Lightning Strikes Memoirs – 24-25 November 2021
Lightning Strikes Journal Entries – Sept 12-14, 2021
Lightning Strike Journal Entries – July 4-10, 2021
Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 13-19 June 2021
Lightning Strike Journal Entries – 9-10 May 2021
May 9, 2021
5:30a it’s too early to wake up. Pictures in brain going 100 mph. My whole body stinging throbbing pain.
Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 25-27
Song – It’s a good thing to give thanks to the Lord
It hurts to move. I feel like I’ve been beaten horribly. I would stay in bed all day if it were up to me. Bad headache.
6am Joe gave me bouquet flowers & card, Jordon gave me an encased glass light up rose, dk chocolates, & card, Dezirae gave me plaque, dk chocolate covered almonds, bracelet, & card. Sweet.
640 took pain rx to take edge off. Laying back down til 7am to see if it’ll help.
7:20 headache eased. Pain still much.
900 head is swimming. Eyes hurt. Lights bothersome. Whole body aches from top of head to tippee toes.
3:30pm decided to try to trim up the azalea bush out by road. Got maybe 1/3 done and noticed bunch of dogs wandering across property. Bull dog noticed me and started to run towards me growling. I screamed bloody murder!!! Dog stopped in his tracks. Decided to pick up my cane laying near me so I’d have some defense. As I did he began running towards me growling again. I screamed bloody murder again causing him to stop. When I stopped for a breath he came towards me. I chose to scream until someone came out. Joe came running. I told him what was up. Joe got between me and the dog. The movement startled the dog causing him to lose his focus off me.
When Joe reached me, I told him I was done for today. I don’t want to get attacked by no dog. Besides my back is killing me.
Once back inside and things put away, I sat for few moments to rest and remembered that I was supposed to be working on the banners for homecoming. It didn’t take long. Makes me want a circuit so I can do the vinyl myself.
1000p it’s been a full day. Services were great today. I was even able to sing with a few of the songs though not very long. It’s challenging enough to play piano with nystagmus (it severely hinders the eye hand coordination) let alone try to sing at same time. I’m always glad when I can sing.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003037.htm
May 10, 2021
520a tummy tore up. Up and down several times since about 2:30a. Woken by thunderstorm around 4:30. Strange dream.
Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 28-2 Chronicles 1
Whole body hurts. Sinuses congested. Tummy tore up. Exhausted.
2pm went shopping at thrift stores.
Had to put earplugs in while at 1st thrift store bc the music was too loud and hurting my nerves and ears.
500p while in grocery store my costochondritis started flaring up. Hurt so bad I had to grab my chest and hunch over cart for a bit. All I could do was moan for the pain. Dezirae, Tara, & Holly helped with the shopping to get it done quicker. Tara was hurting too. Pain was a 9.75!! I just wanted to sit on floor and cry. I’ve overdone too much.
600p glad dinner was in crockpot – potato corn chowder. Sat to rest for quite a while.
1030 going to bed in much pain. Using heating pad & took Naproxen. Every inch of me throbbing pain. Hope GABA kicks in quick so I can fall asleep.
Headache. Sinuses congested immediately after eating dinner. Stinging pain thru body. Gassy. Tummy feels bloated. Scalp itches. Skin itchy most of day. Hands swollen and throbbing. Arms ache deeply. Severe pain in chest area. Back stinging. Stinging pain in lower and middle back. Legs throbbing. Lower left leg tourniquet tightening feeling. Feet hurt & chilly. Tingling in feet. Vision blurring. I want to scream!
LS Memoirs – 30-31 March 2021
March 30
450 woke to both arms & hands numb and tingly, headache with sharp stabbing pains, nose stuffy
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 13-14; Psalm 74:19; Isaiah 53:1-4
Juicing: 2 oranges, 1 apple, 1/4 lemon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp turmeric
Thunderstorm this afternoon.
Got caught in the rain going to post office. Ugh. Not able to visit Lawana bc of rain. Must make point tomorrow to visit. Long talk with Gaynor and Dale. I think it went well. Joe not sure about my helping her. It’s all kind of strange.
