Author: Melissa

Aug 1

9.19 Face slightly flushed. Feels like it’s on fire. Headache. Nose is stuffy, but feels like it’s dried out. 

Firey sensation is traveling down shoulders and arms. 

Aug 2

Nightmares. Muscle in upper left leg twitching heavier than normal. Sharp stabbing pain in rt hip. Chest hurting.

9:00a – Headache is worse. Nose is bloody. 

12:00p – Nose decided to gush blood. Ugh  

3:00p – Headache has become migraine & I’m cranky. Feeling very weak. Bp up to 174/101

5:00pm – learned bloody noses cam be indication of blood pressure being too high.

11:00p – used petroleum jelly to ease nose discomfort and within 20 minutes I was able blow nose without causing major nosebleed.  I’m so tired.  Headache easing. Nose sore. Taking Melatonin to see if it’ll help me sleep.

https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/10-proven-migraine-cures-plus-the-one-that-doesnt-work/

Aug 3

6:30a – up about every two hours…Nightmares but only remember part of one. Eyes twitching fast when I close them.  Headache still here, but not as bad. Chest hurts. Keeps popping everytime I turn to side.

7:30a – it’s apparent that my nosebleeds are indications of BP being very elevated.  Bp is currently 160/110.  Lord, please help lower my bp. I don’t want to go back to hospital..

Nose stuffy & bloody. Eyes watery and burning.

11:30a – took Epsom  Salt bath

3:30p – bp still 160/110. Still have a headache. Called Dr’s about taking 2nd bp & which one. Took 2nd relpax pill.

3:40p – remembered I didn’t take the am migraine pill. Took it.

4:11p – nurse called back. Dr said if bp continues to stay up then start taking Clonidine 2x’s daily. Took 2nd pill.

July 29, 2018

5:30a – woke up with extreme pain all over & diahrea to boot. Suppose I did too much yesterday (weeding flower bed, making dinner, & prepping lunch for today).  I’m tired of hurting all the time.

I want to be better, but my body is not cooperating.

Chest hurts sorely, headache, pins & needles up and down legs, lower back throbbing, rt hip hurts with pain shooting down rt leg, hands swollen & achy, feet throbbing.  

9:00a – not feeling well at all. Lord, please help me make it through this day

11:28a – I hurt so bad I want to cry. 

2:00p – tried to lay down for a nap. Hurt too bad to get comfortable. Pian in center of chest began becoming icy. It spread midway and quit.

6:21 – chest hurts horribly, feet ache, hands ache & swollen, brain a bit foggy, eyes feel blurry, hard time focussing 

July 30, 2018

9:44a-There will be bumps and bruises along life’s road. 

I may never be in control of my circumstances, but I can rest secure in the One who is in control of all things.

Romans 8:37-39
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There will be bumps, hiccups, and bruises along life’s road. We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can rest secure in the One who controls all things!

July 31, 2018

12.47p Livestrong.com – exercises with therabands for back & neck pain 

6.38p Didnt sleep well last night.  Legs hurt. Eyes hurt. Rt hip hurts with pain shooting down rt leg. Lower back hurts. 

Lord, can you give Joe a better paying, steadier job – one that he doesn’t have to wonder if he’s working the next day or not. Thank you, Lord.

July 25, 2018

9.22a Had trouble falling asleep last night from the pain. Woke every 2 hrs. 

Headache is gone. Neck hurts. Hands swollen and achy. Feet ache. Low back hurts. Brain hurts. Lights bothering my eyes. Bp stil up 164/104. Hr 54. 

Family minus Joe went to beach today.

Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

It is comforting to know that my God who created the universe cares enough to know even the tiniest detail about me. Thankful that He is in control of all things and by Him all things consist (Colossians 1:16-17).

July 27, 2018

2.56p Dr apt. Bp 149/101 hr 64.

Dr wants to get me on Aimovig. It’s a new drug for migraine sufferers. (Not sure I agree. Will have to look up information to make informed decision.)

July 28, 2018

Area between neck & shoulder on left side is swollen & painful to touch. Lower back & tailbone throbbing. Feet & ankles hurt.

11:58a – feeling faint. Nose bleeding.

11:58p – center of chest throbbing, hands tingly & aching, entire back throbbing, exhausted. 

Titus 3:4-7
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Thankful for intricate working of the Trinity to exhibit their love and mercy toward us all. Because of their great love, we can have the hope of eternal life.

July 22, 2018

11.25a Woke up with headache. Took Bp 126/84.  Feeling quite dizzy today. Entire back hurts with lower back aching more. Left side aches like I got punch. Stomach hurts. Hands swollen and achy. Calves ache. 🙁

4:30 – I’m feeling overwhelmed about my SSI apt tomorrow. I just want to cry. 

