Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 4-6 January 2020
Jan 4
6.00 vaguely recall being scared awake just as I was falling asleep. Don’t recall saying anything but apparently I yelled at Joe waking him up and making it hard for him to fall back to sleep for a while. Don’t know time it occurred bc I chose not to look in order to try to fall back asleep.
Felt bad for waking him, but my scare was very real not certain if it was just a dream that caused it or not. Sometimes my dreams seem very real only to find out the next morning it was just a dream.
Alarm scared me awake. Had it set so I can take my meds on time.
Muscles in my midsection rt side and stomach spasming this morning. Center of chest tight and hurts. Hands ache and tingly. Rt jaw aches to ear. Feet & lower legs ache like I tried to walk a marathon (maybe someday) headache.
6.15a upper nerves in chest and neck feel jittery. Took 15 minutes of deep breathing to calm my nerves some
8.45 rt jaw throbbing. I figured 3rd day would be worse but I didn’t think it’d hurt this bad. Feels like someone punched me in jaw. Center of chest pops if I move wrong. It hurts too. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Feet freezing. I’m exhausted. Neck aches. Chilly freezing feeling traveling slowly from feet up to mid lower legs. Feels weird. Upper legs ache. Hands ache. Craving jello.
8.50 crashed on chair in livingroom. Woken at 10.45 to go to bed.
Rt jaw throbbing. Dizzy it’s hard to walk. Whole body aches. Feels like my body trying to break fever. Gone to bed.
Jan 5
11.00a muacles in rt arm cramping greatly. Getting dizzy.
11.30a muscles fluttering in lower rt leg
11.40a muscles in lft leg twitching. Headache. Neck tight trying to stretch it out. Center of back & chest cracking when I move causing pain. Sharp pain shooting thru rt ear. Rt jaw hurts/very sore. Exhausted.
11.50 got sleepy quite suddenly. 400 shekles equals $128k. How many pence in a shekle?
12.00 hands ache. Rt ear hurts. Feet ache. Legs ache to knee. Low back aches. Eyes hurt. Sleepy. Rt jaw hurts.
2.00 laying down for quick nap.
4.00 Joe opens door to nursery to let me know it was 4 and to wake up. Didn’t plan on sleeping that long. Guess I needed it. Groggy having trouble waking.
4.30 Guess if I just get one thing done today it’s better than nothing – decided to finish putting Christmas decor away.
5.00p church person shared blessings with us. He only comes in pm’s when he’s able. He goes with his mother Sunday am out of respect for her. He loved our Christmas gift & said that it meant alot to him & thanked us for loving him. He has grown so much in the Lord. It warms my heart to see how God is using us to touch lives for Him.
8.00 two hours past taking nerve pain rx and I can definitely tell it. Oh, the pain.
9.45 tried to wash load of clothes but something’s wrong with my washer. It’s aggitation sounds like metal & rocks scrapping against each other. Oh how it hurts my sensitive ears!!! The sound is worse than nails scrapping on a chalkboard!!
10.00p Joe is trying to fix it now. He asked Jordon for a magnet? A magnet? Not gonna question it right now.
10.19 rt jaw & ear throbbing!!! It hurts to chew. Hands & feet freezing. Rt jaw still slightly swollen. Low back throbbing.
10.25 washer fixed. Yay! Joe’s my hero for the hour!! Barrel was off kilter. Glad he could fix it.
11.30 bent over to pick up something while sitting on toilet rt stomach muscles cramped so intensely I had to stand and bend slightly in that direction to get it to ease up.
11.59 Trouble falling alseep.
Jan 6
12.45a may need to try my own advise…breath in…breath out…in…out…in…out… ♫when your worried and you can’t sleep just count your blessings instead of sheep and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.♫
School starts back up in am and I’m not mentally ready.
1.00 my rt arm is cramping something fierce today making it difficult to do things.
4.22 girls in bath & body dropped some drawers making loud noise unexpectedly. Caused me to jump & a scream escaped before I even knew what was going on. I turned to see what happened. Girls were struggling to lift the drawers & giggling. I don’t handle loud noises well. My first instinct is to duck and cover. I guess I still have ways to go on this realm. My whole body aches from tensing up * jumping.
5.00 so sleepy suddenly. Not good while driving. Need to get home. Need a nap.
6.30 feet are freezing
10.00 so so tired
Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 1 -3 January 2020
January 1
10.00 Jakob short on money. I gave him my $20. He was hesitant. I told him well the Lord gives and it doesn’t say anywhere that I can’t give it away.
1.00p took homemade chicken & rice soup to a friend. Her family very appreciative. Joe shared blessing about giving money to go on date. Next thing we know her husband gave us gft ctrfct to seafood restaurant in bayou (name escapes me presently). They both said they wanted to be a blessing to us for all we had done for them. While guys were talking I started to doze off (it was my nap time).
2.00 let Jakob know God’s blessing. On our way for our date.
Restaurateur closed. Decided to go check out restaurant that friend suggested on Dauphin Island. Found Islanders. Elevator out of service. Had to carefully climb stairs. Took me about 10 to 15 minutes. Out of breath. Legs feel jiggly.
5.30pm stopped at store on way home. Need nose piece on glasses. Optical place closed. Decided to check out Christmas stuff. 75%off. Found some goodies.
9.00 took shower. Back throbbing. Legs feel wobbly. Feet slippery. Fell in shower but able to pick myself up. Cut my lft leg & back of ankle shaving.
