Category: My Healing Journey

August 16

2am- jerked awake. Almost fell out of bed too close to edge.Pain increaseth. Ugh! Took pain rx.

4am- woken by stinging needle pain. Tried to look up how to reduce it so I could get back to sleep but couldnt focus eyes well enough to read. Drank glass of water. Deep breathing. Few PT exercises.

5am- alarm went off. Thought I hit snooze.

5:19a- Joe tells me it’s time to get up. Ugh! Need to take Jordon to work. Stepped wrong getting out of bed and sprained my left foot.

6:19a- home again. Stinging needle pain in upper torso and arms and hands. Laying back down hope to get little more sleep. Rt hip aches. Neck hurts. 

11:27a- Joe calls says son forgot the check to get his twic card for his job. No happy camper. Day thrown off. Have to drive on interstate during busy time into area I’m not familiar with. Not suppose to finish sentence with preposition but unable to think how to reword sentence momentarily. 

Mom calls to ask about coming over to help with upcoming event. Tell her I’m not home. Asks me to call when I get home. 

Accident on exit I get off backing up traffic. Orange juice I drank at breakfast is not agreeing with me. Feel knot in stomach and not feeling too good. 

Joe tried to tell me directions but it’s not registering. Put address in gps but it tells me to turn wrong way off exit. Have to turn around. Almost rear ended three times. Nerves are a muck. Trying to ease nerves by music on radio but songs not helping. Finally make it. 

12:30p- finally make it home. My nerves are tingling all over. Need to sit and rest to ease nerves. Feeling exhausted like I’m going to crash. 

Eat lunch – turkey & cheese rollup. 

2:00p- Joe comes home tells me I need to call my Mom. I forgot to call. 

I text her to let her know I need a nap and I’ll call her in a bit. 

4:00p- knew I was exhausted but wow

5:00p- making cookies for friend who showed kindness recently as a thank you. 

Making dinner. Not able to stand too long at a time without my back pitching a fit. 

10:45p- stomach still upset. Hurting all over. Feels as if I may loose my cookies. Ugh! 

Oh, man I forgot to pkg up cookies for shipping. Not sure if I’ll have time in am but I’ll try. Church activity tomorrow. 

I wish I could have a day to rest from everything. I’m so tired. Headache.

11:15p- holy cow! A cricket is loud when it decides to perch on your night stand and sing. Scared me!

August 17

5:00a- woke to lower back and rt hip throbbing, stinging burning pain in upper back, rt wrist and elbow throbbing like I sprained them. 

12:27p- got to share my praise about getting physical therapy with Pastor Dean Miller. He said it was amazing all the obstacles I’ve overcome already. He thanked me for sharing. Looking forward to hearing him speak in little bit.

1:15p- nerves stinging in arms, hands, and upper back. Took pain rx. Trouble with balance today. Seem to be more dizzy.

10:59- stomach and back cramping, lft lymph node on side of neck swollen, congested stuffy nose, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness, back aches, rt hip throbbing

August 18

6am- tired. Crashed when I went to bed last night. Congested and stuffy. Face itches. Bad taste in mouth. Thirsty. Feet hurt. Low back aches. Rt hip aches. Ears hurt. 

7a- had to use lint roller on blouse. Just doing that cause upper rt arm to cramp and shooting pain in whole arm. Have to rest it a little bit so I can get ready for church.  Used pain roll on.

Dizzy.

9:40a- neck popped. Neck hurts. Feeling weird inside my brain. Not sure how to explain. Brain kind of swimming. Dizzy more.

Tripped over my feet and almost fell. Ugh! 

 10:26a- chilling burning sensation in middle of back of head down to center middle of neck and back. Eyes feel very heavy trouble keeping awake. Sleepy all of sudden. Don’t feel right.

1:30p- as I was preparing lunch, had to sit and close my eyes bc I couldn’t go anymore. Having friend for lunch but struggling to be hospitable bc trouble keeping eyes open. Serving lunch it started to rain a little. I wonder if that has anything to do with this disabling feeling oversweeping me.

Crashing oncoming to overcome.  

4:00 Joe came to wake me. Scared me in process as I opened my eyes just as he was coming in room. Wasn’t expecting movement and it startled me. He giggled bc he did exact opposite of what he was trying not to do. Still very tired. Feel drained. Lft arm completely numb when I woke.

 Head hurts, neck hurts. Rt hip & lower back throbbing. Stuffy nose.  

5:30p- slight bloody nose.

6:00p- two kids sat with me during church. Gave them color sheets and crayons with which to color. One of girls decided to add to her page. She leans over and asks me what color I was. I chuckled and asked what color do you think I am? She says she didnt know. The other girl whispers, “silly shes tan!” I chuckled even more and said I’ll take that. Kids crack me up with sillezt things sometimes.

11:35p- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Not mentally prepared for school to start tomorrow. 

Mentioned to a lady that school starts tomorrow. Her response was “So your vacation is over.” I’m hoping she didn’t mean it the way it came out but let’s back this train up. What vacation? I’m never on vacation. We’re raising three children. Homeschooling two teens. Wife. Mother. Pastor’s wife. Lightning strike survivor with complex issues of recovery.  Revitalizing a church. Where in there do I have time to be on vacation??? Let alone the money to even afford one??

Lord, please help first day of school to go smoothly. Thank you.  

Freezing. Socks on feet to warm up. Exhausted and hurting all over. Took 1/2 muscle relaxer and pain rx. Need my sleep for tomorrow.

August 13

5:30a- pain all over body as if I’ve been badly beat up. Eyes watery. Stuffy nose. Toss & turn most of night trying to get comfortable. Random muscle spams thru body. Weird dreams.

10:20a- PT looked at progress so far even with the Costocondritis set back I’m still improving. That’s a relief. Exercises she’s having me do is for core strengthening and to ease the vertigo and headaches. 

10:30a- Praise: My PT (physical therapist) has asked me to be part of a study with some of her students (could be up to 10). Since my case is so unique and complex, it’d be perfect to challenge their brains. 