11:30p- I’m hurting all over. Chest throbbing. Hands aching. Calves throbbing & cramping. Brain hurts. Toes tingly and aching. Gonna be a long night! Rt elbow throbbing.

July 23, 2018

7:00 – woke from a nightmare. It seemed so real. 

9:00a – can’t shake the feelings I felt in the nightmare…alone and afraid.  Began reading Bible. Imagining myself leaning into the arms of Jesus for He is my safety and strength.

10:00a- I hurt all over. Rt hand aches horibbly just as it did in my nightmare when I got bit by a snake. Once I realized they weren’t real bc of the extra eyes on tops of heads when one bit me, I began throwing them & kicking them away from me to escape whatever was going on. I was looking for an escape…had trouble finding an escape route. Until someone passed by and asked to be my friend. I didn’t know who I could trust so I hesitantly accepted. He said he could shew me the way if I just trusted Him. That phrase made me doubt his credibility. I began asking Jesus to help me.  

The person led me to a room. I then woke up. I don’t know where I was, but I remember feeling utterly lost, alone, and scared. Just want to cry it all out.

John 11:9-10 

10:24a – Entire body aches like I’ve just ran a marathon out of shape. Rt hand swollen and aches. Lower back throbbing. Rt hip aches. Upper back stinging. Feet ache. Toes tingly.Headache.Eyes watering.Rt ear hurts a little.

John 11:9-10
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

Thankful for the Lord’s light to guide my path because without Him I would surely stumble and fall.

July 24, 2018

10:36p Did too much today. I have a migraine!!!

Took kids to mall & field n stream. I think I walked too much. My whole body aches. My Bp is up – 160/104!

I’ve taken 2 tension headache rx, maltax neither has touched it. 

Muscles in legs randomly twitching. Feet throbbing. Back of neck is throbbing. 

July 19, 2018

6:40a – woke up freezing, odd dreams, lft ear ringing, low back throbbing, stomach hurts, headache

11:14p – headache most of day – had ro take migraine rx to ease it. Brain foggy & blurry, lft ear ringing, calves cramping, pms, hands tingly, lower back throbbing, tired, dizzy today. Closed eyes a couple of times and I could see colidiscopes twirling on back of eyelids 

July 20, 2018

Had trouble sleeping last night. Joe got called into work today. 

Low back hurting. Calf muscles aching. Rt ear hurts. Lft ear ringing. 

6:15 – Lower back throbbing. Headaches. Rt ear hurts. Eyes hurt. Exhausted. Hands hurt. Trouble with focus. Memory problems. Having trouble losing grip and dropping things.

July 21, 2018

Today’s blooper

Dezirae tapped my arm with Jakob’s charger while Jakob was asking someone to plug it into the charger. Joe told Dezirae to say something don’t just tap Mom’s arm. I reiterated by saying, “Yeah, Dezirae say something don’t just tap my arm you’ll make me jump a mile hour.” Joe immediately cracked up laughing. 

I then knew I said it wrong. LOL! I meant to say a mile high.

July 18, 2018

8:30 – had rough night. Extreme pain. Nightmares too. Woke to chest hurting horribly. Low back hurts. Eyes feel heavy & crusty. Toes tingly. Rt ear aches mildly. Tired. Calves ache.

9:12 – Today marks my one year anniversary of my life-changing event of being struck by lightning. I am thankful to be alive! I continue to thank God for His faithfulness and that His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23. I have come a long way, but I have a long road ahead in my recovery. Still have a lot of things that I am unable to do without it affecting me painfully. God knows the reason and I am still discovering it one turtle step at a time.

Today marks my one year anniversary of my life-changing event of being struck by lightning!!! I am thankful to be alive!
I continue to thank God for His faithfulness and that His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

It has been a year of ups and downs that come with the after-effects of the damage the lightning left behind – nerve damage, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and migraines are among a few of the daily battles. This is something that you won’t hear on the nightly news media. Until recently, the only time you heard of someone being struck by lightning on the news was when a person was killed by the lightning strike. I have yet to see them cover how a lightning survivor copes with the injuries or struggles to find doctors that have dealt with this type of injury in order to get the help they desperately need. Sadly, most survivors struggle with depression after struggling to find either a doctor that is willing to help or even keep a friend that understands the plethora of symptoms that they struggle with on a daily/weekly basis.

We continue to pray that God will heal me completely. While waiting for God to answer that prayer, I am doing my best to learn how to use natural remedies as much as possible to aid in the healing process.

I thank God for the loving support of my family and close friends. I also thank God for the new friends I have made through my Lightning Strike support group. God has already opened doors for new friendships and has enlarged my coast (1 Chronicles 4:10) beyond what I could imagine allowing me to be able to help others. I look forward to how much God will extend that coast in the near future.

