Recovery From a Sickle Cell Crisis Requires Attention to Mental Health
Ah, here we go again. I should have known. If I drank more water, if I wore a hat, if I didn’t walk up all those stairs, if I didn’t eat so much, if I didn’t stress, if I…
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
Oxbryta’s withdrawal is a setback in the fight against sickle cell disease
Pfizer’s recent decision to withdraw Oxbryta (voxelotor) from global markets feels like a devastating blow for many people with sickle cell disease. Oxbryta’s conditional approval in 2019 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave hope…
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Summer Is Here, So No More Sickle Cell Crises, Right?
It’s summertime, my favorite season here in the U.K. Summer brings great music, good vibes, and no crises! Sigh, I wish. I love summer weather because one of my main triggers for a sickle cell crisis is the…
I’m Cautiously Optimistic as COVID-19 Restrictions Ease in the UK
COVID-19 restrictions are easing here in the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said we must “learn to live with this virus,” and he is lifting laws requiring masks and social distancing. It feels like the first real step…
Growing Up With Sickle Cell Taught Me to Stand Up to Adversity
With a chronic condition like sickle cell disease, I sometimes find it difficult to look far into the future. What exactly will my future be like? Will there be more hospital trips? More pain? More sadness? Reflecting on my…
How My Origin Story and Sickle Cell Disease Shaped My Childhood
I am going to take you behind the scenes of how this column, “Sickle Sagas,” came to be. I will show you everything about how I became an incredibly successful sickle cell advocate and storyteller who changed the…
Do We Have to Die for Change?
June 19 was both World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth! It wasn’t until last year that I learned about Juneteenth — forgive me, I’m a Londoner. Similarly, many of my peers found out about World Sickle Cell…
Welcome to ‘Sickle Sagas’: Documenting Life With My Disorder
Recently I have been engrossed in sagas about the viking king Ragnar Lothbrok as well as his famous sons’ exploits. A saga is a long story often involving herculean challenges. Although my life isn’t as dramatic as ruling…