This is exciting for me because it’s getting the word out in the medical field for lightning survivors and their many complex issues they deal with afterwards. Praying that it’ll trigger medical interest in studying and helping more survivors.

11:50a- at TBI now, pt had me try new exercise. Boy oh boy my lower back is throbbing.

Ron told me he dropped off medical request personally at my old Dr office. He hasn’t heard anything, but when he gets copies of my medical records. He’s going to give me a copy of them. Old Dr office is being burger about releasing my medical records. Ugh!

2:50p- once again I’m stuck in a store bc of thunderstorm. Noticed a pattern. Just minutes prior to storm I get a wave of strange feeling (don’t know how to describe) and feel like I’m about to pass out. This happens before  it’s raining. 

My muscles have tensed up immensely.  When lightning strikes I jump every time. 

Currently sitting on floor behind buggy in front center aisle. Several people have asked if I was okay. Sweet. Explained to 2nd lady I was struck two yrs ago and just waiting storm out.  A store employee asked if I didn’t mind if she asked how it happened.  Told her. She said she wondered if it could do that. I told her it could.

3:40p- finally able to make it home. I need to rest a while. Exhausted. Drinking D.E. to help reduce inflammation plus it has host of other benefits.

5:00p- making dinner (salmon patties, yellow rice, & broccoli) is wearing me out. I ask Jakob to take his sister to vball practice so I can get some rest.

7:05p- While in livingroom, hear odd noise. Got up to investigate. Eventually located  noise coming from bedroom. Alarm went off  but it was seascape noise. It wasn’t very loud either. Don’t know how it got set to 7pm. Hearing is definitely magnified still. Wonder how I would do on a hearing test?

9:30p- I’m exhausted and hurting more. Took  ibuprofen 800mg. 

Took about half hour or so to fall asleep. 

Don’t understand the tourniquet tightening feeling in middle of lower lft leg down to feet. Entire back throbbing especially lower back. Headache. Hands swollen and achy. Sinuses congested. Face hurts. Ringing in ears off and on. 

While in livingroom hear odd noise. 

August 14

7:00a- woke exhausted. Entire body hurts. Gotta work on healing the gutt brain barrier – just not too sure how to on a limited budget. Lord, please provide. 

Entire back throbbing, hands and arms ache, chest aches and is tender to touch, neck hurts, sinuses congested, eyes watery, stomach aches, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness, rt elbow aches, 

Need to make list of things I need to get done today. Gotta do better on that. Working on a system for meal planning to make things simpler and easier for me. Brain gets going. Thinking I have all this to do and gets me overwhelmed bc my pace is much slower than used to be. Still working on finding the right balance for me. Summer slipped away and school begins next week. Oh, so much to do and so little time. Lord, I need thee every hour please help.

11:52p- got quite a bit accomplished today though still not ready for school to start Monday. Told Dezirae that first week we’ll have to work thru the hiccups. 

Tomorrow is Joe’s spiritual bday. I’m surprising him with meatball subs for dinner. He’s been craving them. I don’t like ’em. Not fond of sub bread. It’ll have to be crockpot style bc we eat at church on Thursdays. Also going to have kids help me make peanut butter cake with peanut butter icing. Yum!

Whole body aches though I think the Ibuprofuen regimen and D.E. is helping reduce the inflammation. Chest still sore. Still not able to lift much or extinuate myself too much.

Headache, hands swollen and achy, scheduled apt with physical therapist for student lab sessions, shoulders tight and achy, back throbbing, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling, didn’t get the weird sensation and passing out feeling when it thunderstormed today so that blows that theory out the water,  stomach periodicall had sharp achy pains during day, muscles randomly spazzing thru body all day. Ringing in ears off and on. Chest starting to throb. Feet cold. Thirsty.

Thank you, Lord, for helping get done what was accomplished today. Thank you for reminding me to pay mtg. 

August 15

7:45a- made peanut butter chocolate chip muffins for breakfast. 

8:00a- decided I was craving eggs for breakfast. Cooked 2 eggs for myself. Kids can eat the muffins.

8:30a- went outside to check on tomato plant. Need to transplant it but can’t decide where. Decided to harvest my amaranth. 

9:00a- son asked if I was going to food pantry today. Oh, I totally forgot about it!! 

9:20- left for food pantry. At least I didn’t miss it. Ron (a tbi coordinator) was glad to see me. God provided apples. Dezirae has been asking for apples. Thank you, Lord.

1:00p- Muscles in upper torso feel tight and hurt so much that I feel like I’m crashing. Headache. Neck hurts. Rt hip throbbing with pain shooting down to rt knee. Toes tingling. Back aches. Muscle feel tight in torso. Hands swollen and achy.

Laying down a bit then need to make Joe’s birthday cake. Heating pad on back for 20 minutes. Took Ibuprofuen 800mg to ease inflammation and pain. I really need to get back on msm. Didn’t realize how much it was helping.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-msm-88324

1:30p- printing something for business mtg tonight. Printer not cooperating! Ugh! Dezirae graciously agrees to make cake while I fuss with printer. 

2:30p- made coleslaw for dinner. Had to have Jakob help cut cabbage head in half. Didn’t have enough strength to push knife thru. Using ninja blender to chop cabbage and carrots. 

Poured filtered water into jugs. Rt arm is cramping. Dawns on me left side of brain was struck so my entire rt side is weak. Switch to lft hand to pour water into filter to refill.

Wash few dishes. My rt arm is now throbbing and hurts to move. Low back throbbing from standing too long. 

Asked Dezirae to finish making the peanut butter frosting for cake. We’ll put it on at church to give cake time to cool.

Now need to lay down a piece for muscles to calm so I can keep going. There are days I get frustrated with not being able to do as I could. There are days I am just glad to still be alive.

Trying to teach myself how to type on phone with 2 hands…not doing too well especially with rt hand cramping. Thank the Lord for autocorrect.