11.20 watching movie waiting for kids to get home. Low back throbbing. Arms burning and throbbing. Hands hurt. Legs ache. Overdone it today. Center of chest sharp pains.
Jan 2
8.00 looked in mirror while getting ready. Checked out tongue bc it felt smoother than usual. It was surprisingly almost clear with only a slight hint of white covering on lft side.
9.00 dental apt. Bp 120/77 hr 76. Bit nervous but I’ve been praying. Started working on me at 9.25. Gave 4 numbing shots. Waited about 15 minutes for it to take effect. Started trying to pull. Oh, Lord, it hurts so bad tears are leaking. I’m trying to be good. Dr asked if it was too much. I said, ” uh huh” (couldn’t hardly speak with the numbness and gauze in my mouth). She kindly gave me two more shots. Said sometimes when the nerves have been so tight for so long you just need a little more novacane. Gave me two more shots. Waited another 10 minutez or so. Once they left the crying escaped. Prayed again asked the Lord to help bc I have to get through this. I need to get better.
Tooth didn’t cooperate coming out. Only part came out. She had to get another tool to get other part of root out. Dr said it had been infected for quite a while. So glad that’s done.
12.30 Told Joe it might be best if I don’t try to play tonight. Dr instructions to rest & relax gor 24 jrs.
2.00 guess I crashed for while. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down to knee. Mouth still numb.
3.00 numbness starting to wear off. Not in to notating anything.
5.15p ate dinner. Took meds. Caught myself…almost took too much again.
6.00 I’m exhausted. Nerves shot. Laying down in nursery before church to rest.
Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down to knee. Low back throbbing. Mouth hurting though not as bad as I thought. Parts of mouth still numb. Toes cold & tingly.
10.20 toes burning cold tingly almost like frost bite (socks on and blanket covered). legs ache. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down rt leg to knee. Hands & arms tingling. Tired. Numbness has worn off and mouth hurts pretty bad. short of breath. Whole body aches. Neck hurts.
Jan 3
8.00 entire back feels like I was being beat up all night. I’m so sore. Head hurts. Rt jaw aches something fierce. Need to stay on top of nerve pain until jaw heals.
5.30 can tell my brain is tired…I’m starting to talk backwords. Driving home from picking up my laptop tried to tell the kids that this road wasn’t well lit enough. Instead I said, “This light is not well roaded.” They cracked up. I realized I messed up and just laughed with them.
6.30p family sweet enough to jump in and help cook dinner for me. Deer steak Alfredo, spinach, and garlic bread. I still can’t chew hard things so I had to pass on bread bc someone toasted it too long. Dinner was delicious.
8.30 Rt jaw is throbbing. I forgot to take my meds on time. 2 hourz behind. Ugh!
11.30 still awake. Having trouble sleeping. Rt jaw aching. Neck hurts. Shoulders tight. Rt hip aches. Hands ache. Lower legs ache like I walked too much today. Feet & toes tingle. Toes cold. Lips chapped. Low back hurts. Mixing up words like crazy. Making entire family crack up so hard. I think their sides might split.
11.35 Jakob leaves for college in morning. I wish we had enough money to go with him but things have been tight with extra medical bills since my lightning strike scare. I have mized emotions. I’m glad he’s doing what he feels God wants him to do, but sad he’s leaving again. We’ll miss him.
Musclez twitching in my back.
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries 30-31 December 2019
Dec 30
1.30 still wide awake. It’s like my brain got mixed up on time or something. Need to fall asleep soon.
Need to try to start my pt exercises back up gotten slack since painful tooth epidemic.
10.43 Girl’s Dad called to check on his daughter. Asked permission for her to join my kids to go to mall.
2.00 finally figured how to get info onto tithing envelopes. Print on stickers and apply to envelopes. Kind of tacky but we can use the blank.
3.27 getting very sleepy
Arms feel heavy & tingly. Eyes heavy. Low back throbbing. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some tingling. Need a nap. Feel asleephot a while and no one bothered.
6.05 received phone call that my friend has been told she can go home
Waiting for discharge. They will come by to pick up their daughter on the way home.
Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down. Lft and ankle tightening tourniquit feeling with some tingling.
9.00 cut Joe’s hair, but back throbbing something horrible. Need to rest a while.
9.52 getting very sleep. Hands losing grip causing me to drop things. Body jerking randomly. That’s a new symptom. Hmm?
Dec 31
8.00 woke from a horrible nightmare!! I don’t even want to recall it. My spirit just wants to cry. Lord, please cleanse every wicked imagination out of my subconscious and set me free from the nightmares. Psalm 139:23-24
I have bad headache.
8.40 did morning pt exercises then folded one load of clothes. I’m out of breath, tired, and my arm muscles jave fatigued. Ugh!
8.50 why is so hard to get a response from other pastor’s wives when you reach out for advice? I don’t get it. I guess I’ll reach out to others until someone has time to respond.
Head pounding. Toothaches. Short of breath. Low back tingling & achy. Rt hip aches. Lower legs & feet tingly. Body feels kind of clammy like I’m feverish
12.30 Had Jakob take me to drop of laptop. Guy will give call in couple days for prices on what needs to be done to fix it. Praying it won’t cost too much.
1.20 face is starting to feel flushed. Head hurts.
