[Helena Robinson]

I have had Covid, late summer, probably the Delta variant. I have SCD and up to that point, very few crises for the last 5-6 years. I am not vaccinated and at this point do not have plans to get it. I caught it from my vaccinated assistant while we both had on masks and brought it home to my husband and young son. We all caught it, with my son who has the trait having the least symptoms, about 1-2 days of a slight fever and a sore shoulder/chest. My symptoms lasted about 5 days with a severe headache and fever, chills, tiredness, and a cough. Overall, it felt like a bad version of the flu (I don’t take flu vaccinations either). I think what has helped me through the episode is that I was kinda prepared for it, in case I caught it. I had an oximeter to monitor my oxygen levels, I took vitamins profusely before, during and after and my family and I try to exercise regularly. I might be a rare case, might be normal, not sure, just giving my experience but everyone has to do what is best for them and know their body.  We are continuing the same practices and have now added more supplements to our diet with this new wave, omicron, going around.

[Helena Robinson]

My parents did not know until they had me and I started getting sick.

[Helena Robinson]

Hey Tito,

I just found out about sea moss a few months ago. I actually bought some in early August and actually caught Covid right after that. I took it and a few other vitamins while I was sick and I guess it and the others worked, I didn’t have a bad bout of sickness. I still take it but not quite sure if I see any changes just yet or maybe I’m doing okay because of it and the other vitamins? I’m really not sure yet.

[Helena Robinson]

I used to look up to T-Boz from TLC the music group. I really liked seeing someone like me making it big and being so active. I followed her for a while but I’m not sure what she is up to now. Also, I just found out this year about Asiata Onikoyi-Laguda, I was excited to see someone with SCD live so long and have such a full life.

[Helena Robinson]

That’s interesting. Please keep us updated, I too have ringing every once in a while but just play it off as getting older.

[Helena Robinson]

I would start a craft store/artist space. I love making things and would like to one day create a space for others do to the same.

[Helena Robinson]

I am a Director of Sustainability at a university in the states. I used to be an elementary teacher prior to this, however, even though it was wonderful to get summers off yearly, it was very stressful. I do like my current job, it is interesting, flexible, and one of the most growing career fields due to the current climate crisis.

[Helena Robinson]

Hey Tito!
I love crafting. I enjoy making many small and medium-sized crafts such as jewelry, accessories, and even some small scale furniture reupholstering/rehabilitating is fun. I can work in my little craft space for hours. I enjoy learning new crafts too.

[Helena Robinson]

Hey Tito, I’ve never done an SC sponsored event, they don’t have many in my city, but I have participated in other walks run for other causes. You should definitely participate, they are usually really nice.

[Helena Robinson]

I love icy, icy cold water and I also like a hot coffee or tea every morning but after that, I pretty much like to drink everything 😂.

[Helena Robinson]

I am from and reside in the U.S. Currently in Louisiana

[Helena Robinson]

I’m a little hesitant to get it although I do understand why many do plan to take it. Do you know of anyone with Sickle Cell not planning to take it? I would love to get different views on it.

[Helena Robinson]

I find that it’s hard to breathe whenever I have to walk or move around a lot, and especially when I have to go up or downstairs. I take a lot of breaks during these activities. I don’t want to cause a crisis to flair from the reduced oxygen of wearing a mask. Recently I have started wearing the two masks, with a disposable dust mask underneath a reusable cloth mask. Since the dust mask is curved and is a little sturdier, it actually helps raise the mask off my nose and gives me a little more breathing space.

[Helena Robinson]

At this time, since my body knows how to handle the virus, I don’t have any plans to get it, but I’ll keep monitoring the progress of the vaccine. If I feel the need later on, then maybe.

[Helena Robinson]

Hello, haven’t been on in a while, just busy with work and life since everything is trying its best to get back to some normalcy. Just responding to Tito, my whole household takes daily multivitamins, we take vitamin C with vitamin D3 in it, elderberry syrup and seamoss gel from a homemade supplier, right after the last episode, I started taking CBD oil for my sickle cell and now take it more or less daily and other than that we exercise and go outside regularly.

Since this post, about 3 weeks ago, I, unfortunately, caught Covid again from my husband’s family. The second time was like a medium sinus infection. Major symptoms lasted about 2 days but other than that I was the only one that caught it in my household this time. Everyone in his family is vaccinated.

[Helena Robinson]

I call myself a crafter I guess, lol. I really like to make all types of things. I mainly make and sell jewellery online, http://www.artofsole.com,  however, I have recently started reupholstering furniture and would like to make small pieces like foot stools, deco pillows, mirrors, etc.

[Helena Robinson]

Hey Michael, I have only been a Director for 2 years, my boss decided I should take the position when the previous Director left. I actually switched from teaching because it was just too stressful: the kids and their behavior, the administration putting so much pressure on teachers, and the lack of upward mobility. I was given a chance to move into higher ed to manage the company custodial contractor and things have just progressed from there.

Sustainability is all about finding ways to create awareness of how we as a people are overusing and abusing the Earth and finding ways to minimize or prevent those effects, so it’s not a big stretch from being a teacher. I basically find ways to fight for the protection of our Earth through creating innovative or fun awareness opportunities. It’s just “teaching” but without curriculum. I determine how to reach the campus students, faculty and staff through social media campaigns, campus activities like a tree planting event we did this week, networking with local nonprofits to help bring services to the campus and partnering with the student clubs to help students address sustainability/environmental issues that are important to them.

[Helena Robinson]

That’s awesome to hear Tracey. I too lived most of my youth thinking I was only going to live to my 30s or 40s, but I’m still hanging in there. Also, my crises have drastically reduced and for the most part I feel really good. Glad to hear others are hanging in there too!

[Helena Robinson]

If you’re not a runner or jogger, you should be able to walk in most. Bring water and light snacks if you need that, but most have those for you after the run/jog/walk.  Take breaks when you need to, if you are not trying to win, it’s just for fun and a little exercise, so don’t kill yourself. Bring someone who knows about your health with you or at least make a friend there.

Overall, just enjoy the exercise and pay attention to your body, don’t overdo it.

[Helena Robinson]

That’s cool Kassem, my 6 yr old thinks he’s a gamer and will play all day if we let him too. lol

Sure Tito!

https://www.artofsole.com

[Helena Robinson]

Actually, I don’t. My husband and his family are here. My family is in Texas.