Jordon lost keys at work today. We searched car and cleaned it out. Took him back to store. 5 managers helping him search. I was impressed. Didn’t find. Praying for God’s help. Severely hours later he got call that they finally found them. Thank You, Lord.
Felt well enough to walk neighborhood to Sassy (a horse) and back. It’s .40 miles round trip. According to google, it’s a 6 minute walk. It takes me much longer to walk it than google suggests, but at least I’m making an effort. Keep moving forward.
Symptoms: Nerves are stinging. Low back throbbing. Rt hip hurts. Lower lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling. Feet burning throbbing and icy frozen feeling. Toes tingling. Hands throbbing and achy. Can’t seem to get comfortable. Feet cold. Headache mildly moderate. Joe’s arm across my low back feels like lead balloon.
March 31
500 woke at 1am with extreme tummy pain. Had to use restroom. Took me a while to get somewhat comfortable enough to fall back to sleep.
Whole body screams with pain. Sinuses congested. Legs and feet screaming stinging. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Hands swollen and throbbing. Eyes watery.
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 15-17; Isaiah 53:5
649 muscles in legs are rapidly and randomly spasming/twitching all over. It hurts. Headache increases from 3 to 5. Eyes hurt.
Need to research info for migraine relief.
I’m taking rx preventative, and have emergency relief and still getting them regularly.
Naturopathic Doctor suggested Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) supplement.
He gave links for reading up on…
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19036526/
https://vitalitus.com/product/pea/
He suggests people take 2 pills twice daily. It can take about 3-4 weeks for it to work.
1000a extreme sharp pain in center of chest, muscles spasms in torso lft side and cramping on right side. Tried to bend over to touch toes to get chest to pop but almost fell over due to getting dizzy. Had Rae step on my back which popped quickly without much effort. Serious sharp pain eased, but still hurting. Laid on floor for a bit.
1100a A/C making funny sound and then quit working. We tried several things to no avail. Had to ride with windows partially down. It irritates me to have hair blowing in face while driving. Temp to go up to 84• today. At least it’s not raining right now. It’s suppose to thunderstorm this afternoon. Rae & I ask God to hold it off while I’m driving until after we pick up Dad.
200p had fun passing out goodie bags with church tracts. Each one we passed out put smiles on people’s faces. One girl got so excited she was telling all her coworkers! She even told Jordon. Jordon told her he knew who gave it to her and let her know it was his Mom. She then comes trotting to our car and replied I had no clue you were Jordon’s mom and thanked me again for her Easter gift. I love putting smiles on people’s faces even when I’m in pain.
400p on way to pick up Joe, my lft ankle nerves start going into hyperdrive or something. My ankle and foot feel like they’re covered in mad fire ants – burning, stinging, itching!!!
Joe sweet enough to make dinner tonight. He knows I’m in great pain.
Pain level at an 8. Surprisingly my headache is only minor at the moment. Everywhere else stings and burning greatly. Low back throbbing. Rt hip throbbing. Hands swollen and hurting. Legs ache. Feet tingling and burning. Toes feel like skin was ripped off suddenly. I just want to cry. Sneezing. Skin itches. Joe’s arm feels like a lead balloon. Tired but having difficulty falling asleep.
Benadryl taken. 1/2 dropper cbd oil taken. Pain rx taken. Night meds taken.
Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 15-16
Feb 15
545a throat not as swollen. Benadryl helped. Need to learn how to juice on my own. 90% of store juices have bananas in them of which I’m allergic to. Whole body aches but not as bad as the weekend. Sinuses congested. Headache. Exhausted.
Every gasp of nervousness or fear on interstate or in traffic causes my nerves to sting! Semi just cut us off.
Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
650 back home safe. Headache worsening. Load in washer. Need to rest a bit.
800 didn’t plan on sleeping that long.
300 stopped at Wal-Mart to get few items with kids.
400 on way to pick up Joe from work, guy cuts me off. Scares me but bc he’s on Dezirae’s side it make me angry . I think it through and just decide to blubber to myself. Don’t hurt my baby girl or I’ll hurt you.
728 costochondritis rearing its ugly head! Sharp immense stabbing pain in center of chest. Chest keeps popping if I move much in any direction. Reclining in chair with heating pad square in center of chest.
