Three Years Ago

Tomorrow, 30 June 24, is a special day. On that date (not day), my life changed as I sat drinking coffee on the front porch.

There was no real warning. I had just put down phone and coffee mug, getting ready to go inside. I remember the hairs on my body suddenly standing straight up, and before I could do anything my world went white. It felt like my brain was vibrating at a very high frequency, and there was a roaring sensation — not a sound — in my brain. I had several thoughts during this time, almost overlapping, starting with ‘this is going to hurt’ and I think some thought of ‘wow the lightning hit close by.’ I thought it was just clenching up in fear, but my body locked up in the chair.

Then my world went dark, and I literally thought the power had gone out to the house/neighborhood from the strike. I was still thinking it had hit nearby, and remember thinking along the lines of ‘bleep, we will have to reset every clock in the house’ which was a pain. In the darkness, I began to wonder what I would see when the lights came back on: Heaven, hell, or something else? I admit I was quite relieved when suddenly I could see again and was on the porch.

I still didn’t realize I had been hit. I don’t remember any pain, and there was more wonder at what was going on than fear. After a moment I thought something along the lines of wow that was close, wonder where it hit as I scanned around to see if I could tell. I honestly thought it had hit across the street. For the record, almost anyone who is hit or has a near miss is probably not firing on all cylinders, even if they think they are — and I truly did think I was firing on all cylinders.

It’s been a heck of a ride, and it’s not over yet. There was a form of failure cascade that eventually led to open-heart surgery, and there is more cardiac testing and scanning early next month. The path I/we think the lightning took through the body tells a tale. There is hearing loss in my right ear, with nerves being dead. My best guess is that the lightning that got me hit in or just behind my right ear. It went down the inside of my torso and eventually exited the ball of my right foot.

Funny that I missed it that morning. You see, being unaware I had been hit, I went inside, took care of a couple of things, gave thanks to God and the Blessed Mother I was alive and that it had missed me (cough), got my shower, and went to work. Missed the hole in the bottom of my foot as it wasn’t bleeding; rather, it was filled with carbon. Looked like a thick pencil lead going back up into my foot when I did find it. Sole of my shoe got the neat burns, but my body didn’t — at least on the outside. Inside may have been a different story.

The docs and therapists at RHI told me that it would take three years for my brain to heal (as much as it was going to heal), and that we should look at repeating tests and doing more tests after that. May look into that, provided I don’t have to go through the useless Dr. Lichen-stine to do so. Sorry, one of the nicer names I have for the neurologist. Having a doc tell you that he’s not going to do a lot because there’s nothing that can be done about it anyway is a heck of a thing. I had to work hard to get into outpatient at RHI and I don’t think I would have had I just left it up to him and his office. In terms of recommendations, thumbs-up to RHI, thumbs down to the neurologist.

Also, belated kudos to the people I worked with at the time. They saw some of the failure cascade starting, and were the first to question my thought that the lightning had missed me. If not for them questioning/pushing, I might not be here. I also want to thank them again for the recliner they pitched in to get me after the open-heart surgery, as the camping chair really didn’t cut it… Thanks guys, you were a great bunch to work with.

Given that some of the short-term memory issues seem to have backslid a bit, and the long-term memories are still messed up, may indeed get with RHI. If some of the (possibly increasing) brain glitches are going to be an ongoing thing, may have to re-evaluate some of my long-term plans. Really hoping we get some answers, and maybe some better questions, with the upcoming cardiac testing. There are things not adding up, be nice to start figuring out what is missing from the equations. There are issues with my right foot and leg, which may (or may not) be cardiac related (and one of the things not adding up), some GI issues, and such.

Since I was hit by lightning though, I’m not going to complain. It could be a lot worse. I could be dead, and in many respects it is surprising I am not. Glad I’m not, mind you. Very glad even. I could have taken far worse damage than I did, and again I’m glad I didn’t. There is a list of little miracles that morning, and I am grateful for them all.

For all that I do think that the best visual to represent things is the last jump of the Battlestar Galactica, shuddering past the moon as it sheds chunks and pieces to slowly fall to the surface, the basic systems are still up (mostly) despite what has sheared away. The brain may not be what it was, the heart is definitely not what it was, and there are a few other system that have indicated they might like to add a word. Even so, I may be (a lot) slower than I was, but I’m still moving. I can still spot a pattern or two in the data, and I hope/think I have a bit more to add on preparedness. Maybe a few other topics too. We will see. My ability to learn is a topic that needs exploration, but I can share a bit of what I do remember.

Meantime, I plan to press on. I will be pushing the docs for data and/or answers. I hope to get a lot more writing done. Yes, I am looking for a keeper as such would be good for me on several fronts and levels. To be honest, though, I am putting it all into God’s hands. I’m not joking when I talk of minor miracles, and that there is a reason I’m still here. I have my Faith, and the faith to say “Let that which is right be.”

That doesn’t mean sitting back passively, as that’s not the way things work. In fact, work (and working at things) is the key. We are expected to work, and work hard. It is just a lot better and easier when we work in the ways directed and shown. I really am trying to listen better, and not do anything too stupid (despite dehydrating last week). Really. Honest. I’m trying to be good. As best I can, at any rate…

Been a heck of a ride. Thank you for being a part of it, and for your prayers and assistance. You have made a huge difference in my life and recovery, and I thank you all profusely for it. May there be a good bit more to come for us all.

Also, pay attention to the lightning safety brief! Be careful out there.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.