Author: Melissa

Dec 25

6am I’m in so much pain from my tooth! I’m determined to do my best to not let it ruin my day.

Joe got the turkey and steaks prepared. I peeled potatoes. Finished cinnamon rolls and put in oven.

12pm nothing is touching my pain. I’m in tears cuz it hurts so bad!!! I didn’t want this to happen. I’ve tried everything I can think of to no avail.

* drop of clove oil on gums

* swishing with coconut oil & oil of oregano

* swishing with peppermint mouthwash

* orajel

* warm salt water rinse – that hurt worse

* ice pack on side of face – that intensified pain

* peroxide drops in infected area

*taking ibuprofuen 800mg 3x daily plus Tylenol intermittently

*taking amoxicillin 500mg 3x daily been on it 5 days now with no relief.

5.00p applying heating pack to side of face.

5.30 trying clove oil on cotton swab – burning side of tongue & gums took out after minute

Pain is about to knock me out. I’m so tired. Rt hip throbbing.

Family has been so sweet getting house, clean, cooking, & clean up. I need to crash.

https://www.healthline.com/health/abscessed-tooth#outlook

6.50 currently attempting to eat yogurt to counteract the burning sensation on my tongue and gums from the clove oil. It’s soothing the burning sensation but making tooth pain more intense. Can’t seem to lose for winning right now. I’d lay down but it hurts my head. Calling dentist in am.

9.56p finally remembered that a friend was in dentist field. Reached out. She suggested I call dentist sounds abcessed that has no place for release. Encouraged me to call dentist. May need stronger antibiotic. Dentist called. Waiting for call back.

11.23 Did my very best to have a joyful Christmas inspite of an extremely painful toothache that’s not responding to antibiotics.

Thankful for a sweet loving family who jumped in to help with the cooking and cleaning.

His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

11.20 warm sea salt water gargle. took muscle relaxer to knock me out so I can get some sleep. This toothache has trumped the constant headaches and daily nerve pain.  Tomorrow is another day. Lord, please my son’s safe as they travel tomorrow to pick up Jakob’s girlfriend to stay for a couple days.

Dec 26

8.45 rough night…up every 2 hours bc of toothache pain. Kept asking God to heal and ease pain.

9.45 Just got off phone with dentist office. Difficult conversation – had trouble explaining that I didn’t think the antibiotic was working and needed stronger one. Assistant stuck on not calling in more pain rx. I told her I wasn’t asking for more pain rx. Why should I ask for more if it’s not helping in first place. In tears. Conversations are so difficult for me to articulate most times. Dr not in until tomorrow. Want me to come in tomorrow as walk in between 8am – 10.30 or after 1.30. To recheck.

As for communication, this tbi is really getting my goat. I’ve gotta figure something out.

On positive note, this toothache has caused me to lose 5 pounds in less than a week.

10.30 brain is tired. I’m sleepy. Hands tingly. Legs ache. Rt hip hurting. Low back aches. Neck muscles tight and hard to move. Headache.

6.50p ate dinner and now my toothache is back to throbbing!! Rt ear hurts horribly. Orajel numbing tongue but not toothache.

Friend suggested using vanilla extract to numb tooth. I put dab on finger ans rubbed area around tooth. While it eased the pain a smidge, it numbed my lips and they feel weird.

10.23 vanilla effects didn’t last long. I’m very sociable when I’m in this much pain!!!  Told Joe I’d take recurrent headaches and nerve pain over toothache any day at least those I’ve learned to work through. Severe toothache halts me in my tracts. Ugh!

Lord, I need relief. Help me to get some sleep tonight. Thank you for Your sacrificial love to save a sinner such as I.

Took pain rx, antibiotic, muscle relaxer, & night meds.

https://m.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-unlucky-few-lightning-strike-survivors-meet-for-world-conference-a-491477.html

11.27 in severe pain cannot get relief no matter what I try. Tongue now feels likes it’s burning. Rt ear throbbing. Keeps popping and making clicking noise when I move jaw. Rt Jaw throbbing. Tongue white coated again. I’m sure it’s from antibiotics. Feels swollen majorly. Biting down shoots sharp pain thru face.

Dec 27

6a- alarm scared me. Took me long time to fall asleep. Went to living room to lay rt ear on heating pad and finally fell asleep. Woke at 1.30 and went back to bed.

10am Joe took me to dentist at 8am. I had to go as walk in. Before we left, we asked God to help me be able to be seen within 20 minutes. God answered our prayers as we were in and out in under twenty minutes! PtL!