July 16, 2018

1.14p Woke with pain all over. Rt hip area hurts. Low back hurts. Head hurts. Hands and forearms swollen especially rt arm & achy. Toes tingly. Stuffy & congested. 

Received ltr from SSA stating that I’m not eligible because I said I didn’t want to apply. That’s false! I have an appointment on July 23rd to apply. Craziness. I have call into atty. Trouble with constipation.

6:06 – my nerves are screaming pain!!!  My chest hurts so bad! If only I could get the inflamation to subside, then I could get a little relief so I could rest. 

Husband is tired of it. I don’t know what to do.  My heart is wounded.

That moment when you just get done refilling your fabric softner container and you accidentally pop a hole in the corner putting it on the shelf and it spills everywhere! And flexseal tape won’t fix it. Ugh! Thankful for mason jars.

July 17, 2018

6:26a -Eyes are heavy & blurry. Low back & tailbone throbbing. Rt ear aches. Hands swollen and tingly. Feet achy & tingly. Lower legs ache. Head hurts.

8:06a – chilling burning sensation in middle of back, feet are freezing

10:00a – just cleaned my bathroom 1st time since injury…not able to do thorough clean. Hands & forearms throbbing, I’m exhausted & ready to pass out, brain foggy, eyes blurry, slight headache…taking nap now 

2:00p – after turning radio off, I fell against corner of tv stand. Now I have a huge bruise on rt thigh. Ouch!!

3:00p -made cookies, but had to have help stirring batter because it hurt my chest too much. Frustrating!

8:00p – upper back muscles on fire

10:48p -neck hurts, center of chest is throbbing, center of back hurts, feet freezing, hands achy & swollen. I’m wide awake! 

11:45 – not sure why, but my upper body is shaking like a tremor

July 13, 2018

6:30 – feet, lower legs, & lower back cramping, slight headache, hands hurt

July 14, 2018

2:47p Very rough night. Woke up in severe pain! Tailbone throbbing and I feel like I was beat up. Stomach hurts.  

11:00p – Bp 160/102 hr 71

I accidentally took the wrong meds last night so I didn’t take the Clonidine. 

I have a headache. My tailbone throbs. Feet hurt. Rt elbow aches. Rt ear hurts. Center of chest hurts.

Psalm 145:18-19
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
to all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him:
he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

July 15, 2018

11:21a Woke up hurting all over. My headache is worse. Took pain rx. Hands ache& swollen. Feet & lower legs cramping. Brain feels foggy today.

3:15 – laid down to rest a bit. Hand and arms tingly. Rt hip area aches.

6:49 rt sd of nevk hurts

July 10, 2018

12:11am – feeling dizzy & freezing. Headache. Chest aches. Toes feel frozen.

6:35 – feet numb & tingly, lower back & legs ache, headache, stuffy nose, utterly exhausted

10:30a – fell asleep on chair while sitting down to rest a moment

7:30p – walking down hallway suddenly felt sharp stabbing pain in rt calf made it dfifficult to walk.

10:00p – center of chest popped now it’s hurting bad enough for pain rx

Having trouble with my peripheral vision. I keep bumping into things that I think I’m gonna miss. 

Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Giving thanks “always” and “for all things” isn’t always easy to do especially when you’re in the midst of hardship or trial. You can thank God not for the problems, but for His strength that He is perfecting through you to get through the difficult situations. Take heart in knowing that God’s love will see you through, and that He is with you always.

July 11, 2018

1:30 woke up freezing

3:30 woke again freezing &rt hip hurting

5:30 woke again freezing, put extra blanket on me, rt hip still hurts. Tried stretching to ease but still hurts.

7:30 chest keeps popping when I move certain ways, makes chest hurt.

6:20 rt hand & arm swollen and aches, low back hurts, feet hurt, tired

11:38 lower back throbbing, knees and lower lft leg throbbing, rt hand swollem and hurts

2 Corinthians 4:7-9
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Many times when we face trials and tribulations, we tend to get discouraged and feel defeated, but we can never loose our hope in the Lord for He is always there. Occasionally, we need to remind ourselves that Christ has the victory over death, and we have eternal life. All of our struggles are opportunities that we can use to show God working through us. One day all of life’s struggles will be worth it all!

July 12, 2018

7:50 – Joe wakes me up to let me know he has to go to work. I was suppose to take paperwork to atty. Ugh!

8:00 – rt hand & wrist swollen & achy. Rt elbow hurts to move it. Low back hurts. Eyes a bit blurry. 

4:00 – tried to clean up a little in SS bldg. It about killed my back in less than 10 minutes. Had to stop as I was about in tears because of the pain!!!

Deuteronomy 31:8
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.