You know there are days in the life of a warrior when you basically struggle to get through your day and on such occasions, your pain will go unnoticed such that if you choose to disclose it may seem as if your feedback is constantly full of complaints.
I’ve also realized that SCD makes you susceptible to a wide range of health issues which could tend to blow out of proportion and if not mindful of, could get you running on a wild goose-chase.

One of such examples occurred a few years back. I had gone for a medical checkup and the results had shown some cardiomegaly (abnormal enlargement of the heart) which the radiologist had explained showed the tendency of complications. My attendant physician took this quite seriously and referred me to see a cardiologist who in turn sent me for further analysis and tests. While all this was going on, I became worried wondering what exactly the outcome would be. Would you believe that after all the series of tests and examinations which I deem now to be “running on a wild goose-chase”, the cardiologist took one look at me and stated plainly “there is nothing wrong with you”.

Now to my general understanding I did feel a bit puzzled by this feedback from the radiologist and actually decided to seek an explanation (when the opportunity occurred) from another general physician with more experience in treating SCD. The opportunity came and the physician explained that the reason for the cardiomegaly was as a result of my genotype which is Hb SS (sickle cell anaemia). I decided to keep record of this physicians report and anytime a new radiologist made such a suggestion to me, I simply pulled out this report and said “here you go”.

It’s really quite upsetting sometimes, especially when your attendant physician basically has no clue as to why certain issues occur in SCD. Its like setting up oneself to be used for analysis / medical advancements hence it may be better sometimes to seek a second opinion or stick to what you believe because many times what you believe works for you.

To throw more light on this last statement above, I used to struggle with what they call “restless legs syndrome” for the most part of my life. I would have an uncontrollable urge to move my legs while trying to fall asleep. I struggled and thought it was actually hereditary although no one in my nuclear and extended family had similar sensations. I could twitch and kick my legs for several minutes until I eventually fell asleep. It was so bad that my siblings didn’t like the idea of sleeping on the same bed with me.

Later on, my general physician diagnosed the issue as restless legs syndrome and since that day I recall praying at length about my worry and concerns on the issue. Sometimes it’s easy to think that God has chosen not to answer simply because your particular issue is resurfacing every now and then. In my case, I actually wondered when exactly he would stop it (which had been my request). As it turned out, he showed up some years ago and took it all away. I know you would like to know how it occurred.

You see when I struggled with this so called syndrome, I kept trying to fall asleep by lying on my chest and tummy, not on my back or on my side. God simply gave me the grace to lie sideways which was something I found very difficult and painful to do in the past because it seemed to stop blood flow to my hands. Every now and then I could wake up with cramps that could eventually lead to pain. Yes, this is one of the many areas that we warriors actually suffer. Sometimes, a simple cramp can actually trigger a crises if not properly handled.
Anyhow, I guess whatever mindset I had about sleeping sideways changed and I just found myself curling up on my side and falling asleep. Since then the restless legs has been a thing of the past because I don’t have the ability to twitch and kick my legs while lying on my side.

Now this is why, I’m saying that sometimes its best to stick to what you believe because many times what you believe works for you. I choose to ignore whatever I may be facing at the moment because I’ve realized that SCD tends to to make issues of warriors a bit more complicated than would be for individuals without SCD in the same situation.

This laid back attitude stems from the fact that I have seen worse years and if God showed up then, then there’s nothing stopping him from showing up now.
Right now, I’d rather think and talk of happier things as constantly brooding over issues that I have no control over is actually getting to me.