Family with a Sickle Warrior

I have 3 wonderful children. One of them has sickle beta zero thalassemia, which is a form of sickle cell anemia. At 3 years old she has already had blood transfusions and has had crisis. I hope to connect with others to gain a better understanding and help spread awareness to others. A common misconception is that it is a disease that only occurs in African Americans. My husband is Latino and I'm Caucasion. I had to Google that spelling. I'm a white girl...that's easier. This disease does not limit itself to a race. I'm quickly learning how little I know about sickle cell and as a momma I want to be educated about this disease. Please join me in the education and awareness of sickle cell.

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My baby boy laughing

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Lesson in neighborly etiquette

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Although we have 2 play rooms, my living room becomes a racetrack

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Wish I ate like this. I might lose some weight

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PSA

If you have had your flu shot still take caution. My 1 year old had 104.3 fever...although he had the shot he got it. Pediatrician said it's bad in Louisiana. She never had a patient get the flu who got the shot. The cdc closed a well known top daycare locally because of the flu. Wash your hands.

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A basic map of the world showing the presence of thalassaemias and sickle cell anaemia (haemoglobinopathies). Though we should note from existing anecdotal evidence, that Australia has a far greater prevalence of haemoglobinopathies than is actually depicted in the map.

Many of the areas that are affected, are or were areas that were also affected by malaria. Accordingly, it is believed that haemoglobinopathies provided some protection against the deadliness of malaria. 

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June 20th is World Sickle Cell Day. And as a means to illustrate to the public what happens we have some useful diagrams and pics that show what sickled red blood cell looks like, and what damage it can do.

When arteries are blocked up with sickled red blood cells it causes immense pain to the patient and is called a sickle crisis. One of the things that can occur is the sickled red blood cells begin tearing at the walls of arteries, causing damage that can affect patients more severely in the longer term.

So spare a thought for people with sickle cell anaemia and other related sickle celled conditions and donate blood.

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Red Blood Cells containing their haemoglobin molecules.

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My baby boy turned 1 today

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Snowing here in Louisiana

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After crying that her stomach hurt, her spleen felt a little swollen and had fever. We are waiting on results.

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No more swelling. This crisis lasted 9 days. Keeping them home from gymnastics. It's finally looking like winter in Louisiana...its cold. I don't l know how careful I should be, but I don't want to take the chance so soon after this crisis has passed.

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My Sickle Warrior

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Siblings Kyle and Michelle both battle sickle beta thalassemia. Kyle, the oldest, loves to watch sports and interested in drafting. Michelle, the youngest, enjoys drawing, painting and ceramics. They are of Italian descent. #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

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Anyway to contact them? As my daughter has sickle beta zero thal

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Sickle cell disease occurrences in African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Caucasians in the United States.

#sicklecell #sicklecellawareness #SickleCell101

Source: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), 2014