Been printing labels for tithing envelopes. Cannot for life of me figure out how to get envelopes to feed for printing…it just jams. Someone suggested something about downloading certain program but that escapes me as well. However, I’ve figured something outside box to make them usable. Not very pretty but they serve the purpose.
2.30 thought just crossed mind that rx may be causing flushing in face. Sure enough – gabapentin can cause lightheadedness, feeling faint or dizzy, and flushing.
2.50 attempted to wash a few dishes. Lower back intense throbbing, hands ache & throbbing, toes cold, feet tingling, out of breath. Sitting down for a while to rest.
5.00 center of chest really hurting, sinus issues, rt ear hurts,
Joe came home and helped (actually he did all the work I just observed) me use my new ninja air fryer. Little disappointed at first bc it had already been used & returned to store. I told him we can clean it out and use it. If it works, great. If not, we’ll return it. Turns out the wings and fries tasted great. Better yet it uses minimal oil.
Thankful for my Christmas gift. It will make my life much easier.
11.00 watched New York ball drop with Joe then went watched New Orleans drop with kids. (Couldn’t keep eyes on screen too long because the movement and bright lights are bothersome and make my eyes hurt).
I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Brain fogged from over usage today. Prayed for all those with ptsd tonight due to the fireworks. I’ve jumped a few times and we aren’t even doing them this year.
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries 28-29 December 2019
Dec 28
6.30 slept pretty good last night. Feels pretty good. Tooth hurting. Took ibuprofen.
Reading Bible came across the following verses…
Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Reminded me of song I learned when I was younger.
7.00 time to make breakfast. Discovered that I didn’t have chocolate chips so I improvised and used Reese cups. Had Jordon chop them up. Took half pill of Gabapentin bc tooth starting to hurt.
8.50 I’m getting sleepy.
10.00 Praise report: I was able to curl my hair by myself today! Mind you I had to play music to keep my nerves calm and had to rest my arms several times. It took almost an hour to curl my hair. But for the grace of God I am overcoming.
11.00 went to visit church member who is sick. He’s still struggling breathing but seemed better than I expected. Continuing to pray for him. I was able to climb his stairs without falling. PtL!
11.03 Joining others now to knock doors. Joe told me to stay in car. I’m quite wobbly on feet yet from rx.
I’m exhausted. Upper back & shoulders stinging needle pain. Arms tingly. Low back aches. Legs ache.
12.30 feel like I’m going to crash. Need to rest a bit.
1.00 going on a double date with our son and his girlfriend
10.19 going to bed. I’m exhausted and having trouble keeping my eyes open. New rx making me really dizzy & sleepy.
Rt ear aches. Tooth hurting. Eyes heavy. Hands tingly and stinging. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some tingling. Low back aches.
Dec 29
7.00 overslept ugh! Good thing I’ve learned to simplify getting ready in mornings.
7.30 realized in middle of dreams last night that I forgot to update the Scripture readings in the bulletin! Maybe I can print changes onto stickers. computer is telling me its about to crash due to hard drive error. Ugh! Joe said not to use computer until we take it shop. All my pictures are on it and I don’t recall if I have them backed up somewhere.
8.30 decided to use white out at church to correct error with Bible Reading Schedule and write in corrections. Getting writer’s cramp just doing white out. Gotta push through. I want them to start year out right.
10.20 feeling weird…when I close my eyes (my eyes feel so heavy) it feels like I’m on a roller coaster going down from high spot and my body lifts off the seat a little. Not a fun feeling.
9.10 realized that in my haste to take my morning meds I accidentally took two 800mg ibuprofen. Ugh! Too late.
11.00a trouble playing music this morning. Trouble focusing and coordination. Schedule changed up messes me all up…don’t do well with that…I have trouble knowing what verse they’re singing to know when to stop or how many times I’ve played it thru. I’m all flustered and want to cry. Joe expect me to know what point he’s on. He was on point three before I had even turned to passage. I just want to run and hide to cry people aren’t understanding.
A little girl suddenly exclaims “Uh Oh” as tears stream down my face. It makes my heart smile. It makes me think of why I do what I try to do for the Lord. To see her aunt and uncle start coming to church and see them grow in the Lord makes everything worth while.
12.00 Began to have a meltdown so during closing prayer I went to office to cry alone. Joe came after me to check on me. I told him I couldn’t do it anymore. He asked do what? I told him what happened. He told me he would take care if it. He said he understood especially since I accidentally overdosed myself I would be extra sensitive and I was due for a meltdown. Take my time. I cried for little while longer. Began praying asking God to help me. Able to dry up my tears, but I cried my mascara away.
2.30 Joe suggested I lay down for an hour and then we could go over to mission house to spruce it up for incoming missionaries.
3.30 Joe tried to wake me but I was so tired I just couldn’t wake myself. Jakob & Brianna graciously offered to help Joe and went and took care of mission house for me.
4.30 finally woke. Feeling groggy and my tooth is hurting.
4.34 received phone call from friend’s daughter asking to spend night with us. I told her sure. We’d love to have her. Wow! I feel honored that they trust us to let her spend night with us.
Once I hung up, I went to tell Joe. We talked. Joe suggested I go pick up drinks & chips for dinner at parents house. Jordon drove. I’m starting to like that he can drive. Gotta slowly brave my nerves to let him drive more.
11.59 upper shoulders and neck ache. Rt hip hurting with pain shooting to upper thigh. Wide awake. Nerves tingling randomly throughout body. Rt hip suddenly feels like its on fire and burning. Hands ache and tingly. Headache.
