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The ex-wife of AFL star Brad Seymour has been rushed to hospital twice in the past three weeks after her chronic brain condition 'flared up' amid the stress of their shock split.
Melissa, 45, who confirmed the end of her 20-year marriage with the Sydney Swans star in January, suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, which carries sensation from the face to the brain whereby even mild stimulation such as putting on makeup can cause a jolt of excruciating pain.
A close friend said Melissa's condition became so unbearable during the aftermath of the marriage breakdown that she couldn't take it anymore, and had to seek medical help.
© Provided by Daily MailChronic pain: AFL star Brad Seymour's ex-wife of 20 years Melissa was rushed to hospital twice over the past three weeks amid an ongoing chronic brain condition. Both pictured in happier times
The friend told Daily Mail Australia: 'She was in hospital for just over 24 hours the first time and appeared to be on the mend - but then her condition flared up again and she rushed back to hospital just a few days ago.'
Melissa had microvascular decompression surgery on her brain about a year ago to relieve abnormal compression of a cranial nerve - but it hasn't appeared to stop the pain completely.
'She couldn't stay in hospital any longer than a day, as she had to look after her two children. She's so stressed with everything that's happening. Now she's just trying to concentrate on them, and on writing her book.'
© Provided by Daily MailPain: The author, 45 - who confirmed her split from the Sydney Swans star in January - suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, which carries sensation from the face to the brain whereby even mild stimulation can cause a jolt of excruciating pain
Melissa - who shares two children aged 18 and 13 with Brad - had hinted she was set to write a tell-all book about her tragic marriage on Instagram.
She captioned an image of an inspirational quote with: 'I'm writing my second book (putting it all on the table - that's not the title but some of the contents) and this one is not flowing out of me like the first one did, so I'll take all the inspiration I can get.'
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, Melissa confirmed the hospital trip but would not comment.
But when questioned about the book, she simply said: 'How can I advocate on behalf of women, if I don't also bear my own harrowing stories?'
© Provided by Daily MailOver: In January, Daily Mail Australia revealed the CEO of the Swans Foundation had ended their relationship four weeks earlier and moved out of the family home the couple shared with their two teenage children
In January, Daily Mail Australia revealed Brad Seymour - the CEO of the Swans Foundation - had ended the marriage four weeks earlier and moved out of the family home the couple shared with their two teenage children.
'So, I wish I had had the time to tell my friends directly, but this article came out this morning and kinda blew the lid off those plans,' Melissa wrote on Instagram at the time.
'The headline is all you need to know - Brad and I are separated and as the article says, I'm pretty shocked to say the least.'
The pair married in 2001 after a whirlwind romance of six months.
'The kids are okay with it (as much as possible) and getting more used to it day by day,' she continued.
'They remain the central focus in moving forward.'
© Provided by Daily MailEnd of an era: The pair married in 2001 after a whirlwind romance of six months
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