So today’s post will focus on some of the blood transfusions I went through and what actually led to the onset of these blood transfusions. In my case, I had been having severe crises and was just recovering from one. My mum and dad informed my doctor that apart from sickle cell crises, I was also experiencing some neurological issues regarding my memory and the doctor explained that it may be necessary for me to undergo an exchange blood transfusion to reduce the frequency of this neurological issue. To say the least when I was informed about it, I voiced my concern to the doctor owing to the fact that I had only undergone one blood transfusion throughout my lifetime and I didn’t see the need to have any since I was not experiencing an acutely-low blood count that precipitated the need for a transfusion. Anyhow I accepted my doctors plea and agreed to undergo the procedure.

What exactly is exchange blood transfusion and how does it correlate to a memory disorder? In a bid to answer these questions to the best of my ability, I will direct you to two links, the first link explains what an exchange blood transfusion is

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002923.htm

and the second link talks about the various neurological complications in sickle cell disease and the treatment. Kindly focus on article 4.2 which talks about RBC transfusions one of the ways of treatment (but you may still have to read the entire content to understand it).

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307211534_Neurological_Complications_in_Sickle_Cell_Disease

Now to say that I did not have cause to question my decision about this in future would be wrong because this decision lead to a series of further blood transfusions that caused me to question why I had agreed to have the procedure done in the first place.

Now as the link explains above, exchange blood transfusion involves taking out a subsequent portion of a patient’s blood and replacing it with fresh donor blood. In my case after the first procedure had been done, my blood count begun to drop frequently precipitating the need for more top-up blood transfusions and further exchange blood transfusions. Being a rather painful procedure because of the thin tubes called catheters that needed to be placed into a major blood vessel most especially on the upper thigh region. I found this to be a very uncomfortable/painful experience and on several occasions wondered when it would be all over.

On the whole, I went through ten blood transfusions in a space of two years note that this was a mixture of both normal blood (top up transfusions) and exchange blood transfusions. To me it seemed like an unending journey of pain until the doctor decided that rather that continue to undergo a manual procedure with the exchange blood transfusion I should undergo the automated one. The difference being that in the second instance, the patient is connected to a machine that is configured to draw out the blood at the same time pump fresh blood back into the blood vessel. The doctor’s reason was because the ninth procedure (exchange blood transfusion) I had was a near death experience and she felt that my body would not be able to withstand another manual procedure hence the need for the automated option.

In the ninth procedure, I had almost given up hope just before the procedure because I was tired of constantly being pricked with needles and for most warriors it is always difficult to find a vein because they usually possess very tiny veins so most times the doctor would have to prick several times just to get a line. Apart from this area I was constantly weak and all I wanted was for it to be all over. This is why I mentioned in my very first post to you, that “the worst thing that can happen to you as a warrior is to lose hope because once you do, you have lost your ability to fight and that’s the reason why so many warriors give up”.
I had lost the ability to fight, so when the manual exchange blood transfusion was being done, my blood pressure started to drop and the last thing I remember were the doctors frantically trying to keep my blood pressure above the normal threshold.

I woke up from the incident eight days later in the intensive care unit of the hospital asking myself who I was and trying to recollect my name and everything about myself. When I asked the doctors and nurses on duty what had happened they informed me that I had become non-responsive and all attempts to keep me talking and awake had proved abortive.
Every time I remember the incident, I call to mind how a dear mentor friend of mine had encouraged me years ago. She had told me in her exact words not to be tired of life because she had discovered that this was the reason so many warriors give up at the end. I understood this clearly after my encounter to know that the outcome of their loss of hope was to lose their ability to fight.

So to conclude today, I urge all individuals out there living with the sickle cell disease to please not give up hope. Sickle cell disease is not a death sentence. The fact that you were born with it does not mean that the Lord is not with you in your sufferings. He knows your pain and feels it every time you’re in a crises, that’s why he carries you in his arms at such times unbeknownst to you. He’s the one who gives you the strength to bear, this is why I chose to chronicle my experiences with you to shine a ray of hope to you. Please note that I went through the worst kind of crises while growing up but the lord saw me through each and everyone of them.
Let these words I write bring succor to you that God loves you and always will. You are extremely special and you will not be the last warrior to turn out right because so many others turn out right too.

Is it to be healed? Is that the prayer you want answered by God? So many SCD warriors have been healed and their genotypes have changed from SS to AA. There is nothing beyond God and nothing that he cannot do if only you have faith but note that even if he doesn’t choose to heal doesn’t mean that he’s stopped loving you. So please be encouraged. My crises has reduced today and I’m more than grateful to God for that. It’s actually true that as you grow older, the pains you experience start to reduce.

At my next post, I know that disclosing the experience that I’m currently facing would literally amaze you and cause you to question why I’ve chosen not to remain undefeated in my outlook on life.
It’s been a thrilling experience for me, sharing with you some of the battles that I’ve faced, just knowing that the words that I write is bringing encouragement to you makes me a very happy individual. I pray that this good work that the lord has started in you, he will perfect it until the day of Christ. Amen.

So until next week…stay blessed.