Good day, give family, and happy Sunday to us all. I hope we are doing great and preparing for the new week.
You won’t believe it, I moisturised my legs earlier today and even tried squatting. I can’t explain how elated I feel! It’s been forever since I lost the ability to do that because of sickle cell complications.
Many people may think, “It’s just moisturising your legs,” but when life takes away the simplest things, you suddenly realise how priceless they are.
Living with one of the complications of sickle cell disease, Avascular Necrosis (AVN), meant I lost the ability to perform this simple act years ago. I could hardly recognise myself anymore. The once independent, energetic me suddenly became entirely dependent on others, needing help with even the most minor tasks.
Did I say sudden, or maybe too strong fighting like the warrior I am, for life to realise it wasn't sudden after all.
I remember countless times I peed on myself whenever I was out, simply because AVN wouldn’t let me squat. Sometimes, while trying to bend for comfort, I would lose control. Outings became punishments, filled with fear of embarrassment. On one occasion, I had an appointment, but before I could sit on the toilet seat, pee was already running down my thigh onto my trousers. Using the toilet seat itself was torture.
At home, my mum would help me bathe on very hard days. My girls were repeatedly disappointed because I kept breaking my promises to bathe them. But how could I do the same when I needed help?
I lost confidence. I became a shadow of myself, hiding indoors while battling AVN, the daily pain of sickle cell, depression from a collapsed marriage, and the heaviness of unspoken struggles. Yet, in all of this, I wiped my tears to remain strong for other warriors who never even knew the depth of what I was going through.
Sleep became a luxury, and I experienced uncertainties every night. My mind forgot the memories of when I could easily do all these simple things.
But today, I’m glad to be forming new memories again because I have been given a second chance at life. It’s been three months since my total hip replacement surgery, and every day I feel grateful for recovery and healing. I’m learning again, like a toddler, and I thank God for the progress.
Please, never deliberately bring a child into this world to suffer the bondage of sickle cell. Know your genotype. If you’re unsure, get tested. If you’re confused, seek genetic counselling.
Peace out. ✌🏽