Category: My Healing Journey

October 10

Went to church to vacuum foyer and fall décor. Carpet on front porch more ripped. Lifted the piece blowing in wind and accidentally ripped it more. Decided to rip it all off. Had to chisel/scrap some of glue spots on bottom half.  Came home and soaked in Epsom Salt bath to ease pain.

October 11

5:30a- woke with bad headache, whole body aches 4.5, neck throbbing, hands swollen and achy, feet tingly, low back hurting

6:30a- nose started bleeding

7:00a- Can’t fall back to sleep…getting up

In case you were wondering…

Shocking truths about lightning strikes

Shocking Truths about Lightning Strikes

October 12

8:00a- woke in a panic. Suppose to get up at 7am. Thought I hit snooze the second time, but apparently  not! Now late…gave myself a headache & bloody nose! Ugh! Read two passages in Bible.

Cooked egg for Dezirae. Packed her a lunch and out tge door by 8:30a. Volleyball tournament in  Semmes. Have to borrow a car to get her there.

10:00a- decided to make batch of homemade bisquick mix. Messed up royally! Direction asked  for 5 TBPS of Baking powder. My eyes saw 5 cups sugar. Realized it after I dumped 5th cup of sugar on top of flour. Able to scoop out 2 1/2 cups of sugar. 

Next mishap was the baking powder. I grabbed what I thought was baking powder and measured out 5 TBPS. Kept going. It wasn’t until I was putting items away that it was actually corn starch! Ugh!  

I let Jordon know what I did. While chuckling, he came and gave me a hug and replied, “It’s okay, Mom!” Awh!

I replied, “I’m not getting much right today. 

Jordon reiterates, “It’s okay, mom.”

I said, “I know. It’s just frustrating at times.”

11:00a- able to weed 2nd half of my flower garden in front yard. Also, planted winter onions in a tote. 

12:21p – received notification that Dezirae’s game was over and she was free to go home. Had to let them know that I didn’t have access to a car until my husband gets home. One of the other moms graciously offered to bring her home. Thank you, Lord.

1:00p- able to plant green beans & bell peppers in totes too. Prayed they will grow and produce fruit. I don’t have a green thumb, but I’m trying.

3:00p- went out soulwinning with my family to pass out fliers for our church’s revival services. The very first house my sister & I approached the guy was rude! He told us that we needed to get  out of the neighborhood. When we asked why, he told us because he was fixing to sick his dog on  us. We told him we didn’t want to cause any trouble. As we turned to walk away, he proceeded to try to sick his dog on us!  The dog didn’t do anything. I couldn’t walk very fast because I have to use a cane for balance. We kept on going. In my mind, I shook the dust off my feet and prayed that one day this man will get saved. 

After thought – what man in his right mind sicks his dog on a cripple woman walking with a cane. Shame on him! Thank you, Lord, for the dog not coming after us because the whole neighborhood would’ve heard me screaming!! 

5pm- back home to eat dinner. Thankfully, dinner was in crockpot pot. I’m exhausted.

6:00p- the events of day are catching up to me. I’m really hurting and ready for bed. Still have a  bad headache. Gonna have to take a migraine pill…nothing else is working.

7:30 – watched Courageous with family. Noticed my headache was starting to ease. Finally. Hard to think straight when head hurts that much.

10:17p – going to bed. I’m tired, but wide awake.

Low back throbbing, ears itch, hands swollen and achy, toes tingly, feet hurt, neck hurts, upper  back achy, hiccups, tired but cant sleep, arm hurt, calves starting to cramp & ache

October 8

Sundays just wear me out so much. It’s hard to get up Monday mornings and get going let alone staying motivated to keep going. So tired and wore out.

9:37- I purposely didn’t take a nap so I would fall asleep easy bc I have to get up early to take Joe to work in order to get the car tomorrow.  Epic fail!  I’m still wide awake!!! Ugh!  I’m seriously in pain all over!  I only managed to help both Jordon & Dezirae in math today, wash 3 loads of clothes, and cook dinner.  Lord, I need Your healing, guidance, and provision. Food is a need, help provide please.

October 9

Busy day today…

5:15am- took my husband to work so I could have car

6am- youngest child started working on school work

7:30am- woke middle child up to start school work.

8:15am- I actually tried walking a little in our neighborhood. Able to walk up and down most of our street (about 1/10th of a mile) before I started hurting too much.

