Why I Sought Therapy With a Trained Psychologist
People often tell me that I make living with sickle cell disease look easy. It is not. Whenever people make these types of comments, I always think that because I was born this way,…
Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles
— Mary Shaniqua
Mary Shaniqua is a sickle cell patient (HbSS) living in the United Kingdom. She was diagnosed with sickle cell at 18 months old and uses “Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles” to narrate her experiences, to educate healthcare professionals, as well as empower and embolden other sickle cell patients. Mary Shaniqua is committed to raising awareness of sickle cell and its impact, with an aim to educate non-haematological specialist healthcare workers and the general public more widely on the life of a sickle cell patient.
Featured Post
Exploring some of the lesser-known symptoms of sickle cell
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…
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My Concerns as COVID-19 Restrictions Are Lifted in the UK
Most COVID-19 restriction laws were lifted in England on July 19. This includes mask requirements, social distancing rules, work-from-home guidance, and the rule of six, or the maximum number of people allowed at…
Why I’m Open About My Experiences With Sickle Cell
One of the many stereotypes of British people is that we can be extremely reserved. In many places in the world, it is common for people to greet one another on the street each…
For World Sickle Cell Day, Read About My Reality
World Sickle Cell Day is upon us tomorrow, June 19. Following are memories that illustrate sickle cell’s ugly grip on my reality. *** The year was 2018 and the British Society…
How to Prepare Ahead of Time for Sudden Hospitalizations
One of the most annoying things about sickle cell disease is that a hospitalization can occur with very short notice. I might be fine one moment only to become severely ill the next, often…
Why We Need Better Doctor-patient Communication
It has been a while since I last wrote. This is because unfortunately, I had another hospital admission. I was admitted in mid-April and discharged last week, so I was hospitalized for quite…
How to Cultivate a Successful Career While Living With Sickle Cell Disease
I want to start by stressing that I do not believe a booming career is the only parameter of success. I have previously written about what success means to me and how sickle…
What a Top-up Blood Transfusion Looks Like for Me
I am scheduled to have a blood transfusion today. So, I want to take this opportunity to explain how I prepare and what this means for me. I have previously written about my…
It’s Difficult to Manage Sickle Cell Pain at Home During a Pandemic
I have not felt well recently. I have been struggling with a lot of pain from sickle cell crises. In normal circumstances, I think I would have gone to the hospital at least…
Here’s How You Can Be a Better Partner for a Sickle Cell Patient
In my last column, I shared tips about dating with sickle cell disease. Continuing in the spirit of the Valentine’s Day season, I wanted to discuss in this column tips for those of…
Here’s What I’ve Learned About Dating With Sickle Cell Disease
One thing people always ask me is how I navigate dating as a sickle cell patient. Since we’ve now entered the month of love, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, what better time…
Sickle Cell May Knock Me Down, but I Will Stand Back Up
In a previous column, I mentioned some of the good things that happened to me last year. This included a decrease in my iron levels and my subsequent switch from Desferal (deferoxamine…
