April is my birth month, and as my birthday approaches, I am deep in thought. My thoughts flash ahead, worrying about how close I am to old age. Similarly, I go backward in time, reflecting on my life and my saga so far, wondering where all the time went.
Sickle Sagas – a Column by Dunstan Nicol-Wilson
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…
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,…
Columns
Should I Leave My Safe Space?
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…
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…
The dating scene has shifted significantly in recent years. It’s common nowadays to meet people online through social media or dating apps. Virtual dating allows someone to create a profile that showcases their best qualities. It can include anything from favorite foods to most embarrassing moments. In building my profile,…
Several decisions I make regarding my health are weighed up and thought out on a finely balanced scale. A sickle cell crisis can happen at any moment, so doing what I can to avoid my triggers is always at the forefront of my mind. I’ll contemplate questions like,…
Recent Posts
- Gathering new evidence helps me tackle my fears with sickle cell
- Differences in red blood cell stiffness may explain variations in SCD severity
- Don’t let sickle cell pain crises keep you from setting goals
- FDA awards breakthrough device status to sickle cell diagnostic test
- Blood screen may spot potential complications in sickle cell children
- The good and bad of being a medical doctor and a sickle cell disease patient
- Birth control is safe, with low risk of clots, for women with sickle cell: Review
- Chronic pain means greater disability for young people with sickle cell: Study
- Managing depression while living with sickle cell disease
- Screening tool identifies developmental risks in young children with SCD: Study