9am- couldn’t go no more…crashed & took cat nap

10:00- food pantry to get some groceries

10:20- put food away. Helped middle child with math (attempted too. I’ve forgotten how to do Geometry.  Thankfully, he’s been smart enough to figure it out by my just reading it back to him. I want to re-learn…only thing I’ve managed to remember is how to work the algebraic equations once they’re  in place)

11:00- went to TBI mtg. Residule effects of TBIare similar to those of a stroke victim. Can look for stretching exercises for stroke victims that might help. TBI group will be able to get help with Dr appts. Thank you, Lord.

1:20- went to pick husband up from work. Husband drove home. Traffic too congested for me to  handle.

3:40- taking daughter to her last volleyball game. Tournament on Friday. Able to stay for JV game and one match of varsity game. Hurting too much and muscles starting to cramp in legs. Had to go home.

3:54p – Today my son was assisting me by offering me his arm to help me walk. He was walking a little too fast for my speed so I was trying to politely tell him to slow down by reminding him that I was a turtle not a hare. It didn’t come out that way. Instead I said, You’re going a little too fast. Remember I’m a tortoise not a turtle.” 

He chuckled and replied while patting me on the arm, “It’s okay, Mom, I knew what you meant.”

I replied, “Oh, what did I say?” He repeated what I said. I also chuckled and said what I meant to say. 

Later I looked up difference between a turtle and a tortoise. Turns out that on land a tortoise is faster than a turtle. Haha!

6:45pm- Joe graciously made dinner so I could rest. Food is almost always delicious when it’s made with love!

9:00p- I went too bed. 

Oct 5

6:50a- woke at 3am left arm and elbow throbbing, heart felt like it was racing, had trouble falling back to sleep

7:30a- I hurt all over. Feet ache. Calves ache. Hands swollen and achy. Rt elbow hurts. Stomach hurts. Eyes feel crusty and heavy. Neck hurts. Head hurts. Tired.

11:26p – been on go most of day. Kids been big helps. Dezirae’s team lost, but fought hard. Jordon made dinner. 

As I’m relaxing I’m feeling the day hit me hard. I hurt as though I was in a bad fight! Made brownies for tomorrow. Beef in crockpot browning overnight for sloppy joes. Pain is keeping me awake. Husband so tired he’s sawing logs right now. 

Oct 6

A peek in the window of a lightning survivor….

I have memory loss and have forgotten how to do many things. Knowing that I should know how and forgot is frustrating at times. And there’s no rhyme or reason as to things I can and cannot remember. 

For example… I planned a simple dinner meal for tonight – Chicken Veggie Stir Fried Rice. I’ve made it more than a dozen times, yet I simply have forgotten how to do it. Thankfully, there’s the internet & Pintrest that I can quickly look it up. 

Then there’s the issue that my upper body strength and stamina have dimishished so much that I have to ask for help stirring after a while because my arms wear out and I start hurting more than I can bear. Or I get side tracked easily and end of forgetting to add certain ingredients or mixing up the directions.

I’m not complaining in the least. Life has been much harder since the anomoly.  I am thankful for God’s faithfulness and that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

I just figure since my type of injury isn’t studied enough because doctors don’t think it happens enough that maybe allowing others to take a peek at some of my struggles may helps others know how to be more supportive with those who struggle with the same type of injuries as I do. 

Oct 2

I enjoyed ladies conference last weekend, but it was too too much for me. I’ve been in so much pain since and so tired. Tried to pick up refill of pain med only to find out it has been taken off the $4 list at Wal-Mart. I couldn’t afford it now I’m scramblin to figure out what to do.

Family has been trying to be understanding, but I feel they’re getting tired of it all. If only I could get someone to explain to all of us so we can understand it better. 

Lord, we’re struggling and I’m not even able to afford my meds anymore. Please I need you to supply our needs. What time I am afraid I will trust in thee.

My brain hurts, sinuses are horrible, neck hurts, low back hurts, both hands and wrists swollen and throbbing, rt hip hurts, left eye feels droopy, nose hurts, feet & legs ache, tired but cant sleep…

Oct 3

Don’t know what I’ve done, but I’m in so much pain!!! Both calves are cramping and spazzing. Feet hurt. Hand and arms swollen and aching. Entire back throbbing. Headache. I’ve taken pain rx & it hasn’t touched it. Indigestion. Neck throbbing. Exhausted but still awake.

Waiting to see how He alone is going to turn this present trial into a blesing!

Oct 4

8:19a-I still hurt all over! Left elbow throbbing. Legs and feet hurt. Hands and forearms swollen and achy. Back hurts.

