22/03/2023
Food For Thought
It was only my brother and I, happy, strong and healthy until my mom gave birth to our little sister.
Initially she was full of life and vitality, as much as we can see and tell but everything changed gradually from her eighth-ninth month.
Little baby started having 'normal fever' so to speak. From normal fever to severe one. Mom took her to see a doctor of which she was diagnosed of having malaria and typhoid fever. Treatment commenced but there was no improvement.
She cries all day and night. Dad and mom took it in turns to carry her at night because she hardly sleep.
Mom observed that her forehead, hands and feet were pale and swollen. She was taken back to the hospital.
The doctor couldn't come up with any reason for the swollen hands and feet, so she concluded that little baby is suffering from Whitlow. She was giving hospital stay for better monitoring and treatment
She was placed on antibiotics so that the so call pus will dry up but nothing was happening.
The doctor resolved to the idea of using syringe to remove the pus, to see if she can at least have some rest and relieve but there was no pus found, only blood and water. The syringe process was repeated for days but no pus was seen in it.
Her condition became worst, the pain intensified, she cried like she was going to breathe her last.
The doctor was confused. She referred us to a general hospital where we can see a pediatric doctor.
A general test was carried out on her with the confirmation that little baby is a sickler. The swollen hands and feet are a few of the symptoms of sickle cell anaemia and her incessant cry is due to crisis pain.
My parents knew nothing about sickle cell anaemia. The news was strange to us.
Doctor said it is an inherited disease or disorder known as sickle cell disease which affects the shape of red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
To be continued...................
