August 1

5:30a- Not sure exactly when I finally fell asleep last time I looked at clock it was after 1am. High pain all over body doesn’t allow me much sleep. Body telling me I did way too much yday.

Need to work on finishing bulletin board at church. Very thirsty right now think I need more water. Took Tylenol.

6:00a-Stinging pain in upper back, whole body hurts, pins & needle pain in legs, hands swollen and throbbing, skin itches, muscles randomly twitching thru body, neck throbbing.

Wrists and ankles stinging.

7:00a- bloody nose

1:00p- feel crashing coming on laying down a while. Only lasted 40 minutes or so bc of text waking me.

4:00p- starting to get headache

4:30p severe thunderstorm warning issued. ugh!

8:30p- talking with Joe. Words not coming out write. Joe not understanding. We ended up arguing. I don’t know how to fix the jumbled speech brain connection. Sometimes it’s just better to stop talking but that doesn’t help either. 

10:26p- thankfully storm blew around us but I still have bad headache. Neck throbbing, upper back stinging, hands swollen and achy, lower left leg numbish and tingly aching, low back hurts, rt hip hurts. I’m utterly exhausted. Trouble swallowing my medz.

August 2

5:00a- woke to stinging needle pain all over. Headache worse.

11:00a- the stinging needle pain is kicking me down. Add to it bad headache, rt hip throbbing, stomach aches, pms. Drank red raspberry leaf tea.

11:57a- I was considering taking an Epsom Salt bath after morning exercises, but I just heard couple of heavy duty thunder rolls. Not getting near it until storm passes now. Ugh!

Pushed through pain to do 1st set of pt exercises about mid day. Took day to rest and relax. 

Pain slowly eased once the thunderstorm passed and with resting.  Stinging needle pain mostly in feet and ankles and little in neck/shoulder region (5) by 11pm for me to do pm exercises. Wholetones music and massage helped too.

August 3

7:00a- whole body aches, hands and wrists tingly, middle of back feels weird…like someone punched into my back and their fist got stuck trying to pull it out. Headache. Neck hurts. Ringing in ears. Upper legs ache and little tingly. Weird dreams. Woke up tired.

9:00- rt hip throbbing, slow moving, painful cycle, headache worsening.  Running late.

10:00a- rt hip at an 8. Ended up staying behind to pray instead of got door knocking. Hurt to move couldn’t get situated or comfortable. 

 11:14a- Joe called. Car died again. Don’t need this. Don’t have extra $ especially with school starting soon. Trusting God to supply the need.

11:26a- Joe called back. Thinks its the battery. Needs to know of we have enough to buy battery. Dad going to drop ladies off at church and then take him to auto store. 

11:35a- not the battery. Need to get it towed. Ugh!

11:51p- eyes watery, neck & shoulders stinging, legs throbbing, rt hip aches, low back aches, scalp itches, feet tinglibg, hands swollen and achy, stinging in left foot 

July 29

Numbish & tingly sensation in both arms as I woke – more on rt side. Whole body aches. Rt neck throbbing. Rt hip throbbing. Random muscle spams thru body. Ringing in head. Stuffy nose & congested (thyme & oil of oregano tea will help). Headache.

Neck is clicking while doing marker exercise. Headache worsening. Lft knee clicking while doing half squat exercise. Middle of back hurting. Can hear a watch ticking on other side of room.

Hung load of towels on line. Had someone carry to clothesline area. Half way thru my arms starred burning! Will need to rest a while. Rt ear hurts. Wish I could understand what’s going on.

Realized why I don’t like shopping anymore. Too many colors and noises. Hard to focus. Hurts head. 

8:00p- friend dropped their 4 kids off. We are watching them overnight bc their dad is having cancer surgery tomorrow. Have to be on alert. 

12:29a- exhausted and still awake. Hopefully get some sleep soon. Been deep breathing. So cold. Muscles feel so tight. Neck hurts. Hands & fingers tingly. Pins and needles throbbing in back. 

