Category: My Healing Journey

September 10, 2017

7:38am – Woke up with Charlie horse of a cramp in my right leg (thigh, calf, & foot).  Toes are tingly and feel funny.  Slight headache. 

Can’t talk right this morning either.  Family getting a kick out of my speech problem. (i.e. Cinnamon up in the cinnamon thingy instead of spice cabinet).

Burning sensation in front of right calf.  Noticed that I have to use the bathroom more than I used to.

Struggle with remembering things.  Ugh!  So frustrating!!!

6:22pm – Muscle cramp in thigh and calf.  Muscles tense…hurts to stretch.  Sudden sharp pain in right leg…made me jump.  Random hiccups throughout day.  Loud noises make me jumpy.  Hands and feet are swollen.  Noticing small bruises I didn’t know I had.

8:30pm- Had to stop for milk on way home from church.  Got shocked 4 different times while in grocery store. 

Jordon patted me on back and shocked me pretty good. I touched shelf and got shocked.  Dezirae touched me two different times and shocked me both times.  Not fun!

September 11, 2017

11:04am – Helped clean living room (put movies away & dusted some).  Now every inch of me hurts.  Applying heating pad to lower back.  End of fingers tingly.  Movie drawer fell on right leg.  Ouch!!! I have instant bruise & lump on leg.

11:11pm – Had missionary family McLean’s over for dinner.  Eventful night.  Several kids got stung while exploring in wood.  Baking soda paste, Melaleuca & Lavender essential oils to the rescue!

Glad to be a blessing to someone else.  It encouraging me. 

I’m exhausted and in so much pain!!  Right hip throbbing and pain shooting down right leg.  I’m foggy brained.  Joe says right lower back is swollen and hot to the touch.

September 12, 2017

9:13am – Hurt so bad I had a hard time getting any sleep even took pain pill & muscle relaxer.

Woke up to feeling like my heart was racing & tired from being in a race.  Whole body aches.  Eyes watering.  Stuffy nose.  I’m tired and slow moving.

5:47pm – Having tough day staying focused on tasks.  Need to prepare for my classes tomorrow. 

It’s difficult to stay positive when things around me seem to be falling apart.

11:08pm – My right hip is really hurting (scale 9)!  Muscles is mid & upper back are twitching.  Neck on right side is aching.  Slight headache all day.  Extra sensivity to loud noises.  Extremely exhausted, but can’t sleep.  It’s warm in house, but I’m cold have to put socks on.

September 7, 2017

8:47am – Woke at 6am with extreme pain and cramping in right thigh.  Lower leg spasms.  Lower back throbbing.  Can’t get back to sleep.  Read Bible on phone.  Got up cooked breakfast (eggs & toast).

Brain feels foggy.  Feels like I’ve forgotten something, but I can’t remember what it was.  Broke down crying.

2:20pm- Had trouble painting mine & Dezirae’s nails…hands are shaky.  

Have trouble staying focused on one task.  Constantly finding things left out I thought I out away.  Still having trouble getting thought across, tripping over words – so frustrating!

4:19pm- I was scheduled for a follow up mammogram  today, but had to reschedule.  I attempted to go…signed in and all.  Sat in waiting room for at least 30 minutes.  I never had to wait that long before.  The longer I wait the more anxiety sets in.  I’m trying to be brave but it isn’t happening today.  I fell apart in the waiting room.  I couldn’t handle it today – broke down crying.  I’m an emotional basket case today.  I went to the desk while sobbing and told the lady that I had to reschedule.  I explained why.  They apologized for the long wait and was going to try to rush me through.  I told them I couldn’t handle it today.  They seemed to understand.  Never had this before.

6:52pm – Sporadic hiccups (1-3 at a time) throughout the day

September 8, 2017

6:50am – Woke up with headache.  Muscles are all tight especially on right side.  Right hip throbbing.  Cramping in right side.  Left fingertips are tingly.  Stuffy nose.

Had nightmare that I lost my luggage and my Bible on a trip to Disney and couldn’t get it back.  Stuck in a handicap lane and they wouldn’t let me out to go get my Bible.  Song on my mind was “It Will Be Worth It All.”

10:47am- Hung load of clothes on line to dry.  Muscles in lower back and right hip area now spazzing.  Ugh!

11:30am- Center of chest is now icy cold.  I guess I’ve overdone it again.  Feet are cold too.

Right hip is feeling icy cold too.  Icy sensation traveling through center of back.

