I’d told myself I wasn’t going to blog about this particular issue so as not to discourage you warriors but I guess it’s become imperative of late being that it’s gone on for quite sometime now.

If anyone had told me that there was a likelihood that what I suffered at the age of seven, would come back some day, I would’ve called it a big bluff. However, the feedback I’m getting from the medical field is that it’s common in SCD to reoccur.

So what am I referring to exactly? Avascular Necrosis (AVN) – the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. This can cause tiny breaks in the bone and the bone’s eventual collapse. This issue sadly has been on for quite sometime now and I’ve been suffering quietly.

To reminisce a bit. When it started almost six months ago – August 2021, I discovered that waking up at night was suddenly a struggle for me. I could barely walk, as I crouched all the way from my bed to the rest room. Initially I thought it was a pain that would go the same way it came, rather, it became persistent and more unbearable. 

So, I informed my haematologist about it and he requested for an x-ray to me done on my lower limbs – from my hip down. The results was clearly one, I never expected as it showed AVN on my right hip was the root cause of the problem. As my haematologist sadly informed me of the outcome, he explained that I needed to reduce the rate of progression as it could become more severe overtime. He prescribed a walking stick and soft insole shoes / sneakers for me. Swimming also if I could.    

After three months of my using the walking stick, the pain eased on my right hip / leg, and I was completely overjoyed. I dropped the stick and went about my normal day to day activities. My next appointment with the hematologist was a good one as I clearly explained to him that the pain had dissipated. Just when I was reveling in my healing, my left hip begun to ache. The ache this time on my left hip was so painful, that I recall times I woke up from my sleep in tears or screaming out loud in pain. Limping as I walked was also very frequent. This time around, the haematologist referred me to an orthopedic and physiotherapist. 

My visit, two weeks ago to the Orthopedic isn’t one I’d like to remember. He explained to me that the head of the femur which articulates with the hip to form the hip joint had collapsed. This he noted, was the reason for the pain I was experiencing at both hips. He told me that the issue had progressed significantly and was probably at stage 4. This collapse of the femoral head had caused a shortening of my one of legs and this was the reason for my constant limping. His remediation was for a complete hip replacement of both hips as a time could come, where the issue would worsen and I would be totally unable to walk. 

Right now, I have a week more to decide on / prepare for surgery. This sadly is my present. 

The reason, I chose to share this, is because many of you have been asking questions on my use of a walking stick and I sadly cannot keep up, with constantly changing the topic or allaying your fears. Thus, I’d like you to see today’s post as being a spontaneous and last minute decision.  

I need a miracle.

Take care.