I'm new around here
posted under: Enough to give you a headache
Hi! I'm Sally. I have a five-year old daughter Brittany and have been happily married to my husband Dan for almost eight years now.
I'm new to this blogging thing so please be kind – looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you.
Enough to give you a headache
In my career as a schoolteacher, I've become used to arriving home with a sore head and a hoarse voice. But late last year I started to notice a much more serious type of headache.
When a pounding head became more usual than not, I realised it was time to see the family GP.
She gave me a prescription to take when I felt the early signs of a migraine coming on to lessen the severity of the attack. Excellent, I thought. No more headaches.
My migraines had other ideas though. At first, I could shake off the attacks by going to bed early and dialling back the coffee.
But these days, I'm becoming intimately acquainted with the insides of my eyelids, as I spend days on end in a darkened room trying to sleep through the pain.
Thankfully my boss is very understanding but family's another matter. Dan's been absolutely amazing, but my daughter Brittany is really bearing the brunt. That's the thing about five year olds; they don't quite understand why mummy doesn't want to play Sing-Along Dora anymore.
posted under: Searching for answers
Searching for answers
Sorting through some old bills and statements today (yes, I know how to have fun!) I came across Dan's insurance policy with MLC.
It was then I remembered we had access to Best Doctors as part of our cover.
We'd used it years ago when Brittany was first born. She was a really fussy baby, which we later found out wasn't down to our inexperienced parenting (we hope!) but because she had colic.
I remember in my bleary-eyed state trawling the internet looking for information about her condition.
Dan came home with the Best Doctors flyer and suggested we give them a call. They confirmed the diagnosis from Brittany's paediatrician and reassured us that the treatment was the best thing for her. Phew!
Anyway, so as I'm sitting on there on the floor recovering from my latest migraine I think – why not give them a call? Maybe they can suggest an alternative treatment option?
I jump on the phone and speak to a Best Doctors consultant. The lovely guy I speak to says it sounds like something they can look into for me.
Sounds promising. Watch this space!
posted under: International woman of mystery
International woman of mystery
So an update on the migraine situation. Best Doctors assigned my case to a medical specialist overseas – in France I believe – who happens to be the world expert in my specific condition. How exotic of me!
Anyway, the specialist analysed my case and came back with this really detailed report. The whole thing only took about two weeks.
Basically, the specialist believes I could try two alternative methods for treating migraines. I made an appointment to see my GP and we went over the findings together.
She was really impressed by the quality of the report, and agreed with the specialist's recommendations. We've decided to trial one of the alternatives he suggested.
Walked out of the doctor's office feeling lighter than I have in ages.
posted under: No more sick days
No more sick days
It's been ages since I've posted, but for a good reason – I've been too busy to write!
The alternative treatment the Best Doctors report recommended really worked – over the past few months I noticed my migraines getting less frequent (awesome) and less severe (fantastic!).
Before long I was able to start putting in whole weeks back at school, and am on track to go the whole term without a sick day. Yay!
Best of all, Brittany has her Mum back – listening to her stories, taking her to ballet lessons and belting out her favourite Dora songs.
It's funny but I never valued my health until it was gone. And even though insurance wasn't something I had at the top of my list of priorities to organise, being covered through Dan's Critical Illness policy has twice helped our family get back on track through the security of a second opinion when we need it most.
I'd never hesitate in using Best Doctors again or recommending it to our friends and family. While we have a great GP, the service just lets us know we have access to a network of leading international specialists who can work with our doctor if and when we need it.
As for me, I'm not sure I need this blog anymore. I've got too much living to do!