11:48am – Praising the Lord that though I am in the midst of a difficult trial I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m on my way to Heaven one day. “It Will Be Worth It All When We See Jesus!”

5:43pm – About had another breakdown…Talking to Jakob on my husband’s ear piece.  We went through dead zone and lost connection.  Jakob called back.  I didn’t know the headset vibrated on calls.  It scared the dickens out of me!!!  I Hollard, “Ahh!!! These things are vibrating!!! I thought I was being electrocuted again!  Get them off of me!!!”

Joe and Jordon laughed! Now my back muscles are spazzing.  Ugh!  Muscles twitching in right arm.

*Looking back I probably was a sight for sore eyes trying to get those things off of me while screaming. 🙂

11:45pm – extreme pain in lower back.

September 9, 2017

7:46am – Woke up to alarm at 6am.  Lower back aches.  Slight headache.  Tripping over words and saying them backwards  (i.e. cylenol with toedine instead of Tylenol with codeine).  Feel like I’m in a fog.

11;13am – Tailbone area and right hip throbbing.  Muscles in thighs are twitching.  I’m in so much pain I just want to lash out irrationally!!!  Every muscle is also twitching.

3:48pm – Extra pain causes irritability.  Hearing chips chewed like nails scratching chalk board!!!

10:23pm – Intense cramping in right thigh down to bottom of my leg.  I can’t get comfortable or get it to go away.  Don’t know what to do.

September 4, 2017

I definitely know I can’t control our current circumstances (my being struck by lightning and learning to deal with it’s painful after effects, Joe losing his job, etc). All I can do is pray and follow the Lord through the wilderness and HE WILL carry us through.

12:25pm – Went to the beach today to dip in ocean for scalp healing.  Sat on edge of ocean for most of time.  Sun felt good on my body.  I love coming to the beach!

Eventually went waist deep with Joe’s help & dunked under once.  Had to hold onto Joe the whole time.  My balance is off and I’m afraid of falling. Ocean had a calming effect on my equilibrium.  I can’t even explain it! 

We’ll see how I feel later today.  Walking on sand felt like a work out.

10:00pm- We had an enjoyable day though I’m in pain. Gonna try to fall asleep and see if I can get some relief.  In Jesus’ name, we press on.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

September 5, 2017

8:05am- Woke up sore all over.  Surprisingly my right hip doesn’t hurt as much.  Right neck still stiff, but doesn’t hurt as bad either.  Feel like I’m inside a tunnel.

2:39pm – Starting to hurt bad all over (8).  Probably should take pain pill now so I’m not crying later.  Able to wash 3 loads of clothes.  Make bread using bread maker.  I love homemade bread!  Wash a few dishes.  Plannin for ASL classes tomorrow.  Trouble staying focused on one thing.  Easily distracted and confused.  Frustrating that I misplace things easily.  Balance seems a little better today.

10:59pm – Took pain pill for bed.  Muscles throbbing all over.

September 6, 2017

7:36am- Woke up at 3:30am.  Heard thunder outside.  Used restroom and couldn’t go back to sleep.  Right hip hurts.  Legs ache.  Lower back hurts.

3:13pm – My right hip is throbbing!!  I’m exhausted too.  Muscles periodically are randomly spazzing. Head hurts slightly.  Right leg feels heavy.  Tripped over words in classes a few times.  Forgot how to explain some things, but did fairly well today.  Going to take nap.

September 1, 2017

I’ve been experiencing a new symptom (icy sensation from inside out in center of chest through to back) the last few days and I don’t know if I should be concerned.  I have call into doctors.

Trouble focusing, foggy brain, easily distracted, speaking difficulty, sensitive to bright lights, memory trouble, heightened sensitivity of senses, itching, costochondritis flaring up in chest.

Trying to research my symptoms and make sense of it all.  Came across this website: https://neckandback.com/conditions/peripheral-nerve-anatomy 

It’s an article about nerve damage and healing.  I have no idea the exact extent of my injuries as doctors are just monitoring my symptoms not causes. 

September 2, 2017

9:01am –Feel okay I guess. Right hip is throbbing. Slight dizziness.  Slight headache. Going soul winning for the first time since being struck by lightning…not sure how I’ll do, but I won’t know until I try.  Hesitant, but I’m uncertain about most things these days.  Need to keep pushing forward.

11:30am – Took pain rx before going out.  Able to knock two doors today.  Would’ve done a third, but Joe had kids get it.  I’m tired, but ok.   Headache gone.  Right hip still throbbing.  Minor dizziness – increases when I move too fast.