12:00pm- left hand and arm shaking horribly and uncontrollably

7:31a-Calves are throbbing, brain foggy, hands swollen, vision foggy, neck hurts, ears ringing

Sept 28

7.58a A friend is having headaches from fall at work. Praying for him. Able to give advise yp help.

This ONE Ingredient Remedy STOPS Migraines Instantly

2.45p Dr apt – Neurology BP 100/81,  hr 74, temp 99.2

My blood pressure is staying in normal range. PTL!

Dr was a little disappointed that I haven’t improved since my last visit. He told me to keep my chin up because I admitted to him that I get frustrated because I’m not able to do what I used to be able to. He says that nerves take a long time to heal. 

Could order nerve conduction study but he didn’t recommend it for me. While I have nerve damage, he believes most of the damage is in my brain from brain damage.  That’s not to say that I don’t experience nerve pain other that in my head. Believe you me I surely do! Most days it’s a 5 or 7, but I’m learning to adapt and admitting more that I need help. Admitted that my type of injury isn’t studied enough and though our technology has advanced there really isn’t any tests that would help in my case. 

If memory serves me correctly, he said I could walk and do stretches. That’s progress on Dr’s part because before I was told to just live everyday life. That isn’t good enough for me – I need to get at a better level. I want to keep fighting and learning if for no other reason but to help others.

Numbness and tingling in hands, memory loss, headache, brain fog, toes tingly & cold, neck really hurts like I have a knot in it).

I’ll keep researching as I’m able and taking notes along the way (so I’ll remember it later)  🙂

Sept 25

TBI / Brain Game: Verbal Fluency – I didn’t do too good.

Dezirae made me a homemade butterfinger ice cream pie. Yummy! 

A sweet friend surprised me today with flowers! Thank you!

Sometimes this is hard to do especially when you’re in the midst of a storm.

Sept 26

Having half decent day. Body aches, but it’s raining. 

Eyes beginning to get blurry. Sensitive to lights. 

10:25p- woken up to go to bed after crashing around 7:30p  I’m so exhausted and hurt horribly all over. I feel like I was beat up. My feet are freezing! I’m cold, but body is hot to touch. Indigestion bad. I hurt almost to tears.

PS. Joe got a new job today. He starts tomorrow. Have some expenses for his new job (twic card, black shoes, etc)

Sept 27

8:30a- woke in much pain all over body; hard to move, hands, arms & feet numb & tingling, headache

10:15- chiro apt – roller table irritating to lower back

4:27p- still in much pain, lethargic, no energy

4:45p- joe suggested I drnk coffee. I did with D.E. it did nothin for me.

Sept 22

9:00a- woke up late. My whole body aches all over. Hard to move. Hands swollen and achy. Feet tingly. Stabbing pain in rt side just above hip.  Neck throbbing. Head hurts.   

10:00a- burning sensation in throat and down chest after swallowing vitamins/rx & deep chest cough

12:49a- rt ear ringing

Sept 23

7:00a- took me hours to fall asleep. Finally took melatonin around 1:30am

I hurt horribly all over…hard to move. Feel like crying. Don’t feel right. Malaise.

10:00a rt ear ringing

12:00p still feel yucky

5:50p rt eye spazing. Hard to focus. Lasted for good 20-30 minutes.

9:43p – feels like somethings not right with me (more than the “normal” lightning strike symptoms) general malaise, weaker than usual, lethargic 

Going to bed earlier than usual…hope to feel better in morning. Immune roller blend applied I did to feet.

Sept 24

Current symptoms

Facial spasms – lft eye randomly twitching. Rt eye spazing enough to close eye. Both are bothersome.

Digestive upset – random hiccups progressively worse, indigestion after eveything I eat, spasmodic coughing

Muscle weakness – unable to raise arms above shoulder without causing much pain and soreness 

Sept 19

6:50- Woke up aching all over. 

11:30 – head aches

1:00p- bad headache, vision blurry, information overload, brain foggy need rx & rest

11:19p- Can’t sleep. Headache eased slightly but not enough to not bother me. Muscles randomly spazing. Legs, arms, & belly itch. Calves throbbing. Random stabbing itchy pain causing me to jerk.

Difficulty swallowing causing me to choke on most things I eat. Just about everything causes indigestion. Frequently choking on food. Often hurts to swallow.

Sept 20

7:00a- back pain pulsating likke a toothache. Rt hip throbbing! Headache! Neck throbbing.

10:00p- had a meltdown tonight. Managed to hold it together somewhat until going to bed. Frustrated. People cracking jokes while I was playing offertory easily distracting me from the music. I kept messing up. I tried to hush them, but it didn’t work. Next time…I’m just gonna stop. 

