I just got home from the Sickle Cell crisis center at Grady and while I'm now 100% pain free I'm utterly drained. I got zero sleep last night there were many reasons but the main reason was the patient across from me who was a classic example of why Sickle Cell patients gets such a bad name. She came in around 1Am and was a horrible patient from the minute she came in. She came in crying loudly which honestly didn't bother me, I've shed plenty of tears over this disease and while I prefer to… Continue

Building a tolerance to your pain meds is common with Sickle Cell, but something I'm only starting to notice in myself. Now my history with Sickle Cell isn't all too terrible compared to some. I was often sick as a child with frequent hospitalizations for pain crisis. I've had Acute 3x and been hospitalized with the flu and pneumonia often as well. I also had my gallbladder removed. The majority of this happened to me as a kid and teen from 3-16.



I went through a period from the age… Continue

Just got back home from New Orleans Mardi Gras was fun, but still lacking. I'm from New Orleans and Mardi Gras is something I grew up with. It's not the same like it was before Katrina. And the city looks awful in some parts and even the nicer areas has its share of boarded up houses. Not as many but you see them. On Bourbon, in the Garden District, the 8th ward which is where my mothers family is from. New Orleans East which is where I grew up looks empty. And oh man the lower nine is pitiful.… Continue

So one thing that is important to me, is belly dance. I've been doing it for about 2.5 years now. I'm not a professional dancer, nor am I in any troupe, but I take classes, and dance at the Hafla's and various student shows. Its just a fun hobby. Its also one that is responsible for a giant boost of self confidence in myself. Before I started dancing, It could be said that I really didn't feel to good about myself. I was a bit insecure about my weight, even though I really wasn't that big, at… Continue

I just joined this website not to long ago. I'm so happy I found out it to be able to connect with others with Sickle Cell disease is great. Especially since I'm the only one in my family with the disease, so I really don't have anybody to talk to about this.



The name is Nana I'm 22 soon to be 23 in another month. I live in Atlanta, Ga currently although I am originally from New Orleans. I am a student, I go to school full time and work part time as a hostess in a restaurant. I go to… Continue