2:52pm –Right thigh is cramping.  Starting to feel icy sensation from inside out in right hip.

9:12pm –Quite sore all over right now.  Took an hour nap early evening bc I so tired I couldn’t go anymore.  Can feel my heart beating, hands ache, eyes feel blurry on edges only, trouble with talking, whole body is aching now.

11:38pm –Body hurts from shoulders down to toes, calves are throbbing, need to use bathroom more, extra thirsty, feel exhausted, but can’t sleep (usually read a book or play games until I fall asleep). Took pain rx and muscle relaxer. Hopefully, that will help. *Strange thing is the only book I’ve been able to read thus far is my Bible – any other book causes my eyes to water and dance all over pages  making difficult  reading.

September 3, 2017

7:42am –Woke up just before alarm thinking I overslept. My body aches all over.  Heart beating hard.  My hands, thorax, and feet feel like Art has come to visit.  Lower back and butt have burning pain.  Eyes feel loke I’m looking thru a tunnel.  Just feel like crying. 

Missing Jakob today.

I feel like I’m falling apart and everyone else in my family is too bc I can’t do it.

11:28am –I have the hardest time focusing when I play the piano for church. My right hip hurts so bad!  Able to sing “The Lighthouse” for special today.  Had Joes stand behind me for support.

11:52am – Sharp random pain in bottom of right foot causing me to jerk.  Trouble spelling and typin  notes – thank the Lord for spell check.

2:52pm – I hurt so bad right now – pain mainly in lower back.  Heart beating hard.  I’m exhausted. 

I jumped and covered my eyes when a waitress dropped a plate at restaurant.  It was so loud to me it was as if she was next to me and she was across the room. Jump easily these days.

August 29, 2017

Praising the Lord that I was able to open the lid of a new coffee container today.  It was just the tin foil that you peel off, but I did it.  I’m slowly regaining some strength.  It may seem trivial to you, but to me it’s a baby step of improving.

10:54pm – I’ve slightly overdone it today.  Back muscles hurt, but are chilly too?  Not sure what that means.  Doctor’s don’t seem to have an explanation.

August 30, 2017

10:22am- Muscles in back hurting and starting to feel icy again from inside out.  I’m now under blankets because Im cold all over.  Very sleepy too.  Going to take a nap.  Heart rate 88 at rest.

4:43pm – Right side of neck is cramping, lower back hurts, middle back hurts

Lightning Facts
You can’t have lightning without thunder.
That’s because thunder is the sound caused by lightning. A charged, superheated lightning bolt creates a “resonating tube” as it travels. The air in the tube rapidly expands and contracts causing vibrations that you hear as the rumble of thunder.

https://www.google.com/…/ww…/culture/lightning-strikes/amp/…

 

August 31, 2017

12:16am – Chilling sensation in muscles from inside out – especially in middle of chest and back.  I don’t know if this is normal or not and it’s kind of scaring me.

9:56pm – Felt half way decent when  I woke up today, but I got dizzy moving around too much (made scrambled eggs for breakfast.  Started taking Plexus Nerve today.

Dezirae helped me put mission bulletin board up this afternoon at church.  My chest is now hurting from lifting my arms too much.

Had trouble focusing to play the piano at church tonight.  My eyes kept following Joe around instead of focusing on hymnal. Ugh!

10:01pm – Chest muscles starting to feel chilly inside out.  Can’t find anything on internet to explain.

Each time I get this sensation it lasts just about an hour.  Each time has also been when I lay down either to rest a while or to go to sleep.  Makes me a bit nervous so I stay awake longer.

August 28, 2017

8:25am – My arms feel heavy, slight headache, watery eyes, sneezing, bloody nose, eyes hurt, whole body hurts, out of breath when I got dressed, freezing but no fever, feel bloated.

4:10pm- I’m exhausted!  heart beating fast, left hand feels funny, sinuses hurt, slight headache.

 

My mom told me about a lightning strike support page that I could contact for more information.

It is www.lightning-strike.org.  I sent them an email today to reach out.  Hopefully, I can get some direction as to how to move forward in healing.

excerpt from email sent –

“I am currently suffering with following side effects: constant muscle pain, muscle spams, extreme fatigue, extra sensitive to light, loud noises, & touch, memory loss, easily confused, lack of concentration, frequent headaches, sporadic involuntary muscle jerking, stiff joints,  difficulty walking (feel like I’m in middle of choppy ocean on boat), dizziness, impaired speech, difficulty understanding things, elevated blood pressure (higher than normal), hightned senses, etc.