I mentioned to her about question I posted lightning strike support group and mentioned what was said. She agreed!! She also said that metal filling usually crack the teeth, but when I was struck the heat from the lightning caused the fillings to expand which causes tooth to crack. It was relieving that she understood and agreed with theory suggested.

I was given stronger antibiotic and pain medicine. Also, not charged for visit.

9.00 went to Sam’s to pick up food items for home. Decided to check pharmacy for prices on rx. Price was reasonable decided to have them filled there. Pharmacist said to make sure I take probiotic or eat yogurt with antibiotic.

10a ate breakfast & took rx.

10.20 starting to feel weird. Nerves in whole body tingling arms are worse tingling. Feeling drowsy, droopy, and dizzy. Toothpain easing. Feel like I need a nap.

1.00p fell asleep for about 1 hour or so. Rt ear hurts. Still droopy dizzy drowsy feeling – torpor (a state of not being active and having very little energy). At least I’m no longer in so much pain that it causes tears.

1.45 stood up to go make sandwich got extremely dizzy and almost fell. Oh, boy. Able to eat a turkey sandwhich with minimal pain. Sitting back down. Not safe right now to be up and around. May need to cut dose in half.

4.00p got word that friend fell off horse and is in ICU. We went to visit her. She’s in so much pain. It pains me to she her hurt so. We stayed a while then my husband said prayer for her.

7.00 ate soft foods for dinner. Have to take meds with food. Within half hour after taking gabapentin I felt very drowsy and dizzy. Conked out.

Scrolled thru facebook. Saw post about Ark Encounter. Made comment that one day I’d like to go with my family and mentioned about my LS. A man had audacity to judge that I had done something horrible for God to strike me with lightning. It angered me. I quickly asked God to help me respond in kindness. My answer was as follows…

Have you ever thought that maybe God allowed it so that I can reach others for Christ that wouldn’t be reached otherwise?

Look at Job. He was an upright man, one that feared God, and eschewed evil (Job 1:1). God allowed Satan to try him and he suffered pain with sore boils that covered his body (Job 2:7). Through his trial he lost everything including all his children (Job 1:17-18), yet Job stay faithful to God. His response was “…the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21-22).

God is the Master and Creator of everything. It is not for us to question how He rules or complain or judge how He runs it. God’s plans do not always make sense as we endure but once on the other side we can see the purpose was for His honor and glory.

My prayer is God allows me to be used for His honor and glory. Thankfully, He has allowed me to be a witness and a help to others that I would’ve never thought possible. He has enlarged my coast more than I thought possible (1 Chronicles 4:10).

10.00 Joe had to help me to bed so dizzy.

Whole body feels tingly. Tooth hurting. Sharp pain shooting thru jaw. Rt ear aches.

Why does peppermint mouthwash burn my tongue feeling? Tongue still half white with blister looking splotches.

https://www.colgate.com/en-in/oral-health/conditions/dry-mouth/5-causes-of-burning-tongue

Interesting article – I’m sure my case is quite unique to figure out.

11.00 can feel myself crashing. Good night for now.

Just checked Fb post I commented on. Man with not so kind judgment has since deleted his comment. Hmm. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to return grievous word with kindness.

Lord, please be with that man and help him to be kind to others as You have been kind to us.

♫I love You, Lord, I love You, Lord, Because of Calvary; I love You, Lord, I love You, Lord, You’re everything to me.♫

Dec 22

7.00 woke in horrible pain all over. It’s been raining all night.

Lightning buddy posted following…

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15522-gastroparesis

This (nerve damage) would explain some of my lack of appetite, stomach pain, constipation, acid reflux/gerd issues since the lightning strike.

7.30 God laid dear friend on my heart this morning. Not sure what’s going on but I stopped to pray for him, his wife, and family. I miss them.

8.00 extreme pain in rt ear & jaw causing tears and agony. Taking morning rx and pain rx. Swished peppermint mouthwash to ease pain.

8.15 text friend to let him know I prayed for him this morning. Enjoyed our short chat.

11.30 I have such a headache. Difficulty playing hymns this morning. Hand eye coordination off. Vision slight blurry.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

Because

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

1.00 only at one plate and I feel stuffed. Exhausted! Pain Rx wearing off. Need to go rest a while.

