The Dreadful Sickle Cell Pain May Have Finally Arrived
I’ve depended on optimism to protect my sanity, but I’ve always known I needed to be realistic. Sickle cell disease affects people on a spectrum, and pain is always a feature no matter…
I Sickle Well — Somi Igbene
Somi Igbene, PhD, ANutr, is a registered associate nutritionist and biomedical scientist in London, U.K. She has worked with several medical communications agencies in London and has helped various clients improve their health with diet. She writes about caregiving for her toddler son as he thrives with sickle cell.
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What I Give My Son to Ensure He Gets Enough Zinc in Foods
Zinc is an essential mineral and a vital component of many proteins in your body, and it plays a crucial role in immunity, vision, taste, smell, skin health, and sexual function. Scientists have known…
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Improving My Mental Health Has Made Me a Better Carer
Motherhood has beautiful moments, but it certainly comes with a dose of anxiety and emotional roller coasters. Add any type of impairment or disease to the mix, and you might find yourself on…
My Son Needed a Blood Transfusion, but a Miracle Happened
While my son, who has sickle cell disease, has been mostly well, he’s had to go to the emergency room twice since being born. The first was when he was 9 months old,…
My Son’s 2-year Sickle Cell Review Went Well, With a Slight Hiccup
I almost can’t believe my son is 2 years old already! It doesn’t help that every time I take him out, acquaintances, and even some friends, scream in disbelief when they see him —…
My Child Is More Resilient Than I Realized
I speak for many mothers when I say that receiving my child’s sickle cell diagnosis left me thinking he would be incapacitated. I thought he would be in pain every day, with a…
Penicillin Is Not Part of My Son’s Sickle Cell Care Plan for Now
Every time I share about my son’s sickle cell disease diagnosis with other parents caring for children with the disease, the question I am always asked is, “Does your son take penicillin?” It’s such…
What I’ve Learned About Omega-3 Fats and Sickle Cell Disease
When my son was diagnosed with sickle cell disease 17 months ago, I thought constantly about what this might mean for our future. But I don’t think about it much these days, and…
What I’ve Learned About Protein and Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Awareness Month is here again! I’m very excited about this one because it’s the first year I can wholeheartedly participate. Last year, I was still struggling to accept my son’s diagnosis,…
I’m Putting My Faith in Science After My Son’s Diagnosis
I can’t put into words how gut-wrenching it was to receive my son’s sickle cell diagnosis. I had prayed fervently that he would be sickle-free, but alas, God had other plans. At least,…
To Me, Vegan Diets Aren’t Ideal for People With Sickle Cell Disease
I can barely watch five minutes of television before an advertisement for a new vegan food pops up. They’re even more frequent on social media, as every other photo I see seems to be…
Does Everyone With Sickle Cell Need a Folic Acid Supplement?
It’s one thing to deal with the emotional and psychological trauma that comes with a chronic illness diagnosis, and it’s another thing entirely to navigate the treatment, or more specifically, the management plan that…