My primary doctor has subscribed muscle relaxer and pain medicine. I hate taking medicine. 

Up until last week, I had to wear sunglasses all the time because the lights hurt my eyes.

I saw eye doctor two weeks ago.  He check and said he didn’t’ see any permanent damage, and thought that my symptoms were neurological.

I see info on internet on statistics from lightning strikes, but nothing on recovery for victims.  It’s been frustrating because I can’t go and do like I once could.  It’s not only effecting me, but also my family and friends.  I’m supposed to be teaching classes starting next week and I’m not sure if I’ll be up to it.

 

10:38pm – received care package from a sweet friend today.  It was a handmade wreath and homemade soaps.  I really needed the encouragement today.

I’m missing my son whom we took to college over the weekend.  My husband got laid off.  I’m hurting, exhausted, and can’t think straight.

Heard from a friend I haven’t seen in years.

I actually talked in person to friend whom sent the care package.  Sweet friend.

Have to make notes on everything because I’m having trouble remembering things.

August 26, 2017

6:39am – Didn’t hurt as bad as I thought I was going to from the trip when I woke up.  Able to take a shower without help.  Still getting dizzy when I move too fast.  Pain level at a 5 right now.

11:00am – Entire back and butt hurt, left hand & elbow hurt, brain foggy feeling, trouble speaking.

Figured out after talking with the Lyons that all my symptoms resemble fibromyalgia.

5:00pm – My back is hurting bad all over… trying not to show it, buy my eyes won’t quit tearing.  Sharp pain through middle of chest.  Bright lights starting to hurt eyes.

I think this trip is already a bit much on me.  Need to stay strong for my son.  He needs to go to college.  I don’t want him to put his plans on hold because of me.  With God’s help, I’ll manage to get through this.

Thankful that we were able to spend time in sweet fellowship with Greg & PJ Lyons, and family before dropping Jakob Smith off at college.

💡I know what stores need to do for customers…they need a checkout lane just for handicapped people.  I have to use a wheelchair when I go to the store.  Walking too much causes too much pain and I tire quite easily.

August 27, 2017

It’s official! Jakob is beginning his college days. The family is on an emotional roller coaster right now, but we have peace that he’s where God wants him.
P.S. I didn’t know it was going to be this hard. God’s got this! We love you, Bubba ( Jakob).

6:39am – Woke up with my heart beating hard and fast, lower back near butt throbbing.  Stuffy nose.

7:04am – I was crying this morning (I’m on an emotional roller coaster right now).  Joe asked me what was wrong.  I told him my heart was hurting.

9:04am – My eyes are hurting & I have a headache.

 

 

August 23, 2017

8:00am – Had rough night.  Chest hurt some in middle of night.  Periodic ringing in rt ear.  Cold – had to wear socks to bed.  Woke up with eyes feeling crusty, mild pain, and slight bloody nose.

10:53am – Made breakfast & cut Joe’s hair.  I’m sore, tired, and starting to get a headache.  Need to rest a while.  Made Homemade Bisquick Mix.  Right lower back now cramping.  Applying heating pad.

8:50pm – Went to Lighthouse tonight so Jakob can say goodbye to his friends.  I enjoyed being able to sing.  Mrs. Bowser called me a trooper (Had to ask Joe what she meant by that later).  I guess it’s good.

During services, a young man behind us was rubbing hymnal on back of pew.  I wanted to turn around and tell him to STOP, but I held my peace – not only could I feel the motion in ALL my muscles, but the noise irritating me (like finger nails scratching a blackboard!!!).  All my senses seem magnified – noises are extra loud, lights are too bright, I can feel tiniest hair fall on my skin!

Both Mrs. Sanchez’s asked how I really was doing.  Told them that I have my good days and my bad days.  The hardest part for me in not being able to go like the energizer bunny I was.  I just can’t do much without wearing out easily.  Older Mrs. Sanchez (her name eludes me at the moment) said, “So you feel like you’re on the backside of the desert?”  To which I replied, “Yes. (Didn’t know what she meant until later).  Told them I’m claiming Lamentations 3:22-23 “It’s of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed…”  For me that is literally!  ha-ha.

August 25, 2107

10:00am – woke up in pain and right foot had sharp pain when I first stepped on it.  Got a bit dizzy moving too fast trying to get ready for the trip today.

*We take Jakob to college today.  I’m not ready for this let alone being able to wrap my head around all my difficulties right now.

2:03pm – My thighs and lower back are throbbing.  Have small headache.

