Author: Melissa

Hello, my name is Melissa. I grew up as a pastor's kid and am now a pastor's wife. I'm married to Joseph Smith, who is the Pastor of Pine Air Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL. We have three miracle children here on earth and two in heaven. As of July 18, 2017, God graciously allowed me to survive being struck by lightning. Five years later on March 31, 2022, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer HER2+ and HER2-. Today, I can say, together with God's help, I am an OVERCOMER! Because He lives and His mercies renew every morning, I can say I am a Lightning Survivor, Cancer Warrior, and Daughter of the King!
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LS Memoirs – 7-9 March 2021

March 7

Woke at 2:20am with severe stomach cramping and diahrea.

Exhausted. Burning aching pain all over body. Tummy hurts and feels little bloated.. Arms ache. Rt hand and wrist swollen and feel sprained. Sinuses slightly congested. Feet tingle and burn. Legs throbbing.

♫I will cling to the Old Rugged Cross and exchange it some day for a crown.♫

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:23-24, Deut 24-27,  Psalm 77:6-15

Breakfast: 3 oatmeal energy balls, Apple juice

Got dizzy getting ready for church. Had to sit a bit. Out of breath.

By end of music service my head is pounding, hands throbbing, legs burning throbbing, feet chilly, brain fogging, rt hip throbbing

Not feeling well. Joe sweet to order pizza for dinner bc I’m not up to cooking.

Symptoms: feet freezing, lft leg tingling, headache, low back throbbing, very sleepy, Charlie horse cramping in abdomen – ouch!!!

Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with tingling. Legs pounding throbbing. Upper back and hands stinging. Brain foggy and blurry. Distracted easily. Body having trouble regulating temperature – cold then warm then freezing all the while skin cool to the touch.

March 8

500 decent nights sleep. Weird dreams.

Arms & hands go numb while reading Bible. Severe stomach cramping, rt ear hurt, sinuses congested, post nasal drip tastes aweful.

Bible reading: Deut 28-29, Ps 50:6, 2 Cor 1:3-4, Philippians 4:12-13

Goals today: wash linens, straighten & declutter pantry, help Jordon file taxes, plan meals for week.

Symptoms: dizzy at times – must stop and focus on specific thing until it eased or close eyes momentarily, stabbing, low back pain – must lay on belly until it eased before can do something else, took rx for pain, hands throbbing, brain blurry, headache, slight stuffy nose, severe abdominal cramping pain periodically, rt ear hurts, back itches

March 9

445 woke to muscle spasms and being hot. Didn’t take pm meds. Exhausted and irritable. Nerves twitching thru body and skin itchy all over.

Bible reading: Deut 30-31, Ps 40:11-12, 2 Timothy 1:9-12, Acts 16:12-16, 40

Goals today: plant tomato seeds, hang mini blind, take care of sick son, Ladies Bible Study tonight.

Planted tomato and pepper seeds, mini blind too short, difficulty getting Jordon Dr apt but God directed steps to new Dr who saw him today. Confirmed sinus infection and ear infection. Antibiotic called into pharmacy quickly. Bible study went well. Ladies excited about Secret Sister Ministry.

Symptoms: muscle spasms, temperature fluctuating, nerves twitching, headache, sinuses congested, exhausted, low back throbbing, brain foggy, vision blurry, dizzy, lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with numbness and tingling to toes, feet freezing and icy cold, rt ear aches, skin itchy, whole body aches, nerves feel like their crawling, shoulders ache.

Drank sleepy time tea.

Three things I’m thankful for…

  1. Able to get Jordon seen at Dr’s and diagnosis confirmed
  2. God’s protection on highway
  3. My Mom understands what I’m going thru and experience with the TBI part of my injuries.
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LS Memoirs – 4-6 March 2021

March 4

500 stinging pain thru body…stronger than usual. Achy and stiff at first. Sinuses congested at times making me nauceous. Headache minor. Neck hurts. Hands ache.

Bible reading: Deut 14-16, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 18:50

♫It’s a good thing to give praise to the Lord and sing praises to His name…♫

650 morning juice – 1 apple, 1 orange, 1/2 lemon, 10 baby carrots

Straighten living room some. Load in washer. Wash hair. Exhausted and out of breath. Need to rest a while. Ears ringing. Hands throbbing. Legs and feet stinging throbbing and icy cold.

