Category: My Healing Journey

Join me as I try to learn how to heal from being struck by lightning

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Journals from My Healing Season-July 15-16, 2022

July 15

6:00 woke early not wanting to get up yet.

Isaiah 13-17; James 1:21;

I go for my 2nd round of chemotherapy treatment today. I’m a little apprehensive due to my getting so sick after the last round. I’m praying that it won’t be so bad this time. This week has been an emotional one for me as I’ve started losing my hair. Dr said it would probably fall out in clumps but everyone is different. Once again I’m a unique individual . My hair is coming out in layers. It’s thinning out. If you didn’t know me you wouldn’t know, but I feel like it’s thinned a lot. Thankfully I have thick hair. I suspect it’ll fall out rest of way after this round of treatment. I have several scarves, beanies, and turbans. I’ve even gotten my hair cut shorter in preparation. I think no matter how much you prepare yourself, you are never ready emotionally.

I’ve also been trying to finish up with the planning of Vacation Bible School for our church next week. Thankfully, we have missionaries coming in to help us. Fiery darts sure have been thrown a lot at our church family this week. So, I know that this VBS is very much needed. I’m praying for good attendance, things to go well, and most importantly that souls will be saved and impacted for Christ. A friend shared this verse with me this morning.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

8:20 Bp 11/71 pulse 81 temp 98.1 weight 184 – I forgot to take my shoes off again.

8:30 Praise: We asked nurse if the Dr adjusted the dosage. She checked and he cut it in half. I have my own room today and session will last 3.5 hours today.

9:30 chilling tingling sensation in upper torso on both sides. Stomach starting to hurt. Nurse brought me ice chips and sour cream and chives crackers.

11:53 feeling a little weird. Tummy hurts and I’m tired. Is it sad that I’m craving sprite to settle my stomach? I’m on my last medicine. It should take about an hour. I’m tired. Been working on my blog, scripture journaling, and listening to music on Spotify. I’m trying to find my phone to turn music back on. About to panic because I can’t find it then realize, I’m typing in my journal on it. Dugh! Boy, do I feel sheepish.

12:06 I’m just about done. Waiting on Neulasta to beep and blink green. Asked nurse what I could do instead of Claritin because it gave me bloody noses horrible last time. Told her what I had used to help ease them. She would have to ask Dr. Forgot that it would inject a tube into my arm for when it keeps kicks on. It made a pop and stuck me at same time which scared me so bad that I hollered. Lol. I immediately apologized out loud. When nurse came back to my room. She asked if that was me that hollered. I admitted and explained what happened. Lol. We chuckled. I suggested that they remind me next time so I won’t get so scared. Informed me that I could take Zyrtec I stead, use Vaseline in end of nose and a humidifier to help keep my nose moist.

Holly came over to visit. She let me know that I look very pale – definitely not my normal color. I explained that I’m given 6 meds through IV each session so it’s probably from that.

Neulasta injection: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

 

1:00 tried to watch a movie with Dezirae but feel asleep trying to type in journal. Went to bed.

3:10 woke. Wanted to stay in bed but knew I need to get some nourishment as I’ve only eaten crackers at hospital all day. Drank fresh carrot juice and ate 2 pieces of peanut butter toast.

5:00 laying back down. I’m exhausted and feel wiped out almost as if I’ve been beaten up. Center of chest hurts and I have widespread moderate pain throughout my body. Have the Clark Family music playing thru Spotify on my phone.

7:00 Joe cooked dinner. Let him know that an oncology nurse said it was important to eat protein during chemotherapy treatments to help with energy. Joe decided to make me a protein shake. It’s cookies and cream flavored. Not fond of the flavor.