1.44 almost asleep woke myself choking

2.20 left side of brain deals with logical, rational, and analytical thinking while right side of brain deals with intuition, creativity, and imagination. Sounds to me as if most of the world has some type of brain injury bc their thinking is not logical, rational, or analytical and they lack intuition, creativity, and imagination.

Makes me wonder how can one discover what part of the brain was damaged? If I could learn which part of my brain was damaged, maybe I can then learn how to holistically heal and or train my brain to overcome. I also believe that music is an important element in learning.

7.28 intense shooting pain in rt ear & jaw.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325470.php

8.00 having trouble keeping up with everything. I barely keep up with all the activities let alone things in the house. Don’t have enough bread for toasted cheese sandwiches. Decided to make tortilla pizzas for dinner.

9.00Swishing with 1 tablespoon colloidal silver to see if it’ll help ease the pain.

http://original-silver-generator.com/how-colloidal-silver-helps-fight-off-tooth-infections.html

9.30 Pain intensified!!! Decided to try peppermint mouth swish. Pain eases some. Now using heating pad.

10.10 pain easing a bit. Exhausted.

11.22 my nose is freezing.

 

Dec 23

10.00 extreme pain!!!! I can’t even drink without it hurting. Called dentist. Instructed to take tylenol in between the ibuprofuen & continue the antibiotic.

1.35 trying to eat yogurt. Rt hand is shaking bad. Pain in jaw & tooth has eased from 10 to 8, but tiniest things increase pain.

Asked question in lightning support group about others having dental issues post LS. Several people have had dental issues post injury. Was informed that “…your metal fillings heated up and cracked teeth vertically. And a lot of us have TMJ issues too!

A lot of dentist do not catch the vertical cracks because they are rare. But when we are struck the fillings heat up and crack the teeth or you bite down to hard when thrown and break or chip teeth.”

I never thought there could be a correlation, but it would make sense.

Lord, please help heal my infection. I don’t want to be miserable for Christmas. I want to enjoy it and it be enjoyable for my family.

4.30 managed to go to produce mkt, bank, and grocery store. Gone too much…rt hip sagging and I’m limping bad. Headache. Exhausted.

5.20 rt ear & jaw intense throbbing. Feel like im

9.30 tried to go to bed as soon as I laid down intense sharp pain in rt ear and jaw. Couldn’t handle pain. Got up and swished with colloidal silver. Then laid ear on heating pad til pain eased.

10.30 pain still intense but not like hour ago. Lord, please help antibiotic start working. This pain is kicking me down.

https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-abscess-tooth#garlic

Swishing with oregano & coconut oil. Pain takes a lot out of you.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-benefits-of-oil-pulling

11.26 oil pulling seemed to have helped ease the pain slightly. Hoping I can go to bed without too much pain. No pt exercises tonight.

11.58 rt ear throbbing. Exhausted. Neck hurts. Shoulders ache. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down rt leg. Hands & arms tingling. Low back achez. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some tingling.

 

Dec 24

5.00 rough night. Bonked in nose accidentally but it hurt so causing toothache to hurt. Took Aleve.

8.20 thought I hit snooze but guess I turned it off. Ugh! Gotta get going. Whole body aches. Tooth don’t hurt as bad at present. So tired.

Luke 2:20 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

Low back throbbing. Feet aching and tingly. Hands tingly. Neck sore and tight.

5.00 on way to church. Jordon driving. My nerves aren’t handling it too well…very jumpy but trying not to be. Rt hip throbbing. Actually able to eat dinner tonight though difficult to chew at times. Center of chest aches. Hands ache. Sleepy.

 

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Dec 19

7.00 rt ear hurts, stuffy nose, low back aches, rt hip burning.

9.30 called dental clinic. Quick thought prayer…please allows me to be seen before end of year. Spoke with nice lady over phone. Apt available tomorrow! I expressed my surprise. She told me they had cancellation this morning. Praise the Lord! I pray they can just put filling back in tooth. May also need antibiotics. Been swishing/drinking thyme peppermint tea to help.

12.30 rt ear throbbing & feels swollen. Prominent ringing in ear.

7.24 face feels flushed and feverish. Headache.

8.30 church went well tonight. Sweet spirit. Brain had hard time keeping up with notes and tempo of hymns. Trouble with coordination between brain, eyes, and hands. Ended up plucking notez with top hand for most of them.

10.00 sharp pain in center of chest as if ribs are caught in middle. Very painful! Don’t know what caused it.

