Hey, I’m Lucy, and this is not just a headache, honey!
I spent 4 years training to become a primary school teacher. Not to mention the £60,000+ worth of debt accumulated!
Nonetheless, becoming a neurological medical anomaly overnight happened to be a complete accident which cost me nothing. That is if you exclude my complete existence as I knew it, but hey it didn’t burden me with a financial debt. Every cloud I suppose!
If you’ve found yourself here because your symptoms don’t make sense, your doctors don’t listen, your life feels like the Greys Anatomy season finale, or even an hour in The Pitt … then grab some snacks and make yourself comfortable. You’re in for a treat!
So, what’s my story?
In short, I’m a long term medical mystery that presents plot twist to neurologists for fun. I lived for years sandwiched somewhere between “it’s just a headache”, “your scans are normal” and “maybe you’re just anxious.”
Think explaining your symptoms as if you were the guest star appearance in somebody else’s medical drama episode. The only problem being the script is wrong and the consultants keep forgetting their lines. Eventually, after enough plot twists to make Shonda Rhimes take a step back, the truth is uncovered. Well, a one version of the truth at least.
Like all good dramas, even reaching an answer isn’t the end. Being a neurological medical anomaly wasn’t satisfactory for an overachiever like me, so along the way I’ve collected consultants in specialties from gynaecology to rheumatology. Not to mention respiratory, cardiology, gastroenterology and an allergist for good measure!
This blog has become the place where I tell the story the way I lived it. The way I am living it. Not the way it was dismissed. Because living with a chronic condition shouldn’t require detective work worthy of the Law and Order: SVU squad.
So, what exactly will you find here?
The headache chronicles: includes real, raw, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking stories from life as a neurological anomaly. There will be tears, sarcasm and more questions than answers.
Side quest specialties: includes non-neuro ventures undertook for fun because why be an anomaly in one specialty when you can be an anomaly in many!
So, who is this space for?
This little corner of the internet exists somewhere between a a Meredith Grey voiceover, an Olivia Benson justice speech, a Tortured Poets Department track and a Florence and the machine album.
What can I say? It’s basically niche meets dramatic. I’m kind of hoping that’s how you’ve interpreted it because life with a chronic illness is nothing short of that …
Whether you identify as the medically dismissed or consider yourself part of the chronically tired community, you are welcome. Maybe you’re one of those “is it just me” doubters, or you’re the google your symptoms at 2AM kind. Perhaps you’re a fellow committed Swiftie, Florence Welch worshipper, Grey’s Anatomy devotee, or SVU loyalist just like me. Alternatively, you could be an actual friend of mine who simple needs the drama documenting to keep up!
If you have ever felt lost in a system built to confuse you, welcome. You don’t need a referral to be here!
Now that you are here, I hope you stay for the journey!
Subscribe if you want updates and plot twists, or just lurk quietly (honestly, that’s fine too).
Either way … I’m glad that you’re here!
Your favourite headache!