7:45 Guess what!!!! God just answered a prayer request. A lady from Cowboy Baptist Church just called Joe to inquire about our VBS. She said tonight is their last night and they wanted to give us they’re decorations. That’s monumental! It will be such a help and a huge answer to prayer! Joe and kids are going to go meet the Pastor tonight. I promised to not do anything while they’re gone. Family gone for about 2 hours. Able to watch a Hallmark movie  via Xumo. Forced myself to drink water even though I feel full and maybe a little bloated in my tummy. Eve’s curse is supposed to appear tomorrow, but we’ll see. On a positive note, the chemo & immunotherapy treatment have helped ease some of my overall lightning strike injuries. My tongue issues have just about cleared. The lesions and white patches have cleared. I haven’t seen a completely pink tongue in years. Bedtime vitamins taken. Immune blend applied to bottoms of feet. Lip balm applied. Vasoline applied to inside edges of nostrils. Diffuser turned on with lavender oil.

Thankful for… 1. My friend at the food pantry sent me a get-well card in mail. It came today. 2. A church close to us called asking about our VBS. They are donating some of their decorations. Answer to prayer. thank You, Lord. 3. Able to talk with a friend tonight. 4. Chemo treatment was a little shorter today – 3 1/2 hours. 5. God gives songs when you need them. Great and mighty is the Lord our God.

https://youtu.be/hINvwFKjeaY?si=8HYqzGuPyNovp8qF

https://youtu.be/_euz3HPVVKk?si=1BhK-EdQRD7vmUzt

 

July 16

12:08 rt ear ringing for a minute or so. Thirsty.

6:30 rough night. Trouble sleeping due to overall widespread pain in body. Temporarily forgot the neulasta device was in my arm and pushed on arm wrong causing pain in arm for few minutes a couple times. Used restroom a few times. I’m exhausted. Slight headache. Woke few times I’m a sweat as if I broke a fever.

Song: Great And Mighty Is the Lord Our God still playing in my mind. Thank you, Lord.

https://youtu.be/hINvwFKjeaY?si=8HYqzGuPyNovp8qF

 

Prayers for my DIL as she got hit in the head at work y’day with a metal shelf. Drs ruled it as a mild concussion. I purposely stayed awake till I heard from them to see how she was. Prayed through the night for her.

10:00 need to get up and eat something plus drink some fluids. Everything I eat or drink right now seems to be giving me indigestion. Tummy hurts. Took 2 ginger capsules, sucked on ginger chew, took Tums to no avail. Wondering if some low-fat chocolate milk with chia seeds will help.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-chia-seeds-ease-constipation-1944829

3:00 Beva called me to check in and see how I was doing. She’s trying to recover from having her leg amputated recently. Jerry is on hospice. Not sure how much longer. Dr currently giving him six months.

3:09 thing on arm is making noise. Had to ask Joe what it’s supposed to do next. I can’t remember.

https://www.drugs.com/tips/neulasta-patient-tips

5:00 working on VBS things and bulletin for tomorrow. Frustrated because couldn’t open a file bcuz the laptop doesn’t have the program. Had to open it on another computer. Also, had to redo a word doc bcuz the one previously created wouldn’t open.

7:00 able to eat some dinner. Tried the ribs and couldn’t. Mashed potatoes and carrots were good. I’m wore out and need to rest a while. Looked up blood test results

https://fitteam.com/how-to-replenish-electrolytes/

11:05 pushed myself to get bulletin done and printed. I’m beyond exhausted and have widespread pain. Headache. Bedtime vitamins taken as well as pain rx.

Thankful for… 1. Jakob and Bri safe travels 2. Have couple more items to do and will be ready for VBS. 3. I haven’t vomited today. Got a little nauceous, but not too bad. I think mostly from indigestion. 4. Jehovah provides

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Journals from My Healing Season-July 9-10, 2022

July 9

7:00 slept pretty good today night. Throat not hurting as bad. Very thirsty. Lips chapped. Slight headache. All my muscles ache and burn as if I worked out.