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries 25-27 December 2019
Dec 25
6am I’m in so much pain from my tooth! I’m determined to do my best to not let it ruin my day.
Joe got the turkey and steaks prepared. I peeled potatoes. Finished cinnamon rolls and put in oven.
12pm nothing is touching my pain. I’m in tears cuz it hurts so bad!!! I didn’t want this to happen. I’ve tried everything I can think of to no avail.
* drop of clove oil on gums
* swishing with coconut oil & oil of oregano
* swishing with peppermint mouthwash
* orajel
* warm salt water rinse – that hurt worse
* ice pack on side of face – that intensified pain
* peroxide drops in infected area
*taking ibuprofuen 800mg 3x daily plus Tylenol intermittently
*taking amoxicillin 500mg 3x daily been on it 5 days now with no relief.
5.00p applying heating pack to side of face.
5.30 trying clove oil on cotton swab – burning side of tongue & gums took out after minute
Pain is about to knock me out. I’m so tired. Rt hip throbbing.
Family has been so sweet getting house, clean, cooking, & clean up. I need to crash.
https://www.healthline.com/health/abscessed-tooth#outlook
6.50 currently attempting to eat yogurt to counteract the burning sensation on my tongue and gums from the clove oil. It’s soothing the burning sensation but making tooth pain more intense. Can’t seem to lose for winning right now. I’d lay down but it hurts my head. Calling dentist in am.
9.56p finally remembered that a friend was in dentist field. Reached out. She suggested I call dentist sounds abcessed that has no place for release. Encouraged me to call dentist. May need stronger antibiotic. Dentist called. Waiting for call back.
11.23 Did my very best to have a joyful Christmas inspite of an extremely painful toothache that’s not responding to antibiotics.
Thankful for a sweet loving family who jumped in to help with the cooking and cleaning.
His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
11.20 warm sea salt water gargle. took muscle relaxer to knock me out so I can get some sleep. This toothache has trumped the constant headaches and daily nerve pain. Tomorrow is another day. Lord, please my son’s safe as they travel tomorrow to pick up Jakob’s girlfriend to stay for a couple days.
Dec 26
8.45 rough night…up every 2 hours bc of toothache pain. Kept asking God to heal and ease pain.
9.45 Just got off phone with dentist office. Difficult conversation – had trouble explaining that I didn’t think the antibiotic was working and needed stronger one. Assistant stuck on not calling in more pain rx. I told her I wasn’t asking for more pain rx. Why should I ask for more if it’s not helping in first place. In tears. Conversations are so difficult for me to articulate most times. Dr not in until tomorrow. Want me to come in tomorrow as walk in between 8am – 10.30 or after 1.30. To recheck.
As for communication, this tbi is really getting my goat. I’ve gotta figure something out.
On positive note, this toothache has caused me to lose 5 pounds in less than a week.
10.30 brain is tired. I’m sleepy. Hands tingly. Legs ache. Rt hip hurting. Low back aches. Neck muscles tight and hard to move. Headache.
6.50p ate dinner and now my toothache is back to throbbing!! Rt ear hurts horribly. Orajel numbing tongue but not toothache.
Friend suggested using vanilla extract to numb tooth. I put dab on finger ans rubbed area around tooth. While it eased the pain a smidge, it numbed my lips and they feel weird.
10.23 vanilla effects didn’t last long. I’m very sociable when I’m in this much pain!!! Told Joe I’d take recurrent headaches and nerve pain over toothache any day at least those I’ve learned to work through. Severe toothache halts me in my tracts. Ugh!
Lord, I need relief. Help me to get some sleep tonight. Thank you for Your sacrificial love to save a sinner such as I.
Took pain rx, antibiotic, muscle relaxer, & night meds.
11.27 in severe pain cannot get relief no matter what I try. Tongue now feels likes it’s burning. Rt ear throbbing. Keeps popping and making clicking noise when I move jaw. Rt Jaw throbbing. Tongue white coated again. I’m sure it’s from antibiotics. Feels swollen majorly. Biting down shoots sharp pain thru face.
Dec 27
6a- alarm scared me. Took me long time to fall asleep. Went to living room to lay rt ear on heating pad and finally fell asleep. Woke at 1.30 and went back to bed.
10am Joe took me to dentist at 8am. I had to go as walk in. Before we left, we asked God to help me be able to be seen within 20 minutes. God answered our prayers as we were in and out in under twenty minutes! PtL!
I mentioned to her about question I posted lightning strike support group and mentioned what was said. She agreed!! She also said that metal filling usually crack the teeth, but when I was struck the heat from the lightning caused the fillings to expand which causes tooth to crack. It was relieving that she understood and agreed with theory suggested.
I was given stronger antibiotic and pain medicine. Also, not charged for visit.
9.00 went to Sam’s to pick up food items for home. Decided to check pharmacy for prices on rx. Price was reasonable decided to have them filled there. Pharmacist said to make sure I take probiotic or eat yogurt with antibiotic.
10a ate breakfast & took rx.
10.20 starting to feel weird. Nerves in whole body tingling arms are worse tingling. Feeling drowsy, droopy, and dizzy. Toothpain easing. Feel like I need a nap.
1.00p fell asleep for about 1 hour or so. Rt ear hurts. Still droopy dizzy drowsy feeling – torpor (a state of not being active and having very little energy). At least I’m no longer in so much pain that it causes tears.