Goals today: post to blog, declutter one kitchen cabinet, wash 2 loads clothes, dinner in crockpot, get ready for church

130 oh, boy. Just realized I forgot to eat today.

Tried something new today. Ordered curbside pickup for Chick-fil -A. Rae had to help. Pretty cool.

Info searched:

Taking Niacin (B3)

  1. Does it cause flushing?
  2. What are benefits?

https://m.facebook.com/groups/Niacin/permalink/970036589824137/

 

Joe informed Rick we would sing without piano tonight bc

Can bloodshot eyes be related to migraines?

https://www.migraineagain.com/migraine-red-eyes-link/

Symptoms today: stinging needle pain, headache, rt ear & jaw hurts, hands ache, severe pain from waist to head – I just want to scream!!! Chilling tingling sensation in center of chest, pounding headache – otc not helping. Stabbing Pain in under arms. Neck throbbing. Lights bright. Eyes blood shot and hurting almost burning. Upper back stinging needle pain. Feet freezing.

Taken naproxen, morning meds, 4 ibuprofen, stress relief tea, and relpax

March 5

Headache not as intense as y’day but it could get there if I’m not careful. Eyes still very sensitive to lights and bloodshot.

Lost 4 lbs this week. Yay! Now to pray I keep it off.

Bible reading: Deut 17-20, Ps 78:38, Deut 6:4-10

Juicing – bolthouse blue goodness

Goals today – visit LM, apt with CPA, get food for lunch at church tomorrow

Symptoms: stinging pain thru body. Periodic intense Muscle spasms (st side, under let rib, rt jaw, neck) – had to freeze in place until it eased some then work it out. A bit before dinner eyes started burning more. Burning continued to increase as it did vision bit more blurred. Put eyeglasses on to see if it would help. Didn’t at first. Eyes burned and watered for good 30 minutes a while after dinner. After they watered good burning began to ease but eyes still hurt and bloodshot. Headache intensified as day progresses so does pain in body. Deep stomach pain returns. Sinuses congested. Rt ear hurts. Had trouble swallowing pm meds – capsule got stuck midway in throat. Think it may be food sensitivity.

Had allergic reaction symptoms at lunch time after eating 3 chicken fingers, fries, garlic toast, & 1/2 tea 1/2 lemonade.

Taking Benadryl for allergies.

Skin itchy all over. Quite bothersome at times. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with tingling down leg to toes. Hands throbbing.

March 6

Woke to hands being numb and tingly. Mild stinging thru body. Back itches. Sinuses congested. Lower rt abdomen crampy pain. Tired.

Bible Reading : Ps 51:12-13, Deut 21-23, Isaiah 25:1

Juice: Chocolate milk with ice, chia seeds, & D.E.

Work Day at church.went well. I did more than I was suppose to and and feeling the consequences. They were able to get 3/4 of teen room emptied in SS Bldg. Guys took off 2 truck loads to the dump. Jordon & I took load of cardboard to recycle center and 4 boxes donations to Goodwill. Also 3 trash bags in dumpster.

Once we got home, I crashed for an hour or so. I couldn’t push no more. Worked on bulletins, brunch sign up, & printing Easter Flyers. Rested rest of night.

Symptoms: headache, hands tingly, hands swollen & throbbing, sharp stabbing pain in rt thumb, stomach cramping pain, rt hip throbbing, tingling pain thru body, legs throbbing, low back intense throbbing, skin itches all over, brain fog, exhausted, tired, skin hypersensitivity, sinus congestion, etc.

Took naproxen, 1/2 pill meloxicam, am & pm meds

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LS Memoirs – 1-3 March 2021

March 1

500 woke to whole body being very stiffed if joints were rusted. As I began to move around body from neck to toes start stinging. Headache minor.

600 coming home from taking Joe to work my rt foot started going numb. Prayed for red light so I could move foot around only to realize I needed foot to press on brake. Took me a bit to coordinate feet to be able to wiggle rt foot little bit. No help. Ugh.

Made it home safely in dense fog. Exhausted. Put clothes in dryer. Need little nap.

Lights bothersome. Hands throbbing.

330 feel crash oncoming. Need to take cat nap before picking up Joe. Center of chest hurting. Hands and wrists throbbing. Body stinging.

