As a person living with sickle cell disease, oftentimes we are told to do the needful, but one can never be prepared.
Despite the overwhelming fear and uncertainty looming, do not ignore your symptoms when they pop up. Get to the nearest clinic. My symptoms included a racing heart; headaches; joints, bones, muscle pain; stiffness, severe insomnia, and chronic fatigue. These I experience on a daily basis, but the heart racing was getting out of hand. It was so bad it felt like I was taking my last breath, but God has the final say! We must not panic; it will only make things worse, trust me. I can understand that one minute you’re fine and the next doctors aren’t sure what’s happening, and this can be so frightening.
On September 18th, 2023, I was taken to the hospital for an urgent review. I was on the brink of being admitted as my heart was racing so hard, but after the doctor checked my heart and lungs and found that they were fine, it was confirmed that it was shortness of breath that was the culprit, although the reason was unknown.
I got a week of sick leave from work, and I decided to just turn off everything and rest. I was prescribed many medicines and underwent many blood tests, and the back and forth with doctor appointments left me so drained that I started to isolate myself. Depression followed suit.
For three days, I just stayed in bed, completely blank, numb, and experiencing what is called a “brain fog.” The fog caused anxiety that isolated me from reality. I was in the rabbit hole of constant repetition of pain and extreme exhaustion. Painsomnia and sleep insomnia only worsened, and my schedule was completely thrown off. I had no appetite, no drive to even focus on God, myself, my books, or even fellow warriors—everything that required my attention became a blur.
Moreover, as the days went by, I learned that depression and anxiety are faith and purpose killers, and I burst into tears often because, amid the darkness and silence swirling, I knew that God was with me.
On the 21st of September, I was featured on the DayeLight TV show with host Crystal Daye, my publisher and book coach. The following day was the Thanksgiving service for my pastor’s wife, Karol Fernandez, and on that very same day I went to do a blood test. A wave of emotions overtook me as I tried to process everything.
GOD IS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES
My doctor’s visit with my blood test results didn’t go too well two days later; my oxygen levels were low, and this was causing the shortness of breath that the doctor said could lead to heart failure. He ordered an emergency CBC blood test, which revealed that my level was at 5.6, while my normal steady state is usually 6.2. The depleted level was shocking and unexpected news, but I decided to leave everything in God’s hands, as I know that He has the final say.
The doctors said that I needed blood and had to do a chest x-ray, which showed that I had a lung infection. They prescribed antibiotics to help clear up the pneumonia. I was declaring normalcy even as they admitted me on September 28. I was on drip, and they were still taking blood—a lot of blood—but Jesus had already taken the wheel, so I just kept on praying.
Everyone far and near pitched in and donated the blood required for my blood transfusion two days later. The doctors said the process was supposed to take 4 hours, but when I began experiencing severe pain and fever from the IV that they originally took out, the doctors grew worried, saying if the blood got stale, it would no longer be of any use. My head started spinning. I had slept right through my first blood transfusion, but during this one, my mind was clouded.
Thanks be to God, moments later the new IV was in. My second blood transfusion was a complete success, and my body responded well to the blood given. There was no allergic reaction, etcetera, absolutely nothing. Everything was in the clear.
I was discharged on October 1st, 2023, free to return to the comfort of my home and my family.
My recovery journey from sickle cell disease has been up and down and up again, always with some kind of miracle happening. I embraced the love and support of my family and friends, which played a crucial role in my healing process. Day by day, I am making remarkable progress, and regaining my strength and stability.
Adhering to God for hope, peace, a positive mindset, and determination helped me overcome many obstacles along the way. Yes, I’ve battled mentally and emotionally… but God…and by maintaining an optimistic viewpoint, I was able to approach challenges with resilience and perseverance.
My challenges helped me stay motivated, focused, and hopeful, which in turn had a positive impact on my overall well-being and recovery. I will keep on keeping on as I continue to nurture that which God has placed within me.
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Kiesha Pitter loves God and all things books and reading. God has helped her overcome many physical challenges and emotional breakdowns associated with sickle-cell disease, and He has taught her to use writing as therapy. Contact: [email protected].
