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

Coming to a Theater near you..

I've been watching a lot of movies with ppl with diseases in them lately and being the cry baby that I am you know that I have been crying my eyes out lol. It had me thinking that  We need to get a movie that involves a character with sickle cell. I swear there is movies about people with cancer, diabetes, asthma, MS, and even rare diseases that affects 1 in a million! We've seen my sisters keeper and steel magnolias! There is even a movie called extraordinary measures about a disease called Pompe's Disease ( has anyone else heard of that?). I am not trying to downplay other chronic diseases they are all very very important also! I just wish we could get Sickle Cell disease grand exposure,  Nothing says awareness like a million dollar block buster right? So hey any young film makes out there here's you're next idea! Id be happy to come on and assist with writing and to give info to your actors on the disease! (: 

P.s. - I am so serious and I am definitely gonna look into pitching an idea to someone

Xoxo

MORGAN

Just some humor

Oh this is so me! there is nothing better than finally feeling that pain relief. 

Keep Moving

I am blogging live from the gym in my apartment building lol! I believe in everyone getting physical activity in anyway possible. Especially my fellow sickle cell strong folks. It's important for us to stay in tip top shape and remain physically fit. Excercise improves not just your body but your mind and spirit.  I know that over-exerting yourself can cause us to have complications so just take your time and stop when you feel you need too. Just know when to stop, know your limits guys!

Stay strong! 

Morgan