We’re having fun at my expsense (one of my symptoms from recent accident is memory loss).
I told Joe I want that type of snot grass around our church sign (I couldn’t remember what it was called). Dezirae & Joe started cracking up laughing. Dezirae replied, “You mean monkey grass?”
I replied, “Yes. That grass looks like it has snot on the top.”
Joe says, “I’m not laughing with you. I’m laughing at you because that was funny.”
At least, I can heal with humor. 😃

August 20, 2017

9:50am – woke up late.  I forgot to set the alarm, I hurt all over, headache.  When I close my eyes, I see kaleidoscopes with many colors – making me feel dizzy.  Woke up tired.

3.40pm – Muscles in my left foot are fluttering.  Head hurts when I lay flat.  I’m exhausted, but headache is gone for now.

August 21, 2017

Woke up hurting.  Muscle spams in back.

I can feel the rattling of the thunder in my back.  Took pain rx before noon.  Need to take another.  Left foot feels funny.  have had to use bathroom more than normal.

Thought I was feeling fairly decent and decided to change my bed sheets, wash them and remake my bed.  That was a mistake!  I hurt so bad by end of day I was sobbing!

My husband put me in an Epsom salt bath to ease the muscle pain and then iced my back.  While I was in tub, my left elbow felt like the end was ripped off and gushing blood, but nothing was wrong with it.  My skin is really ashy.  I’m really thirsty.  Joe massaged my back with lotion and then iced it down.

I took both a pain Rx and a muscle relaxer before bed.  Hurt so bad I couldn’t fall asleep until after 12:30am.

August 22, 2017

Once I fell asleep, I actually slept all night.  Woke with a headache and still hurting but not to the point of crying. Could hardly move.  I’m so tired.  Left elbow hurts.  Eyes watery.  Stuffy nose.  Feel weak.

5:15pm – So much to do to help get our eldest son, Jakob, ready for college.  We leave on Friday.  I’m not ready.  I’ve overdone it and can hardly move.  Ugh!  Lord, please help me.

11:06pm – Headache finally eased somewhat.  Thankful that one day my trials will all be over.  Don’t know why, but I’m craving oranges like crazy!

August 17, 2017

12:18am – It’s frustrating knowing that I used to know how to do certain things and now I can’t remember how to do it (phone).

2:50am – Woke up to a phone call.  It was a scam call.  Ugh!  They shouldn’t be allow to call people that late at night.

My back is still throbbing…have to wait another 1.5 hours til I can take another pain pill.  Ugh!  I’m tired of pain.

5:29pm – Hurting all day.  Pain pill haven’t touched it today.  It’s a wonder people don’t keep pushing forward to try to recover from injuries.  I really need to rest, but Jakob leaves for college next weekend & homeschool officially starts on Monday.

August 18, 2017

9:36am – Slept good last night.  Magnesium helping.  Ache all over, neck hurts.

3:12pm – Nosebleeds are frustrating

5:00pm – One child’s lesson plans down for a month down…one to go…

10:13pm – Getting chill down spine on back from neck to middle of back, muscle cramping in neck, knees hurt, top right let has hot sensation.

August 19, 2017

Woke up with small headache and slight bloody nose.  BP 137/98.  Stepped on tack.  It hurt going in, but I didn’t feel it after that.  Joe took it out for me (didn’t feel that either).

11:09 – Ringing in left ear – only lasted about 30 minutes

10:36pm – Had my parents take me and the teens to the Back 2 School Bash at PCC today.  I didn’t want the kids to miss out on account of me. The kids were afraid to leave me at first.  I promised I would stay put unless I had help.  They were okay with that.

It was a struggle at times.  All the noise was too much for me at times.  At times, I hurt so bad that tears streamed my cheeks.     I just wanted to crawl in corner and hide, but I wanted the kids to have some fun more.  This whole ordeal has not only affected me – it’s affected the whole family.

I am wore out.  I hurt all over, headache, stuffy bloody nose, heart beating hard & fast, eyes watering.

Glad they were able to have some fun for a change.  Guys played ball, bowling, ice skating, rock climbing, and more.

Lord, please help me to not hurt so bad in morning.  I have to last for Jakob’s College send off party after church tomorrow night then I can crash.

Posted on Facebook sometime today –      It’s mind boggling that we will be taking Jakob to college in less than a week! I’m excited about his next chapter preparing for missions, but will also miss having him home. He’s been a big help at home and church especially since my accident in July.
I know that he will be in good hands at Tri-State Baptist College. I also know that God will take care of him.  Philippians 4:19