Hailey Bedard and medical costs

Full Story TLDR below

• It has now been a full year since my first full medical "episode". Last September, after a week of what did not feel like "normal" migraine headaches, I was dropping off my daughter's at dance and while I was waiting, I experienced an intense pain and dizziness in my head, followed by my entire right side of my body going numb and weak.

The first trip to the hospital included a CT scan, blood work, you name it. To my surprise - nothing. Sent home with "nothing wrong", even though the right side of my body was numb and unable to properly walk.

The next couple of days, my head started hurting an incredible amount, to the point that I could not move. Not a usual migraine. Only on the right side, behind my eye. I spent days back and fourth to the hospital, refusing pain meds, finally being listened to and put on an anticonvulsant. I am still taking it daily, it's the only medication that allows me to function whatsoever.

A few months later, while just walking down the hallway, my legs collapsed under me. I could not get up as hard as I tried and had to call for an ambulance. I spent months after using a mobility walker device and then a cane relearning how to walk.

After many, many doctors, specialists, hospitals, MRIs (T2 hyperintensity flares and small lesions but unable to characterize anything) and advocating endlessly for myself (which is incredibly difficult when your blood work shows up *perfect* most days) I am back on the drawing board, waiting for more specialists, with some "maybe" diagnosis. I have been diagnosed with some things in the last year, however, they have not figured out the 'why'.

I've been off work for a year now, and I was less than fifty hours under to get EI benefits and I was off with my son prior. Disability has not yet been approved. My husband was my caretaker, then working in town while I homeschooled my youngest and had very limited mobility to just get by while he was working and returning home to get the kids home and ready for the next day.

Now that I have my mobility back, he has been working out of town jobs to try and catch us up - weeks away at a time, and, now, months away at a time. I have a university educated career and love working, but now our family is making sacrifices just to catch up financially. We are thankful for the opportunity to do so, and I am so thankful for a husband that is able to do that, but this is not a long-term solution.

I have had autoimmune disorders that started at 6, and my latest, celiac disease, started at 27. I am so tired of guessing games all the time.

I am hoping to have proper genetic testing done and have found a professional place in town. They offer "Genomics based combined molecular diagnostic testing and customized companion diagnostics including for cardiovascular, cancer, neurodegenerative, and neurological disorders, Clinical metagenomics (genomics based) and Clinical Whole genome / Personal Whole Genome (genomics based)" that could specifically help me come to a better conclusion and get ahead of my own body and take my life back.

TLDR:

• I've been sick, again, for a year now. This time - most likely autoimmune nerve disorder. (First autoimmune disorder at 6, last diagnosed was at 27, I am now 31).

I truly think genetic testing could allow me to stop spending so much of my life guessing what's next, and hopefully getting ahead of things before it gets worse again.

Thank you for reading, sharing, donating, anything. I appreciate it.

Genetic Testing Information

This is the lab that I have decided to use for genetic testing. They are in my province and have incredible reviews, not to mention hold high standards and awards. There is more information here for anyone interested!