 I wonder how one drains the negative effects of lightning strike from the body? Is that such a thing?

6:45p- chatting before service. Mentioned I’m not sure I’m ready for school to start on Monday. Mom surprized Dezirae already has vball game on Monday though co-op doesn’t start til Sept. She tried to scold me for agreeing to start teaching ASL again. It didn’t work. I reminded her that Dr said that TBI patients need to challenge their brains to overcome. She didn’t like that too much. I’m not bothered. No ones going to always agree with what I do or how I do it but as long as my husband is okay with it and I have peace after praying about it – that’s what matterz. Besides, I know my students will be patient with me when I get flustered bc I’m having trouble with my brain to speak syntax. I will also have a mom friend as a helper who has been there for me since my lightning strike. I’ve got confidence my Lord will see me through. (I still have no clue how I made it thru that first year afterwards, but taking this last year off has been a BIG help too.) 

8:30p- husband told me that one of his coworkers had oral surgery today. I thought that was interesting bc I felt God laid that person on my heart this morning so I took time to pray for this person though I didn’t know what going on. Person is doing well and should be able to return to work tomorrow. They said they could feel the prayers and was appreciative of them. 

10:15p- need to have Jordon at work by 6am. I’m exhausted but wide awake. Hurting like crazy all over. Hard to get comfortable. 

August 10

7:30a- fell asleep sometime after midnight. Woke arpubd 4am bc I was almost falling out of bed. Hard time falling back to sleep. Awake again at 7am. 

I hurt horribly all over. Muscles randomly cramping thru body but concentrated in abdomen area. For while it felt like heart was fluttering evertime I took breath. Put hand there to feel muscles fluttering in that area. Severely congested and sneezy. Hurts to breath deep. Neck throbbing. Hands achy and swollen.

Song on heart this morning…

 And Jesus said come to the water stand by my side I know you are thirsty you won’t be denied  I felt every   teardrop when in darkness you cried  and I strove to remind you that for those tears I died.

9:55a- this explains why sleeping on my stomach feels better on my neck though it’s suggested to sleep on my back https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/mattresses-and-sleep-positions-each-back-pain-diagnosis

Praying for a dishwasher. I can no longer wash dishes as it causes much pain and grief physically. 

9:40- so tired, tummy hurts, ache all over

10:23p- mid lower lft leg numbish and aches, neck aches, rt hip throbbing, low back aches. I’m exhausted. Hope to sleep tonight. 

August 11

Slept about 6 hours.  Feel like I could sleep longer. 

Having trying day. Forgot to make my energy drink. Forgot my church bag at home – it has my Bible and church bulletins. Ugh! Forgot to get grape juice for communion tonight service. Trouble talking. Equilibrium is very …I’m thinking squirrely but I know not rght wrd. Whatever the word my balance if off and my head feels like it’s being tossed to and fro on a stormy sea. 

Forgot paper that I wrote songs I picked for offeratories for this week. I’m struggling to focus on walking and just being here today. I don’t know how to express what’s going on in order for people to understand my dilemma.

Song leader accidentally skips song. Routine thrown off. Flustered.

Forgot to give my husband the tithe check. Once I sit at piano to play, it takes all my energy to focus to play. If my focus gets broken it throws me off. Struggling to keep my dignity (composure)…just want to cry. Joe asks me about check. I answer but there goes my focus.  I need to run hide to refocus but can’t. In middle of service. Ugh!  

I mess up playing offeratory. Attempting to play and sing special today.  Sound system too loud it’s hurting my ears. I say something and continue. I remember my piano teacher’s wisdom if you mess up while playing keep going. I mess up little bc I lost my place in music. I keep going. I want to cry but remain composure.

My neck, lower back, and rt hip throbbing. Nerve endings pins and needles dancing. 

https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/Understanding-TBI/The-Recovery-Process-For-Traumatic-Brain-Injury

https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/Understanding-TBI/What-Happens-During-Injury-And-In-Early-Stages-Of-Recovery

https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/Understanding-TBI/Brain-Injury-Impact-On-Individuals-Functioning

(as I read this article, my heart cried because I relate to many of symptoms stemming from the tbi. I know not severity or what part of brain was damage bc tests were not taken. I guess in a way I’m mourning the loss of my old self and struggling to figure new self out). 

https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/Understanding-TBI/The-Impact-On-Family-And-How-They-Can-Help

1:30p- feel crashing on coming.

2:30p- woken by lightning

5:30p- Costocondritis rearing it’s ugly head. Center of chest stabbing pain from from to back. Tried to pop chest…only small pop…still throbbing stabbing pain. Take naproxen. Hope it takes edge off by start of church. No lifting for me for quite a while.

6:30p- didn’t make it thru whole song service. Pain so intense I wanted to yell. Told my husband I couldn’t do it anymore. Quit playing piano in middle of song and walked out of auditorium to nursery. Tried to get chest to pop but couldn’t. Mom came to check on me. Told her it’ll eventually pass but it’ll take time. Need to make Dr apt. May need steroids to reduce inflammation. 

https://draxe.com/health/inflammation/costochondritis/

August 12

9:00- hurting so bad all over it hurts to move. Back is stinging. Chest pain much thru to back. Rt hip stinging throbbing. 

Call into Dr. Talked with nurse. Waiting to hear if Dr wants to call in script or see me first. 

Lazy day most of day. Had to take time apart to rest due to Costocondritis. Called Dr. Nurse called back. Said she’d put note into Dr to see what he wants to do.  Nurse called back. Said Dr wants me to try Ibuprofen first before the steroids. Rx called in.

Taking Naproxen right now until I can get the Ibuprofuen.   

Need to go pick up Rx & bsnk. Called Publix to see if rx was ready and how much. Rx 11 for 14 pills. Yikes. Can get store brand for 100/$2. Don’t think so. At least I know Dr wants me to try for a week before calling back. 

Son tried to burn tea bags making tea bc he forgot about it. Almost caught them on fire. Came home to smoky house smells like burnt something. Yuck! Made him clean  pan with baking soda and vinegar.   

