This personal recovery journal shares the challenges of two ongoing recovery journeys—my cancer recovery and the lasting effects of a lightning strike. Through pain, exhaustion, and the challenges of healing, I continue to turn to Scripture, prayer, journaling, and gratitude, learning to be patient and trust God one day at a time.
January 3
6:00 rough night. Woke several times. Once because I felt like I was burning up and trying to break a fever. Once because my throat was hurting and causing me to cough. Once to use restroom. Once because arms were itching like fire. Once because I was hot and needed to cool off.
I’m hurting all over, itchy, and exhausted. Periodic muscle spasms randomly in back and legs. Arms ache from exercises.
Scripture: Genesis 12-25; Titus 2:11
Up to share scripture and pray with Dezirae before school. It’s a severe weather day.
Not feeling too good. Headache. Whole body aches. Hot and cold flashes. Body feels as if fighting something but thermometer not registering a fever. Load of clothes in washer and dryer. Laying back down for a bit. Alarm set.
Playing wholetones music
Rotate laundry. Fold load and put away. Prepared veggies for fresh juice. Starting to feel nauseous. Clean up and drink juice. Feeling lousy. Go lay back down a bit. I hope I’m up to attending the funeral.
Getting ready. Decided to wash up. Noticed that the suture on my breast is slightly bleeding and the wound drain section is sleeping yellow stuff. Called Dr. Gave me couple options and symptoms to watch out for. If I get anyone of them, I’m to call immediately during business hours or go to ER.
Able to attend the funeral. Mrs. Colson glad we came. Glad I had Joe’s hand lost my balance several times and if I didn’t have his hand I probably would’ve ended up on the floor.
Need to eat something. Need to make a grocery list. Healthy snacks have been difficult with my taste buds being off. Peanut butter tastes awful still to me. Trying apple butter sandwich. Ooh! It tastes good. Yum!
Left upper arm under side is throbbing immensely. Went to check in mirror. I’m starting to get feeling back in that part of my arm. Good thing, but it hurts so much.
Had Joe check the underside of my arm to show where it’s throbbing. He said it’s pretty bruised. No wonder I’m hurting.
Took Arnica tablets for first time. It’s actually easing some of the pain. Finally rid of the codone headache.
Changed journaling scripture to right before bed to see if it’ll help me sleep better.
The hot/cold flashes are almost unbearable at times. Feet cold and tingling. Legs ache and have random muscle spasms. Arm exercises are making my arms ache immensely. Hands throbbing.
Able to get 5 loads of laundry done today. Have one load to still fold and last load in dryer. Had to ask for help with last transfer. I’ve pushed myself a lot today in spite of feeling under the weather. Able to eat dinner without trouble (Conecha sausage and veggies). It tastes delicious too.
Thankful for
- Godly music that can help encourage you and give comfort when needed
- The Promises of God – He will be faithful to complete the good work He has begun in me (Philippians 1 6)
- Joe helped me out a little more around house today
- Joe able to book us for the church planting conference in February
- God will provide for our needs in His perfect time (a/c quit working in van and at home – need God to provide) at least it’s somewhat cool right now
January 4
6:50 didn’t get much sleep last night due to severe pain in arm and side, severe itchy arms, and the severe thunderstorm. I’m exhausted. Plus with the A/C currently out of commission it’s too hot to be comfortable.
Scripture: Micah 6:8; Genesis 16-18;
I’m not feeling well. I’m in a lot of pain, especially on my left side. My gut says there’s something wrong, but I don’t know what. I don’t have signs of infection that I know of. I need some sleep. I smell something off like body odor, but I don’t know where it’s coming from.
My whole arms are itching fiercely. Applied essential oil pain rub and Jergens healing lotion.
Set alarm and played wholetones music. Difficulty getting comfortable because side surgical wounds hurt so bad. Ended up turning alarm off. Slept until 11:00am
Arms not itching as bad. Still not feeling well. Wondering if I should ask my Mom to look at it?
Checked wounds out in longer mirror. Wound on breast has stopped bleeding. Wound on side where Jackson Pratt drainage tube is located is a little red in two spots. Called Mom to ask her to look at it to make sure I’m not overreacting.
Mom agrees it looks a little red.
Called Drs office and explained findings and that I didn’t sleep well last night due to the severe pain. They want me to come in today to check it. Mom agrees to take me.
Dr says the redness is normal. She went ahead and pulled out the drain tube.
She’s baffled at why I’m not feeling well. She said I did the right thing to call. Important to not let infection get set in. Doesn’t want to give antibiotics unless needed so taking a wait and see approach. Gave me instructions to watch out for in case of infection. Praying I start feeling better soon.
Glad it was false alarm, but I still not sure why I feel yucky and like I have a sickly odor about myself.
Asked family to help me finish dinner. I’m wiped out. Joe even prepared my plate and brought it to me. He’s been precious to me.
Asked Joe to help me take a shower to see if it’ll help me feel better and get rid of the odour. He dressed my drainage area. I’ve been washing up via the sink, but showering helps me feel cleaner. I still smell the odd odour though not as pungent. Joe smells it too. It’s in our room. Told Joe I’ll diffuse thieves in our room tomorrow to clean the air.
Going to bed early to journal scripture, do exercises, relax to some music. I’m exhausted and throbbing all over.
Left upper arm throbbing intensely as if severely beaten, tingling as if nerves are reawakening, joints are throbbing, hands throbbing, slight headache, wound sites sensitive to touch. Periodic sharp stabbing pains in left side near suture sites. I feel yucky, lack energy (but want to get things done). Feet freezing and tingling. 2 bm today. Tongue burning periodically and beginning to get white coating. Rt inner ear itches. Stuffy nose. Sneezing. Stinging needle pain through arms and legs. Left arm cramping moderately post evening exercises. Ugh.
Thankful for
- False alarms -wound site not infected
- Drainage tube has been removed
- Family willing to help take care of me
New Here?
If you’re just joining my journey, you can read how it all began — from the lightning strike to breast cancer and the faith lessons God carried me through along the way.
👉 Start at the beginning here:
Hello world! – Charitymaeprosper