Sleek05: Lobatan....My boyfriend and I are both AC...op, pls tell me CC aint dat bad!

mfess: lost my grandma (genotype SC) some
weeks ago. Though she died aged 76, I
still cry alot anytime I remember our last
few days together. She was a rare gem.

Abali1:
You are right with your analysis of how people can get the sickle cell disease. Sickle cell is not a communicable disease and can only be passed on through the gene of each parent.
Thus, a child born with sickle cell have parents (both) who are either AS/AS; AS/SS; AS/AC, AC/AC, SS/SS.
It is therefore the fault of BOTH parents.

Sageez: thanks so much for d topic, my galfrnd is a sickle buh i am AA, what are d posible outcome for o future children, wil dy b sicklers too?

Abali1:
Your grand was truely a Warrior, I doff my hat.
Her kind is one of the reasons why we the younger ones still have hope, that our expctations in life will not be cut off.
It is okay to cry sometimes when you remember, but I am happy you made this comment. A woman who saw her children and grandchildren, you should be proud of your grandma for proving medical science wrong. I believe she has to weather so many storms and negative remarks, and still fought on to a ripe old age of 76.
Rest in Peace Mama.

Abali1:
Brother,
You have nothing to fear about. All your children (assuming you marry her) will be AS.
It will be your responsibilty to educate those children when they start growing about genotype pairing. You will enlighten them on the fact that they need to marry someone who is AA when the time comes.
Wish you and your GF luck.

mfess: anytime i remember the way the doctors attended to her when she was hospitalized(the 1st and last in my 19years with her), i just cant help but pray for them (the other way round though). They were just so annoying. Didnt attend 2 her urgently and when they did, it was like she was just normal when in the real sense she wasnt (cuz at that point her pcv was as low as 7%!).

Wanted to transfer her but they kept say they got everything under control (stupid us) until they saw she was bout to leave us. Then they quickly referred us elsewhere.

When we arrived at the other hospital and the doctor called me in for questioning, (at that time grandma couldnt talk anymore) after going through the referral letter, he just screamed "mama is a sickler?" - guess he couldnt believe his eyes.

Then as I started explaining things to him (beginning with "it all started...", someone rushed in to inform us she was dead.

eahk: @ OP this so great of you..
My beautiful wife is a warrior and even as I type she's in crisis and pregnant and I just gave her IV painkiller..(I'm a doctor).
Thanks for correcting all those misconceptions about warriors..the pain, d stigma, the 'you-will-soon-die' look people give them..the fights with my parents and siblings..but through it all God has been soooo good to us.
And she's a mega-strong woman..and when I tell people where she works they envy her considering her status.

Don't let anyone stigmatize you or even look donw on yourself..its just a condition not a death sentence.

mikedanza: In Haematology, there is an area of influence called the Malaria Belt...it comprises of Areas around the equator and contiguous parts where mosquitoes thrive. Once a country falls WITHIN that region it is prone to SCD. Most of Africa falls within this region (including its Arab population in the North), South America and the edges of Europe close to Africa. But as expected, persons original to colder regions, where mosquitoes do not thrive have not developed these mutations of the RBCs (Red Blood Cells). So while it is not a 'black man's' disease, Africa sits right smack in the heart of the equator and its warm belly which is conducive for malaria infecting mosquitoes, hence the prevalence of coloured folks with their unfair share of the disease.

makahlj2:

The sickle cell anemia is not more prevalent in Europe because there it had to compete with another type of hemoglobinopathy - Thalassemia.

Abali1:
Can you explain the bolded more. Thank you

Malubi: Can inform the House of the drugs to be managing Circle cell.

degurl: Op God bless you for this enlightenment. I pray the Lord strengthen you more and more in Jesus name.

Its not easy convincing people (intending couples) about the future dangers of two AS individual marrying.

Just two days ago, I did genotype test for a lady and the result came out AS positive. She said her fiancée is AS too and they are preparing for their wedding. I told her the dangers of both them getting married but she gave me this "what is your business, it's our life " look. So I encouraged her to see a Medical Doctor for better explanation.

tipsydude:

tipsydude:




Anyways, I am Bryte. I am a WARRIOR too.
I detest referring to SC/SS as a disease, cos it isn't. The most acceptable term is condition/mutation.
Living with it can be quite challenging, and it makes the victim develop some weird habits.
For instance, you would think I am either Lot's wife, or a relative, with the way am so conscious about getting caught out in the rain.

