thebananashapedbloodcell - Tumblr blog

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

Not a goodbye, but a see you later!

I created this blog 10 years ago and it is has truly helped me grow as an individual. I remember starting this blog in my early 20's and now I'm in my early 30's and I have expressed so much about myself living with Sickle Cell through this blog.

I want to thank you all who liked, shared, connected with me or even encouraged me when I was sick while using this platform. Your efforts and kind words have not gone unnoticed.

Now, I have decided to take on a new adventure and take all that I've learned and gone through to IG! This new page is made by me and there I share awareness about living with Sickle Cell Anemia and self care practices that I incorporate into my life to make life a little more manageable while living with a chronic illness.

Feel free to follow along on this new journey if you want to learn new ways to better manage your pain (Hey! I might show my face a little more too loool)

As always, take care of yourselves & stay healthy

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

12/29/30

I had a really bad pain crisis last night. I would say this one was more intense and I haven't felt that type of pain in a while. It was a solid 5/10.

I usually experience a lot pain in my legs and this is where my pain was last night. It was to the point that I could barely walk.

This morning I am feeling much better and just want to take it slow today and get some rest. Thankfully, I did not need to go to the hospital and I managed the crisis with liquids, pain meds & my heating pad. Only downside is I am feeling a bit lethargic today from the pain meds.

Anyways, I hope you are all feeling good & getting rest. If not, take it easy & I hope you guys enjoyed your holidays!

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

Doing the work: the hard parts of self care

Having to fight for something that you feel you shouldn’t have to fight for in the first place all because your illness is “invisible”

I feel like the world constantly fails Black Women & it’s tiring. Anytime a Black Woman needs help, no one lends a hand, but when the world needs help, y’all looking at us to save you.

It’s hard feeling like you’re fighting a battle you just can’t win. Being Black & having a chronic illness is exhausting

I know most of my posts are uplifting, but today I am tired & feel like the world has failed me as a Black Woman. Just want the world to see the transparency & that things are not always “positive”.

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

Hey Everyone!

The link I posted above is for a new article that I wrote about managing your menstrual cycle and Sickle Cell.

If you're like me, you probably struggle with pain around the time of your cycle. I wrote this in hopes that if you need some tips/ideas on how to take care of yourself, this is a good start.

Happy Reading and stay healthy.

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

November has been rough on your girls body so far. My body aches, down to bones hurt me if I am walking or just had a super busy day. I don't even wanna mention my menstrual cycle and how that adds extra pain to my body.

Pray for your girl.

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

6 month follow-up appointment

I had my 6 month follow up appointment with my hematologist today and I am doing very well from my last visit. I manage all of my pain crisis at home and I haven't been hospitalized in a very long time.

This time around I asked some new questions about my health (like getting on an airplane and applying for some services in my country). I am proud of myself for stepping up and advocating for myself and I am excited about my future plans for my health and me personally.

I ended off the appointment with doing some blood work and getting my new appointment in the next few months.

Overall, I am doing well and trying to prepare my body for winter. Hope you are all well and staying healthy.

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

I just went for my first physical in about a year or so. This appointment was very important because I have new doctor now so I thought it was helpful to do everything while meeting the new person who will be overseeing my care.

Overall, the appointment went well. I like my new doctor and I'm healthy and keeping on top of all of my medical needs.

I hope you are all staying healthy and well especially with the colder months rolling in.

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

An article about a new potential cure for Sickle Cell Disease - gene therapy. It would be nice to see this get approved, but I worry about the cost and possible long term side effects.

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

The month of October has been so good to me health wise. I have had no Sickle Cell pain for the majority of the month and have not had to take any pain medications. I feel so happy and grateful for this moment.

I'm hoping the month has been good to you regardless if you're pain has been on a 10 or 1. Sending good energy your way

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

Sickle Cell Awareness Month Wrap Up:

Hey everyone! I know we are at the end of September, and I’m hoping you are all well and healthy. Happy Sickle Cell Awareness Month to you all!