July 30

6:50a- woke freezing. Covers got knocked off in middle of night.

7:00a- decided to take advantage of peace and quite until kids wake. Drink cup of hot tea while working on piece for my blog. 

8:30- Mom came over to help with kids for while. 

12:00p- Bro Jerry surgery went well. Mom picked kids up.

1:00p- worked on item for blog. Can’t remember how to convert pdf to jpeg. I go through this every month. Need to 1 write myself instructions that I can understand and 2 store in place where I should remember location (hopefully). 

2:15p- I’m exhausted and hurting. Freezing too. Can feel I need a nap. 

5:00p- driving on I-10 makes my nerves go into panic mode. Joe tells me to play on my phone to distract me from traffic. On way to Dr apt in Pensacola.

5:50p- rt torso in cramping mode. Ugh!  

7:00p- Dr apt informative, but I couldn’t repeat what he said. Something about nervous system, spine, nerves, & brain function. Screen was too bright for my eyes so I couldn’t keep eyes on him or screen for very long at a time. The lady showed me my x-rays which prove I have compression in my neck and lower back causing pain. The cost for adjustment plan will be too much for me to pay especially having to travel 1 hour each way. Little disheartened not gonna lie. Current pcp doesn’t want my neck adjusted at this time. I feel if I could it’d relieve some of the pain.

7:30p- stopped at Buckees on way home so Jakob could see. Thanked a veteran for his service which in turn started a conversation with the guys. Could tell by his response he was a little downhearted. I was really hurting and had to sit a little while til it eased. Felt impressed to give him tract. Jordon gave it to him for me. A little later got out to introduce myself so as to not be rude. He shook my hand and introduced himself. Talked for little longer. Found out he has family near us.  As we were leaving, he thanks us for our appreciation and he thanked me for the tract. Made whole trip worth it.

A fellow lightning survivor shared this to group page…

Lightning stroke and neuropsychological impairment information

https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/64/6/763

10:25p- I’m freezing!!! I’m shivering cold. Put jacket on and under blanket. Hands are like ice. I don’t understand why I get this way. 

Neck throbbing, low back throbbing, rt hip hurts, shoulders ache, headache

July 31

Weird dreams. Neck and lower back throbbing. Arms & hands numb and tingly. Headache.

Today was busy day for me. Took Jordon to a job first thing this am. Went to Drs to sign papers. He’s trying to get my medical records from previous Dr. They’re not cooperating.  Came home. Decided to deep clean my half bath. It’s been too long since it was cleaned. Had to take several breaks to rest arms. I feel good that I accomplished a task…almost didn’t bc I got sidetracked with a/c making weird noise that was annoying me. Got the noise to stop for now. 

Started working on prepping school. Got phone call from friend. While on phone, got word from Jordon he was done for day. He worked little over 3 hours today. Went to pick him back up. 

Came home. Ate lunch. Sat and rested a bit. 

Went with kids to mall. Jakob needed tie for a wedding this weekend. Brought wheelchair with me. Makes it easier bc I can never remember where security office is to borrow one. Decided to push it for a little while. Only made it through part of one store. First store employees irritated me bc an employee addressed us and asked if she could help. I replied and told her we needed help finding a tie. She chose to hand us off to another employee which did help but handed us messed up merchandise. It was only one. Chose to move on to next store which was on otherside of mall. Found tie at second store which was on sale. Yay! 

Came home in time to finish up dinner…slow cooker chicken pot pie. 

Sat while to rest… longer I sat more I hurt.

Decided to make homemade brownies. Remembered something about melting cocoa and Crisco on stove. Took while to find receipe. Kids thought I was mixing up memories again. Dezirae doesn’t ever remember me making them this way. I don’t remember how. I just remember they tasted better than box versions. Yumm!!! Batter tastes delicious. Dezirae agrees.

Sat to rest while brownies baked. Longer I sit the worse I feel. Didn’t rest enough today. 

