A Little About ME!

I wanted to do this post just to give everyone a little insight on my life and my mission!

1. I am 19 years old, born June 26, 1995 @ 11:59 a.m
2. I have Sickle Cell SS
3. I'm a second semester student at Rutgers - Camden, majoring in Health Sciences
4. I have changed my mind from being a scientist, marine biologist, zookeeper, fashion designer, teacher and now I am torn on becoming a Physician Assistant or a Hematologist. 
5. I'm very sensitive, and cry over everything but only my family and about 2 friends have seen that side of me. 
6. I am a HOMEBODY, I do not like being away from home for long periods of time.
7. I take Hydroxyurea, and Folic Acid daily to control my Sickle Cell. 
8. I have 4 tattoos, 2 dedicated to Sickle Cell. 
9. I am an old soul, I get along WAY better with people older than me. 
10. I really want dreadlocks, but change my mind too much.
11. People love my laugh but its sort of obnoxious. 
12. I want to reach out and have more friends with Sickle Cell but I feel to shy sometimes to speak up. 
13. I have only recently become comfortable with telling people that I have Sickle Cell. 
14. I am just really starting to love and be comfortable with ME.
15. I want to start an organization to help teens with Sickle Cell get through their teen/young adult years smoothly. (counseling, job placement, college help etc.)
16. I spend all of my money on food and clothes, I am trying to learn how to save better.
17. I love to read, and watch TV. These have both been my coping mechanism when I do not feel well. 
18. I have a doll "Pinky" who I've had since I was born and I NEED her when I am sad or in pain.
19. I want to make a change in this world… I want to get Sickle Cell the exposure it deserves… I want to be comfortable.

These are only a few facts about me out of so many things, as this blog goes on I hope I can learn more about my community of readers and you all can learn more about me! 

Stay Strong, 

Morgan

Vacation #1

I love the summer!!! As y'all all know. I went to seaside heights last weekend with my mom, grandmom, my uncle and his family, my sister and my best friend. We had the BEST time. I am a water sign, I could live in the ocean( I really wish I could). Even though I live in New Jersey, I've never been to seaside before but it was actually pretty cool. I got to see the Jersey Shore house and all the places they used to go! I was obsessed with Jersey Shore and still follow them all on Instagram lol. But moving on, I ate ALOT, got on rides, tried fried pickles(and I am not addicted), swam and got REALLY dark. I also made sure I took care of myself during my time at the shore. At night it got pretty windy and chilly and hotel rooms are notoriously cold. So I brought sweatpants and a hoodie to bundle up at night. The pool at the hotel was pretty warm but still refreshing so I could jump right in! I also took Motrin in the morning just to be extra careful and kept hydrated all day long which is always the key! I had a great time and got back home pain free(just a little stiffness).

(Photos stolen from my moms Facebook lol)

stay strong,

Morgan

Hair

This is something not even about sickle cell right now lol. But about natural hair. Ive decided that I don't want to straighten my hair for the rest of the year and I think I can do it. it's only been three weeks so far but I have learned to embrace my natural curl. There are 10x the amount of ppl rocking there curly fros now than there were even last year and I am happy to see it. I get so many more components wen I just wash my hair and go than when I spend hours straightening or curling it! Plus flat irons are life sucking devices that will kill your hair line and ends if you flatten your hair everyday. People often ask how I got my hair so long and thick...( in the picture below it's rather short... Shrinkage is a Bxxxh!!!) honestly, I was never someone who worried about my hair or it growing. I think I got my long hair from my parents but was able to retain it by not doing so much to it! I never straightened my hair everyday, I never did treatments, or got a perm I never took pills. BUT I do take Folic acid everyday for my Sickle Cell, not until I was a teenager did I learn that Folic acid helps your hair grow! So maybe that had something to do with it? I really have no clue. Just embrace your hair, straighten it if you WANT to but don't trunk you need to. Rock your natural hair pattern, switch it up this summer.

ahhhhh agua!

Staying hydrated is important for everyone but especially for those with SCD! Some can not stand the taste, or lack of, of water. I LOVE water and drink it all day long. My friends call me a mermaid because of it lol. It is hard to push yourself to drink but I have some great ways to encourage yourself ot hydrate your body.

• Flavor it! There are so many ways to flavor your water.  You can buy MIO, Crystal Light or any other water flavoring at the supermarket or cut up oranges, lemons, strawberries, cucumbers or any other fruit and vegetable and make your very own flavored water. 
• Bubbles! Try drinking a seltzer water or club soda if you need that extra fizz. You can buy these drinks flavored as well and they taste delicious.
• Time it! Trying to drink 8-10 glasses a day, drink a glass an hour and you wont even realize how much you have drunk during the day.
• Buy a Cool Cup! A colorful cup, or easy to carry travel jug can help you remember to bring your water along with you. 
• Add Ice or freeze bottles ahead of time! Water tastes so much better and is a lot more refreshing when it is ice cold. 
• Eat foods full of water! Watermelon, Grapefruit, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cucumber, Strawberries are all made of over 90% water! Add some of these foods to your diet and you will be adding water with out even knowing it. 

Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated, Stay Strong 

Morgan 

What is Hydroxyurea?

I want to go back and explain some key medical terminology that I use in my blog so every so often you will see a short post like this to help better understand. 

Hydroxyurea is a a popular drug therapy used to help lessen the complications of Sickle Cell disease. It increases Fetal Hemoglobin , reducing Hemoglobin S ( the mutated gene that causes sickle cell) which reduces the number of sickled red blood cells. Hydroxyurea was once used as chemotherapy and does have some side effects, the benefits outweigh the minor side effects.

When taking Hydroxyurea you will have frequent blood work, in my case that is once a month. To see if treatment is helping or not and also to monitor your kidneys, liver and bone marrow.

Hydroxyurea doesn't work for everyone. I Am very blessed that it does and has cut down the amount of pain crisis' that I have. It has helped me have a better quality of life and not have to worry SO much about being in pain at any moment. It has helped me form some sort of control over my disease.

Stay Strong
Morgan

Another step in my journey

Awhile back I posted that I was getting started on a new project to help raise awareness for Sickle Cell. Well now I have gotten all of the technical things out of the way and I am ready to debut the only problem is FUNDING. My project is an apparel and a accessory line all displaying inspirational quotes ad art work (made by yours truly) that help raise awareness. My thinking behind having apparel that it is wearable promotion. While walking down the street *hopefully* people will be looking at these t-shirts/hoodies/bags and think "what is sickle cell?"they will ask my lovely customers/supporters more information or even just google it, any way that people are getting info on SC is good with me. I need 800 to start up and get all of the supplies I need to get it going. I hope that you guys can support! Wether its $5 or $100 it means I am closer to my goal. I will never top fighting to raise awareness for Sickle Cell this is just another step in my journey of getting Sickle Cell the exposure it deserves!

I have the widget that you can click on the side of my page (I know it looks kind of big and bulky)

or just click on the link below!

http://www.gofundme.com/sicklestrong

Thank you in advance, Stay Strong!

Morgan

birthday girl

I know this is a super late post, but I can't tell you guys enough how busy my weekend/beginning was! I have been moving non stop since wendesday:Dave and busters, the beach, parties. I had an amazing time tho, and plenty of rest after. I am now 19 years old (need to change my bio) and I don't feel any different lol. I am just blessed to see another year! I love the life that I have and am so thankful god and my body are allowing me to love my life to the fullest.