CONCUSSION - BRAIN INJURY - SELF STORY

I felt a sudden, powerful, and expanding pain inside my head as if my skull was too small and was ready to explode. It was as if my brain had suddenly torn apart and was banging against the walls of my skull in a constant, agonizing rhythm.

My whole body shook as if I had fallen from unimaginable heights, yet I was merely skiing down a slope in the High Sierras, my passion and pleasure. Despite my careful pace, I was blindsided by a speeding snowboarder, an encounter that would change everything.

As I descended the slope, my senses alive with the thrill of the mountains, a sudden blow from behind rocked me. Pain erupted, spreading like wildfire through my head, leaving me disoriented and gasping for breath.

In the chaos of the moment, during the piercing, spreading, and growing pain, I didn't know what had happened. I didn't even think who had struck me, or how it had even occurred. Thankfully, there were witnesses to the collision, a few people who had seen the speeding snowboarder going downhill the slope, fast like an arrow, mowing down everything in his path. This reckless individual, a harbinger of danger and chaos on the snow, terrified several others before colliding with me. Their timely intervention prevented further calamity, but I bore the brunt of the collision.

Clutching my helmet in agony, I heard a ski patrol guy talking to me, while my head throbbing with pain and confusion.

Thank God I was wearing a helmet, which turned out to be deformed after the accident, saving my skull from being crushed.

WHAT IS CONCUSSION - THE BRAIN INJURY?

A concussion, a word often thrown around but rarely understood, is more than just a bump on the head. It's a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by the rapid movement of the brain inside the skull, resulting in a cascade of chemical changes and physical trauma.

Brain is the most fragile organ in the body.
Imagine your brain, delicate as gelatin, bouncing against the walls of your skull with each impact, tearing and stretching its very fabric.

The symptoms of a concussion can vary widely, from physical ailments like headaches and nausea to mental and emotional struggles such as confusion and depression. For me, it was a journey into the unknown, a maze of pain and uncertainty that required careful navigation.

Thankfully to all the info I learnt over the years from MM and thanks to over 20 years of practicing Healing Meditation, these were my immediate handy medicines on my healing path.

Because patients at the emergency room after having brain injury are limited to these advice:
1. Limit activities that require a lot of thought and concentration such as doing homework, job related work, watching tv, working on the computer or phone, playing memory games and puzzles.

2. Rest, get planty of sleep, rest during the day.

3. Avoid physical activity: stop any activity that worsen symptoms.

4. Do not do high risk activities such as riding bike or playing sport.

5. Ask your care health provider when you can return to your normal activities such as school, work, athletics and driving.

Depending on where your brain is injured physical symptoms of concussion may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Poor muscle coordination
• Light sensitivity
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Slurred speach
• Loss of consciousness.

You may have mental and emotional symptoms including:

• Disorientation
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Irritability
• Depression

For a mild concussion your doctor may advise you to:

• Rest
• Monitor your symptoms to make sure they do not get worse
• You may receive prescription for mild pain medication such as Tylenol. (Acetaminophen and Ibuprophen was not recommended for the first 48 hrs)
• Only take drugs recommended by your doctor as others such as alcohol may slow the healing of your brain.

If you experience any of these symptoms, whether or not you have already seen a doctor, you should seek emergency medical attention:

• loss of consciousness
• headache that won't go away
• vomiting
• slurred speach

These symptoms are danger signs for serious complications of concussion

But sometimes symptoms may not occur for days after the injury, such as:

• Trouble with concentration and memory.
• Irritability and other personality changes.
• Sensitivity to light and noise.
• Trouble with sleep.
• Feeling emotional or depressed.
• Changes in taste and smell.

Thankfully, my years of experience as a Medical Intuitive and Healing Meditation Teacher proved invaluable in my time of need. However, the medical advice I received fell short of what I expected.

Surprisingly, there was no mention of the immediate application of a cold compress to my head—a simple act that could have significantly aided in my recovery. Instead, I was advised to refrain from activities, limit mental exertion, and avoid physical strain.

While these precautions were undoubtedly important, they only scratched the surface of what was truly needed for comprehensive healing.

I wasn't informed about the importance of avoiding certain harmful foods (that I do not eat anyway) such as:

• alcohol,
• soft drinks,
• caffeinated beverages (like coffee, black and green tea, matcha, and chocolate),
• processed foods,
• and fatty foods.

It's disheartening to witness individuals leaving the doctor's room after being diagnosed with a concussion without any recommendations to avoid trouble foods or incorporate healing foods.

In the case of a brain injury, it was evident that a more holistic approach to recovery was necessary—one that addressed both the physical and mental aspects of healing:

Applying a cold compress to my head immediately after the injury became a crucial first step—a vital tool in slowing the progression of the storm raging within my brain.

Throughout my recovery, I found various strategies to be immensely helpful:

Staying hydrated was essential with:

• lemon water
• fresh celery juice
• fresh cucumber juice
• fresh orange juice
• coconut water

Relying on these healing foods was my anchor for healing:

• wild blueberries
• celery sticks
• dates
• sprouts
• all kind of fruits
• leafy greens
• more healing, yummy foods 

These supplements played key roles in reducing inflammation and aiding nerve repair
(just to name a few):
The recommended supplements you can find here: HEALING SUPPLEMENTS

• Curcumin,
• B12 (in the form of liquid Adenosylcobalamin/Methylcobalamin),
• Zinc (as zinc sulfate),
• vitamin C
• Magnesium Glycinate
• Wild Blueberries (frozen and juiced)
• Lemon balm
• California Poppy

It's important to note that individuals with chronic or autoimmune diseases may experience exacerbated symptoms if they suffer a head injury. Therefore, following a specific protocol tailored to their needs is crucial for optimal recovery.

One of the most significant aspects of my recovery journey was the emphasis on nurturing my mind with Healing Meditation, the mental, spiritual and emotional well-being.

Healing Mediation

These practices have been incredibly beneficial for me, helping me appreciate who I really am, find my inner peace, and connect the self/the soul with the Supreme Soul.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the outside world and focus on restoring your mental, emotional, and physical health. This is your time to prioritize self-realization.

Start slow:

• Relax with gentle music that eases your mind.
• Reconnect with nature's tranquility and find solace in its soothing sounds.
  (any sound of nature found online are working great)
• Try guided Healing Meditation sessions to explore your inner peace.
  Here is my guided Healing Meditation: Master of the Self
• Embrace silence and uncover its healing potential.
• Reflect on your inner strengths and qualities.
  What are my specialities as a spiritual being?
• Spend quality time alone, nurturing the connection with yourself:
  the self-realization time.

By prioritizing Healing Foods and Healing Meditation, and immersing myself in the healing power of silence, I nourished my mind as well as my body. It was a time of introspection and self-discovery—a special moment of connection with the deepest parts of myself and with the Supreme Source of Light.

In the end, it was this holistic approach to healing—addressing both the physical and mental/spiritual aspects of my injury—that allowed me to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before. Though the road to recovery was lengthy, it was also a journey of profound growth and transformation—one that I will forever be grateful for.

To your health, happiness and uplifted thoughts
Maka