Decided to post scripture journaling for next month to blog. Still can’t remember how to convert pdf to jpeg. Decided to scan print into computer ad pic. It works! Thank you, Lord! 

Now to post Instagram and Facebook. Can’t figure that out either. Ugh! Wifi not cooperating either. Connect to hotspot. Decided to send photo to email and post from phone. Wifi & hotpost taking too long. 

Laying in bed now after pm PT exercises. Whole body aches. Headache. Legs throbbing. Feet & ankles swollen. I’ve done too much today. Upper shoulderz and back throbbing. Neck throbbing. Low back aches. Stomach hurts. Muscles randomly twitching thru body. I’m exhausted but mind wide awake. 

July 27

7:45p- feels like my pain increaseth. Not sure about the new rx. Not sure if its not working or it is working and pain rebounds when it wears off.

Nightmare last night. 

Whole body is throbbing. I don’t even want to get out of bed.

10:00a- bad mood. feeling on sleeves today. Joe trying to ask what’s wrong. Tried to tell him but couldn’t get it out right. Didn’t make him happy. Told him I really not want to discuss right now. Hard to have good attitude with much pain and feelings hurt. 

One house we were going to knock door to invite to church…half way down driveway we heard big dogs barking. Couldn’t determine where they were at so I paused my tracks. Heard someone yelling at dogs. I chuckled. Inside my being I was scared to death and wanted to run away, but I pushed myself forward. Few more steps towards house man comes out and yells “We have really bad dogs” I told him “that was okay we were out inviting people to church and showed tract” He replied, ” Maybe some other day.” Ok thank you. (Inside my head I was wanting to yell run away run away. But I knew that wouldn’t set good example. Ugh.)

4:00p- time to lay down a piece. Can feel myself crashing soon. Bread in maker smells good. Beef in slow cooker for dinner.

4:50- sharp pain in chest and muscles spazzing in torso cut nap short. 

8:00- dinner didnt go over too well. Didn’t know I was out of pasta sauce. Improvised with ketchup & bbq sauce. Family didn’t like it. 

Attempted coffee cake muffins for breakfast. Messed that up too. Somehow they overflowed muffin pans mega much. Overflow burning on bottom of oven causing a smokey kitchen. Never happened before. Ugh! Joe came to rescue to help take them out of oven & blow smoke out back door. Hope they at least taste good.

11:00- body hurts from head to toes. Random muscle spams thru body. Headache bad. Hurts to move. Pain rx not helping. Dizziness much today. Trouble tripping over feet. Had to catch myself several times before I fell. Hope tomorrow is better.

Before he falls asleep I apologize for being in grumpy mood today.

July 28

Whole body aches. Muscles fluttering on rt side. Neck & rt hip throbbing. So sleepy trouble waking. Headache.

Neck hurts so much. Feels like if I could just get it adjudted it would feel better. I just don’t understand what’s going on or how to ease up the pain. 

At church, people noticed I wasn’t my cheerful self and asked what was wrong.  I explained best I could about pain and bad day yday. Talina said I make her feel better about herself. I guess cuz it shows I’m human

 I don’t know?

Reni made my day. She came straight to me to give me a hug. That’s precious to me. Even more precious she asked her momma to sit by me all by herself in church. Once I sat in my seat after playing piano (which I struggle to do. Hands and brain don’t seem to want to coordinate well), she snuggled up to me and gave big smile. She made my heart feel better.

Tailbone screaming. Hard to sit still.

https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/health-system-edition/2018/march2018/neuropathic-pain-a-glimpse-inside-the-unabating-affliction

-by this article, my autonomic & motor nerves were damage. I know that my peripheral neuropathy isn’t diabetic bc I don’t have diabetes. Yeah! Mine came from trauma – lightning strike.

I know there’s correlation on gut and brain health but didn’t put the two together.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26348611/

The pain has kicked my butt today. Getting sleepy. Long day tomorrow. Watching kids for church family. The man is having surgery for bladder cancer early Tuesday morning.  

