HOW SICKLE CELL DISEASE (SCD) TOOK MY STELLA AWAY FROM ME

It all started on that fateful Friday night, at the Youth monthly vigil. I saw her. 'Get a hold of yourself man!' I had to caution my wandering mind. My testosterone levels were about to hit the roof. My heart pumped faster, and nearly burst through my hapless rib cage. My adrenaline rush made me want to grab her to myself. But I had to behave. I was in God's presence.

Next morning, we introduced ourselves. “I'm Harry, MLS 500 level.” “I'm Stella, MLS 200 level.” We were in the same Department of Medical Laboratory Science.

Three years later, I proposed and she said yes. We started making preparations. We had to go for premarital laboratory tests.

“I would like to see you both in my office please,” the Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist told us a few days later when we went back for our results. “I'm sorry,” he continued, “our results show that both of you possess Haemoglobin genotype AS.” His words sounded like a bombshell. The shrapnel from the explosive revelation tore through our hearts with reckless abandon. We knew the implications. We could never get married, or else we could have children who will suffer from SCD. These kids, requiring massive blood transfusions and close medical attention, would very likely die from severe complications during puberty, or young adulthood. We knew it was risky and had to call it quits. We would have gone ahead with the marriage if we were both AA or if one of us was AA and the other person AS, AC, SC or SS. We still loved each other, but we had to let go. All those beautiful memories we shared together will remain with me for as long as I live.

Let's join hands together to end sickle cell disease.