Category: My Healing Journey

5:30am – Woke up with rt hip throbbing and pain shooting down right leg. Calves throbbing.  Eyes watering.  Stuffy nose.  Headache gone, but head hurts.  Belly itches.  Thirsty.

8:18a- Feeling nauceous.  Slight trouble swallowing.  Stuffy, runny nose.  ELft elbow hurts (feels bruised).

9:13a- Muscles in upper back are burning and aches.  Rt hip throbbing.

10:36a- Feel hot, but feet are freezing.  Burning, aching muscles in upper back starting to feel icy.

3:30p – God answered our prayers!!!  Just got of Dr office.  God is good!  He’s treated lightning strike survivors before!  He allowed me to record visit for Pastor Joe, my husband, to hear & know what’s going on.

He says i’m doing better than most survivors at this stage.  Gonna order MRI.  Says I’m smart!

He was very surprised that I had a list of symptoms, supplements, & rx medications.  He want to eventually get me off all medicines.  I go back again in a month.

What’s even more amazing!  Dr knows a program that will allow me to get MRI done for free!  How good is good!! He’s more than amazing!!!

Only negative is that I have to get off all caffeine.  I’m gonna work on it, but that’s gonna be a chore because I love sweet tea.

Neurologist said I have a long recovery ahead, but is hopeful that I could possibly make a full recovery. All the glory belongs to the Lord!

7:48p – Went to store.  Got shocked throughout store.  Wheelchair even shocked me!  Ugh!  It doesn’t feel good. How do you demagnetize an electric wheelchair so I don’t keep getting shocked!!! Normally, it’d be funny, but it makes me jump and makes my muscles spaz. Ugh!

SYesterday’s episode did me in.  My whole body aches.  I have a migraine and I don’t feel like doing anything.  I got up and cleaned my room a little and I was done.  Laid in bed for most of day.  Need to be rested up for church tonight.

7:02am – Took a long time to fall asleep last night.  I think it was after midnight.  Lower back hurts, calves on both legs hurt, headache, eyes hurt, stuffy nose, sharp throbbing pain in left arm. I’m exhausted.  Bp 154/88 77

9:23a –  Sharp pain in left arm gone.  Left elbow feels like I bruised it bad, but I don’t remember hitting on anything.  Still have headache.  Eyes still hurt.  Rt hip Hurting.

11:05 a – Just noticed red looking welts on neck area.  Eyes hurt.  I’m exhausted.  I’m cold (its 86 outside).  Putting socks on.  Whole body aches.  Rt hip hurts.  Headache.

2:20a – Headache has gotten worse.  Sharp, burning pain in between shoulders. Forearms ache.  Been in bed half the day…when head hurts this bad I can’t do much. 

Lost my vitamin container.  Struggling to remember to take them now.  Rt hip hurts.

3:32p – Memory of our fieldtrip to the USS Alabama popped up in my news feed on Facebook. I had scored free tickets through some program (can’t remember name right now).
One day I will have enough energy to go exploring the USS Alabama again

7:41p – HeadHeadache easing.  Took migraine medicine about 4:40pm.  Shoulders and upper back muscles ache.  Neck hurts.  Tinny taste in mouth.  Very thirsty.

11;39p – Muscles in middle upper back burning.  Rt hi throbbing – almost feels like it’s out of place.  Used pain balm about 20 minutes ago.  Nauseous.  Tired, but can’t fall asleep.  

*intergrated energy therapy?

7

7:50am – Rt hip throbbing with pain down leg to foot.  Sudden sharp pain in left toe.  Back aches & itches.  Rash on stomach is same.

1:18pm – Went to Co-op today to teach my Sign Language Classes.  First two hours are free for me, but kids have classes first hour.  One of the other mother’s was speaking unkindly about a local Christian school…that alone was angering me enough, but she had no idea that the other mother she was talking to actually went the church associated with that school!  I wanted to say something to politely shut her up, but I could feel my muscles all tensing and starting to spasm.  I chose to keep quiet, because I needed my strength to teach.  I let the person in charge of co-op know of situation.  By the time I got home, I was mentally, physically, and emotionally spent.  I was down for rest of day.

3:32pm – Friend, Kim, told me about Bentonite Clay treatment that might help.  https://draxe.com/10-bentonite-clay-benefits-uses/

3:55pm  – I’m utterly exhausted.  Muscles hurt all over.  Chest hurting in middle. I take a nap.  Heart beating hard.  Muscles starting to spaz.

5:58p – In much pain!!  Crying.  Need Epsom Salt Bath.

8:31a- Woke up with my calves cramping.  Discovered a small rash on my belly.  I hope it’s not chickenpox again.  Ugh! Right hip hurts.

10:24a- heart beating hard.  Body aches.  Hand cramping.  I’m exhausted.  Must rest a while.

3:19p- I’m very hot and mildly perspiring.