It’s been raining most of day. Thankful it’s just light rain and not thunderstorms.

Whole body throbbing. Hands swollen and throbbing stinging. Skin hypersensitive. Headache moderate. Lights sensitive. Feet throbbing. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling. Shoulders sting. Felt hot most of day. Low back throbbing.

March 2

500a woke to arms & hands stinging. Whole body stiff and achy. Headache moderate.

Rt arm fell asleep for 10 minutes.

High pitch ringing in st ear lasting about a minute or so.

645 Sinuses congested. Legs & feet freezing. Headache getting intense. Arms & hands stinging more intense. Lights bothersome. Exhausted. Need a nap. Taking Excedrine migraine to ease headache.

700 family meeting to discuss graduation plans for Jordon.

830 feet and legs are freezing ice cold to knees. Under the covers in bed trying to warm up. Waist up is burning up. Face feels flushed. Upper back burning stinging. Wish I could get handle on this.

930 rt hip throbbing. Sinuses severely congested. Tired but awake. Whole body throbbing. Stinging pain in body from waist down to toes. Hands throbbing. Back burning pain.

March 3

500 woke with moderate headache and severe congestion. Whole body stiff and achy. Slow moving to start. Congestion making me gaggy.

700 headache worsening. Taking otc rx to ease headache and laying down for an hour.

Once moving around fair day. Able to do few chores, but wore out easily and out of breath.

Looked at calendar for something and remembered work day on Saturday. Oh no I forgot about planning lunch. After while, Decide on egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches, chips, and apples. Confirmed with Joe.

130 face and ears flushed and feeling hot

300 headache coming back strong. Lights bothersome. Exhausted. Took 2 Tylenol and laid down for 30 minutes.

1030 headache feels like migraine starting. Took Excedrin migraine plus night meds. Sinuses congested again. Sinus cavities hurting in face. Think sinus infection trying to settle. Go away.

Whole body aches. Head itches. Back burning. Hands swollen and throbbing. Legs and feet burning stinging. Skin itchy. Freezing cold.

 

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 27-28 February 2021

Feb 27

700 woke burning up feeling like I’m on fire. Entire body stinging!!! Not today.

900 on way to church. Car behind us decides to pass us on right almost hitting us!!! Scared me so bad I screamed!!! It was so close I could have reached out window and touch it from inside car. Nerves are tensed up. Ugh! Thank Lord for safety.

I am so stressed and feel cranky. Joe kind enough to say we’ll just go home tonight for me to not he more stressed thsn I am. Too many things for me to focus on right now.

1200p I’m exhausted and need a nap. Nerves stinging in upper back. Headache. Feel like I’m going to crash.

500 birthday party went well though I forgot how to do a snowball fight. Made rules up as I went. Kids had fun.

900 bulletin done but I don’t have energy to print them tonight. Feel like in gonna crash again. Need rest.

Whole body hurts. Eyes watery. Headache slight. Hands ache. Fingers sting. Lower let leg tourniquet tightening feeling. Feet nunb & tingly. Brain feels like mush. Vision tunneling and blurred. How is it that my vocabulary is superior but my comprehension is below normal? That’s mind baffling.

Feb 28

600 woke to severe pain in upper body. Entire back throbbing. Both arms and hands numb and tingling. Lights bothersome. Neck throbbing. Feet nunb and tingly. Stinging pain in back and arms. Muscles in legs , ankles, and feet feel like they’re wound tight as a rubber band. Headache mild.

Joe decided to rub my back which feels relaxing.

100 found my clipboard. Left it in mission house. Had my Scripture journaling notes on it too.

600 brain hurts. Eyes blurry. Headache moderate. Hands swollen and throbbing.

Ring finger on rt hand feels like ants are crawling all over it. Keep trying to wipe them off but there’s nothing there. Ugh.

Center of chest hurting. Can tell I quite taking the naproxen.

1000p learned for definite sure that I’m allergic or sensitive to whole milk. Been drinking 1% milk and seem to do okay with it. Decided to drink glass of whole milk tonight. After drinking about half the glass I began choking like my throat was swelling. Sinuses instantly severely congested and sinus cavities hurt. Belly feels swollen and bloated as well. Headache intensified. Drinking water to flush it out.