July 24

5:30a- woke in severe pain low back, muscled randomly spazzing thru legs, arms tingly, severely congested. Took pain rx. Hope to fall back asleep.

6:30a- still awake. Using heating pad to see if that’ll help. Researching Drivers Ed for school elective. Need an inexpensive route. 

8:45a- sipping thyme and oil of oregano tea with peppermint and copabia oils. One for sinus relief and two for additional pain relief help. Need the Lord’s help for mind over matter to get at least a little done today.

9:10a- called eye dr. Dezirae’s rx on new glasses not right. Need them checked. Apt at 1pm today.

9:30a- checked library card system for driver ed program. They have it in stock. Can’t find my library card. It’s not where I remember keeping it. Ugh! Called library asked about item and explained my dilemma. Lady was so sweet even with the stammering and stuttering.

10am- continuing working on scheduling chemistry lesson plans for Jordon. Sure wish I could afford Jordon to take the Biology Labs this year. Lord, could You provide a way?

12:15p- time to go to eye apt & run errands. 

1:30p- eye rx was way off. Dr office have to order new pair. 2 week wait.

4pm – back home. I’m exhausted and really hurting. Need to rest. Sat in chair in livingroom. Could feel myself about to crash. Went to room to lay down.

6:00p-  Tried to watch a movie with family. I know I’ve watched it before but don’t remember a thing about it. Flashing and quick moving screens bothering eyes. Much background noise making it hard for my brain to process information. Saying I can’t hear is not completely right…my brain having trouble keeping up. Keep asking family too many questions. I’m frustrating them and myself. Main character looks familiar. I remember his voice on Moana. Family tells me who it is. Ugh! I should’ve known that. Don’t remember 2nd bald guys name either. Lose interest in movie after about an hour. It’s hurting my head. Decided to go give the dog a shave. Jordon helps hold dog for me. She does well. By this time, my whole body is throbbing in pain. 

9:00p- decided to go to bed with heating pad. It does nothing. Took night Rx . Took Tylenol. Have to wait 2 hours to take stronger rx due to new rx Dr is trying. Drinking glass of water.

630 Watching movies/tv with brain injury can be quite frustrating at times. The quick flashing scenes hurt the eyes and I have to look away quite often. 

My husband has been kind enough to find a screen mode (theater) that when screen resolution is too bright for me to handle we can switch it to.  

Movies I’ve watched several times before are like watching them again for first time. Sometimes its hard to process words being spoken so I’m constantly asking what’s going on. 

Words I used to know I have to ask what it means. 

I recognize characters but can’t remember names or what other movies they played on. For instance, in the movie GI Joe 2, I recognized the main character but I couldn’t remember his name or where I recognized him. So I ask “Who’s the bald guy? Did he play in Moana?” Family responds, “Yes, Mom. He’s Dwayne Johnson.” I reply, “Oh, okay.”

I recognize the 2nd bald guy but don’t remember him. Good grief! I think he’s from when I was a teen. So I ask, “Who’s the 2nd bald guy?” Family replies,” Bruce Willis.” This is frustrating not only for me but also for my family. Makes it hard to enjoy movie with constant questions.

I decided to shush up for a while. I still don’t understand what’s going on. My nerve endings begin to feel weird and my head starts hurting. Background noises, movies noises make it extremely difficult to concentrate on what’s being said. Sometimes I think what’s the use trying, but a voice in my head tells me to “Never give up!”  I chose to rest my brain and try again momentarily.

Some of the music hurts my ears so I have the sound muted for a while. An hour into movie, I lose interest and decide to do something else.

July 25

Asked to go get lawn mowed at church today. Not what I was planning, but it wasnt raining and it needed to be done. Woke kids up. Kids mowed and weedeated. I trimmed up a rose bush and pulled weeds in flower bed by sign. Had to do sections and rest in between. It’s only a little half circle flower bed. 

9:00p- sitting in livingroom next to Jakob. Pulled feet under me bc they’re getting cold. Jakob begins to wonder why his butt is getting cold. He touches my feet and exclaims my feet are freezing. Lol!