Mom came over to massage my feet. Area over right ring to was knotted indicating trouble with lungs area. Couple other tender spots but not like lung area.

Simple dinner – tuna casserole with peas and garlic bread. 

I ache all over. Center of chest very tender and sore. Lower left leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness, legs ache like I tried to workout (I didn’t), feet ache, neck throbbing, stuffy nose, congested.

Started taking D.E. today. It’s suppose to help reduce inflammation. Would rather do it naturally as possible. 

Got word that a friend was finally approved for disability today. Praise the Lord! Don’t know how it all works but happy for him.  

10:00p- went to take pm meds/ vitamins. Accidentally took am ones instead. Ugh! 

August 7

Woke up in pain hurting all over. Overslept. Forgot to set alarm. Didn’t finish pt exercises last night bc I fell asleep in middle of them. I was beyond exhausted.

Need to finish planning school lessons. Prepare for church back 2 school party on Saturday. Pay bills. Now husband wants me to put together flier for next month’s event to send to printer in next couple days. I’m stressing out here but trying not to. 

2pm- It’s starting to thunder here. Nerves on edge. Senses seem hightened. Made Amish All Purpose Cleaner. Have to let it sit overnight.

3pm- it’s storming. Nerves hurt. Low back throbbing with burning. Hands swollen and achy. Feet hurt. Left heel feels bruise. It hurts when I step. Utterly exhausted! Need to lay down a while.

8pm- excruciating pain in center of chest. Feels caught won’t let loose. Joe lifted me up and spine cracked all way up. Laid on chase lounge with heating pad for over an hour. Took naproxen to reduce inflammation. The pain causing tears to leak out my eyes.

9:40p- Joe helped me up to go to bed. I’m overly exhausted. Hope to sleep it off.

https://www.healthline.com/health/costochondritis

August 8

5:30a- woke to cramping in back bad. Feels like I’ve been beat up badly. Neck throbbing. Just want to cry . Don’t know what I did to cause this much pain. 

7:27a- attempting to do am pt exercises…only able to do some…too much pain some causeth. Back cramping & throbbing, neck throbbing, headache, rt hip aches, severely congested, arms hurt, feet hurt, lft ear hurts. Think I need thyme tea this morning.

Today is going to be a rest day but thankful I’m alive.

8:50a- just about every move makes my chest and torso hurt worse. Ugh!  

Decided to try to balance checkbook and pay bills. Not easy task these days. Finished making the All Purpose Cleaner with Thieves. 

10:22- took me almost two hours to figure out mistake I made in checkbook and get it balance. Brain feels blurry and hurts. Vision feels blurred. 

12:00- ate lunch – leftovers. First thing I ate today. Not hungry. I hurt so bad all over. Chest pain increaseth. Exhausted. Taking pain rx. Just want to go back to bed.

1:50p- dinner in crockpot (kielbasa, potatoes, green beans, & red beans). Time to lay down a piece. Hopefully, some rest will ease up pain. Sadly if chest pain doesn’t ease I’m gonna need to gp to Dr’s. Sneaky suspicion I may need steroid to ease up the inflammation. Wonder if there’s a natural remedy?

7:23p- rt hip chilling burning pain, it hurt my hands and arms to play piano tonight, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling and numbish, neck aches, center of chest aches. Realized why I feel chilled in rt hip…my water bottle is behind me. Lol

10:40p- tried to do pm pt exercises. Nope. Made pain increase so I stopped. so wish I could fall asleep as fast as Joe. Big rt toe feeling weird. It’s like electrical pulses are vibrating thru it. Lower left leg just above ankle and down feels numbish and aches, calves ache, buttoxk aches, rt hip throbbing, center of chest hurts, lower back throbbing, headache, neck throbbing, hands ache, tingling sensation traveling randomly in back,  eyes hurt. I’m exhausted. Tired to do night pt exercises. Stopped after second one because it increaseth my chest pain. Frustrating! Must rest a few days.

11:50p- upper back stinging and cramping, center of chest hurting worse

August 9

6:50a- almost 1am before I was able to fall asleep. I hurt so bad I don’t want to get up. I dislike when I hurt this bad bc it’s easy to be grumpy and snappish. I don’t want to be that way towards my family bc they already put up with so much. I hurt all over.  

9:08a- just had funniest thing to me happen. Got robot call reminding me my rx was ready. I started laughing because I had called on it yday and mentioned I hadn’t gotten call yet. When I started laughing, the computer paused. When I was quiet, the computer would start all over again. It repeated about 5xs or so. I needed the laugh. 

2:23p- out running errands. No wheelchairs available at walmart. Walk behind buggy. 3/4 way thru pain too much and pooped out. Sitting on floor to rest so I can finish up. Family sweet enough to run get items still needed. Afraid to see bill. Cold feels good on aching body. 

2:30p- started to not feel well…lightheaded & feeling like I’m going to pass out. Few minutes later bottom let loose & it started thunderstorming. Ugh! 

Had to sit down for little bit. Decided to chew gum to see if that’ll help. It helped ease the passing out feeling.

3:00p- So we’re stuck inside Wal-Mart for a while & I’m exhausted due to no wheelchairs. Trying to keep calm in between lightning strikes. I’ve already jumped couple times but so didn’t other people. 

3:45p- rain let up enough to go to car. Son accidentally dumped cupcakes over messing up 80% of them. Ugh! Think they’ll be salvageable but won’t look that pretty. 

4:00p- made it home safe. Able to salvage all but 1 cupcake.  Now resting a piece hoping my nerves will calm down from fight or flight mode. Whole body throbbing, nerves in legs jumping, back throbbing, stinging, neck throbbing, headache, upper back stinging, rt side cramping

August 4

12:42p- searching for ways to help my family & friends understand what I’m going thru with the traumatic brain injury. https://www.caregiver.org/traumatic-brain-injury

Article poses more questions. 

*Why didn’t ER Dr test for brain injury? 

