Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles – a Column by Mary Shaniqua

Whew! I’ve been on a rough ride recently. Regular readers of my column may have noticed that I’ve been absent for a while. Living with sickle cell disease has taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of listening to my body. It’s also reminded me how unpredictable and overwhelming…

One of the more annoying parts of sickle cell disease is its unpredictable nature. One day, you think you understand the illness and how it affects your body. The next, sickle cell demonstrates that it’s the boss by throwing a massive curveball your way. When faced with a curveball…

I’m writing from the heart of the EHA2025 Congress, hosted by the European Hematology Association (EHA), in Milan, Italy. I’m surrounded by leading experts, researchers, and, most importantly, fellow patients who understand what it’s like to live with sickle cell disease. Conferences like this aren’t just for clinicians…

I was recently discharged from the hospital after experiencing a severe sickle cell crisis. It was one of those episodes that lingers. The kind that leaves you grappling not only with physical pain, but with the discomfort of uncertainty. Perhaps it’s due to my professional background, but I have…

Living with sickle cell disease is no small feat. It’s a condition that comes with a host of symptoms, complications, and issues that are unpredictable and span a lifetime. When people think about sickle cell disease, the most commonly known symptom is the vaso-occlusive crisis, also…

First things first: Take a deep breath. Finding out your child has sickle cell disease can be overwhelming. It’s not what you planned or hoped for, and while it changes things, it doesn’t end anything. This diagnosis may bring a wave of guilt, fear, and grief. That’s completely…

Two of the most commonly known symptoms of sickle cell disease are a vaso-occlusive crisis (perhaps the best-known symptom) and fatigue. But others aren’t so well-known; in fact, I’d say most people aren’t aware of them. Here are a few of those lesser-known symptoms. Stunted growth. If you know…

Traveling to cold climates with sickle cell disease can be daunting. Low temperatures can trigger a crisis, causing intense pain and discomfort. None of us want that. I recently returned from a trip to chilly Switzerland, and preparing for the cold was crucial to ensuring my health stayed…

Sometimes it’s important to dive right in and conquer your fears. In 2018 and 2019, I suffered two major health events: a pulmonary embolism and a severe sickle cell crisis, which happened while I was on a flight. As a result, air travel has become extremely cumbersome…

In the wake of the British government announcing recently that it plans to cut its welfare budget by more than £5 billion ($6.5 billion), I’ve noticed a shocking number of comments in mainstream and social media that seek to shame the disabled population with harmful rhetoric and negative stereotypes. To…