11.00p toothaches are horrible. Rt ear throbbing. Rt jaw throbbing. Pain rx taken. Orajel applied multiple times. Salt water gargle. Antiseptic mouthwash with peppermint oil swished. Thyme tea with peppermint swished. Vicks rub on cotton ball and put in rt ear gently. Headache. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down to leg. Feet chilly. Tired.

Lord, please be with President Trump & his family. Protect them. Guide them. Surround them with Your mightiest angels during this difficult evil time surrounding them especially at Christmas. Please be with the Senators please turn their hearts towards You and help them make the correct decision that will ultimately bring You honor and glory due Your name. In Jesus’ name and through His blood I pray. Amen!

Dec 20

8.30 dental apt at 8.45. I’m stressed and a bit scared. Don’t like dentists. I know..I know…Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

I know I must have faith, but I’m still scared.

9.56 waiting long to be seen. Desk nurses never met a lightning survivor. They asked a bunch of questions. I was able to give account & praise to the Lord that I’m still alive. One told me I was definitely a blessing.

Nervousness is aggravating my Costocondritis. Ugh! Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Jaw & tooth nerve pain is intense. A 10 at times – only because it hurts bad enough that I must do something about it. I don’t want to be in agonizing pain at Christmas. I want to try to enjoy it and do my best to remember if only with pictures to jog memory.

Decided goal next year is to start assembling memory albums to help me remember my past with my family.

Headache ensues. Whole body aches. Center of chest dull stab pain.

10.30 finally being seen. Xray taken. Lead apron actually was calming. There might be something to the weighted blankets?

Everyone was so nice and took time to explain to me what was going on. Dental tech asked about how it happened.

11.30 stop at Publix for rxs. Check bp 119/82 hr 65. Pharmacist asked me more details of my lightning strike. Asked if it burst my eardrums. I told him no but my rt ear hurts all the time now. If anything it magnified my hearing. He said wow and asked how. I told him about being able to repeat everything Dr & nurses were saying hallway thru closed door. Pharmacist said wow and made reference to having hearing like million dollar man for a while. He told me that I was blessed because since we talked he’s been researching about lightning survivors and most of them he’s heard of or read their eardrums burst. I agreed that I was blessed indeed to still be here.

2.00p laid down to rest bc morning events wore me out. Fell asleep for an hour. It was my body’s way of dealing with the pain.

6.22 intense sharp pain in rt ear & jaw! Stopping me in my tracks. Putting ear on heating pad. Fell asleep.

Tooth pain and earache is kicking me in the butt.

9.30 trying to wait up for daughter to get home. I hurt so much I just want to crawl into bed and crash. Putting heating pad on chest. Feels like Costocondritis is flaring up. Ugh!

10.30 had daughter put colloidal silver drops in ear. It seems to have helped ease the pain slightly. Chest center throbbing. Rt hip throbbing. Whole body aches. Tingly pin poking needle pain thru body. Sometimes I just don’t know how to explain pain. I’m exhausted. Bad headache. Pain rx taken. Taking muscle relaxer to help me sleep

 Dec21

8.30 finally fell asleep after midnight some time. Rt ear & jaw still throbbing.

Oddly, I can hear the train blowing it’s horn and the closest track is over 11 miles away. Had to ask Joe if he could hear it. He had to open back door and still didn’t hear it at first. This extra sensitive ears/hearing thing is bothersome at times.

10.50 a friend called distraught. Lent an ear to help her talk it out.

11.30 made visit with Joe for church. Although I enjoyed the visit, it was all overwhelming for my brain after a bit and I found myself dozing momentarily. When my brain takes in all it can handle, I find myself needing a nap to rest my brain for a while. I decided to chew a piece of gum to help.

5.00 crashed on chair in livingroom for 30 minutes or so. Couldn’t go anymore.

5.30 Joe asked for Welch Rabbit for dinner and helped with shredding the cheese. Delicious and easy.

10.30 watching Christmas movie. Toothache still hurts but not as bad as y’day. Pain rx & antibiotic helping. Headache. Neck hurts. Rt ear hurts. Stinging pain thru body. Low back throbbing. Rt hip aches.

Dec 16

7.00 rough night…woke several times. I hurt so bad all over…feels like I was beat up. Fell into box fan couple of times. Accidentally kicked myself in rt thigh when trying to get out from under covers and left a painful bruise. Wish I could figure out natural remedy to ease pain.

