Her Sickled Journey — Tito Oye

I previously shared my suggestions for someone with sickle cell to prepare for a trip and travel by airplane. In this column, I want to tell you about some of the actions I take to ensure optimal health while on…

In my previous column, I shared my suggestions on the preparations you should consider before taking a trip with sickle cell. The environment inside an airplane is not ideal for our bodies. On a flight, we are subjected to extended periods…

The love I have for traveling is like no other. I love immersing myself in different cultures and experiencing different ways of living. However, as someone with sickle cell, traveling can be a completely different experience. For me, it’s definitely…

In the past, when I felt a vaso-occlusive crisis coming on, my plan was to wait it out. However, I quickly realized that not trying to improve my situation could potentially damage my health. I decided to remedy that by focusing…

Clean freak, germaphobe, OCD, finicky — these are some of the terms that people have used to describe me from a very young age. I can see why, and I think that anyone who spent a significant part of their childhood…

One of the best feelings in the world is cutting a hospital bracelet. Cutting a hospital bracelet can symbolize a fresh start. You’ve been discharged from the hospital. You are feeling like the best version of yourself — happy, relaxed, optimistic, and…

Sometimes I wish sickle cell anemia was visible. I wish people had X-ray vision and could see how my cells struggle to course through my veins. If people could see the damage that sickle cell anemia causes, I’m certain that life…

Ed. note: Welcome to the new column, “Her Sickled Journey,” by Tito Oye.  Living with sickle cell anemia means that you have unknowingly agreed to a lifelong role of teaching. Many others are unaware of the challenges faced by those with the…