Stretches to ease costochondritis pain
https://costochondritis.com/stretches-for-costochondritis/
930 high pitch ringing sound in let ear lasting a minute
1000 using heating pad to warm bed up. Head spinning. Back throbbing. Sharp stabbing pain in chest. Arms & hands throbbing. Head pounding. Neck hurts. Feet chilly. Chilling tingling sensation at base of brain. Ears starting to get chilly. Exhausted. All the running back and forth drains me.
Feb 16
700 hard freeze warning…it’s 20° outside.
Woke to arms and hands tingling. Sinuses congested. Headache. Neck hurts. Feels like I broke a fever. Whole body aches deeply. Tired. Calves burn as if I just walked a mile. Feet feel like I’m stepping on broken glass as I stand. Vision is blurry making reading very difficult. Low back throbbing.
Read Numbers 14-15, 1 John 3:10-12, Psalm 69:13,
1000 Curious? Do you ever find yourself gazing over your life and just feel overwhelmed by God’s grace?
As I’m trying to gather information for taxes, I begin to think about my children… We will have one graduating from college and getting married next year. Our second son graduates high school this year, and then I will only need to prepare curriculum for our daughter who will be a Sophomore in high school. All I can say is Thank you, Lord!
You see I was struck by lightning 3.5 years ago. I sustained multiple health issues as a result…TBI (traumatic brain injury) is one of them. Many of my symptoms will most likely be lifelong and majority of doctors have no idea how to help. Though I look fine on the outside, I am in constant pain and headaches/migraines are a regular occurrence.
I feel like I lost three years of my life because I was just surviving and barely could comprehend what was going on in my life. Yet, I strove to keep moving forward while leaning on the Lord and my family. It was sometime last year that the fog I was living in began feeling like it was lifting and life began looking a bit clearer. Miraculously our brains are designed to heal themselves.
I stand amazed at how the Lord is bringing me through and is allowing me to continue to be used for His glory.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1200 center of chest is hurting horribly!!!! Sharp stabbing pain stops me in my tracks.
530 worked on trying to gather tax info for CPA most of day with breaks in between. Migraine oncoming. Brain hurts. Vision blurred & fogged. Feet freezing. Chilling sensation at base of brain. Took Excedrine migraine to stop it. Resting for night. Almost ready to take info to CPA I think.
550 center of back freezing cold.
1120 took several hours for feet to warm up to room temp. Migraine gone but still have bad headache. Took night meds. Noticed I forgot to take morn meds. Oh bother.
Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 12-14
Feb 12
700 so much pain!!! Feel like I received a beat down. Head pounding. Whole body throbbing.
740 Joe was sweet and brought me hot tea. Said it was his thank you for doing awesome job trying to keep him calm thru the frustration of fixing the car. Awh!!
Read Number 7, Psalm 40:8
750 discovered it’s raining outside. Praying for Joe as he borrowed a car to go renew his license and exchange the part.
800 Two (2) weeks ago I started limiting my sugar intake more. Seriously reduced sodas. Began drinking smoothies or juices for breakfasts. Drinking more water.
I’ve noticed less abdominal pain and less bloating feeling. I’ve even been pushing myself to do more around the house and walk more instead of using wheelchair except on days my legs feel really weak and wobbly. Stepped on scale this morning… I’ve lost 10lbs!
1150 recvd call from Joe. Car is fixed!!!! Hallelujah!
1100p very lethargic feeling all day and it hurts to move much. Kept dosing off and on today. Hopefully get good night sleep and feel better tomorrow.
Skin hypersensitive. Sheets feel like I’m laying on gritty pebbles and it’s irritating me. Head pounding. Took night meds plus naproxen.
Trying to get comfortable. Rt hip popped loudly. Ouch! That hurt.
Feb 13
1045 can’t believe I slept that long. Nightmares. Deep bone and throbbing pain all over. I hurt worse than yday. It hurts to move. Bad headache. Can tell I haven’t taken much vitamin C or calcium lately. Need to remember to keep saturation levels up.
http://www.doctoryourself.com/fibromyalgia.html
500 the loud booming music from cars hurts my brain and bones!
