SICKLE CELL AND SELF MANAGEMENT – PART 2
Two weeks ago, I wrote about being unwell and talked about self-care and went on to talk about what medical teams suggest that we do in order to take care of ourselves, when one has a Sickle Cell crisis.
I did not know that by letting you all know that I was unwell, it would bring about another blog on the matter. A lot of you contacted me and wished me well and to that I really want to appreciate you all.
A lot of you also wanted to know, what I do to in order to take care of myself personally. In terms of my self-care as regards Sickle Cell, I am eclectic.
And what I mean by that is I do a wide range of things, from using: hot water bottle, menthol creams, Ibuprofen cream, Pain patches, pain tablets (but I make sure I would eat something nutritious), take anti-sickness tablets, try to rest, take very hot showers, use the electric blanket all night if need be, try to avoid stress as much as I can (easier said than done). We all know that when one is sick, the last thing on your mind is food, however, I cannot take all the strong painkillers like Morphine or Codeine, Diclofenac/Voltarol or Co-codamol etc… on an empty stomach.
You all know, I talk a lot about food in my blog), I try to eat a lot of things like spinach, Ugwu, okra,Corchorus (ewedu), I eat chicken, lamb or goat meat, (instead of beef), liver, kidney, tripe and fish; I do all kinds of stuff with beans; I eat vegetables and so tend to cook a lot of stir-frys (as I would then have an array of vegetables in it); I start taking things like Ibuprofen or Paracetamol if I can sense that my body is not right; I try to keep warm, I drink plenty of water on its own or with lemon or lime (in order for it to be alkalised – it helps to neutralise acid in the blood stream) or ginger tea.
I take green tea (first thing in the morning because of its anti-oxidant properties), I make sure that I would have a full spoon of molasses with hot water daily, at night (molasses – lowest sugar content of any sugar cane product and has a lot of nutritional value); and if all else fails, I would make my way to the day clinic, after self-care and self-medicating for at least two days at home.
If I want to snack, I would eat nuts or popcorn. And if biscuits, it might be digestives. I also feast on fruits that I like. Some fruits like banana or apples unsettle my stomach but they are good for you as an individual. I tend to eat more citrusy fruits, grapes and all manner of berries; I like fruits that have a bit of sweet and sour.
I do try and eat well even though it can be quite difficult because I suffer from IBS and my belief is all those strong pain killers that I have taken over the years, have not done my stomach any favour. Also in the past, I tend to throw up quite a lot; thank goodness, that is something of the past. I think the anti-sickness tablets that I was prescribed did not go down well back then.
So, when it comes to food, I am choosy and fussy. I tend to stick to food that does not do me any harm, in terms of its after effects on me after eating. Also, I know that if I get caught in the rain, I will be sick after I go to bed that night, so I will take tablets before hand. Or I now know if I am caught in the cold or the wind or if I am stressed out, I could be sick. I am at an age, where I know my body’s tell take signs or shall I say it’s triggers.
I have not hidden the fact that God is a strong part of my life and I would not be alive, doing what I am doing without His grace, favour and mercy upon me. I have verses of Scriptures from the Bible that I would repeat daily for a long period of time on healing.
I hope this blog gives you all more insight on how I try to manage and take care of myself.
I came across your website and I love reading up about the plant based nutrition for sickle cell. My daughter has Sickle cell disease and she has been taking Evenflo which is from America. We import it all the way to South Africa. It has been amazing! She has not been n hospital in a year since taking this supplement. I found this supplement after scouring the Internet and coming across Tamika Moseley whose child has SC. I read her book and she now also gives her child Evenflo. It is so heartbreaking to see your child in pain and we hated the hospital!
Hello,
Thank you so much for your taking the time to write about you, your daughter and her healing progress. So glad to hear that you found something that works for her. I know its tough on you mothers who have a child with SCD. I am glad to hear that she is getting better and stronger for over a year now. Do keep reading the blog. Wishing you, your daughter and family well.