"Finding a good doctor out bush"

When my second child was about 2 years old I found myself living in remote WA near Halls Creek. For a while had been feeing tired and so, so off. I attributed it to having two young children (both IVF) and living quite an isolated life on a cattle station and coming off the back of a couple of very challenging years personally. My sleep was suffering and I began deliberating where I had depression and needed medical intervention.

This took me to Dr Astrid in the Halls Creek hospital. Looking back, this was a pivotal moment in my life. She took the time to talk to me and run a multitude of tests which started me on my journey of diagnosis for numerous hormonal issues. She referred me on the fabulous Karen - an endocrinologist in Perth who i was treated by via telehealth and later in person and led to the discovery of a tumor in my pituitary gland in my head causing Cushings disease - prime amoungst the other hormonal issues.

Within the year of that original appointment with Astrid I was flown to Perth for successful surgery to remove this growth and in the 18 months since I have seen my health returned to me. Research since then has shown me just how lucky I am. Cushings is remarkably difficult to diagnose with vague symptoms and I was certainly not a typical presentation. Many who experience it can fight for years to be taken seriously.

Now I am 18 months clear of surgery and expecting my third child - having managed to conceive naturally after over 10 years of fertility struggles due to this tumor!

I count myself so lucky to have found such a good GP in remote WA.