad she left that alone.

Able to run few errands afterwards. Exhausted and hurting by time got home. Had to rest a while. Thankful Rae cooking dinner tonight.

1000p managed to sew couple of face masks for couple of Joe’s co-workers.

1150 got new character trait posted. Back side is very sore where I received shot. Lower back muscles tensing up in hyperdrive as if it was injured all over again. Domino effect causing upper back band shoulders to burn. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling strengthens as does the numbing & tingling in leg & foot. Rt foot & toes tingling ascwel. Hands swollen and throbbing. Neck hurts. Headache. Sinus cavities in face hurt.

Pain rx taken with night meds.

 

April 8

103 pain thru body keeping me awake. If don’t fall asleep soon will have to take something. Homeschool summit online to view tomorrow morning. Hoping steroid kicks in soon too.

450 fell asleep for a couple hours at least. been awake for a while. Must have been moaning bc Joe started gently rubbing my back to help ease the pain. Hurting all over as if rain is coming. I purposely don’t watch weather reports closely bc I refuse to keep myself in state of panic.

500 read Psalm

700 Decided to get up because I can’t go back to sleep. Ugh! Might as well use my time wisely.

800 kids working on research papers for English today. Oh, I wish I could remember half the stuff I learned in HS. I am starting to remember more things since I started taking fish oil again.

1200 face starting to feel heated and flushed like cheeks are on fire . I forgot about this side effect. Hoping it doesn’t last long.

1.30p brain hurts and headache has worsened. Been trying to watch homeschool summit online. Easily distracted. Started trying to figure out next year’s curriculum. Found biblical character trait studies for free. I like free. Value was over $400. Going to use them as morning devotionals before starting the day.

400p from watching/listening to videos it dawned on me that it’s my responsibility to teach our children the biblical character and principles to be instilled in our children. The atmosphere in the home emulates from my attitude. That’s a big responsibility.

500 Jordon made dinner tonight. That was nice. So glad my kids are old enough to help more around house.

730 took cat nap in my chair.

1100 went to bed at same time Joe did tonight just to be near him. He talked my ear off until he fell asleep. I enjoyed it tonight. Some days I miss him more than others. Today was one of those days.

Whole body deeply aches. Headache. Low back throbbing. Exhausted.

 

April 9

0900 whole body throbbing. It hurts to move. Mouth dry. Tired. Feel like I could sleep all day.

1030 Rae listen to audio book for her English class. Oddly it’s giving me headache.

1100 decided to try to balance checkbook

257 still trying to find my error! Found part of it but not all of it. Ugh! Giving myself more of headache and blurry vision. So frustrating!

320 finally found the error. Checkbook balanced! Things like this have been so difficult to continue to do post LS. I used to love math and numbers…niw they are such a chore. Yet with God as my helper I will continue to persevere!!

April 4

1155p forgot to set alarm and overslept. Slept pretty good though. Woke hurting all over.

This Stay at home mandate for Alabama had us trying to rethink how we’re going to keep services going.

Ran errands for church with family in afternoon. Chose to walk behind buggy in store. Electric wheelchairs don’t look like they’re being disinfected much. Wore me out.

Had to crash for half hour around 8pm so I could have energy to finish up bulletins for tomorrow.

Received phone call from my sister. Pleasant surprise.

I’m exhausted. Whole body aches. As long as I don’t try to lift anything my chest pain is less. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Feet freezing. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling.

 

April 5

800 very rough night. Kept waking to lft leg & both arms numb and tingly. Calves cramping burning. Joe’s arm on me felt like ton of bricks. Fighting for covers. I’m exhausted.

100p rough morning trying to work out all the kinks for live streaming services. I don’t.handle off the cuff changes well any more. It throws my whole world out of kilter. Joe tried to get me to talk and I wouldn’t. I didn’t want to add to already chaotic morning. We made it through okay. We’ll learn as we go through it.

200 brain is fried from this morning. Need to take nap to rest and recharge for tonight.

500p able to work for little bit in mission closet organizing the clothing. Before arms started giving out.55

655 chest center starting to throb. Ugh. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling. Headache.

1115p attempting to go to bed. Lower rt leg tourniquet feeling. Feetb& toes tingly with random stabbing pain in let heel. Calves ache. Center chest hurts. Hands tingly. Tummy hurts deep within. Exhausted.

 

April 6

700 legs cramping & throbbing. Whole body hurts. Nose stuffy. Center of chest hurts. Hurts to move. Headache.