My phobia for rain was formed during the times I was caught out in the rain as a kid. The crisis I had to put up with due to the cold[/b]is something that I pray no one should ever experience.



Growing up was fun. That's how I would like to classify it. I mean there's no greater fun than staring death in the face and beating it every time. My mum once said that the only time she would panic during any of my crisis is when I no longer have a pun to drop, or don't give a sarcastic response to any question that I consider unnecessary.

In my own case,[b] I do not blame my parents for my condition. They really had no idea about the concept of genotype when they got married.

Out of 5 of us, 2 of us are warriors, myself and my immediate junior sis. We are still intact, pursuing our various endeavors.

When it comes to meds, I think I've taken everything, except Cellod-S. But for some years now, I have been on NOTHING. I try to take my anti-malaria stuff every 6 months. Crisis is now ever so rare. I do have Diclofenac SR handy though, just for when it sneaks up on me. It helps me with severe pain. But for minor pains, I go with Panadol Extra. Truth is, I hate meds, but you can imagine how it is for one who has a condition where you should have a mobile chemist handy.
Whenever the crisis can't be controlled by the Diclofenac, I get an infusion to help dilate my veins. Once the infusion starts coursing through my veins, I begin to feel relief.

As for the severity of crisis, I think it varies from person to person.

Presently, am getting an M.Sc in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Not working though. My immediate junior sis got an M.Sc before myself and she's working. She's actually an expert in French Language cos that's what she studied up to M.Sc level.
Our parents did everything withing their ability to preserve our lives when we were little kids. My dad was being bled like a sacrificial lamb whenever we needed blood. Sometimes he donated for both of us within 7 days. It was that bad.

After being put down by guilt when they realized their error in being ignorant about their genotype, they dedicated all their resources to knowing about SC/SS. And they believed that they would not lose myself or my sis. We adopted that faith from them. And the moment I could think for myself, I started reading every literature on the condition. Till date, I keep up with latest developments in the management of the condition.

I have come across some contradicting information from professionals about the management of the condition. But there are some consistencies too.

I NEVER over stress myself. I ALWAYS listen to my body. I DO NOT smoke or take lager beer like water. I only do on very rare occasions, and never exceed a can of star or 2 cans of smirnoff ice. No more. I take plenty of water. I EAT everything. I LOVE my proteins and vegetables.
I do my sit-ups and push-ups cos I realized that the abs make the ladies go gaga. I maintain my body weight at 67kg. No more, no less. I observed that I fall ill often when I am over 67kg. I ALWAYS stay positive in every condition. And I pursue my dreams. No room for depression, or negative thoughts.

People with SC/SS are like everyday people. But the truth is that they have a higher mental capacity, and people tend to misunderstand them a lot. Even family members. Not a boast but, I actually have one of the highest IQ's in black Africa. Trust GOD to know how to compensate people who are lacking in one aspect. HE sure knows how to balance things out. WARRIORS have a weird sense of humuor. And they are very fluent in sarcasm. Majority of us don't like to be pitied.
If you must know about our condition, empathize and don't sympathize with us. Most of the girls I dated back in my university days never knew my health condition. WE ARE NOT MARKED FOR DEATH as most people think.
People that don't have SC/SS die everyday from very careless things, so why the extra pity? Like it was said in Mortal Kombat, SAVE YOUR PITY FOR THE WEAK. WARRIORS aren't weak [/b]cos in truth, the pain we go through during crisis can actually drive someone with AA/AS insane. FACT! Besides, [b]since I stopped experiencing crisis, I became the healthiest member of my family. I don't suffer all those other minor afflictions. But, I DREAD malaria seriously cos in my case, if I can stay over 12months without malaria, then I would have no complain whatsoever.

So that's about it people.

Abali1: ^^^ at last I can name two persons who have successfully managed this disease. One is an African American (70years or more), the other is a Nigerian (60years or more).
The African American is Judy Gray Johnson; Author of Living With Sickle Cell Disease: The Struggle to Survive.
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The Nigerian is my mum's friend Iheanyi Amuta; Author of Sickle Cell Disease: The Life and Testimony of a Sickler.
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There are many others who are successfully managing this disease and equally pursuing their life's dreams and aspirations. So if you are a parent, sibling or relation out there or you happen to be in a relationship with a warrior brother or sister, you don't need to be afraid or give up hope on them. All you need to do is to show them love and care, and also to challenge them to attain/achieve their lives aspirations and goals.