Sikcell: People living with Sickle Cell

We still Hope

Staying Positive

Does anybody have any tips on how to stay positive when you have SSC and it's causing other health problems? Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my disease and the other problems it's causing. My goal is to live a long fufilling life with my husband and daughter, but sometimes it gets really overwhelming I begin to think of the worst. I pray and pray, but it's been hard.

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Comment by Sickle Cell Warrior on December 10, 2009 at 2:30am: Sherelle,

It can be quite easy to slip into the doldrums and depression, especially when it feels like we are constantly be-setted with one physical ailment or another. Depending on how dark my emotional bout is, I usually do a variety of things.

1. Relax: I do whatever it takes to make me relax. Sometimes it's a hot bath, self mani/pedi or a good book. Sometimes I just lie in the dark, listening to my breath and good music. Sometimes I go shopping...

2. Rejuvenate: It can be hard to be emotionally strong when it seems like everything is falling down. For me, I realized last year that it's okay, I don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to let loose and cry, and to wallow in my emotions. Usually at the end of the session, I feel much better, having those emotions drained out of me. Holding on to negative energy and emotions leaves me tight and frustrated. Rejuvenation is a process of letting go of all the emotions...the anxiety, the fear, the tears, whatever it is.

3. Realization: I realize that God gave me sickle cell for a reason. And my life is one of testimony. Surviving and loving my life with sickle cell is just another avenue of that testimony. I feel that I have sickle cell, not because it's genetic, but because of a purpose, because it's part of my destiny and there is a reason for the agony and pain.

That is usually my process. I try to relax, and if that fails, I let those emotions out. I cycle through all of the steps until I'm able to once again reach my center. Yoga and exercise do help...I find that when I"m feeling better about my body, and feeling physically fit and strong, I tend to get less depressed. I'm also a big fan of music...I have a playlist on my Ipod and computer for those dreary days. Find the music that motivates you and imbues you with strength. Sing out loud. Dance. Revel in your body and in your existence. I'm alive! That is the most beautiful thing of all. I could have been dead since my childhood or any other age between then and now. But I"m alive. I'm living...and life is wonderful!