11:03p- back muscles throbbing, and lightly spazzing.  Sudden sharp pain in bottom right foot causing me to jerk.  I hate when jerking unexpectedly because it causes my muscles to start spazzing.  Slight headache.  Slight bloody nose most of week.  Rt hip hurts.  Having  aweful time with remembering things – couldn’t find my ASL 2 binder, reminder notebook, etc.

Read devotional today about “Why God Allows Trial and Temptation” by Lance Hahn. 

God allows temptation and trial because they can be good for us.  Yes, seriously.

Temptation is a lure to sin.  God doesn’t do that, but He does test.  Read  James 1:12-17. 

Jesus came out of the desert trial more powerful than He was before. He underwent temptations at the beginning of His public ministry so that His power would be present for His work. Obedience results in power. When we emerge from a trial successfully, not only is God glorified, but also we are strengthened in confidence and in the certainty of God’s will for our lives. The Holy Spirit comes in and fills that empty spot (where we empty ourselves of our pride, our needs, our cravings, or our agendas) with Himself, and we are empowered even more. God brings trials to our lives for this outcome. – Lance Hahn

Additional Reading: Luke 22:31-32, John 13:2, Acts 5:3, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 4:15,

1 John 4:9-10, Ephesians 2:4, John 15:13, Romans 5:8.

I pray that this trial will become a blessing.

September 25, 2017

Today is my birthday.

6:12a- Feels like all my nerve endings are twitching.  Heart beating hard.  Rt hip hurts.  Stuffy nose.  Trouble holding things without dropping.

9:00 researching how to improve brain functions.  Found the following:

9 ways to improve brain function:

1. Exercise, 2. Omega-3, 3. Sleep, 4. Coconut oil, 5. Vitamin D. 6. Probiotics, 7. Vitamin B-12, 8. Listen to music, 9. Challenge your mind

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/05/17/good-brain-health-tips.aspx

10:08a- Listening to Classical Music while practicing writing Scripture for improving neurological function after nerve injury.  Scripture writing for today:  Lamentations 3:22-23 & Matthew 7:4-6

1:33p- Involuntarily jerking  throughout body. Only able to get 2 loads of laundry done before hurting bad.  Had to have help making my bed. 

Hard to talk on phone.  It’s a chore to try to focus on what the person is saying. It’s worse when other people talking around me.  Cramping in rt leg.  Rt calf is throbbing. Rt hip stabbing & throbbing pain down leg – can’t get comfortable no matter what position.

*Received several Happy Birthday notifications on Facebook today.  Made me smile.  Today was a blessed day.

Admin of my support group (LS&ESSI) posted this on our page. Thought it might be helpful in explaining what lightning strike survivors deal with after being struck by lightning.

Article is on Medical Aspects of Lightning

https://lightninginjury.lab.uic.edu/overview.htm

September 24, 2017

8:16a- Woke up with tailbone throbbing.  I’m exhausted already.  No energy today.

10:10a- Icy sensation in middle of chest.  Feel scatterbrained.  Trouble focusing.

2:09p- Tailbone hurts!!! Pain Rx not touching it.  Muscles in upper back are burning, twitching, and hurts.  Butt muscles hurt.  Tired, but can’t sleep.  Heart beating hard.  Middle of chest hurts.

2:47 – posted on Facebook –

Everyone has a “giant” in their life or a storm they face. Sadly, many allow that giant to defeat them on a daily basis. 
I have a GOD who is BIGGER than any giant in my life or your life for that matter. He can perform miracles if we only allow Him.

I may be struggling with difficulties because of recent events. There are many days that it is a chore to push forward to even get out of bed.
Yes, I am willing to admit that I have had several days that I feel defeated because there are many things that I just cannot do right now. I even have my moments that all I can do is cry.

What does one do when their trials seem to be more than enough? You lean on the Everlasting Arms of the Heavenly Father. He will carry you through. 
Deuteronomy 33:27
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:”

I believe without a shadow of a doubt that GOD WILL perform the miracle that only He can do. God will make this trial a blessing.

Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

6:10p- Shortly after chest started hurting it turned to icy sensation from inside out.  Loud noises hurt my ears.  Hard to concentrated.  Slide presentation was way too loud for me causing an extremely sharp pain in brain that hurt so bad it brought automatic tears to eyes.  Instant headache!!!  I had to leave the room!  Random hiccups.

10:49p- Extreme pain in tailbone area.  used heating pad for 30 min.  Sensitive to sounds I didn’t notice before – have to investigate to figure out what it is.  Very tired, but can’t sleep.  Don’t think I drank enough today.  I’m thirsty now

September 23, 2017

8:00a – burnt my left foot trying to cook breakfast.  Making grits – tried stirring and hand slipped causing hot water to spill out onto floor and hit my foot.  Lavender oil to the rescue & Joe too.

