At first I didn’t feel anything because I was going through a lot when I gave birth.  I didn’t find out until three days later, but she was already going through so much she wouldn’t eat she kept throwing up with every feed, her color was super off they rushed her out the room, so I was so worried about everything.  When they told me she had sickle cell disease it didn’t register right away but I was still so worried because f everything.  When it sank in I was so scared, nervous, ad overwhelmed. I wondered what life would look like having twins and one of them having sickle cell disease.  I grew up seeing my mom go through sickle cell disease but my daughter…it was scary.

I wish I was educated enough to know if two people have sickle cell trait then nine times ut of ten a child will have it.  I wish I knew that sickle cell comes with infections, pain, a lot of blood draws, doctor’s appointments, eye problems ,and even strokes.  I wish I knew that with this disease things don’t have warning signs when something is about to happen it just comes out of the blue.  I wish people would know that it’s very well known in the African American culture, and its an inherited blood disorder that affects hemoglobin. 

I believe there are many resources for children with sickle cell disease, including support groups and educational resources and organizations. When my daughter was smaller they didn’t have many resources that was put in your face, so I really didn’t have any.  What resources that was hard to get was more support with funds, because it’s really hard to work with a child that has a chronic illness.

I will truly say God brought me to work on LC17.  I only applied to Luries not knowing what department I would be working on.  When HR called to offer me a position she mentioned the floor which was shocking to me so I didn’t hesitate to accept.