Sharing your knowledge

On one hand I am so excited and on the other hand, I am deeply saddened that another in my extended family is suffering in much the same way as I have with her migraines. The excitement is in the ability to pass on the information and knowledge regarding the family history (although extended) and that she is still young enough not to have suffered from some of the brain damage that I have. She will be undergoing the same testing I underwent only a year ago, starting with the MRI & TEE, then they will potentially do the genetic testing. Her mother and I (first cousins) have very similar headaches. She is not yet ready to see a headache specialist, until everything else is ruled out.

I am also glad that the neuro sciences have improved to the degree that they have where there are more options today for treatment than there were when I was her age.

Sometimes life's difficulties do accumulate that one wonders if life is really worth it. It is situations like this that proves that it absolutely is.

I encourage everyone to share your information especially when you hear of another family member experiencing similar issues.  While our relationship is distant, I have already polled as many family members as possible to get an idea of how extensive Migraine runs throughout and along with it a significant history of stroke.  Most health care professionals are taught not to go beyond 4 immediate generations.  If you find out that illnesses extend beyond the immediate family, do everything to make your doctors listen.