1.45 stood up to go make sandwich got extremely dizzy and almost fell. Oh, boy. Able to eat a turkey sandwhich with minimal pain. Sitting back down. Not safe right now to be up and around. May need to cut dose in half.
4.00p got word that friend fell off horse and is in ICU. We went to visit her. She’s in so much pain. It pains me to she her hurt so. We stayed a while then my husband said prayer for her.
7.00 ate soft foods for dinner. Have to take meds with food. Within half hour after taking gabapentin I felt very drowsy and dizzy. Conked out.
Scrolled thru facebook. Saw post about Ark Encounter. Made comment that one day I’d like to go with my family and mentioned about my LS. A man had audacity to judge that I had done something horrible for God to strike me with lightning. It angered me. I quickly asked God to help me respond in kindness. My answer was as follows…
Have you ever thought that maybe God allowed it so that I can reach others for Christ that wouldn’t be reached otherwise?
Look at Job. He was an upright man, one that feared God, and eschewed evil (Job 1:1). God allowed Satan to try him and he suffered pain with sore boils that covered his body (Job 2:7). Through his trial he lost everything including all his children (Job 1:17-18), yet Job stay faithful to God. His response was “…the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21-22).
God is the Master and Creator of everything. It is not for us to question how He rules or complain or judge how He runs it. God’s plans do not always make sense as we endure but once on the other side we can see the purpose was for His honor and glory.
My prayer is God allows me to be used for His honor and glory. Thankfully, He has allowed me to be a witness and a help to others that I would’ve never thought possible. He has enlarged my coast more than I thought possible (1 Chronicles 4:10).
10.00 Joe had to help me to bed so dizzy.
Whole body feels tingly. Tooth hurting. Sharp pain shooting thru jaw. Rt ear aches.
Why does peppermint mouthwash burn my tongue feeling? Tongue still half white with blister looking splotches.
https://www.colgate.com/en-in/oral-health/conditions/dry-mouth/5-causes-of-burning-tongue
Interesting article – I’m sure my case is quite unique to figure out.
11.00 can feel myself crashing. Good night for now.
Just checked Fb post I commented on. Man with not so kind judgment has since deleted his comment. Hmm. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to return grievous word with kindness.
Lord, please be with that man and help him to be kind to others as You have been kind to us.
♫I love You, Lord, I love You, Lord, Because of Calvary; I love You, Lord, I love You, Lord, You’re everything to me.♫
Lighting Strikes – Journal Entries 22-24 December 2019
Dec 22
7.00 woke in horrible pain all over. It’s been raining all night.
Lightning buddy posted following…
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15522-gastroparesis
This (nerve damage) would explain some of my lack of appetite, stomach pain, constipation, acid reflux/gerd issues since the lightning strike.
7.30 God laid dear friend on my heart this morning. Not sure what’s going on but I stopped to pray for him, his wife, and family. I miss them.
8.00 extreme pain in rt ear & jaw causing tears and agony. Taking morning rx and pain rx. Swished peppermint mouthwash to ease pain.
8.15 text friend to let him know I prayed for him this morning. Enjoyed our short chat.
11.30 I have such a headache. Difficulty playing hymns this morning. Hand eye coordination off. Vision slight blurry.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Because
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
1.00 only at one plate and I feel stuffed. Exhausted! Pain Rx wearing off. Need to go rest a while.
1.44 almost asleep woke myself choking
2.20 left side of brain deals with logical, rational, and analytical thinking while right side of brain deals with intuition, creativity, and imagination. Sounds to me as if most of the world has some type of brain injury bc their thinking is not logical, rational, or analytical and they lack intuition, creativity, and imagination.
Makes me wonder how can one discover what part of the brain was damaged? If I could learn which part of my brain was damaged, maybe I can then learn how to holistically heal and or train my brain to overcome. I also believe that music is an important element in learning.
7.28 intense shooting pain in rt ear & jaw.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325470.php
8.00 having trouble keeping up with everything. I barely keep up with all the activities let alone things in the house. Don’t have enough bread for toasted cheese sandwiches. Decided to make tortilla pizzas for dinner.
9.00Swishing with 1 tablespoon colloidal silver to see if it’ll help ease the pain.
http://original-silver-generator.com/how-colloidal-silver-helps-fight-off-tooth-infections.html
9.30 Pain intensified!!! Decided to try peppermint mouth swish. Pain eases some. Now using heating pad.
10.10 pain easing a bit. Exhausted.
11.22 my nose is freezing.
Dec 23
10.00 extreme pain!!!! I can’t even drink without it hurting. Called dentist. Instructed to take tylenol in between the ibuprofuen & continue the antibiotic.
1.35 trying to eat yogurt. Rt hand is shaking bad. Pain in jaw & tooth has eased from 10 to 8, but tiniest things increase pain.
Asked question in lightning support group about others having dental issues post LS. Several people have had dental issues post injury. Was informed that “…your metal fillings heated up and cracked teeth vertically. And a lot of us have TMJ issues too!
A lot of dentist do not catch the vertical cracks because they are rare. But when we are struck the fillings heat up and crack the teeth or you bite down to hard when thrown and break or chip teeth.”
I never thought there could be a correlation, but it would make sense.
Lord, please help heal my infection. I don’t want to be miserable for Christmas. I want to enjoy it and it be enjoyable for my family.