11:00p- went to bed half hour ago. Still awake but tired. Pain all over. I’m freezing and it’s 73° inside house. My feet are like ice cubes though I’ve had socks on for over an hour.  Eyes watery and nose congested. Rt hip throbbing. Headache. Back hurts. Hands hurt. Lower left leg tourniquit tighten and numbish feeling. Lower back aches and throbbing. Feet and ankles freezing

July 26

2:30 woke to use restroom. Lost balance fell into fan and knocked it over. Stomach hurts. Muscles in torso jumping. Back & shoulders hurt. Left ankle on fire where I was bit by ants yday.

Song on mind “Even in valley God is good.” 

7:30a- awake off and on rest of night. Woke to arms and hands numb and tingling. Low back throbbing. Sharp dull pain in upper lft thigh. Feet throbbing and tingly. Hands swollen and achy. 

Preventing or Slowing Down Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

9:45p- bridges hurt. Everytime they have caused my back to cramps and chest hurting. Think I need to back off couple days.

July 22

11:01p- thought I wrote before now. Guess not. 

Had rough night. Up every few hours. Ended up sleeping til 9:20. I hurt so bad it’s hard to move. 

Mom came over about 10am to help me get a room booked for ladies conf. Good thing bc there were only couple rooms left with queen beds. Glad that’s done.

Back to stumbling over words and not being able to speak what I’m thinking. 

Trying to talk to Buddy. Told him to get his ears out of his buds instead of take the earbuds out of your ear. Ugh! We had a good laugh over it at least.

Had to go to bank to get paper notarized so Buddy can get his permit. Got all the way to bank and realized I forgot the paper. Had to go back home to get it. Ugh! 

Decided while out to make couole extra stops just to get out of house a bit. Academy & Bargain Goodwill. I didn’t have strength or energy to sort through the clothing. Arms cramping quickly.

Home in time to cook dinner. Not really up to it. Entire body aches and I’m so tired. Sat to rest a bit to muster up enough energy. 

Joe decided to go for short walk after dinner. Whole family went. That was nice. Rt hip throbbing short ways into it. Glad he cut it short. 

Decided to soak in Epsom Salt bath for a while to ease muscle cramping before bed. It helped some but taking shower has become such a chore. 

Muscles twitching throughout body. Gonna need to take muscle relaxer to get to sleep. Have long day of appointments tomorrow.  

July 23

6:40a- woke myself up at 4am hiccuping. Crazy. Whole body aches. Headache. Tired. 

10:00a- Physical Therapy. Went well. She pushed me harder today. Added to my home exercises. (Deep Breathing, Seated Chin Tuck, Knee Rock, Half Squat to Chair, Clamshells, Bridges, Marker Exercise, X to X exercise adding diagonals, “Psssst” x 5 seconds, Rows with theraband, and Deep Breathing Exercise). I’m tuckered today.

11:00a- TBI mtg. Everyone glad to see us. Teresa chatted with us for a bit. Chose to sit with a newer family bc they were sitting by themselves. Ron (TBI coordinator) asked if there was anything he could help with. I told him about trouble obtaining records from precious Dr office. He’s going to try to help.

1:00p- Started raining on way home. Need to get some things at store. Actually pulled in pkg lot and parked. Thunderstorming and I could feel myself getting ready to crash. Chose to go home instead. Explained what was going on on way home. Dezirae understood. Made it to bed just before crashing. Slept for over an hour.

3:00p- Storm getting worse and heading to Pensacola. Suppose to have follow up apt with Dr to get results from spinal scan and xrays. Joe told me to stay safe to call and reschedule. Upset but called. 

I’m so tired and starting to really hurt. Not doing so hot learning balance of things and causing too much pain. 

7:00p- chose to work for little bit on school planning. Got 4 of 5 core subjects planned for Jordon now. Still not sure on electives. Try to work on 5th subject and electives tomorrow. Once I get Jordon’s done, I’ll do Dezirae’s. 