*Why didn’t neurologist want to refer rehab when there clearly is rehab for brain injury? 

*Why did pcp think therapy wasn’t necessary when clearly it is?

Hands swollen, achy, and tingly, low back aches, stinging and hurting in middle upper back, cramping on rt side, shoulderz throb, neck throbbing, feet & toes tingly, butt hurts, random muscle twitching thru body, stuffy congested nose, center of chest ach3s. Cramping in neck when yawning. Ouch!

August 5

5:48a- being scared awake to be notified  its currently thunderstorming is not my idea of a wake up. Ugh! 

Whole body tense and throbbing. Don’t want to get up but have to take Joe to work. Down to one car for a bit bc his car in shop. Don’t want to think about it. 

6::30a- decided to make myself a scrambled egg. Ended up making everyone egg burritos for breakfast.

8:00a- Jordon got rained out from work. 

Decided to work some more on planning school. System I wanted to try isn’t going to work. I don’t have enough shelf space. Have to go back to crate system. Tried to find teacher lesson planner for Biology. Spent 30+ minutes looking for it only to realize I had already put it where I wanted it. Frustrating. Decided to organize books better. Never got to planning lessons. Realized I forgot to pull out Dezirae’s math for this year. Dezirae asked about credits. Decided to add one more class. Made me proud she wants to try for High Honors like her brother. She’s come long way from little girl who didn’t like reading nor wanted to learn how to read. Proud mama moment. 

It was noon before I realized it and I had a bad headache for straining brain too much. Need to rest a while.

Jordon made mac n cheese for lunch. Thankful bc I’m not up to it.

6:00p- took Dezirae to volleyball practice. I waited in car. Ended up falling asleep for 30 minutes or so until her coach stepped outside to take call which inadvertantly startled me awake. I could hear the girls serving the ball inside the gym. Weird to me.

10:40p-

Lower left leg just beliw ankle foot is going numb again. Feeling is bothersome but I don’t know what to do about it.

Getting ready for bed. Went to bathroom to wash hair. As my arm gently brushed past hair tie holder, I could feel the hair from hairtie slightly brush my lft arm. Startled me.  Wonder why senses seem hypersensitive since lightning strike?

Neck throbbing, nerves on edge (it’s been storming off and on all day), whole body aches, skin itchy, thirsty, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling & numbish, hands swollen and achy, rt ear hurts, skin seems extra dry, sneezy, sinuses irritaed, low back throbbing, muscles randomly spazzing thru body, trouble swallowing – almost choked on my night meds & realized I forgot to take morning meds.

Following info tell how to cope with hypersensitivity…

https://www.brainline.org/article/lost-found-dealing-sensory-overload-after-brain-injury

https://www.acquiredbraininjury-education.scot.nhs.uk/impact-of-abi/sensory-overload-hypersensitivity/

August 6

6:30a- I’m so tired and tired of waking to pain.

Fellow survivor asking for help on understanding what’s going on bc her Dr’s don’t get it and don’t believe her. 

So sad medical professionals take a Hippocratic oath to help you get better, but most just deal with symptoms. Trouble is lightning survivors have so many varying symptoms it’s difficult to know which to treat first yet we know the root of cause just not how to heal the damage from the electrical injury from lightning strike. 

https://medlineplus.gov/electricalinjuries.html

Following song stuck in head but only part of it…The Lord is my strength and song… Don’t know name or anymore words. I like the tune though. It’s uplifting.

Whole body aches, nerve endings thru body feel like their pulsating on fire, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling and numbish, low back aches, sinus congestion, hands swollen and achy, rt hip aches (plus side I don’t remember my rt hip aching yday until evening), lower back of neck throbbing

Praying today will be a good day.

Field Trip today to Bellingrath Gardens. It’s founders day.

9:43p- enjoyed the gardens. Took some pretty pictures. Brain overstimulated. I have such a headache! Rt hip throbbing, lower left leg numbish and tourniquit tighten feeling, neck throbbing, exhausted, low back achez, sharp stabbing pain near tailvone, toes hurt, necks feels like its in knots

Going to bed little earlier. Hopefully I’ll fall asleep quickly.

August 1

5:30a- Not sure exactly when I finally fell asleep last time I looked at clock it was after 1am. High pain all over body doesn’t allow me much sleep. Body telling me I did way too much yday.

Need to work on finishing bulletin board at church. Very thirsty right now think I need more water. Took Tylenol.

6:00a-Stinging pain in upper back, whole body hurts, pins & needle pain in legs, hands swollen and throbbing, skin itches, muscles randomly twitching thru body, neck throbbing.

Wrists and ankles stinging.

7:00a- bloody nose

1:00p- feel crashing coming on laying down a while. Only lasted 40 minutes or so bc of text waking me.

4:00p- starting to get headache

4:30p severe thunderstorm warning issued. ugh!

8:30p- talking with Joe. Words not coming out write. Joe not understanding. We ended up arguing. I don’t know how to fix the jumbled speech brain connection. Sometimes it’s just better to stop talking but that doesn’t help either. 

10:26p- thankfully storm blew around us but I still have bad headache. Neck throbbing, upper back stinging, hands swollen and achy, lower left leg numbish and tingly aching, low back hurts, rt hip hurts. I’m utterly exhausted. Trouble swallowing my medz.

August 2

5:00a- woke to stinging needle pain all over. Headache worse.

11:00a- the stinging needle pain is kicking me down. Add to it bad headache, rt hip throbbing, stomach aches, pms. Drank red raspberry leaf tea.

11:57a- I was considering taking an Epsom Salt bath after morning exercises, but I just heard couple of heavy duty thunder rolls. Not getting near it until storm passes now. Ugh!

Pushed through pain to do 1st set of pt exercises about mid day. Took day to rest and relax. 

Pain slowly eased once the thunderstorm passed and with resting.  Stinging needle pain mostly in feet and ankles and little in neck/shoulder region (5) by 11pm for me to do pm exercises. Wholetones music and massage helped too.