4.30 managed to go to produce mkt, bank, and grocery store. Gone too much…rt hip sagging and I’m limping bad. Headache. Exhausted.
5.20 rt ear & jaw intense throbbing. Feel like im
9.30 tried to go to bed as soon as I laid down intense sharp pain in rt ear and jaw. Couldn’t handle pain. Got up and swished with colloidal silver. Then laid ear on heating pad til pain eased.
10.30 pain still intense but not like hour ago. Lord, please help antibiotic start working. This pain is kicking me down.
https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-abscess-tooth#garlic
Swishing with oregano & coconut oil. Pain takes a lot out of you.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-benefits-of-oil-pulling
11.26 oil pulling seemed to have helped ease the pain slightly. Hoping I can go to bed without too much pain. No pt exercises tonight.
11.58 rt ear throbbing. Exhausted. Neck hurts. Shoulders ache. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down rt leg. Hands & arms tingling. Low back achez. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some tingling.
Dec 24
5.00 rough night. Bonked in nose accidentally but it hurt so causing toothache to hurt. Took Aleve.
8.20 thought I hit snooze but guess I turned it off. Ugh! Gotta get going. Whole body aches. Tooth don’t hurt as bad at present. So tired.
Luke 2:20 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Low back throbbing. Feet aching and tingly. Hands tingly. Neck sore and tight.
5.00 on way to church. Jordon driving. My nerves aren’t handling it too well…very jumpy but trying not to be. Rt hip throbbing. Actually able to eat dinner tonight though difficult to chew at times. Center of chest aches. Hands ache. Sleepy.
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Lighting Strikes – Journal Entries 19-21 December 2019
Dec 19
7.00 rt ear hurts, stuffy nose, low back aches, rt hip burning.
9.30 called dental clinic. Quick thought prayer…please allows me to be seen before end of year. Spoke with nice lady over phone. Apt available tomorrow! I expressed my surprise. She told me they had cancellation this morning. Praise the Lord! I pray they can just put filling back in tooth. May also need antibiotics. Been swishing/drinking thyme peppermint tea to help.
12.30 rt ear throbbing & feels swollen. Prominent ringing in ear.
7.24 face feels flushed and feverish. Headache.
8.30 church went well tonight. Sweet spirit. Brain had hard time keeping up with notes and tempo of hymns. Trouble with coordination between brain, eyes, and hands. Ended up plucking notez with top hand for most of them.
10.00 sharp pain in center of chest as if ribs are caught in middle. Very painful! Don’t know what caused it.
11.00p toothaches are horrible. Rt ear throbbing. Rt jaw throbbing. Pain rx taken. Orajel applied multiple times. Salt water gargle. Antiseptic mouthwash with peppermint oil swished. Thyme tea with peppermint swished. Vicks rub on cotton ball and put in rt ear gently. Headache. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down to leg. Feet chilly. Tired.
Lord, please be with President Trump & his family. Protect them. Guide them. Surround them with Your mightiest angels during this difficult evil time surrounding them especially at Christmas. Please be with the Senators please turn their hearts towards You and help them make the correct decision that will ultimately bring You honor and glory due Your name. In Jesus’ name and through His blood I pray. Amen!
Dec 20
8.30 dental apt at 8.45. I’m stressed and a bit scared. Don’t like dentists. I know..I know…Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
I know I must have faith, but I’m still scared.
9.56 waiting long to be seen. Desk nurses never met a lightning survivor. They asked a bunch of questions. I was able to give account & praise to the Lord that I’m still alive. One told me I was definitely a blessing.
Nervousness is aggravating my Costocondritis. Ugh! Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Jaw & tooth nerve pain is intense. A 10 at times – only because it hurts bad enough that I must do something about it. I don’t want to be in agonizing pain at Christmas. I want to try to enjoy it and do my best to remember if only with pictures to jog memory.
Decided goal next year is to start assembling memory albums to help me remember my past with my family.
Headache ensues. Whole body aches. Center of chest dull stab pain.
10.30 finally being seen. Xray taken. Lead apron actually was calming. There might be something to the weighted blankets?
Everyone was so nice and took time to explain to me what was going on. Dental tech asked about how it happened.
11.30 stop at Publix for rxs. Check bp 119/82 hr 65. Pharmacist asked me more details of my lightning strike. Asked if it burst my eardrums. I told him no but my rt ear hurts all the time now. If anything it magnified my hearing. He said wow and asked how. I told him about being able to repeat everything Dr & nurses were saying hallway thru closed door. Pharmacist said wow and made reference to having hearing like million dollar man for a while. He told me that I was blessed because since we talked he’s been researching about lightning survivors and most of them he’s heard of or read their eardrums burst. I agreed that I was blessed indeed to still be here.
2.00p laid down to rest bc morning events wore me out. Fell asleep for an hour. It was my body’s way of dealing with the pain.
6.22 intense sharp pain in rt ear & jaw! Stopping me in my tracks. Putting ear on heating pad. Fell asleep.
Tooth pain and earache is kicking me in the butt.
9.30 trying to wait up for daughter to get home. I hurt so much I just want to crawl into bed and crash. Putting heating pad on chest. Feels like Costocondritis is flaring up. Ugh!