10:19a- Face and entire inside of rt arm itches.  Horrible headache.  Rt hip throbbing.

12:53p- can feel my heart beating hard. Headache has eased slightly.

1:27p- hung shower curtain liner now I’m exhausted and muscles in back are spazzing

2:30p- Mom took me to get rx and some groceries.  Took me forever to make decisions on what to buy even though I had a list.  Wore out from trip.  Muscles spams in back most of day until I soaked in Epsom Salt Bath.  Muscles twitching inside of lft hand.  Headache finally gone.

*In case you’re wondering… Yes, I know there are a lot of grammatical errors. I wanted you to know how my brain was processing things. It will take quite a while before I actually begin thinking in correct grammar. Not only am I dealing with what happened and the lasting effects, but also my brain is quite mixed up at present and it’s difficult to actually speak what I’m thinking. Most of the time it comes out jumbled, backwards, or not even what I was thinking. It is very frustrating at times.

September 19, 2017

2:20am – Jerked awake, muscles ache and hurt.  Muscles twitching.  Right hip hurts.

4:00am – Jerked awake from bad dream.  Extremely hot.  Feel like I’m burning up.  Whole body aches, extremely thirsty.

7:00am – Headaches, legs, and feet throbbing. rest of body aches, stuffy nose.

10:00am – Lost control of my left hand and dropped my cell phone.

2:39 – Upper back muscles are burning, right hip throbbing, headache gone, got confused preparing lesson for tomorrow, exhausted, need to rest, trouble reading today.

September 20, 2017

7:00a- woke up with horrible headache

11:05a- ringing in right ear – last for a moment then gone.  Got confused on signs I should know.  Stuttering.  Exhausted and need to rest.

3:45p – Can’t figure out how to open rice bag.  Had to get help.

4:50p- headache worse. Sounds & lights are bothering me.  Neck hurts. Fiber endings ache.

8:00p- sharp, tingling sensation in middle of shoulder blades, headache has eased slightly

8:45p – icy sensation from inside center of chest.

September 21, 2017

2:20a- woke to use restroom. Still have slight headache. Lower back hurts. Extremely thirsty.

6:30a- both calf muscles cramping. Lower back throbbing. Very tired. Slight headache. Stuffy nose and trouble breathing. Very thirsty.  Rt hip hurts. Eyes watering.

8:30a- cried today because I don’t want to be a burden to my husband and family.  Need to meditate on Scripture more. Lights bright bother my eyes. Have to make lists to get things done.

12:43p- muscles in back feel like they’re on fire and cramping. Butt muscles throbbing.  Feel scatterbrained today.

3:30p – left knee popped twice, whole body aches awful, feel like I’m burning up, but have no fever.

6:14p- Sharp pain in left forearm!!!  Tailbone throbbing like I fell and bruised it, but I haven’t fallen.

11:45p- muscles spazzing, rt leg cramping…gonna be a long night!

Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

September 22, 2017

6:50a- woke with headache.  Cramp in right calf.  Rt hip hurts.  General aching all over.

7:00a- talked with friend about helping a young boy who got struck by lightning recently.

7:15a- In my research of trying to heal, I came across a website to help with brain injury recover.

5 Games to Help with Brain Injury Recovery

Games for Brain Injury Recovery

1. Sudoku

2. Card Games

3. Lumosity (memory, attention, speed of processing, problem solving, and flexibility)

4. Therapy (reading, writing, comprehension, and naming)

5. Tetris

For more apps, tools, and aids for TBI, check out Brain Injury Peer Visitor info on this website.

12:30p- put hamburger on stove to cook for lunch.  Got asked a question.  Went to the room to get something to answer it…got side tracked and forgot meat was on stove.  Smoked the kitchen up!!! 

1:00p- got stressed out trying to cook lunch and get ready for ladies conference and started falling apart…bout to have a meltdown.  Joe came to my rescue!!!

2:49p- I have a bad headache.  Rt hip and leg hurts.  Fleeting sharp pain down rt arm.  I yelled ouch!  Dezirae was a doll trying to help me get ready.

4:11p- I am extra jumpy in car.  Ugh!  It’s making my body tense up.

6:24p- Met another pastor’s wife that has been struck by lightning – Robin Ogle!  She was special speaker for DSLC2017.  Theme this year is “Keep Calm. He’s the Master of the Sea.”

She was telling me some of my symptoms.  (I was surprised that someone else knew exactly how I was feeling physically and emotionally – it was refreshing though I don’t wish on my worst enemy). She told me that I’m in the middle of a miracle.  I told her we were “One in a million”.  She said it took her about a year to recover.

10:12p – head throbbing – if I could just open it up and let the pressure out it might feel better.  Rt hip screaming hurt.  Sharp pain down right leg to ankle.  Overly exhausted.  Lower back screaming throbbing pain.