August 3

7:00a- whole body aches, hands and wrists tingly, middle of back feels weird…like someone punched into my back and their fist got stuck trying to pull it out. Headache. Neck hurts. Ringing in ears. Upper legs ache and little tingly. Weird dreams. Woke up tired.

9:00- rt hip throbbing, slow moving, painful cycle, headache worsening.  Running late.

10:00a- rt hip at an 8. Ended up staying behind to pray instead of got door knocking. Hurt to move couldn’t get situated or comfortable. 

 11:14a- Joe called. Car died again. Don’t need this. Don’t have extra $ especially with school starting soon. Trusting God to supply the need.

11:26a- Joe called back. Thinks its the battery. Needs to know of we have enough to buy battery. Dad going to drop ladies off at church and then take him to auto store. 

11:35a- not the battery. Need to get it towed. Ugh!

11:51p- eyes watery, neck & shoulders stinging, legs throbbing, rt hip aches, low back aches, scalp itches, feet tinglibg, hands swollen and achy, stinging in left foot 

July 29

Numbish & tingly sensation in both arms as I woke – more on rt side. Whole body aches. Rt neck throbbing. Rt hip throbbing. Random muscle spams thru body. Ringing in head. Stuffy nose & congested (thyme & oil of oregano tea will help). Headache.

Neck is clicking while doing marker exercise. Headache worsening. Lft knee clicking while doing half squat exercise. Middle of back hurting. Can hear a watch ticking on other side of room.

Hung load of towels on line. Had someone carry to clothesline area. Half way thru my arms starred burning! Will need to rest a while. Rt ear hurts. Wish I could understand what’s going on.

Realized why I don’t like shopping anymore. Too many colors and noises. Hard to focus. Hurts head. 

8:00p- friend dropped their 4 kids off. We are watching them overnight bc their dad is having cancer surgery tomorrow. Have to be on alert. 

12:29a- exhausted and still awake. Hopefully get some sleep soon. Been deep breathing. So cold. Muscles feel so tight. Neck hurts. Hands & fingers tingly. Pins and needles throbbing in back. 

July 30

6:50a- woke freezing. Covers got knocked off in middle of night.

7:00a- decided to take advantage of peace and quite until kids wake. Drink cup of hot tea while working on piece for my blog. 

8:30- Mom came over to help with kids for while. 

12:00p- Bro Jerry surgery went well. Mom picked kids up.

1:00p- worked on item for blog. Can’t remember how to convert pdf to jpeg. I go through this every month. Need to 1 write myself instructions that I can understand and 2 store in place where I should remember location (hopefully). 

2:15p- I’m exhausted and hurting. Freezing too. Can feel I need a nap. 

5:00p- driving on I-10 makes my nerves go into panic mode. Joe tells me to play on my phone to distract me from traffic. On way to Dr apt in Pensacola.

5:50p- rt torso in cramping mode. Ugh!  

7:00p- Dr apt informative, but I couldn’t repeat what he said. Something about nervous system, spine, nerves, & brain function. Screen was too bright for my eyes so I couldn’t keep eyes on him or screen for very long at a time. The lady showed me my x-rays which prove I have compression in my neck and lower back causing pain. The cost for adjustment plan will be too much for me to pay especially having to travel 1 hour each way. Little disheartened not gonna lie. Current pcp doesn’t want my neck adjusted at this time. I feel if I could it’d relieve some of the pain.

7:30p- stopped at Buckees on way home so Jakob could see. Thanked a veteran for his service which in turn started a conversation with the guys. Could tell by his response he was a little downhearted. I was really hurting and had to sit a little while til it eased. Felt impressed to give him tract. Jordon gave it to him for me. A little later got out to introduce myself so as to not be rude. He shook my hand and introduced himself. Talked for little longer. Found out he has family near us.  As we were leaving, he thanks us for our appreciation and he thanked me for the tract. Made whole trip worth it.

A fellow lightning survivor shared this to group page…

Lightning stroke and neuropsychological impairment information

https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/64/6/763

10:25p- I’m freezing!!! I’m shivering cold. Put jacket on and under blanket. Hands are like ice. I don’t understand why I get this way. 

Neck throbbing, low back throbbing, rt hip hurts, shoulders ache, headache

July 31

Weird dreams. Neck and lower back throbbing. Arms & hands numb and tingly. Headache.

Today was busy day for me. Took Jordon to a job first thing this am. Went to Drs to sign papers. He’s trying to get my medical records from previous Dr. They’re not cooperating.  Came home. Decided to deep clean my half bath. It’s been too long since it was cleaned. Had to take several breaks to rest arms. I feel good that I accomplished a task…almost didn’t bc I got sidetracked with a/c making weird noise that was annoying me. Got the noise to stop for now. 

Started working on prepping school. Got phone call from friend. While on phone, got word from Jordon he was done for day. He worked little over 3 hours today. Went to pick him back up. 

Came home. Ate lunch. Sat and rested a bit. 

Went with kids to mall. Jakob needed tie for a wedding this weekend. Brought wheelchair with me. Makes it easier bc I can never remember where security office is to borrow one. Decided to push it for a little while. Only made it through part of one store. First store employees irritated me bc an employee addressed us and asked if she could help. I replied and told her we needed help finding a tie. She chose to hand us off to another employee which did help but handed us messed up merchandise. It was only one. Chose to move on to next store which was on otherside of mall. Found tie at second store which was on sale. Yay! 

Came home in time to finish up dinner…slow cooker chicken pot pie. 

Sat while to rest… longer I sat more I hurt.

Decided to make homemade brownies. Remembered something about melting cocoa and Crisco on stove. Took while to find receipe. Kids thought I was mixing up memories again. Dezirae doesn’t ever remember me making them this way. I don’t remember how. I just remember they tasted better than box versions. Yumm!!! Batter tastes delicious. Dezirae agrees.

Sat to rest while brownies baked. Longer I sit the worse I feel. Didn’t rest enough today. 

