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I have Sickle Cell Anemia (SS) and have had it since birth. Since I was a baby I've had to endure severe pain. When I was a youth I would have my pain crisis (attacks) every 6wks and it lasted for the max 2 wks. For some reason, my crisis has graduated to another level of pain since graduating from college. The word Pain is not even a strong enough word for what I go through!!! I began getting admitted into the hospital for periods of time going up to 3-4 months. Then I would get discharged from the hospital only for me 2 months after being discharged to end up right back in the hospital again for a period of 3-4 months. This became a constant cycle for about 3yrs. Due to the consistency of the hospitalizations and the intensity of pain I had to stop working. I was working as a Social Worker. I worked in a hospital level of care dealing with adolescent males who had an Axis I diagnosis. I then moved to the foster care system. My goal in my career was to work in a hospital as a medical crisis counselor. My dream job is to work for Saint Jude's Research Hospital since they work with allot of children with varying diseases. I still hope to one day go back to work and fulfill my dream of aiding young kids and helping them learn how to deal with their disease as they transition through childhood--adolescents--adulthood. In addition to that I would love to continue to be a Great Advocate for Sickle Cell Anemia Sufferers by educating, and building allot of awareness as I travel to various states, countries, cities, and neighborhoods! Creating my Website, blog and Facebook Page is the beginning of my Advocacy work. My best hope to gain some sort of stability with my illness was to undergo a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT). The goal of the transplant is to be cured of this disease. In due time the doctors will be able to determine whether or not it is a success.
What I hope to gain from sharing my life and struggles in living with this disease is to open people's eyes on a personal level. When you see a disease through a person rather than just giving all of its technicalities it resonates on a different and hopefully deeper level. As you read my story I hope you see not only the pain we go through as sickle cell sufferers but the strength that holds us up in-spite a disease that is so powerfully painful. I hope you share your comments with me as you read and ask questions.
Thank You for allowing me to share my life with you,
Wande
