The two days that I was with Cicero, I had one headache, which was easily dispatched with a double dose of codydramol (over four hours) and some fluids. That is despite the crazy over-stimulation of London and the Leather Scene, a light haze of poppers in the club, lots of cigarette smoke, and drinking way more than I usually do (actually, usually I do not drink). This doctor’s diagnosis was that the patient had a mild case of the hangover!

I had the house to myself when I got home; the husband had gone to Costa for his afternoon coffee. The dog was pleased to see me and, after emptying my bag and loading the wash basket, we went into the garden. The sun had passed to the west, so the garden was now shaded but it was still warm. I took my top off and relaxed for a while.

My quiet time didn’t last long: it was only about thirty minutes, the husband came home.

He asked whether I’d had a “good time”. I wasn’t absolutely certain whether that meant whether I’d had sex with anyone. I answered that I had a great time, but I’d been very good in the club and bar – because I didn’t know what the rules were.

It’s strange not knowing what the rules even are, especially when neither of us is sure we’re still in a marriage. I said as much “you’ve told me that you’re a one man – one eunuch – kind of a guy”.

Seems that particular conversation isn’t over yet!

We agreed that we have to talk more about it, but for the moment at least, getting him his own private and safe space is paramount.

We have to talk about this – even if it does send me into a panic attack!

When I returned from walking the dog, his anxiety was creeping back up, and again he was juddering all night.

I could feel the tension creeping around my head in its vice-like grip: the Migraine cometh.

The next day, my head gradually got worse and worse. By lunchtime I had to face things: this was a migraine coming on. I pop a sumatriptan and start the timer on the app.

The app! MigraineBuddy on the Google Play Store – I have been using it for a few months to help me track my headaches. So far in June, I have had seven attacks, lasting anywhere from half a day to two days. At the time of writing, it is the seventeenth. The app also tracks my sleep – there are five days in June where sleep was badly disturbed. I can download the report and share it with my doctor as well. Poor sleep and emotional stress are my most likely triggers. The pain is always in the top of the front of my face. Sumatriptans are the most successful medications. Sensory deprivation is the best non-medicinal remedy.

This is the only time I’ve been away from my husband for more than a day – and no migraines. Is one weekend enough to say ‘it’s all his fault!’ 🤣