Updates from Kristal Ferrell

When I was 19 years old (12/1993), I was in a horrific automobile accident, a van landed on top my car after flipping over and sliding across the interstate.  I ended up with a Jefferson fracture of  C1, ruptured spleen, broken ribs, broke my left arm, broke left femur (titanium rod), screws in my chin, I developed pneumonia, blood clots, and I was revived 3 times after I coded and was in a coma..  After waking up doctors told me that I would need pain meds and be in tremendous pain for the rest of my life.

 I learned to first listen to doctors and then myself after learning that being on pain meds would lead to more meds to counter the side-effects of the pain meds that made me feel nauseated, dizzy and end up with ulcers.  My roommate helped me realize that drugs were not the answer and I needed to get off them before they made me sicker.  She had me really look at other patients walking around in a drugged-out state and also look inside me and determine how I really felt on those drugs. She was the one who helped me understand and realize the more drugs they gave me; the more side effects I kept having.  She helped me realize that I am stubborn, strong and can accomplish goals I set for myself. She would say "start out slow and press on", "Do not let anyone or anything stop you from having an amazing life that works for you". "Your life is yours" those are just some of the things we talked about during the time we spent in rehab together.  My roommate was constantly telling me that one thing she had painfully learned since being sick herself, is that "life is too short and too fragile to let your past stop you from being more, doing more and experiencing the best life has to offer."

During recovery, I refused to take the pain meds they prescribed, because they made me feel nauseated and dizzy and didn’t really help with the majority of my  pain, which made taking them not worth all the side effects (dizziness, nausea, ulcers, etc.) they caused.  When I was wheeled out of the hospital, I suffered a high amount of pain rated 9+ out of 10 on a daily basis. Regardless, I would not take the pain meds that they prescribed for me because of how they made me feel.

Several times a year I will get terrible muscle spasms in my neck that are so bad that I can not move my neck up/down or left/right until it releases.  

When that happened before 2014 I used drug store wintergreen and peppermint oil that sometimes worked, but when it didn't  I would take one of the prescription muscle relaxers that I kept on hand for emergencies that made me feel horrible.  One day in 2014,  I did not have any muscle relaxers (they had expired a year earlier) and the drug store brand of wintergreen and peppermint oils did not work.   I told a friend who tried her Young Living oils on my neck, and within 20 minutes my neck released. It was as though it had never locked in place and the spasms went away.  Since then, I use a wide variety of Young Living essential oils that I keep on hand.

I could have followed the doctor's advice and let pain control my life by taking pain meds which would lead to other health problems and slowly get worse and worse or I could choose to stand up for myself and see what I can do, what my limits are and push myself forward enjoying life.  I would be stuck on pills, not have had 4 kids and be in a wheelchair if I had listened to doctors and not chosen to walk my own path, educate myself and find out what I can do to help me have the best life possible for me. It is my life, no one else’s and I chose to live my life despite the pain, which is where I am at today. I live my life as I please; I ride roller coasters, swim, walk, cook, clean, I took a memorial Colorado vacation, etc... I do all those things, and more despite pain.  A body can only handle so much pain and I've learned how to handle mine with focused breathing, essential oils, chiropractic care, medical massage, dry needling, acupuncture and being able to fall asleep despite pain so that I can wake up refreshed and better able to manage/control pain.

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In the first picture you can see my left arm is having muscle spasms and in second picture my right arm/hand is having muscle spasms but I'm still having OolaFun.  An OolaLife is possible for everyone if you just put forth the effort, you have the power to transform your life.  Own your wins and loses, successes and failures, take action, have experiences and take risks.  Find mentors, read books, watch videos and gain the wisdom needed to make your life what you want it to be.

The following is a picture that was taken of me riding a wooden rollercoaster which really wasn't a good idea but I gained wisdom from riding it.  I was able to show following picture to chiropractor, doctor and physical therapist who informed me that I still needed to strengthen neck muscles and they would never stop burning because I was overusing them just sitting and standing.  Riding a shaking rollercoaster locked up neck muscles which released after using oils.

It feels weird having back/neck always burning and feel like crank straps is squeezing ribs so it always hurts to breathe every minute of everyday to now (10/24/19) being able to breathe and walk around without back/neck burning for a couple of hours a day is weird to say the least.  Hopefully in time I can stop having back pain altogether.  I'm still working on strengthening left leg so that hopefully it stops being in so much pain and I don't have to concentrate on walking/running (left foot turning in and buckling, spasming).  I will update as improvements happen.   The advancements in medicine (chiropractor, dentist, nutrition and physical therapy) and the ability to get online and learn almost anything is exhilarating.  

Even though my left foot and leg cramped from approximately 2 am - almost noon with whole leg becoming numb and burning around 9:30 am, I still attended physical therapy at 10am, took picture of foot around 11am when leg released enough for me to get picture then showed chiropractor at 11:30am appointment.  At 4:03 pm feeling finally came back but leg felt weak and worn out.  Monday I showed physical therapist who has recommended nerve testing.  I learned to show pictures to doctors because sometimes they can get an idea of what is wrong seeing the picture while hearing what happened.  This is just a normal part of my life and I've adjusted and learned to enjoy life no matter what my body throws at me.

I'm not a doctor (can't diagnose) but I am certified with The American Association of Drugless Practioners and can suggest healthy alternatives if you've been diagnosed by a doctor. 

https://www.credential.net/13958662

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 Here are some websites that I use for research.

https://draxe.com/

https://www.mercola.com/

https://www.organicfacts.net/

If you have health problems or are in pain, pray and don't give up on trying to find an answer.  Also remember you have to be the best advocate for your health.  You can't control others or change their opinions, but you can take charge of your own health and do what you know is best for you and your family.

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I haven’t updated in awhile.  Friday 6/23/23 I was diagnosed by Rheumatologist with 

Joint Hypermobility Syndrome king with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis 

being that I’m over 30 I never outgrew flexibility like most kids do.

Prescribed me gabapentin which I decided to try on Monday and by Tuesday I was itching everywhere, back/neck  broke out, nausea increased and I felt lightheaded and dizzy when standing.  Like with Vioxx and opioids,  gabapentin is not something that my body needs/wants.   I will stick with lidocaine injections/patches, essential oils and herbs at this time so that I can continue enjoying my life instead of feeling worse.

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Here are some links to see how Essential oils are used in hospitals.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/why-one-iowa-hospital-uses-essential-oils-in-its-er.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/why-aromatherapy-is-showing-up-in-hospital-surgical-units/art-20342126

https://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/documents/evidencebasedpractice/files/Wellness%20Committee%20Standard%20Rollout%20Process%20WORD%202003%20VERSION(1).doc

https://www.nurse.com/blog/2008/07/28/fort-worth-hospital-incorporates-aromatherapy/

http://www.gundersenhealth.org/health-wellness/videos/news-interviews/denise-nicholson-05-29-17/  (video)

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