Columns

In my last column, I wrote about finally being discharged after a lengthy hospitalization. Once I got home, I rested for about a week and then decided to return to work. Maintaining a successful, full-time career while having a disability like sickle cell disease requires good decision-making…

No one enjoys being hospitalized. I hate it when a sickle cell crisis forces me to call an ambulance. This is due to the severe pain I experience during a crisis and the fear that lingers from previous hospitalizations. Additionally, every time I’ve been hospitalized by the National…

Last week, I was privileged to facilitate a discussion between two mothers who have children with sickle cell disease. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for a parent to see their child in pain from an invisible illness, a source of constant worry. The mothers’ perspectives…

I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people who have given me the space to grow and develop. These experiences have been invaluable, and as a manager, I’ve been sharing them with junior staff to help shape their own journeys. In doing so, I’ve reflected a lot on…

In my last column, I shared that I was in the hospital due to a sickle cell crisis. I have finally been discharged, thank God. I contracted an infection at the beginning of February that resulted in a crisis. I was hospitalized for five weeks and in extreme…

The constant pandemic lockdowns and quarantines in the past two years caused me to put on a considerable amount of what I call “quarantine weight.” My fitness levels dropped below my standard, which was low to begin with. Then, last year, I was diagnosed with avascular necrosis,…

In the past, whenever I had a sickle cell crisis, I often felt like I’d made a mistake. It was my fault that I’d triggered the episode. Thoughts such as “Why did I do that?,” “I am so silly,” and “I never learn” would cycle through my mind. Each…

It’s been several weeks since my last column, because I was unfortunately hospitalized at the beginning of February. I was hoping to have been discharged by now, but sadly I’m still here. Last month, I contracted an infection that resulted in some horrible symptoms. I won’t go into detail, but…

I’ve often considered myself unlucky to carry the burden of sickle cell disease, which sometimes seems insurmountable. The journey can be isolating. I have aches and pains that nobody can see and emotions I’m still learning to process. In many situations, I’m constantly thinking about myself, particularly how to avoid…

Every year on my Twitter feed, I see a tweet about how important it is to know your genotype, as well as your partner’s. I agree with the rationale for this; it’s important to be as prepared as you can when dating. Understanding how genotypes work means you can…