Sept 21

Mom & Dezirae permed my hair today. I like the perm, but Im so tired from it. My back is throbbing, my rt ear aches, hands ache, head hurts

Able to get two loads of laundry done today, but not much else. No energy even after drinking a plexus slim. Ugh!

Sept 16

7:00a- woke on stomach hands not numb but whole back is throbbing. Joe said that during the night I acted as though something was crawling all over me and trying to get it off. Hed ask me what’s wrong. I’d say nothing.

10:00a- left eye twitching

11:00a- headache

11:21p- at one point today my rt leg felt as is it was being strangled and losing life. Random sharp stabing pain in legs today. Random ear ringing. Neck hurts. Headache. Brain fog & blurred vision. Low back throbbing. Chest aching. Exhausted but still awake.

Sept 17

7:30a-Woke to sweating like crazy, back aches, eyes hard to open, feet hurt, arms ache. Strange dream…dreamt I went for walk and got lost. In my dream, I began noticing colors so vivid I had never seen before a spider spinning a golden web, swan on deep blue river with sapphire gem in middle of head, rainbow in ocean full of colorful creatures.

8:00a- mild bloody nose, feeling weak

1:00p- sneezed and bloody nose gushed

10:00p- bad headache. Bp 119/81. Neck hurts

Sept 18

Indigestion is a daily thing now no matter what I eat or drink.  Discovered rash on belly today. I was itching it earlier without knowing it was there. Headaches. Whole body aches from doing too much today. 

Sept 13

8:00a- rough night, much pain, woke with both hands numb & tingling, low backntgrobbing, head hurts, rt ear hurts, feet hurt, calves aches, stomach cramping, ears ringing, light is bothering my eyes

10.46a- Rcvd ltr yday from DDS informing me tjat dr last week found something that needed immediate attention. Called Dr and have apt at 10:15

Dr apt. Bp 111/78, temp 98.7

When I close my eyes I see kaleidoscope spinning counterclockwise with one band going clockwise. Its dizzy time. Head hurts.

At least my bp is low. 

Lord please keep those in path of nc hurricane safe. Dissipate hurrocane so it doesn’t do much damage.

Dr didn’t know why I was there.  Dr said they say that to get you to follow up with primary Dr. Norhing new to treat. 

I asked for copy of the report. I also showed her the note of items the Dr suggested. She is going to order labs because it’s been a while. She said to ask neurologist about the other items when I see him next.

Dr kindly gave me back my money which was a blessing!

According to their Drs notes there should be nothing wrong with me. Frustrating. 

I was upset at first, but then I thought if God’s allowing me to go through this to help others then I need to know how they feel so I can better know how to help. 

I do know if my attorney didn’t think they could win they wouldn’t have taken me on. We’ll just have to see what happens.

11:25a- Dr apt was perplexing. Dr didn’t know why I was there. Says that most letters from them state that to get you to follow up with Dr. Showed Dr note from last weeks visit of what their Dr suggested I ask my primary about. My Dr said they’d checked my thyroid it was fine. She asked don’t you see neurologist? Yes.

Asked for copy of CE report. Note from what I gather note says I should be able to walk without assistance. 

2:04p- muscles in rt leg near knee are twitching.

6.01p- Things I wish I knew before my SSI exams:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170925175607/https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/2017/01/19/how-to-hang-with-the-social-security-doctor/

https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2008/09/mental-evaluation-for-social-security.html

7:29p- brain feels dizzy & foggy, rr leg muscle still twitching

Sept 14

Woke from a nightmare…

9:00a-Woke with both hands and arms numb and tingly.  Low back aching. Rt hip hurts. Tummy hurts. Slight headache. Eyes crusty on edges. Rt leg hurts. Calves ache.

4:50p- left eye twitching off and on all dsy. Its annoying. Calves throbbing.

10:30p- noticed lymph node on left side of neck very swollen again. Lft ear ringing. Toes tingly. calves throbbing. Buttock aches. Exhausted. Feel like I’m gonna pass out. Headaches. Rt ear hurts.

11:35p- still wide awake. Sharp stabbing pain in left index finger…shots from knuckle to tip of finger 

Sept 15

7:00a- woke with arms & hands slightly numb but very tingly. legs feel tingly. Rt hip hurts. Low back aches. 

10:30a- unexpected goose bumps up and down legs, low back throbbing, hands swollen and achy

11:09p- hands and arms numb and tingly, low back aches, rt hip hurts, lymph nodes on left side of neck quite noticeably swollen, neck hurts & sore