Columns

As a teenager with sickle cell disease, I thought that one of my biggest challenges in life would be disease management. I worried about what my life would look like, how many medications I would have to take each day, and whether I would be able to have…

In my previous column, I explored the overwhelming emotions and fatigue I experience as a caregiver to my young cousin with sickle cell disease. However, I didn’t share the invaluable strategies I’ve developed to cope with these challenges. Today, I aim to shed light on the methods I’ve…

Numerous myths about sickle cell disease persist globally, leading to negative attitudes toward patients. As a result, many people with sickle cell conceal their diagnosis and are reluctant to seek medical care and treatment to avoid facing stigma and discrimination. Their physical and mental health may also…

Over the past month, I’ve had caregivers, friends, and siblings of patients with sickle cell disease reach out to me with questions about how to better support their loved one. Each scenario I’ve read has reminded me how difficult it can be to support someone with a chronic condition.

Continuing the spirit of offering suggestions to make the healthcare experience more efficient for patients and the National Health Service (NHS) here in the U.K., I want to address the restrictions governing which hospitals ambulances can take patients to. My previous two columns have detailed how the need…

When I embarked on this journey as a caregiver for my cousin Ada, who has sickle cell disease, I soon realized that this path, brimming with love and dedication, also presented an unseen battle: caregiver burnout. Following are some of the frequent challenges I’ve faced — and…

Second in a series. Read part one. In my last column, I outlined several “red flags” that people with sickle cell disease should be wary of when dating. These include partners who lack a mind of their own, exhibit violent behavior, believe they’re doing someone a favor by…

Hello, June! This month is very significant in my life, with various celebrations and anniversaries. For one, I’ve spent two years writing almost weekly about my sickle cell disease journey on Sickle Cell Disease News! I was in awe that I lasted a couple of months and was…

Many sickle cell patients spend a lot of time in the hospital. As inpatients, our symptoms are treated, and as outpatients, our lives are monitored to keep our condition as controlled as possible. However, frequent hospital visits can be highly disruptive and hinder our ability to maintain a…

While I realize it’s impossible to plan for every eventuality, I often think about what I could’ve done better or differently to prevent a sickle cell pain crisis. Like the random bumps in life’s journey, a crisis can happen despite my best plans. A month has passed since I…