10.30 had daughter put colloidal silver drops in ear. It seems to have helped ease the pain slightly. Chest center throbbing. Rt hip throbbing. Whole body aches. Tingly pin poking needle pain thru body. Sometimes I just don’t know how to explain pain. I’m exhausted. Bad headache. Pain rx taken. Taking muscle relaxer to help me sleep
Dec21
8.30 finally fell asleep after midnight some time. Rt ear & jaw still throbbing.
Oddly, I can hear the train blowing it’s horn and the closest track is over 11 miles away. Had to ask Joe if he could hear it. He had to open back door and still didn’t hear it at first. This extra sensitive ears/hearing thing is bothersome at times.
10.50 a friend called distraught. Lent an ear to help her talk it out.
11.30 made visit with Joe for church. Although I enjoyed the visit, it was all overwhelming for my brain after a bit and I found myself dozing momentarily. When my brain takes in all it can handle, I find myself needing a nap to rest my brain for a while. I decided to chew a piece of gum to help.
5.00 crashed on chair in livingroom for 30 minutes or so. Couldn’t go anymore.
5.30 Joe asked for Welch Rabbit for dinner and helped with shredding the cheese. Delicious and easy.
10.30 watching Christmas movie. Toothache still hurts but not as bad as y’day. Pain rx & antibiotic helping. Headache. Neck hurts. Rt ear hurts. Stinging pain thru body. Low back throbbing. Rt hip aches.
Lighting Strikes – Journal Entries 16-18 December 2019
Dec 16
7.00 rough night…woke several times. I hurt so bad all over…feels like I was beat up. Fell into box fan couple of times. Accidentally kicked myself in rt thigh when trying to get out from under covers and left a painful bruise. Wish I could figure out natural remedy to ease pain.
Read Bible: 2 Corinthians 1-7 Posted daily Bible verse: Luke 1:46-49 Thankful that Mary and Jospeh didn’t freak out too much when they were told they were part of God’s plan. Boy, that sure could’ve had a different ending!
In posting saw Patsy Clairmont’s post with prayer for today…
“Morning Prayer: Breath at Daybreak, resuscitate my courage to enter the demand-strewn path ahead. Help me not to pick up problems before they materialize. When I hit a dead end, help me not to camp out there. When I encounter a difficult person, help me not to join their fraternity. And when I am that person, remind me that it cost You for my freedom and forgiveness. Amen”
Though I don’t remember verbage used, I remember my family as a child listening to a tape of hers entitled “God Uses Cracked Pots”. Just the title has been an encouragement to me on my difficult days especially on days I hurt horribly and feel broken. Thank you, Lord, for shining examples to encourage the weary to keep pressing on in Jesus’ name.
10.00 Movie playdate at friends house with our daughters too. Watching Pride & Prejudice.
5.00p movie had good story line but it was very long.
6.00p Joe sweet to offer to figure out dinner when he came home bc I hadn’t thought to plan anything yet. At first I wanted to be offended, but I was really hurting and exhausted from weekend’s activities. I chose to reserve judgment til he came home to observe his genuinity and sincerity of actions. Glad I chose to wait. Thankful I have a family that cares for me.
11.00p Body has ached all day as if storm is brewing. News media confirms such. Pins & needles sensation in hands, arms, torso, legs, & feet. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness. Low back aches. Neck hurts more so if turned too far in either direction. Rt thigh aches. If I turn too far in either direction (like reaching over to pick up something I dropped) my side cramps horribly as if rib got caught and won’t let loose. Ouch!
Dec 17
9.00 Dezirae treating her and I to getting our nails done for Christmas. Trying Linda’s Nails bc the other one we went to was closed today. Friendly atmosphere. Love the color #104. Now to test how long it’ll last.
10.30 TBI. Bif turn out today though there were still missing. I’m tired and have headache.
12.30 went to thrift store to get some more Christmas gifts.
3.00 on way home saw person stranded in middle of road. Decided to turn around to see if we could help. It turned out to be a mom with little ones (newborn & 1yr old) in back. She was out of gas. I offered to go get the gas for her. She gave me 100 bill. I was surprised. We took money to the gas station and got a gas can and gas. Told the cashier that we were helping a stranger bc she ran out of gas just down road. He took the large bill and told us to have a Merry Christmas. Took it back to her. Gave her the change. Gas can had new mechanism I couldn’t figure out. Felt like a dumb blonde. Finally able to figure out how to improvise to pour gas into her car. She thanked us. We told her she was welcome and gave her a tract. Felt good to do a good deed.
4.00 finally home and I’m exhausted. Sat for bit. Asked kids to help put dinner together.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/overview-of-nervous-system-disorders
11.00 I’m exhausted. Rt jaw & ear throbbing. Very cold. Feet cold. Rr side cramping pain. Sharp shooting stabbing pain in rt hip. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness.
Dec 18
7.00 many days morning comes too early in my brain. I’m so tired most of time. Though since starting the multivitamin I’ve noticed a little bit more energy. That’s a praise!
9.00 time to make cookies for party tonight. Jordon’s going to help me. Hard to believe Jakob will be leaving for college again in 3 weeks. He’ll be a junior.
1pm cookies are made and our mess cleaned up for most part. I need to rest a while. Low back & rt jaw throbbing.
2pm remembered that I needed to go pick up Joe’s rx. I guess I’ll let Jordon drive a little. Christmas traffic makes me more nervous.
3.00 home safe and sound. Nerves on edge. Low back throbbing. Face feels flushed and feverish. Cheeks bit red. Headache. I’m tired.
