• Onuoma's Blog

    Stand out from others.

    So to continue from where I left off, I chose to give my best to the new organization I had been employed in and not too long after I had settled down and undergone the prerequisite trainings my duties started pouring in. It seemed a bit tricky at first with the new processes and procedures but I was able to figure my way through. With time I started to develop skills in the new area I had been drafted to work in. However, there was soon to been a change as I noticed that a new team had been set…

  • Onuoma's Blog

    I wouldn’t let it deter me.

    Now to go back memory lane and continue sharing on some of the victories that occurred in my life (see my previous post – “One day at a time”).Of course I was very ecstatic to have been recruited by a structured organization after almost a year and half of waiting. I quickly settled into my daily duties and was prepared to give it my best shot. However working with this new organization was like treading in an uncharted territory. However, quite different from all other organizations I had worked, prerequisite trainings were in place to bring one up to speed…

  • Shared Stories

    It shouldn’t be all your focus

    Being a mom and sole caregiver of a child with sickle cell anemia has been very challenging. I have been asked questions like “why didn’t you test yourselves before marriage”? One day someone said that our parents were not very aware about genotype so she could understand their mistake but as for me, what was my excuse? I had always known that my genotype was AS, even rejected a marriage proposal in the past as a result of this. So I was very aware….. when I met my husband and things started looking serious for our relationship, the first question…

  • Medical Perspectives

    Gene Therapy and its relevance to SCD

    In today’s post I’ll be referring you to a podcast about Sickle cell and Gene Therapy.What exactly is Gene therapy and how is it relevant to Sickle Cell Disease? In simple terms Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. This podcast was aired on the 22nd of October, 2020 by Sickle Cell 101 Facebook pages which is non-profit organization that educates individuals about Sickle Cell Anaemia. Below is the link to the post.

  • Shared Stories

    Learn to live your life in moments rather than years.

    The liver transplant!!!! I had just turned 40 and was on top of the world. I didn’t think I will live to see 40 so for me it was a landmark. My daughter and I had settled in Southend. She was thriving in school and I loved my job and the flexibility it afforded me. I had gotten over my heartbreak and was living life to the full. Life was good. So when in February 2015 after a usual health screen I was told I had liver disease it was a terrible blow. My whole world crumbled right before my…

  • Onuoma's Blog

    One day at a time.

    I guess most of you must’ve wondered why there was no post last week, let me just say (in simple terms) that we warriors have a lot to overcome compared to others.So in rounding up from my last post, after a year and half of waiting, my expectation was realized. I guess the learning point for me throughout the whole experience was that the only constant thing in this life is change and that one must be prepared to weather the storms that come with each season in one’s life. The entire experience taught me to be strong and resilient…

  • Onuoma's Blog

    The solution lies within.

    So like I said much earlier, I refused the option of working three times a week and resigned from my second job (due to health reasons) thinking that the savings I had would be adequate until I got a new job unbeknownst to me that I would be requested to move house and this would cause me to use up my savings. Initially when this occurred I was in no frame of mind to think objectively, all I wanted at that instant was to find a new place. I eventually moved out, only for my health to suffer and for…

  • Onuoma's Blog

    The greater one on the inside.

    Working at the second job wasn’t so difficult but like every other job it had its own challenges that came along with it. From the customer service routine to the various meetings I had to attend with my manager, it was quite obvious that someone experienced was required for the role.I recall vividly how we would attend to customers until the cut off time, then start to face our other duties. Being in charge of my help desk which involved interfacing with clients for one of the instruments of the organization, the onus was on me to develop a filing…

  • Onuoma's Blog

    The new dawn (2)

    So to continue from where I left off sharing about some of the victories that occurred in my life. I noted in my previous post – “The new dawn” that just before the downsizing and my being asked to leave the first organization where I worked, I was drafted during my tenure to work in two different units. Well when this occurred I was a bit disappointed but it was because the first unit where I worked was considered to be stressful for my health hence the management of the company decided to change the unit. Unknown to me that…

  • Shared Stories

    It happened to me too – Jai’s Memoirs

    My name is Jai and I have the SS genotype which was diagnosed when I was born. I used to get chronic transfusions, used to have a Port-A-Cath (i.e an indwelling catheter for transfusion), I’ve had acute chest syndrome over eleven times and have also had my gallbladder removed. It seems the older I get the more pain I’m in. I’ve been in the hospital every month since May 2020 whilst being a college student and it was hard doing both. I graduated from college in May and now I am going to nursing school to become a nurse to…