Decided to post scripture journaling for next month to blog. Still can’t remember how to convert pdf to jpeg. Decided to scan print into computer ad pic. It works! Thank you, Lord! 

Now to post Instagram and Facebook. Can’t figure that out either. Ugh! Wifi not cooperating either. Connect to hotspot. Decided to send photo to email and post from phone. Wifi & hotpost taking too long. 

Laying in bed now after pm PT exercises. Whole body aches. Headache. Legs throbbing. Feet & ankles swollen. I’ve done too much today. Upper shoulderz and back throbbing. Neck throbbing. Low back aches. Stomach hurts. Muscles randomly twitching thru body. I’m exhausted but mind wide awake. 

July 27

7:45p- feels like my pain increaseth. Not sure about the new rx. Not sure if its not working or it is working and pain rebounds when it wears off.

Nightmare last night. 

Whole body is throbbing. I don’t even want to get out of bed.

10:00a- bad mood. feeling on sleeves today. Joe trying to ask what’s wrong. Tried to tell him but couldn’t get it out right. Didn’t make him happy. Told him I really not want to discuss right now. Hard to have good attitude with much pain and feelings hurt. 

One house we were going to knock door to invite to church…half way down driveway we heard big dogs barking. Couldn’t determine where they were at so I paused my tracks. Heard someone yelling at dogs. I chuckled. Inside my being I was scared to death and wanted to run away, but I pushed myself forward. Few more steps towards house man comes out and yells “We have really bad dogs” I told him “that was okay we were out inviting people to church and showed tract” He replied, ” Maybe some other day.” Ok thank you. (Inside my head I was wanting to yell run away run away. But I knew that wouldn’t set good example. Ugh.)

4:00p- time to lay down a piece. Can feel myself crashing soon. Bread in maker smells good. Beef in slow cooker for dinner.

4:50- sharp pain in chest and muscles spazzing in torso cut nap short. 

8:00- dinner didnt go over too well. Didn’t know I was out of pasta sauce. Improvised with ketchup & bbq sauce. Family didn’t like it. 

Attempted coffee cake muffins for breakfast. Messed that up too. Somehow they overflowed muffin pans mega much. Overflow burning on bottom of oven causing a smokey kitchen. Never happened before. Ugh! Joe came to rescue to help take them out of oven & blow smoke out back door. Hope they at least taste good.

11:00- body hurts from head to toes. Random muscle spams thru body. Headache bad. Hurts to move. Pain rx not helping. Dizziness much today. Trouble tripping over feet. Had to catch myself several times before I fell. Hope tomorrow is better.

Before he falls asleep I apologize for being in grumpy mood today.

July 28

Whole body aches. Muscles fluttering on rt side. Neck & rt hip throbbing. So sleepy trouble waking. Headache.

Neck hurts so much. Feels like if I could just get it adjudted it would feel better. I just don’t understand what’s going on or how to ease up the pain. 

At church, people noticed I wasn’t my cheerful self and asked what was wrong.  I explained best I could about pain and bad day yday. Talina said I make her feel better about herself. I guess cuz it shows I’m human

 I don’t know?

Reni made my day. She came straight to me to give me a hug. That’s precious to me. Even more precious she asked her momma to sit by me all by herself in church. Once I sat in my seat after playing piano (which I struggle to do. Hands and brain don’t seem to want to coordinate well), she snuggled up to me and gave big smile. She made my heart feel better.

Tailbone screaming. Hard to sit still.

https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/health-system-edition/2018/march2018/neuropathic-pain-a-glimpse-inside-the-unabating-affliction

-by this article, my autonomic & motor nerves were damage. I know that my peripheral neuropathy isn’t diabetic bc I don’t have diabetes. Yeah! Mine came from trauma – lightning strike.

I know there’s correlation on gut and brain health but didn’t put the two together.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26348611/

The pain has kicked my butt today. Getting sleepy. Long day tomorrow. Watching kids for church family. The man is having surgery for bladder cancer early Tuesday morning.  

July 24

5:30a- woke in severe pain low back, muscled randomly spazzing thru legs, arms tingly, severely congested. Took pain rx. Hope to fall back asleep.

6:30a- still awake. Using heating pad to see if that’ll help. Researching Drivers Ed for school elective. Need an inexpensive route. 

8:45a- sipping thyme and oil of oregano tea with peppermint and copabia oils. One for sinus relief and two for additional pain relief help. Need the Lord’s help for mind over matter to get at least a little done today.

9:10a- called eye dr. Dezirae’s rx on new glasses not right. Need them checked. Apt at 1pm today.

9:30a- checked library card system for driver ed program. They have it in stock. Can’t find my library card. It’s not where I remember keeping it. Ugh! Called library asked about item and explained my dilemma. Lady was so sweet even with the stammering and stuttering.

10am- continuing working on scheduling chemistry lesson plans for Jordon. Sure wish I could afford Jordon to take the Biology Labs this year. Lord, could You provide a way?

12:15p- time to go to eye apt & run errands. 

1:30p- eye rx was way off. Dr office have to order new pair. 2 week wait.

4pm – back home. I’m exhausted and really hurting. Need to rest. Sat in chair in livingroom. Could feel myself about to crash. Went to room to lay down.

6:00p-  Tried to watch a movie with family. I know I’ve watched it before but don’t remember a thing about it. Flashing and quick moving screens bothering eyes. Much background noise making it hard for my brain to process information. Saying I can’t hear is not completely right…my brain having trouble keeping up. Keep asking family too many questions. I’m frustrating them and myself. Main character looks familiar. I remember his voice on Moana. Family tells me who it is. Ugh! I should’ve known that. Don’t remember 2nd bald guys name either. Lose interest in movie after about an hour. It’s hurting my head. Decided to go give the dog a shave. Jordon helps hold dog for me. She does well. By this time, my whole body is throbbing in pain. 

9:00p- decided to go to bed with heating pad. It does nothing. Took night Rx . Took Tylenol. Have to wait 2 hours to take stronger rx due to new rx Dr is trying. Drinking glass of water.

