shifting is bad after driving through a large mud puddle?

The oxygen sensor will not cause the problem you are having but a bad catalytic converter can because at times it can plug the outlet which lowers vacuum and can cause the transmission to hang in first gear.

Here is a guide to help test the cat, please let me know what you find:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please go over this guide and report back.

Okay, here's a little update: I drove the car around the block last night to check if it was shifting and it was. To me if a sensor or solenoid is worn out it won't do this, am i correct? I am telling you that I was up to the back bumper in a pool of muddy water, and that I believe it is that mud got into the cat with the water and as the water dries it leaves dry hard packed into all those little holes dirt/cement type mixture. I may as well get this confirmed and get a new cat welded on to my piping
i will keep you posted. but if you can confirm the part or let me know about the shift solenoid and maybe the role it plays in allowing me to shift for one ride and not another. That part has me twisted. I figure if something were broken, it wouldn't work. But if it is wearing out, would it be able to let me shift and then not allow it, or does it stay consistent with it's operation? I checked the trans fluid for water and its pristine. Nice and clear no dirt
and thanks for replying i appreciate it.

Is the speedometer working? I would try to change out the input shaft sensor because if it is off a little the transmission won't shift, and it won't have a code.

This guide may help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

I have also seen the filter fall out of the case which lowers fluid pressure which can be a problem as well. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Hello!! Thank you for asking me that. The answer is no, the speedometer is not working. hasn't since i became unstuck.

Yep, that will cause a shifting problem, please check the wiring to the sensor first, here is the location of the vehicle speed sensor so you can check it out. Please let me know.