Author Archives: Tito Oye

Last week, I did something I never thought I would do. It’s something that people with sickle cell disease are strongly advised against doing. But it also has redefined my abilities and defied the limitations I once imposed on myself. My friends and I took part in a 10-mile…

When speaking to a person with a chronic illness, you might do and say things with the best of intentions, but sometimes it may not translate well. Following are some of the things I don’t like to hear. Apologies Sometimes when I tell someone I have sickle cell disease, they’ll…

I can’t stress enough the importance of drinking water. Experts recommend that normal, healthy adults consume six to eight glasses of fluid daily. Staying hydrated allows the body to function more optimally, which is especially important for people with sickle cell disease, as the potential consequences of dehydration are…

Many people with chronic illnesses may agree with a common statement that “our illnesses do not define us.” I understand that some believe their illnesses don’t change who they are. They can still live a meaningful, successful, and fulfilling life despite dealing with an illness. However, I disagree with that…

There is no single weight, shape, size, age, or ability that dictates healthiness — no single standard. Our bodies and minds are built uniquely, so we must embrace our differences to avoid making unhealthy assumptions and comparisons. Many combined factors are used to assess health:…

Unfortunately, the healing process is not always as straightforward as we’d like it to be. In fact, it can become quite exhausting and frustrating. For example, perhaps after feeling unwell for some time due to an illness such as sickle cell disease, a person’s body may start to…

In 2005, my doctors started me on a medication called hydroxycarbamide, also known as hydroxyurea, or “hydra.” It was prescribed to help me manage the symptoms of sickle cell disease. Many people with sickle cell disease use hydroxycarbamide. Before my care plan changed to regular exchange transfusions, I used…

Recently, a fellow sickle cell warrior messaged me on Instagram to ask if I thought they should document their health journey by starting a blog. This is something I will never discourage. I started publicly sharing my health journey with a blog,…

I have a lot of pride when it comes to my general knowledge. I think I am a great person to have on your team when playing board games like Articulate and other general quizzes. You can trust me, I’m not being biased in the slightest. As a kid,…

When I go to my doctors with a problem, I’m never under the impression that it’s something permanent. Rather, I’m usually optimistic that they will offer a solution.  Recently, I have been experiencing pain in my lower back and knees. After a few X-rays and MRI scans,…