Song on mind: ♫Thank you, Jesus, for your blessings on me♫

7:53 Joe gave me a pain relief eo body massage. It helps ease the pain. I wonder if Zyrtec would work instead of the Claritin. Internet is saying only Claritin will work. Ugh.

8:30 made juice for today and tomorrow. Unloaded dishwasher. Dishwasher has been a huge blessing. Family fusses at me for doing so from time to time, but it helps me feel like I can help with kitchen duty. Working more on VBS things. Finished typing up Aus-some games. Working on the songs now.

12:00 need a break. Brain blurring.

2:00 Holly came to visit a moment and ask for some potatoes. They need used up anyway.

2:30 out back moving plants to table. Mom came around back of house calling my name. It scared me so bad I screamed! Lol. She said, “Boy, for someone who has good hearing you didn’t hear me.” I chuckled and replied, “I was trying to beat the thunder moving the plants to the table.” She asked if I needed help. Told her I was finished. Mom needed some carrots. Lol. I gave her rest of individual bags I had. Glad to share what we have as we are able. I love having family near.

7:00 working on bulletin for little bit, cut Joe’s hair. Brain blurring and cutting Joe’s hair tired me out. Time for another break. Will eat dinner.

1100 finally finished printing the bulletins for tomorrow. Tired. Water tastes funny to me. Tired of drinking water. Processed sugar tastes like chemicals. Switched to honey or truvia for sweetener. Slight headache. Post nasal drip. Cough only productive in morning. Neck hurts. Whole body aches. Low back and rt hip throbbing. Nerves stinging mildly. Muscles burn as if I worked out. They burn more upon exertion. Lower lft leg tourniquet a foot above ankle bone tightening feeling with some tingling. Feet ache and tingling. Took night vitamins. Also took 1/2 benadryl to help with nasal drip.

Thankful for…

  1. God’s grace
  2. Able to hold hands with Joe for little bit this evening.
  3. Family jumping in to help with things at church – getting mission house ready for VBS, and beginning decorating for VBS.

 

July 10

6:45 woken by alarm to being really hot. Thirsty. Tired. Up to use restroom and got chilled quickly. Back under covers to warm up. Lights bothersome. Slight headache.

Song: ♫My Saviour First of All♫

Amos 1-5; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 6:15

Prepared au gratin sauce for the beef and potatoes dish today for lunch. I’m wore out already. Keep pushing forward.

Lost another layer of hair getting ready for church. I just want to cry, but if I do it’ll mess up my makeup – what little I have on.  It’s amazing how attached you are to something

9:20 I need to lay down a bit to have enough energy to get through services.

11:29 did fairly well playing piano when I haven’t played in two weeks. Before morning worship Joe came to me to give me a compliment but kind of flubbed on it. He told me I belonged at the piano. When he looks at the piano and I’m not there his heart melts. I told him if he was trying to be romantical it isn’t working. (I do not like being crowded while I’m playing the piano). He put his arm around me and clarified that he missed me at church. I told him thank you.

I’m wore out.

12:20 had to look up how to cook lunch because I forgot. It’s beef and potatoes au gratin. Hopefully, it’ll taste good.

Lunch tasted okay to me. The family said they liked it. I know my taste buds have changed since my first chemo treatment. Broccoli tasted the best.

Exhausted and need a nap. Put wholetones playlist on while laying down. Crashed fast. Woke while last 15 minutes was still playing of playlist.

During nap, I dreamed when I woke up I sat up and all my hair was laying on my pillow. I guess it’s bothering me more than I thought. Is that crazy?

3:00 decided to get up and start working on VBS stuff. Used restroom and grabbed a green apple for a snack. Cut it up in pieces and took a bite. Yuck! I slit the first piece out. These are more sour than I expected. Green apples used to be my favorite…not no more. I eat it anyways.

5:50 Miss Reni went around greeting everyone and giving hugs tonight before church. Made my day.

10:50 getting ready for bed. Feeling pretty good about today. Nose starts running. Think it’s running and just need to blow. Wrong. It’s a bloody nose.

