Columns

The beginning of this year has been difficult for me because I have felt unmotivated in my sickle cell disease advocacy. At the end of 2022, I didn’t set any concrete goals for the new year and wasn’t excited about what was to come. These feelings are far removed…

In many of my columns I’ve referred to suffering a sickle cell crisis. But what does that mean? Sickle cell disease is a disorder that affects the red blood cells. These cells are usually circular and biconcave, allowing them to easily transport oxygen around the body. But in…

Last month, I suffered a sickle cell crisis. After battling the pain for four days, I decided to go into the hospital on Dec. 12. Unfortunately, that was a challenge. The first hurdle was securing an ambulance. For the first time in my life, I was put on hold…

For me, 2022 has just been OK in terms of sickle cell disease. I’m still not where I’d like to be health-wise, but I’m getting closer. One thing I’d really like to celebrate is that I haven’t contracted any severe infections this year. That is a big win, and…

A few weeks ago, I spent a weekend with new family members, and it was the most action-packed weekend I’ve had in a while. I was exhausted by little people! I helped set up a 3-year-old’s birthday party. I was a pretend patient for the newest toddler doctors and at…

I recently began training to become a mentor to children with sickle cell disease. As part of the preparation, I’ve reflected on my teenage experiences with sickle cell. What was my mindset during that period? I was fearless and ignorant of my limitations. I thought I was invincible.

Earlier this week, I received an email that left me in tears. Its content is unimportant. But what I can share is that it was disappointing and related to things I require to manage sickle cell disease. I had been fighting for these things for nearly two weeks. My…

Winter has arrived here in the U.K., and the end of the year is fast approaching. During this period, it becomes difficult to avoid things that can trigger a sickle cell pain crisis, including cold weather, stress, exhaustion, and an unbalanced diet. While some things are in my…

In my quest to better manage sickle cell disease, I’ve been thinking recently about the concept of delayed gratification. This involves resisting the impulse to accept an immediate reward in the hope of obtaining something more valuable in the future. I’ve heard this term mentioned a lot in reference…

When children become adults, they must transition from pediatric to adult healthcare services. Transition programs are particularly important for helping patients with chronic conditions navigate this switch. A good program ensures patients are informed about any changes to their care and treatment, and I believe it should also help…