4.00p I’ve done too much today. I feel it in my whole body. Under eyes are black and blueish. I’m tired and need a nap, but I need to get dinner on. Asked Dezirae to do it. She gladly said yes. Sitting in chair to rest a bit.
9.00p encouraged to have new people at family Christmas party tonight at church. One family not able to attend this year. Missed them. Praying God heals Jerry from cancer. I know that has to weigh heavy on their hearts.
11.50p bad headache. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down rt leg. Low back intensely throbbing. Exhausted. Face hurts. Rt jaw throbbing. Need to schedule dental appointment. Wonder if dentist would know how to treat my tongue issue? My inquisitive mind would like to know.
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries 13-15 December 2019
Dec 13
9.00 overslept. Forgot to set alarm. Whole body hurts. Nightmares
9.05 read Bible on phone. Upset bc I forgot my scripture journal at church with my study Bible. I have to improvise until tomorrow.
11.00 mentioned to Joe and Jakob that I feel like I need to go back to school for home ec. They’re reply no you don’t your cooking is 100xs better since the lightning strike. Funny how they’re perception is different than mine. I wasn’t talking about cooking. I was talking about everything as a whole bc I feel like I’ve forgotten how to do a lot of things.
On our way to make hospital visit & run some errands.
4.30 I’m exhausted and hurting. Need to lay down a while. Feels like my brain is on sensory overload and needs to shut down in order to process.
7.00p Wow! I didn’t think I’d sleep for two hours. Feel like I could sleep longer, but if I don’t get up now I’ll be up all night.
A friend shared following info with me.
https://www.brainline.org/article/lost-found-what-brain-injury-survivors-want-you-know
Dec 14
1am still wide awake.
7.30 overslept. Brain feels groggy and dugh what am I suppose to be doing?
It’s a rainy day and I hurt all over. Headache.
8.00 almost forgot to make the biscuits for breakfast. Got them done in nick of time. Also able to friends pkg ready to mail.
8.45 center of chest hurting, I’m tired
9.00 letters not going on board like I wanted. Rearranging letters multiple times now I must take break to finish in little while (muscles fatiguing & I don’t want center of chest to hurt more.
10.15 Joe having us ladies stay back to finish decorating for tomorrow. Thankful for the help.
11.00 lower back throbbing like toothache. Trying to finish up bulletin board. Dezirae offered to finish it up for me thankfully. Now sitting to rest back.
1.00 Dezirae got called to work today. Joe offered to take her.
2.00 I’m exhausted, hurting all over, and need a nap. Going to lay down for bout an hour. Hoefully, it’ll give me energy to do what I need to get dpne for church Christmas dinner. Foubd recipebto cook corn casserole in crockpot…which makes things easier on me. Yay!
10.00 apple crumble in oven. Taking shower. Wore out and out of breath. Showers are like a work out now. Whew!
Dec 15
6.30 woke at 2.30a with sharp pain in side
Read Bible before getting up. Looks like I’ll be able to finish a couple days early. Yay! Next year I want to work on rememorizing scripture. I’m starting to remember things more…that’s big deal for me. Grant you I still have ways to go. I may be working on recovery for rest of my life but I still want to continue to progress.
10.45 got really dizzy all of a sudden. Room spinning. Head feels weird inside…filling up with heavy fog causing pressure on brain?
10.50 comforting a distraught soul. God is working on hearts. Lord please help us lead them to You always.
11.40 woah! I’m sure Christmas program was cute but it was much a do for my brain. My head hurts and is quickly fogging up -almost to point it’s hard to make sense of things. Brain needs a nap but it won’t happen for another few hours.
12.30 talking with visitors at lunch. I purposely repeat their names out loud so I can remember their names. It’s important to me so I want to try to make others feel important too. While talking with them I could remember Mom & Grandma’s name but stumbled on daughters name ( now that I’m trying to recall I remember daughter & grandma’s name but not mom’s ugh!) Anyways, my tiredness became apparent because I messed up on saying what ingredients I put in the no bake fudge cookies. Talina graciously explained that I was struck by lightning and mess up what I’m trying to say sometimes. We had good laugh bc I said I put flour in them when I meant sugar. Then she said it’s not why she got struck but what she’s doing with it and being a witness for the Lord. It may seem odd to say but not sure how to word but it was a proud momma moment for me. Get it that she was talking about me – but that she came to my defense but also that my light for Jesus is shining through. I’m making an impact for my Lord!!! Thank you, Jesus.
3.30 finally home and crashing. I physically cannot push anymore. It was good day but a bit much for my brain to handle.
5.23 woken by a phone call. Didn’t plan on sleeping that long, but could sleep longer. So tired & wore out.
9.30 Dezirae & I made peppermint bark for our movie day tomorrow at a friends house.
Low back intense throbbing. Rt hip aches. Rt ear & jaw throbbing. Pins & needles sensation in arms, back, & legs. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some tingling. Exhausted.
Good day at church. Had 25 total. PtL! It is being made apparent that I need to start a ladies Bible study next year. It’s time my vision takes foot. That’s not right says my brain but I cannot think of proper verbage. Hopefully y’all get it. Need to pray and ask God what Bible study to start. It will start slowly once a month. Now to figure out what day and time. As long as God leads, I need to follow and obey. It doesn’t mean I’m not scared nor do I feel adequate, but I know where God guides He provides.