Took night meds plus 1/2 Benadryl and naproxen rx. Bummer but good to know.

Toes and feet tingly. Eyes watery. Rt ear hurts. Exhausted. Lower let leg tourniquet tightening feeling from mid chin down to ankle. Legs ache. Severely congested. Center of chest throbbing.

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 25-26 February 2021

Feb 25

Woke with both arms & hands severely numb and tingly.

Very exhausted. I need a day to rest. Taking the guys back and forth to work is wearing me out. Having trouble waking up. Whole body aches. Center of chest burning. Back of head tingling burning. Neck hurts. Legs and feet throbbing.

♫It’s a good thing to give thanks to the Lord and sing praises to His name♫

900 this morning’s juice is Strawberry Juice. Ingredients: 1/2 cup strawberries & 2 apples. No sweetener needed. Tasted sweet. Think I’d rather just eat the strawberries whole. Looked like a lot of pulp wasted in canister.

Strawberries are high in potassium? Who knew?

1000 attempted to start exercising via a Pilates for beginners via YouTube. Couldn’t even complete the first exercise. Did what I could and will try again tomorrow.

200 decided to go to thrift store before picking up Jordon. Walking towards back rows lft eye suddenly became very blurry – like a film was covering eye and I couldn’t see out of it. Scary. Rubbed eye little bit and after a moment it cleared and I could see again. Then got dizzy amd had to stand still for minute or two.

Not able to look through bins like I usually do bc my arms gave out quickly and started burning.

545 can’t push any more need to take a nap to report.

Feb 26

500a woke in extreme pain. Burning pins and needles pain all over with deep bone throbbing as well. Low back throbbing. Skin hypersensitive. Tinny taste in mouth. Bad headache.

700 turned to adjust body rt side went into severe spasm stopping me instantly. Had to readjust to get it to start easing. Extreme sharp stabbing burning pain through body. Taking pain rx and laying down for bit.

Played wholetones music on phone while taking morning nap. It seems to calm my nerves and helps me sleep peacefully. I wonder if there’s a way to play music on phone on a timer?

Starting day off late. Positive note…stepped on scale. I’ve lost 2lbs this week. Yay!

This morning’s juice is Carrot Juice. Ingredients: 3 carrots, 1 apple, 1/2 lemon, & 1/4 tsp ground ginger. Tastes good.

Son called into work. Whole day thrown off now. Have to leave in 30 minutes.

No time for exercise this morning. Don’t like being in a rush. Puts my nerves on edge.

Received blessing of unexpected money given to me today. Thank you, Lord.

1041 Drinking Extra Sleepytime Tea before bed. Whole body stinging.

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Lightning Strikes Memoirs 23-24 February 2021

Feb 23

525 I’m so tired. Woke feeling very hot. Whole body hurts. Low back throbbing. Headache.

700 used the juicer Joe bought us. Made The Energized Juice – 3 carrots, 1/2 lemon, 1 pear, 1 green apple. I forgot about the ginger. Made 2 cups of juice. It tasted pretty good.

827 I’m flat exhausted already and need a nap. Laying down for half hour feel like I’m going to pass out.

936 hearing popping noises in my head

1200 been slowly working on gathering tax info. Finally finishe up mileage info but can’t remember how to enlarge font in excel so it’s legible when printing.

300 went to store to order Dezirae’s cake. Brought knee up to rest leg but hit the basket on the back. Ouch!!! Instant bruise just above knee. That hurts!!!

1035 just dawned on me that I misplaced the meal planner for the week and I cannot remember what was planned for tommorow. Might just do leftovers. Frustrating.

1030 whole body aches. Headache. Low back hurts. Upper back stings. Forearms sting & burn. Hands swollen & throbbing. Legs tingling burning. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with some numbness. Feet tingling and burning – lft more than rt. Tired but awake.

Feb 24

500a woke with beginnings of a migraine. Whole body aches. Arms hurt.

Took one Excedrine migraine and laid back down for hour

900a this morning’s juice is Carrot Juice

Ingredients: 2 Carrots, 1 apple, 1/2 lemon, 1/8 tsp ground ginger.

1030 finally finished gathering info for taxes to give CPA. Glad that’s done. Now to make apt.

1130 headache

1030p sore all over. Exhausted. Legs ache. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with numbness & tingling. Feet freezing.