“Give her another shot of pentazocine”, Doctor Ralph called out to one of the nurses on duty. It’s been twelve long hours and nothing seemed to be working for the pain pangs!
The shot was meant to douse my ability to feel and allow me close in, then drift into an imperfect but sublime oblivion even if it was for a short while.
Author: Omotola (page 2 of 3)
Fear is an “emotion which is pre-programmed in all people and animals as an instinctual response to potential danger”.
When a person experiences fear, some areas in the brain such as the amygdala and the hypothalamus are activated and they appear to control the first physical response to fear. Chemicals such as adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol are released into the blood stream. This often leads to some certain physical reactions, such as, increased blood pressure, increased sweating, rapid heart rate and tightening of the muscles.
I don’t remember the exact first time I saw her, but I remember that every time I noticed her, there was always something about her (even to my ‘little girl’ eyes at the time). She was short, and thin. Her stomach usually protruded unnaturally from her clothes. She was always quiet; I hardly ever heard her saying anything sef. Sometimes I would see her in company of her sisters; 3 of them. But they were all so boisterous that you might think she wasn’t related to them. I must have asked my mum about her out of childish curiosity, because she told me that the girl was “SS”.
Sickle cell disease, is also known as sickle cell anaemia, it is a hereditary blood disorder which is characterized through red blood cells, which take on a rigid, abnormal and sickle shape. Sickling trims down the flexibility of cells and leads to a risk of several life-threatening problems.
It was a windy Saturday morning. The trees rustled behind the grey coloured bungalow. The dogs gingerly barked at the opening of doors and cockerels crowed at a distance. The power cut wasn’t a surprise as it had become a nocturnal ritual perfectly accustomed to.
Helen Steiner Rice was born in 1900 and grew up on the shores of Lake Erie. Her dream was to study law, but her plans to attend Wesleyan College had to be set aside when her father died during the influenza epidemic of 1918. Instead, she ended up taking a job with an electrical utility company.
I know what you’re thinking. It’s actually not about Mary who broke her alabaster jar of precious ointment on Christ. I’m talking about you and me.
Come to think of it, how often do we appreciate God? We simply whine and complain about our problems like there’s no tomorrow. You know what? I’ve been guilty of that lately, as I complain that my present income isn’t just enough. Seems to me that I have forgotten that some people would gladly give up anything to get what I earn currently, or better still just for the fulfilment of leaving the house each day and getting occupied.
We are, we are warriors,
Not sicklers but warriors,
We shall not blame God for this condition,
We fail to bury our heads under the vicissitudes of life,
We refuse to shirk responsibility inspite of sickle cell,
Warriors, we are!
Jumoke had planned to be at Bimpe’s wedding. She had gotten all her accessories for the occasion. The bead she bought was orange in colour and so was her bag, bracelet and shoes. Her “gele” was lying neatly in the wardrobe at the top right hand corner and the peach gown made from the “aso-ebi” material was hung. She had looked forward to and planned to attend the wedding as her cousin, Bimpe was a very lively and friendly young lady whom she didn’t wish to disappoint.
I call you “Adaba”
You dwell in my “gida”
When I feel unease,
You give me great peace.
In stress, And in distress,
You are my fortress.
When I am in a state of digress,
You make me strong like a tigress.
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