In a nutshell

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited (genetic) conditions which affects the red blood cells in the blood. Certain condition causes the cells to sickle, leading to a block in the vessels, and to a painful crisis.

Crisis and balance

The most important thing about living a life of balance with sickle cell, is avoiding crisis.
Limiting the number of crisis you have, especially the major ones that get you admitted. Sickle cell is a disease that has many triggers, and one of the important accept of achieving balance while living with sickle cell disease is to identify your triggers.
I understand that sometimes, crisis just happens even when you feel like you’ve been doing everything right. The majority of sickle cell crisis are from triggers. Sometimes, from those we have ignored
or haven’t realized we have yet.

How can you effectively identify your triggers?

  • Keep a trigger diary- This sounds simple and yet somehow stressful but it’s a very useful tip in helping to pin point your triggers.
  • Honest recall of events- I use the word ‘’honest’’ because sometimes, we lie to ourselves about the amount of water we had, or taking medication, or going to that party when we knew we shouldn’t

After identifying the triggers

  • Make the sacrifice- Know your trigger, make the sacrifice
  • Know your body- You would probably hear me say ‘’know your body’’ a lot in this talk, but that’s just to stress the importance in being one with your body/mind.
  • Do the basics- Drink water, take medications, avoid stress, regular check-ups (doctor’s appointment
  • Be intentional- Know your health, ask questions
  • Find what works for you! Very important

Balance and crisis

As much as crisis can disturb your balance, not having a balance can be chaotic, and lead to a crisis.

‘’one affects the other, the way the other affects one’’
‘’It’s like a circle’’

When we talk about balance in life, we can achieve that by paying attention to the 3 components that sort of holds things together. This works even for those without sickle cell disease, it just seems more important to those with sickle cell, because we end up paying a price (crisis) if this is not achieved.


Mental component – Mind, wholeness/oneness (yoga and meditation), emotions (joy, sad, laughter), personal (recovery, drive), acceptance, relationships (friendship and romantic), support system, support group, your view, therapy, things you love.
Physical component – The things we do, stress, exams, school, work, social, rest, exercise (yoga and meditation), know your body.
Spiritual component – Faith, God, Church, Bible, dealing the God’s word, support system.


‘’Pay attention to your body, do what you’re supposed to do, and be honest’’.

By: Dr. Awunli Ivie Enebeli