The Tough Spanish Sickle Cell Lesson
Once a sickle cell crisis surpasses my manageable pain threshold, it sadly becomes time for me to go to the hospital. Hospitalizations always fill me with despair and anxiety due to past experiences,…
Sickle Sagas — Dunstan Nicol-Wilson
Dunstan Nicol-Wilson is a clinical project manager from South East London, United Kingdom. Dunstan has his master’s in public health with a global health focus. Dunstan was diagnosed with the “invisible disorder” sickle cell disease from birth in 1993. He hopes that his column will raise awareness for this disease, encourage others to share their stories, and showcase all the ups and downs of living with a rare condition. Dunstan loves anime, cooking, and Manchester United.
Featured Post
My recent sickle cell pain crisis took me to a dark place
I recently had a severe sickle cell pain crisis that forced me to go to the hospital for stronger medication than what I had at home. For the record, it’s been three years…
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Tips for Preventing a Sickle Cell Crisis While Traveling
Traveling is one of my greatest passions. I enjoy seeing new things and immersing myself in different cultures, especially through local cuisines. Living with sickle cell disease means I have to take extra precautions…
‘No One’s Listening’ to Sickle Cell Patients, and That Must Change
The results of a government inquiry tasked with investigating the failures of sickle cell care in the U.K., published in a report titled “No One’s Listening,” reveal evidence of substandard care, inadequate training…
Finding a Balance Between Supporting Others and Protecting My Health
As an adult, I’ve been privileged to have a small community of sickle cell patients that I can connect and share experiences with. As winter approaches here in the U.K., I’ve noticed on social…
I Want to Get Better at Predicting a Sickle Cell Crisis
In the animated TV series, “One Piece,” a skill called Kenbunshoku Haki lets its users glimpse into the future, allowing them to dodge bullets and punches, and…
Does Living With Sickle Cell Get Any Easier?
I was recently on a panel with fellow Sickle Cell Disease News columnist Tito Oye and other sickle cell patients, as part of a sickle cell-focused episode for the YouTube channel Make…
Redefining Masculinity’s Core Traits With Sickle Cell Disease
My therapist asked me, “What does it mean to you to be a ‘masculine man,’ and how does having sickle cell disease impact that meaning?” It’s a question I hadn’t fully considered…
Telling My Employer About Sickle Cell Disease Was the Right Decision
I didn’t reveal that I had sickle cell disease when I started my first job here in the U.K. As a new college graduate, and with the odds stacked against me because I…
One Small Step in the Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease
The treatment Adakveo (crizanlizumab) has been made available in the U.K. as the first new therapy for sickle cell disease in over two decades. The aim of Adakveo, which will be available…
We Must End the Stigma of Pain Medication for Sickle Cell Crises
The pain from a sickle cell crisis is one of the most devastating things I have felt. It is unpredictable and can eat away at you physically, spiritually, and mentally. The normal response…
‘Go Beyond, Plus Ultra!’: Surpassing the Limits of a Diagnosis
I was recently diagnosed with avascular necrosis (AVN) in my knees. When the doctor called to tell me, I expected to be OK with it. I had read fellow Sickle Cell Disease News…
Becoming a Master Sickle Cell Patient
I often underestimate how much I have learned about sickle cell over the years. To live with a chronic condition, one must understand all the symptoms and side effects that come with it. However,…