630 Watching movies/tv with brain injury can be quite frustrating at times. The quick flashing scenes hurt the eyes and I have to look away quite often. 

My husband has been kind enough to find a screen mode (theater) that when screen resolution is too bright for me to handle we can switch it to.  

Movies I’ve watched several times before are like watching them again for first time. Sometimes its hard to process words being spoken so I’m constantly asking what’s going on. 

Words I used to know I have to ask what it means. 

I recognize characters but can’t remember names or what other movies they played on. For instance, in the movie GI Joe 2, I recognized the main character but I couldn’t remember his name or where I recognized him. So I ask “Who’s the bald guy? Did he play in Moana?” Family responds, “Yes, Mom. He’s Dwayne Johnson.” I reply, “Oh, okay.”

I recognize the 2nd bald guy but don’t remember him. Good grief! I think he’s from when I was a teen. So I ask, “Who’s the 2nd bald guy?” Family replies,” Bruce Willis.” This is frustrating not only for me but also for my family. Makes it hard to enjoy movie with constant questions.

I decided to shush up for a while. I still don’t understand what’s going on. My nerve endings begin to feel weird and my head starts hurting. Background noises, movies noises make it extremely difficult to concentrate on what’s being said. Sometimes I think what’s the use trying, but a voice in my head tells me to “Never give up!”  I chose to rest my brain and try again momentarily.

Some of the music hurts my ears so I have the sound muted for a while. An hour into movie, I lose interest and decide to do something else.

July 25

Asked to go get lawn mowed at church today. Not what I was planning, but it wasnt raining and it needed to be done. Woke kids up. Kids mowed and weedeated. I trimmed up a rose bush and pulled weeds in flower bed by sign. Had to do sections and rest in between. It’s only a little half circle flower bed. 

9:00p- sitting in livingroom next to Jakob. Pulled feet under me bc they’re getting cold. Jakob begins to wonder why his butt is getting cold. He touches my feet and exclaims my feet are freezing. Lol!

11:00p- went to bed half hour ago. Still awake but tired. Pain all over. I’m freezing and it’s 73° inside house. My feet are like ice cubes though I’ve had socks on for over an hour.  Eyes watery and nose congested. Rt hip throbbing. Headache. Back hurts. Hands hurt. Lower left leg tourniquit tighten and numbish feeling. Lower back aches and throbbing. Feet and ankles freezing

July 26

2:30 woke to use restroom. Lost balance fell into fan and knocked it over. Stomach hurts. Muscles in torso jumping. Back & shoulders hurt. Left ankle on fire where I was bit by ants yday.

Song on mind “Even in valley God is good.” 

7:30a- awake off and on rest of night. Woke to arms and hands numb and tingling. Low back throbbing. Sharp dull pain in upper lft thigh. Feet throbbing and tingly. Hands swollen and achy. 

Preventing or Slowing Down Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

9:45p- bridges hurt. Everytime they have caused my back to cramps and chest hurting. Think I need to back off couple days.

July 22

11:01p- thought I wrote before now. Guess not. 

Had rough night. Up every few hours. Ended up sleeping til 9:20. I hurt so bad it’s hard to move. 

Mom came over about 10am to help me get a room booked for ladies conf. Good thing bc there were only couple rooms left with queen beds. Glad that’s done.

Back to stumbling over words and not being able to speak what I’m thinking. 

Trying to talk to Buddy. Told him to get his ears out of his buds instead of take the earbuds out of your ear. Ugh! We had a good laugh over it at least.

Had to go to bank to get paper notarized so Buddy can get his permit. Got all the way to bank and realized I forgot the paper. Had to go back home to get it. Ugh! 

Decided while out to make couole extra stops just to get out of house a bit. Academy & Bargain Goodwill. I didn’t have strength or energy to sort through the clothing. Arms cramping quickly.

Home in time to cook dinner. Not really up to it. Entire body aches and I’m so tired. Sat to rest a bit to muster up enough energy. 

Joe decided to go for short walk after dinner. Whole family went. That was nice. Rt hip throbbing short ways into it. Glad he cut it short. 

Decided to soak in Epsom Salt bath for a while to ease muscle cramping before bed. It helped some but taking shower has become such a chore. 

Muscles twitching throughout body. Gonna need to take muscle relaxer to get to sleep. Have long day of appointments tomorrow.  

July 23

6:40a- woke myself up at 4am hiccuping. Crazy. Whole body aches. Headache. Tired. 

10:00a- Physical Therapy. Went well. She pushed me harder today. Added to my home exercises. (Deep Breathing, Seated Chin Tuck, Knee Rock, Half Squat to Chair, Clamshells, Bridges, Marker Exercise, X to X exercise adding diagonals, “Psssst” x 5 seconds, Rows with theraband, and Deep Breathing Exercise). I’m tuckered today.

11:00a- TBI mtg. Everyone glad to see us. Teresa chatted with us for a bit. Chose to sit with a newer family bc they were sitting by themselves. Ron (TBI coordinator) asked if there was anything he could help with. I told him about trouble obtaining records from precious Dr office. He’s going to try to help.

1:00p- Started raining on way home. Need to get some things at store. Actually pulled in pkg lot and parked. Thunderstorming and I could feel myself getting ready to crash. Chose to go home instead. Explained what was going on on way home. Dezirae understood. Made it to bed just before crashing. Slept for over an hour.

3:00p- Storm getting worse and heading to Pensacola. Suppose to have follow up apt with Dr to get results from spinal scan and xrays. Joe told me to stay safe to call and reschedule. Upset but called. 

I’m so tired and starting to really hurt. Not doing so hot learning balance of things and causing too much pain. 

7:00p- chose to work for little bit on school planning. Got 4 of 5 core subjects planned for Jordon now. Still not sure on electives. Try to work on 5th subject and electives tomorrow. Once I get Jordon’s done, I’ll do Dezirae’s. 

11:44p- I’m exhausted and really hurting and still wide awake. Ugh!