Who's your AnChOr?!?

It's only the beginning of this journey. I'm so nervous. Going through the bone marrow transplant once was difficult enough but a second time is worse because I know what's coming. I also know that in additions to all the details it takes to do the transplant one of the most important parts is taking it all in emotionally. I was ready for it last time but for some reason, this time I'm not centered like I should be. Maybe it's fear of falling short again or fear that I won't handle this transplant as well physically like I did before!

I have a great support group in my family and I have a great church that feeds me spiritually. I find that when going through something major like this one needs something strong to keep you steady and grounded. Support is the one thing I forgot to mention in previous blog posts but support is a major part of getting through the transplant process. 

I thank my mother who packed her bags and moved into a strangers home just so that she could be with me all day in the transplant ward. Once visiting hours were over she'd go back to her room to sleep and rise to come see me again. She got her room and board through a program that provides lodging for family members of those undergoing transplants. I thank her for taking all that time off. I thank her for holding my hand through it all. I mostly thank her for showing me she loved me by being there because that's exactly what I needed. I needed someone to listen and just be there physically so I knew i wasn't alone in this fight! Going through something like that alone isn't good at all. 

Many of us who suffer from sickle cell need that kind of support and it should be given no matter what the circumstance. From the major hardships of the disease to the lesser. Whether it's a transplant or a crises (pain attack)! Many of us will suffer from sickle cell anemia All Our Lives and it gets really hard at times to fight, push forward, and NOT Give Up! Having a support system makes this fight a little less burdensome! So I'd like to encourage you if you know someone with the disease or have this disease--Just be there!!! Call once in a while, let the person vent, cry, pray, or just simply sit with them. With that I know we can fight a little lonGer!

Where I get my strength from, is God! I know not all of us believe in God but those of us that go through all this suffering need that spiritual AnChOr to keep ourselves from wailing back and forth as the waves pass. With God--when I feel I have no more fight in me--I all of a sudden have that strength that I desperately need. Start with some scriptures daily, going to church, or start praying! Start somewhere! You never know where God will take you!

Thank you Mom!
Thank you Dad for taking me in!

Thank you Ayo (youngest bro) or your unconditional Love!
Thank you Fola (younger bro) for your sacrifice in not just giving me your bone marrow but enduring what it took to give it!

~~~And thank you GOD for how you watch over, LOVE & guide me through the hardest of times!~~~