If Only For One Night
No one understands how each of us handles stress—on the outside it appears as if we are coping. Little did I know that my stress would manifest as nightly insomnia. I’ve tried natural remedies including aromatherapy, herbal teas, warm milk, soothing music, making list, reading and praying to no avail. I’ve exercised thinking that I’ll be exhausted and fall asleep, but sleep eludes me. My companion, insomnia, is a constant. Do you have any idea how maddening it is to walk from room to room nightly hearing all the sounds of snoring, clocks ticking, traffic and wondering why precious, needed sleep will not come?
I’ve tried to go to bed early thinking that it will help, but as I watch the clock move from hour to hour, I realize hopelessly that it will be another long night. Morning smacks me in the face when the sun beams through the window and I stumble out of bed sleepily yet falsely invigorated to begin another day. I’ve researched the medical effects of prolonged insomnia and discussed this with my physician. She says she can prescribe medication to help me sleep, but “you have to reduce the stress in your life or nothing will change.” There is a heaviness in my chest and I am not as patient as I should be. My energy sags at midday, but I keep going. I have meetings and appointments to keep which leads to another form of stress... All I ask for is one night of peaceful sleep.
Beverley Francis-Gibson
National President & CEO
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA)
Baltimore, Maryland
Keep Moving Forward
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.
Dr. King left us with so many important and inspiring words. His commitment to equality is well known all around the world. We should all be eternally grateful for the many things he did for all of us. I believe that this quote is one of his most powerful, especially when it comes to our subject matter, sickle cell disease. In some ways, it almost seems that he was talking about sickle cell when he uttered those words. Depending on the day and depending on how sickle cell is affecting someone, those words can easily apply.
Some days, the very good days, sickle cell patients can feel as if they can fly; especially when compared to how they know they can feel on their really bad days. At other times, they may feel as if they can’t fly but have enough strength to run. Then, there are those days when fatigue and pain make it seem impossible to run. On other days, walking may even seem like it is out of the question because the pain is just too intense. Finally, there are even some days when the idea of crawling may seem as daunting as climbing Mount Everest with no mountain climbing gear at their disposal. That is the nature of sickle cell and those who live with it know this all too well.
If you are a sickle cell patient struggling with the impacts of this condition, I encourage you to keep your focus on the last words of Dr. King’s message, “…whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” You know, my father always used to say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Of course, what he was doing was telling me to never give up. And that’s what I am saying to you now. Never, ever give up. You have so much to offer this world, especially to those who love and care for you on a daily basis. You probably don’t realize the inspiration and hope that you are giving them just by being you. Just take my word for it. Your impact on them is even greater than sickle cell’s impact on you!
The 32nd president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, once said, “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” In other words, the longer that you hang on, the greater the chance that you will have of being able to make it through your most trying times. How else will you come to know the glorious feeling of overcoming what you thought would beat you? How else will you realize that you are just as strong as I and so many others know that you are?
There is no doubt that sickle cell is a devastating and traumatic condition. There is no doubt that it can be so very unfair. But the important thing to remember is that it is beatable. With perseverance and the personal resolve that it will not stop you, it is beatable! So, no matter what you do, just keep moving forward!
Originally Presented during the Sickle Cell Action Network Radio Show
Permission Granted by the Sickle Cell Action Network Radio Show
Gary A. Gibson
President/CEO
Martin Center Sickle Cell Initiative
Indianapolis, Indiana
My name is Cortney and I was diagnosed with sickle cell disease when I was six months old. I was very sick as a child and in and out of the hospital frequently. During my hospital stays, the nurses would try and cheer me up and make it more fun for me, which is how I fell in love with nursing. I’m currently in nursing school and I won a scholarship with the Black Nurses Association.
Sickle cell impacts all aspects of my daily life. I have 12-hour clinicals, and it's hard on my hips to stand up the whole time. I feel drained throughout the day. Beyond the physical, sickle cell also weighs on me mentally. I have to think about what I eat and make sure I’m not exercising too much so I don’t hurt myself.
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