1000p costochondritis feels likes its fairing up. Center of chest feels caught and hurts like the dickens!!! Moved to uncatch it popped few times. Headache. Whole body hurts. Tired
Feb 14
700 tried to grab alarm to snooze but couldn’t control hand nor close it to grip and dropped my phone. Whole body hurts, but not as bad as yday. Feet feel like stepping on broken glass. Sinuses congested.
740 throat is swollen. Had trouble swallowing morning meds & vitamins. Not sure what I ate yday to cause it to flair up.?
Hands are so swollen my ring on my left hand is cutting circulation off. Eyes feel heavy and I even took extra vitamin for energy.
1115 vision starting to get cloudy while trying to focus on the sheet music. Wish I knew how to explain exactly…vision gets cloudy/blurry but I can still see right in front of me, but the peripheral vision begins to enclose like a tunnel. The vision in front gets to be like I’m trying to look through a sheet of water. Still get easily distracted by noises around me but am getting better at channeling my attention. Center of chest pain increasing. Throat hurts. Sinuses calmed down.
900 chilling burning sensation at base of brain traveling down spine down back. Lights bothersome.
958 I’m freezing. Literally shivering in bed. Glad I don’t live up North bc I’d be a popsicle. Lord, please protect those in winter advisery weather keep them safe and warm.
Throat still swollen. Difficulty swallowing. Almost choked on night meds. Took naproxen & 1/2 Benadryl to see if that’ll help. Center of chest throbbing stabbing pain. Lips chapped. Headache. Hands swollen & throbbing. Whole body deep achy pain. Sharp pain inner side of elbow area. Very tired. Stuffy nose. Sinuses congested.
Lightning Strikes Memoirs 2021 February 3-4
Feb 3
530 woke several times in night to use restroom. Woke suddenly from terrible nightmare. Feeling very groggy from migraine ex’s.
700 migraines sure do take a lot out of a person. Slight bloody nose.
230 trip to Wal-Mart. Needed few groceries. Also chose to get needed items for church instead of treking downtown to Sam’s. Able to walk behind buggy, but struggled with pushing and controlling direction of buggy after Jordon put bottled water on bottom.
330 letting Jordon drive home. My anxiety levels are high! I can tell we haven’t been anywhere much lately. Let me clarify, Jordon is overall good driver. I get nervous even if Joe or I am driving. My brain kicks into hyperdrive…I envision defensive driving and what other drivers are going to do or car is going too fast for my liking. So many things could happen. I try to stay calm. I hum hymn in brain or quote Scripture. I pray a lot! Still my nerves are in flight or fight mode.
I have recently by accident discovered a new coping mechanism to help reduce my anxiety levels while riding in car. Joe was driving other day and I inadvertently picked up one of those squishy orange pieces that you plug your ears with to dampen sounds. I started squishing it to see what shapes I could make. This in turned took my focus off the road and helped to keep me calm enough that I didn’t once yell or scream. I noticed it upon reaching our destination. I mentioned I needed a larger one. Dezirae found a Yoda-shaped squishy toy at the thrift store the other day. We washed it and it has become my new riding companion while traveling.
700 chatting with friend via a texting. Discovered our CPA charges a lot more. May try a new one this year. It’ll save bunch of money.
In most cases it’s best to chat via phone, but with TBI it’s easier for me to chat via texting/messaging. I have difficulty comprehending what is being said because it takes all my energy to focus on person speaking and trying not to get distracted on whatever else is going on around me. This way if I don’t understand what was said I can ask Joe to interpret for me. It saves for lot less confusion.
1030 surprisingly had less pain today. Still got tired after activity but not terrible.
Headache it tolerable. Neck hurts. Hands ache. Skin itchy especially neck area. Low back aches. Legs ache. Lower lft leg slight tourniquet tightening feeling with minor numbness down leg to foot. Feet freezing. Toes sting. Ears humming. Muscles stiff.
Night meds taken.
1115 chest starting to hurt something aweful.
Feb 4
530 forgot to hang keys up from yday. Woken to ask where I put them.
700 bad headache. Going to try to sleep it off.
800 bad headache still here. Not sure why so sleepy. BP slightly elevated 128/89. Going to drink some herbal tea to see if that’ll help.
