update

Hello everyone! I have been extreme busy and working every single day since last week! today is my first real "day off" to do nothing, and I still have school work to do. I have been feeling good lately but today I just feel very blahhh... Sluggish.. Sore. I am going to take the day, to rest and recuperate because I have a hectic schedule the rest of the week. My birthday is on Thursday, I am turning 19 and no body likes being sick on their birthday!!! I am very excited and everyone keeps saying you are only turning 19?!?! Yes! Lol. Now I have to get back at schoolwork but I wanted to post and update you all on what's been going on.

P.s this was a very informal post.. Don't judge me.

Stay strong

Morgan 

June 19th - WORLD SICKLE CELL AWARENESS DAY

Today is WORLD SICKLE CELL AWARENESS DAY . Sickle Cell is a disease that does not get much exposure. Throght out my life I have had many people ask "What's that?!" When I tell them that I have Sickle Cell. Let's spread the word extra hard today! Tell someone about sickle cell, strike up the conversation! We need to get Sickle Cell more exposure, it is just as important as any other disease!!!! 

Educate your self today, google, read blogs, just read up on SC! 

Repost these images, show your support for those fighting Sickle Cell Everyday!

P.s - Feel free to reference people to this blog , for more info on SC!

STAY STRONG

Morgan

oh what YELLOW eyes you have...

JAUNDICE is the word for those yellowing eyes. It also can cause your skin to turn yellow but in my case it isn't very noticeable because of my darker skin. Sickle cells don't live as long as normal red blood cells; the liver can not filter them out as fast as they are dying. This event causes Bilirubin (where the yellow color comes from) to build up in the system causing Jaundice. My eyes get worse when I am in pain, but they always have some yellow. Do NOT be ashamed of your Jaundice, just like you shouldn't be ashamed of anything else that has to do with your disease. Sure having yellow eyes isn't particularly normal, but who wants to be like everyone else anyway?! Although, you can never get rid of Jaundice you can definitely lighten your eyes some with these tips!

• DRINK LOTS OF WATER ( I am aware that this is my first tip in every article, but this is basically my first tip for life in general lol)
• Garlic, Grapefruit, Beets, Leafy Greens, Green Tea, Avocado, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Lemons, Turmeric, Walnuts - These Foods/Drinks are super powerful to cleanse your liver. A healthy liver means that it will be more productive in filtering out blood cells. 
• Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Copper, Iron, Selenium, zinc, Manganese… Incorporating these minerals into your diet or taking a supplement will help strengthen your liver. All of these minerals strengthen various parts of your body. 
• Eat Cleaner .. I indulge in a fried, or fast food every now and then but have some variety in your diet. Eat some fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts. Cut back on the processed foods and saturated fats. 
• Avoid Smoking & Alcohol. Pretty self-explanatory

STAY STRONG!

Morgan

Just Breath

I am a worry-wart. I worry about everyone and everything. I get so worked up and take on everyones problems. This is my biggest fault and a great gift. I love reaching out and helping people, making them feel better in any way that i can! It's a fault because than I have everyones problems on my head, and when there is nobody there to help me it brings me down. Some days I am as happy as can be and so optimistic on life and then there are others where I feel like I don't want to go on anymore but I do. I try to find a middle ground, just to stay calm and worry about myself. It takes a lot of work and it is hard to do, I still can't control my moods. I want to start doing a form of meditation, quieting the mind. There are a million different articles, books and videos on meditation but they all state that meditation is a great way to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and all around feel good about yourself which makes you feel good about others. I am in the middle of trying to get my meditation "routine" down, when I do i will definitely share it with you all!


For now, What are some ways that you relieve stress? If any one does meditate what are some good tips for beginners?

Stay Strong
Morgan

Sickle Cell and The Summer

Summer is my Favorite Season of the year! I am a summer baby (June 26) and it's the time of year where I have the least amount of pain. It is also a time of year where I have to be extra careful about over-exerting myself. You get so excited and ready to just go but you still have to be cautious!

• Drink LOADS of Water. - This is sort of self explanatory. Just like any other time of the year keep yourself hydrated! The heat alone is dehydrating you by the minute.
• Be cautious of cold water - Pools, Ocean, Lake, Water park… whatever your choice of water activity be careful of that water temperature. This was something beaten into my head from my mom ever since I can remember! ( Hi Mom!) blood vessels become narrow in the cold making it hard for cells to flow, which can lead to a crisis.
• Be Cautious of Cold Air - I think we can say be cautious of anything Cold lol. I once got thrown into a crisis from going from the hot southern air to a cold Waffle House… while on vacation. Thats not saying melt in the hotness of the summer, Just be careful and prepare. Carry a hoodie or sweater everywhere! Don't Sleep with the Fan directly on you! 
• Know Your Limits - Yes everyone else may be running around in the hot sun, jumping from the pool to hot tub, etc. I am definitely not saying to limit yourself and have no fun! I am saying know when your body has had enough. We all can feel it, So listen to it! If your friends are your friends they will understand TRUST ME!

Summer is a time for fun, and relaxation. Don't think that I am trying to discourage from having a great time. I am just trying to help you have that great time, no one wants to be in pain and/or in the hospital during this wonderful time of the year. 

Stay Strong!

Morgan :) 

Take Your Meds!!

Okay, so… all my life just like any one else with Sickle Cell I have been on some type of medication. When I was  younger till i was 11, It was penicillin and Folic Acid. After that, we drop kicked the penicillin and it was just Folic Acid. As I grew older, my crisis became worse and more persistent. That is when my doctor put me on Hydroxyurea. Like any other rebellious teenager ( ha ha ) I refused to take it. I don't know what it was in my head that made me not want to take it but i simply just wouldn't.  I knew that it could help me feel better but, i refused. Until it started to affect my every day life, when I couldn't go out because i was sick or missed weeks of school because of being in the hospital. I decided I wanted to LIVE  a good life. So I started to take my medicine everyday as ordered. I feel better than ever! I know that Hydroxyurea doesn't work for everyone but I am blessed that it works for me. For those of you that are just starting on Hydroxyurea, please give it a try, take it on time like you are supposed to. If you are on it and like I used to be, refusing to take it, but see that it is working for you when you are… than please please please stay on it! Improve your quality of life, and your health.

Also,during/ after a crisis. You might be tempted to stop taking your pain medications when you are feeling better. DON'T! You might feel tempted to jump right into work, school and activities. DON'T! Most likely you will be throwing yourself back into a crisis. I have done this one too many times. Continue taking those meds, I usually give myself a day to recover. Take more depending on how long your crisis or hospital stay was.

Love yourself, and take care of yourself and most importantly take your meds!!!!

Stay Strong,

Morgan