Read Bible: 2 Corinthians 1-7 Posted daily Bible verse: Luke 1:46-49 Thankful that Mary and Jospeh didn’t freak out too much when they were told they were part of God’s plan. Boy, that sure could’ve had a different ending!

In posting saw Patsy Clairmont’s post with prayer for today…

“Morning Prayer: Breath at Daybreak, resuscitate my courage to enter the demand-strewn path ahead. Help me not to pick up problems before they materialize. When I hit a dead end, help me not to camp out there. When I encounter a difficult person, help me not to join their fraternity. And when I am that person, remind me that it cost You for my freedom and forgiveness. Amen”

Though I don’t remember verbage used, I remember my family as a child listening to a tape of hers entitled “God Uses Cracked Pots”. Just the title has been an encouragement to me on my difficult days especially on days I hurt horribly and feel broken. Thank you, Lord, for shining examples to encourage the weary to keep pressing on in Jesus’ name.

10.00 Movie playdate at friends house with our daughters too. Watching Pride & Prejudice.

5.00p movie had good story line but it was very long.

6.00p Joe sweet to offer to figure out dinner when he came home bc I hadn’t thought to plan anything yet. At first I wanted to be offended, but I was really hurting and exhausted from weekend’s activities. I chose to reserve judgment til he came home to observe his genuinity and sincerity of actions. Glad I chose to wait. Thankful I have a family that cares for me.

11.00p Body has ached all day as if storm is brewing. News media confirms such. Pins & needles sensation in hands, arms, torso, legs, & feet. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness. Low back aches. Neck hurts more so if turned too far in either direction. Rt thigh aches. If I turn too far in either direction (like reaching over to pick up something I dropped) my side cramps horribly as if rib got caught and won’t let loose. Ouch!

Dec 17

9.00 Dezirae treating her and I to getting our nails done for Christmas. Trying Linda’s Nails bc the other one we went to was closed today. Friendly atmosphere. Love the color #104. Now to test how long it’ll last.

10.30 TBI. Bif turn out today though there were still missing. I’m tired and have headache.

12.30 went to thrift store to get some more Christmas gifts.

3.00 on way home saw person stranded in middle of road. Decided to turn around to see if we could help. It turned out to be a mom with little ones (newborn & 1yr old) in back. She was out of gas. I offered to go get the gas for her. She gave me 100 bill. I was surprised. We took money to the gas station and got a gas can and gas. Told the cashier that we were helping a stranger bc she ran out of gas just down road. He took the large bill and told us to have a Merry Christmas. Took it back to her. Gave her the change. Gas can had new mechanism I couldn’t figure out. Felt like a dumb blonde. Finally able to figure out how to improvise to pour gas into her car. She thanked us. We told her she was welcome and gave her a tract. Felt good to do a good deed.

4.00 finally home and I’m exhausted. Sat for bit. Asked kids to help put dinner together.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/overview-of-nervous-system-disorders

11.00 I’m exhausted. Rt jaw & ear throbbing. Very cold. Feet cold. Rr side cramping pain. Sharp shooting stabbing pain in rt hip. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness.

Dec 18

7.00 many days morning comes too early in my brain. I’m so tired most of time. Though since starting the multivitamin I’ve noticed a little bit more energy. That’s a praise!

9.00 time to make cookies for party tonight. Jordon’s going to help me. Hard to believe Jakob will be leaving for college again in 3 weeks. He’ll be a junior.

1pm cookies are made and our mess cleaned up for most part. I need to rest a while. Low back & rt jaw throbbing.

2pm remembered that I needed to go pick up Joe’s rx. I guess I’ll let Jordon drive a little. Christmas traffic makes me more nervous.

3.00 home safe and sound. Nerves on edge. Low back throbbing. Face feels flushed and feverish. Cheeks bit red. Headache. I’m tired.

4.00p I’ve done too much today. I feel it in my whole body. Under eyes are black and blueish. I’m tired and need a nap, but I need to get dinner on. Asked Dezirae to do it. She gladly said yes. Sitting in chair to rest a bit.

9.00p encouraged to have new people at family Christmas party tonight at church. One family not able to attend this year. Missed them. Praying God heals Jerry from cancer. I know that has to weigh heavy on their hearts.

11.50p bad headache. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down rt leg. Low back intensely throbbing. Exhausted. Face hurts. Rt jaw throbbing. Need to schedule dental appointment. Wonder if dentist would know how to treat my tongue issue? My inquisitive mind would like to know.