515p Nothing like an unexpected 2 hour detour and an impromptu auto maintenance teaching lesson for your daughter when your car decides to die and you need to get a new battery while at Walmart.

Thankfully, I was able to ask one of the managers for help. He had an employee help us exchange old battery for new one and installed it.  Thankful for God’s provision and protection.

Thankful that though I needed a cart to lean on I was able to push myself through the hurdle. This mama is one wore out cookie now. Legs & body are throbbing like a toothache. I haven’t even walked that many steps since my LS. I will be resting rest of day. Lol!

630p rested little bit before making dinner. Once dinner was made and eaten I fell asleep in my chair for about an hour.

Twas reminded that I needed to make face mask for Joe for his job. I really don’t like like doing it but his health and our health is important. Took me a while to figure how to make his masks due to not having elastic. Stores are sold out.

1159p finally in bed though not sleeping. I’m exhausted. My whole body throbbing. Headache. Shoulders throbbing. Chest center throbbing. Lord, I’m not looking forward ton Drv apt tomorrow. Please help Dr be understanding and kind. Help her to have compassion for my particular need

April 1

700a woke just before alarm went off. Whole body stiff and achy. Low back throbbing.

1045 been trying to grade papers and write a quiz…now have headache, vision blurring, and feet are cold. Need to rest brain and warm up.

1200 headache eased. Ended up taking nap.

630p hospitals giving coronavirus patients 1500mg Vitamin C 3 – 4 times daily

Up to 3 grams daily. (3g =3,000mg = 500mg =1000mg 3xs daily)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?inf_contact_key=f90294d381cbaf8f802862c8eb787259dcd43eaff8ca03dc1d15424b3c75c21d&v=9t6R1u2Br-o

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n11.shtml 

850 rt ankle front feels like someone drug stinging nettles plants across my skin. It’s stinging burning! I’ve only been sitting for past half hour or so. Lft knee throbbing. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Hands ache.

1000p Jordon asked me to cut his hair for summer cut. I accidentally went too short. He looks almost bald on sides. Trouble with coordination of holding comb and clippers but worked through it. Arms started cramping and fatiguing out half way through. Had to take short breaks to push through.

1130 blew nose and it started bleeding. Ugh! Frustrating. Only bled about a minute this time.

 

April 2

630a been awake since around 5am. Woke to my arms, hands, and back of neck throbbing with needle sensation almost as if they had fallen asleep and were waking up. Not a good feeling to wake to. Legs very sensitive. Sheets feel like pins poking them.

Couldn’t get back to sleep so I chose to read my Bible, devotinal, and pray. Finished writing Character Trait to post in a bit.

Going to start physical therapy exercises back up to see if it’ll ease some pain. Lower left leg tourniquet tightening feeling with some numbness.

710 attempted to turn bed around so guys can attach footboard. Whew! That was a workout. Intense throbbing in back and arms. Short of breath. Arms cramping & throbbing. Scrapped skin off lower left leg not bleeding thankfully but throbbing like it was hit by hammer. Need to rest a bit.

900 went to local fabric store to pick up more material to make face masks for hospital. Store has changed hours again. Don’t have time to wait 1 hour and they’ll only allow 10 people in store at a time. Does that include employees too? I know we’re suppose to be cautious but this is crazy.

716 th side throbbing. Calves throbbing. I’m really sleepy.

1043p I’m exhausted and  hurting all over. Toes cold. Lower let leg tourniquet tightening feeling. Calves ache. Lower back severely throbbing. Rt hip throbbing. Headache. Rt arm  throbbing and cramping. Feels bruised when I moved it. Utterly exhausted. Pain too much to bear. Pain rx taken.

 

April 3

745 wow slept pretty good last night. Nose stuffy. Mouth dry. Arms & hands slightly numb upon waking. Eyes blurry and feel crusty (they’re not just feel that way). Low back throbbing. Hands tingly upon sitting up. Rt hip hurting. Neck stiff. Upon turning neck to stretch it shoots sharp pains down torso to and on both sides.

Song in head: It’s amazing what praising can do, hallelujah!

Need to formulate idea for Easter goodie bags for kids at church. Can’t let this virus stuff keep us down. Need to think outside the box.

800a got up had bloody nose.

315p sharp pains in chest!!! That’s what I get for taking the bulletin board down by myself. Ugh! Hurts to move.

Decided to try to lay back flat on pew to see if that’ll help to ease pain. Deep breaths too. Oh pain is sharp!

Joe thinks my bloody noses are partly due to all the heavy pollen right now. I totally forgot about the environmental allergies. Duh!