11:44p- I’m exhausted and really hurting and still wide awake. Ugh! 

July 19

1;30a- still wide awake.

9:00a- woke earlier know not what time. Arms and hands tingling. Whole body aching. Fell back asleep till 9am.

Arms and hands still tingling. Lft arm more than right. Middle point of shoulders throbbing. Low back throbbing. Very congested. Slight headache. Eyes watery. Center of chest really hurts when I move. Sore all over. Toes tingling. Musc)es twitching in legs.

9:49a- did morning pt exercises. Muscles in upper back are twitching/spasming. New med is making me dizzy…almost fell getting up to do half squat to chair. Had to grab bed to balance myself. 

10:00a- stepped on scale…I’ve lost 3 pounds this week…total of 8lbs so far! The 16/8 diet plus drinking lemon acv water first thing is working.

Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten numbish feeling. Dizzy. 

2;02p- Joe told me to work on planning homeschool for next year for little bit today. Have 2.5 subjects done for Jordon. My brain is hurting. Need to take break. Still bit dizzy from new rx, but I think I might have minute reduction in pain (time will tell), but I’m exhausted from VBS this week. 

3:00p- crashed on chair in livingroom. Slept about 45 minutes. Upper legs feel like lead today. I’m so tired.

7:00p- decided to play a card game. Joe had to teach me how to play again even though we’ve played it before.  He tried to play it regular way but I got so confused. Had to take extra deck out.

9:33p- legs throbbing, lower lft leg tourniquit and numbish feeling. Rt hip throbbing!!!

10:30p- joe came to kiss me goodnight. Accidentally leaned on rt leg and I about jumped off chair!!!! The pain is excruciating now! I hollered don’t press on my leg my hi is throbbing! He apologized and I just want to cry. Whole rt leg now seriously intense pain!!!

1145p

The effects of a traumatic brain injury on a person can be devastating. You just don’t feel right and you’re not the same person you were before the injury occurred. 

Often times it’s difficult to express what you’re actually thinking and you tend to say something totally different than what you meant to say. 

You’re family doesn’t understand the changes and challenges at first either. I’m mean I look like I did prior to the incident. I was struck by lightning while inside on a sunny day nonetheless. 

July 20

7:00a- rt hip pain woke me. Using essential oils pain rub to alleviate pain. Sometime in night I woke freezing and shivering. When I woke this time I was burning up. 

Trying to research info to understand and figure things out.

10:57a- it’s raining today. I wonder if barometric pressure has anything to do with increased pain? Rt hip throbbing, low back aching, rt ear throbbing, neck throbbing, headache, lights bothersome, etc.

12:00p- family went to church to take down VBS decorations and get auditorium put back together for Sunday. It didn’t take too long. Decided to go to Field & Stream. Jordon’s been wanting to look at dart guns for hubting.

I’m so sleepy all of sudden. Can barely keep my eyes open. Feels like I may crash. Decided to go sit in chairs where it’d be safer for me. Ended up passing out sitting in chair until Dezirae came to check on me and accidentally scared me. me.

3:36p- home watching movie with family. Wave of fainting came over me again. Decided to go lay down a little bit.

5:30p- didn’t plan on sleeping that long but I needed it.  

9:00p- I’m so tired not sure if it’s new rx or exhausted and hurting from extra activities this week. Center of chest stabbing pain thru to back. 

11:43p- center of chest excruciating pain. Took 800mg ibuprofen. Now applying heating pad. Brewed chammomile tea. Now I’m certain increased pain from overdoing it. I’m si limited in what I can do without causing much pain, but I’m not going let it stop me. I just have to keep moving forward even if it’s baby steps   

July 21

10:37a- pain is great. Pain rx taken. Neck, center of chest, and back throbbing.

I:11p- just finished with lunch. I’m exhausted and really hurting. Only sleep will help right now. Laying down a while.

2:20p- sleeping felt good.