September has been a busy month for me personally and I haven’t gotten a chance to sit down and update my blog. Hello to all the new followers and I see so many of you reblogging my posts and I just want to say thank you and I really appreciate it! 🤍🥹

This month, I turned 31 years old and I’m hoping my year to come will be filled with good health, new opportunities and spreading some good energy.

Another big thing I did was a presentation on Sickle Cell Disease! I got the opportunity to speak on my experience with SCD with the help of my social worker and few others! It was all done virtually, so I’ll copy the link down below if you’re interested in getting to know more about me!

Anyways, stay healthy and safe! Thank you again for all the support. It does not go unnoticed 🙏🏾

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

Having a chronic illness is a very lonely and isolating experience.

Being in pain and not wanting to burden family and friends means most days I keep how I am feeling to myself because I know others are going through their own life and I don't want to be a stressor to others.

It can all get heavy and hard to manage at times, but I continue to move slowly and give myself grace. I hope you do the same.

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

In that weird space between “do I take medication because I can feel pain starting” or “do I wait for the pain to intensify?” 🥴.

I just sometimes feel like “what if I’m wasting this pill and the pain isn’t that bad and I can save it for another time when the pain is worse”

But I’m learning to be kinder to myself..not denying what my body needs.

It’s just a difficult spot to be in.

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

This past week, my body has been so drained. 

I feel so lethargic, tired, I have little to no energy to do anything. I just wanna lay in bed all day

I feel like it has something to do with my menstrual cycle and Sickle Cell. Here goes something new I have to discover about my chronic illness and my body

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

You already know what day it is!!

Happy World Sickle Cell Day! This is truly one of my favourite days of the year as we get to celebrate, educate and support each other as we deal with this disease. Whether you are a person with the disease personally, a health care provider of those with SC or a family/friend supporting a loved one, just know your efforts do not go unnoticed.

One new piece of information that I learned about when it comes to SCD is that pain from a Sickle Cell crisis can be connected to terminal cancer. (Check out the SCAGO website for more information on SCD)

Anyways, I hope you all learned something new today or shared information on this disease with family/friends.

Take care and stay healthy

Photo credits: @sicklecell101

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

On days like this I am reminded that I am a person who has a chronic illness while also having to balance work and medical appointments. Between getting blood work done, scheduling upcoming appointments and going to the pharmacy I have to remind myself that I also have to work and be a “productive person” in society (& productivity looks different for everyone). 

Times like these I am reminded that I am not as “normal” as another person and even though I may try my best to present myself that way on a daily, I am not. I’m always tired, I’m in pain, I’m getting blood drawn and taking pills every day. 

I don't write this post to complain, but more so to reflect on my life and even though I am not “normal” and I have an invisible illness, I would not change one thing about myself or my diagnosis. I’m very proud of myself (and all of you!) who get up every day and do the best you can to survive to the best of your abilities. 

Keep pushing, it will get better. 

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

I don’t know if I’m the only person that feels this way, but sometimes I feel bad for taking medication (mostly my pain killers for when I am in pain with Sickle Cell). 

I feel like I go through the whole process; I assess how bad my pain feels on a scale of 1-10...I decide if I should take any medication based on how I feel or if I have been in pain for days or just hours. Then I will probably count how many pills I have left before I have to call my hospital and ask for more. It honestly feels so draining and almost like I am being stripped of something that I am obligated to have. 

I don’t want to have to count how many pills I have left until I have to call my hospital, but I don’t want the questions of how many pills I take in a month or why am I taking so much to begin with. This is a mental battle that I fight constantly with myself. I’m hoping in the future I can get better & just give myself more grace. 

This took a lot for me to write and just to share with you all. If anyone else feels the same or has felt similar feelings, please feel free to message me and let me know your experience. 

I hope you all take care and stay healthy. 

[thebananashapedbloodcell]

My body hurts & I’m feeling so overwhelmed with life and my responsibilities right now. I just wanna lay down and forget about everything