Very tired. Numbness and tingling in arms and hands. Thirsty. Skin itchy. Low back throbbing. Legs ache. Muscles burn upon exertion. Feet chilly even with socks on. Nerves sting mildly.

Thankful for

  1. Being able to go to church today.
  2. Being able to be an encouragement to couple people
  3. Family helping me
  4. Reni’s welcome and hugs
  5. Going to see my son and dil at end of week
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Two Journeys – One Heart – Memoirs from June 30, 2022

June 30

5:01 Joe leaving for work. Insisting I make sure I keep hydrated. If I need anything, to call him. Also, he will have my family come check in on me periodically throughout the day. Got up to take more throat medicine. I can’t believe how much pain my throat was in until the sun had eased. Whew!

6:00 while laying here listening to wholetones music, I thought it’d be nice to have frozen yogurt pops to eat – one to freeze my mouth and two for healthy gut benefits. Turns out there’s a lot to consider if you truly want to stay healthy in yogurt choices.

https://feedthemwisely.com/choosing-healthy-flavored-yogurt

7:5O Joe asked me to check my BP. Took it after straightening up a little on my dresser. I’m decluttering and simplifying. Bp 126/83 pulse 110

Zechariah 14:9;

9:00 having trouble with diarrhea (4), vomiting (2) and near vomiting, and nosebleeds. May have sold an item on eBay. Recvd offer. Need to check disks. They do. Let buyer know and accepted offer. Waiting for payment.

10:13 Joe asked me to check BP again. BP 115/79 pulse 112 Everything has a metallic taste now.  God, I need to overcome this nausea and diarrhea soon or I don’t think I can handle more treatments.

4:30 I’ve been freezing for several hours now and can’t seem to warm up no matter how many covers I pile on. Temp 98.3, pulse 100, bp 122/79 5:00 my friend Milena brought by popsicles and dinner. She stayed for a little bit to cancer talk and just chat. At end of visit, she prayed with me. I appreciate her thoughtfulness. Mom brought over cup of ice chips. Mom went to give me hug and got worried because my skin (arms) is bright red and hot to touch. Forehead is room temp.

6:39 I’m exhausted now. Able to eat a little dinner without taking throat meds. Almost lost it because my nose started bleeding again and gaged on the blood. Used colloidal silver to moisten inside nose. It feels dried out. Applied little vasoline.

8:27 look down at skin and it looks like I’m breaking out in a rash. Nice because I have no clue which medicine it’d be.

9:30 since I had been doing pretty good today not vomiting, I asked for glass of Ovaltine. Big mistake. Ended up vomiting it back up about 10 minutes later. Bloody nose ensues. Ugh. Now I have to take phenegran. Yuck. Night vitamins taken minus the Vitamin C. Need to make sure the diarrhea is gone first. Lord, I need wisdom and help to figure this out for my best benefit.

Nose bleeds make breathing without coughing difficult. At least, I can breathe. Arms burning hot periodically throughout day while feet stayed icy cold. At least I have feeling. Vomiting and diarrhea are slowly diminishing. I’m exhausted and want to do more but know I have to limit myself. At least I can do few things. Able to fold and put away load of clothes today. House will no where be how clean I prefer, but it hasn’t been that way in years. Something I can look forward to . Arms and hands tingling periodically throughout day. Ears burning periodically. Tried working on VBS a little bit kept hitting snags not being able to find things I was looking for. I’m so tired. Praying I’ll fall asleep soon.

Thankful for

1. Milena bringing dinner, and popsicles. Had good visit as well.

2. Mom bringing ice chips.

3. Joe coming home early to make sure I’m okay.

4. Able to get patient portal access fixed

5. Sold a set of school books. Need to ship out tomorrow.

6. Tomorrow is Jordon’s birthday

7. Dezirae comes home from camp tomorrow. Yay

 

10:25 legs are prickly burning feeling.