Headache has eased ever so slightly. Wondering if something’s a muck and need to get it back in balance
Info from LS&ES support group…try a supplement called PEA. This helps regulate glial cells in the brain.
A lightning strike can cause these cells to go haywire! I’ll send you a link. I’m (Matthew an ND (Naturopathic Doctor) so this is what I do. https://vitalitus.com/product/pea/
Could glial activation be a factor in migraine?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19036526/
Glial Cell Activation and Neuroinflammation: How They Cause Centralized Pain
http://doctoryourself.com/naturedoc.html
1145 severe pain in center of chest!!!
Bent over to touch toes to pop chest back in place – small pops.
Feet freezing! Putting wool socks on.
300 took longer to help Dezi with her English. Kept getting off topic. Head pounding more. Brain & vision feel blurred. Eyes dancing rapidly.
400 headache won’t quit. Yawning a lot today.
My headache is affecting my speech. Saw a DG bag on side of road and tried to say “DG point for me – bag in ditch.” Instead, I said “DG point for me gab for me.” Ugh.
Heading to church. Have lots to do to get ready for services next week.
720 head hurts so much that my eyes feel like it’s going cross-eyed. Face feels flushed. Cheeks feel hot.
1100 still have migraine. Took night meds. Taking relpax. Only take it as last resort because it makes me drowsy.
Lightning Strikes Journal Entries 19-21 December 2020
Dec 19
Woke to extreme pain! Whole body stings. All muscles and joints stiff like they’re rusting. Low back throbbing. Hands and arms numbish and tingling. Massive headache. Lights bothersome.
Need to stretch it out to get moving.
Decided to take most of day to rest. Much pain today so not able to do much today anyways.
Washer quit working altogether. Appliance store won’t have any more until Monday afternoon. Can’t afford a brand new one. Praying for God to provide.
Center of chest has been popping off and on all day. Now it hurts horribly. Need to take anti inflammatory. I’m limited in my function so I don’t get what’s triggering it. Maybe changing dryer vent to indoors yday but I didn’t do any lifting or lift arms above head. ???
Headache moderate. Hands swollen and throbbing. Shoulders ache. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Legs ache. Feet freezing.
Trimmed two inches off my hair before showering. Couldn’t stand it anymore. Showering still a chore. Arms cramping. Slight dizzy spell. Legs felt weak. Need socks on feet. Sharp pains in tummy area periodically today. Tummy muscles spasming.
Dec 20
Woke tired and hurting. Bad headache. Tummy hurts. Feels very bloated. Ugh.
Had fun helping in nursery today. Trying to teach little one to use ASL for please and thank you. He’s slowly getting it.
Trouble following music today. Brain/ vision feel blurry and swirly.
1215 Joe says my face is flushed & red. Felt forehead to see if I had fever. No.
Left side of chest hurting. Exhausted. Feet freezing. Nerves sting. Sinuses congested. Face starting to feel like it’s on fire.
Took two hour afternoon nap. Could’ve slept longer but pain was too much. Sharp pain in left side chest starting to concern me. Tried to tell Joe but it didn’t I come out right. He in mtgs for couple hours. Feeling worse. +
Dec 21
Woke at 6am from strange dream. Dreamt I was getting a strange deep tissue massage on lft side. Woke during dream feeling like I was sleeping on fluffy cloud and felt rested and relaxed.
Whole body aches and stings. Both arms numbish and tingling.
Decided to put up some canning jars. Ended up cleaning out fridge. Wrapped 90% of presents. Need couple more presents and all will be well.
800p went outside to look for the “Bethlehem Star” with family. Two hands width away from partial moon. It’s in our southwest sky. It’s been 800 years since it was last seen!
Tickles my funny bone bc in Bible the Wise men looked for star in the East, but it’s in our southwest sky.
1030 trying to finish reading bible passage for today – Revelation 12-17. Page on Bible app looks as if page is rippling as I scroll up making it difficult to read. Making me dizzy.
Have bad headache. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Neck hurts. Muscle spasms in tummy. Legs ache. Feet hurt. Exhausted. Hands swollen and throbbing. Skin itchy. Back feels clammy yet chilly freezing sensation. Lft chest hurts..
