Exercising with Sickle Cell Anemia

My newest fetish is hitting the gym. I love going to the gym. My doc says it's okay as long as I hydrate and don't overdo anything. There is something about pushing my body to it's limit that makes me feel absolutely invigorated. As the blood pumps through when I'm doing my cardio, I can almost imagine that it's clearing out the sickle cells and just keeping the veins nice and free flowing. I want to believe that exercise helps.

I read somewhere that it takes 12-18months to grow new veins. I'm working out my arms in the hope that it will be able to re-surface better veins so I don't have to be stuck a million bajillion times when I do go to the hospital. I know people about the PICC lines and portacaths, but for some reason, I haven't gotten to it yet. I'll talk about that later.

So yeah, back to the gym, I'm already feeling the difference in the definition of my arms and muscles. I feel strong, I feel vibrant, I feel like a warrior princess. Bring it on world, I can handle anything!

Hola!

I'm here, present and accounted for. Norio and I were both laid out in pain yesterday, he threw his back out playing tennis, and I was hurting L2s per usual. I wanted to get him some Motrin but I could barely move. Good thing I keep a stash of painkillers on the bookshelf by the couch.

Sigh! Another day.

Back to Work

Today is my first day back to work since my sister's wedding. Hopefully my lazy self will be able to survive it...lol.

I've had way too many days off. Although my check is going to be thin next Friday, I'm glad that I took some time off to relax and rejuvenate. I needed it so bad.

The Ticker says...

Four months.

Gulp.

Flying With Sickle Cell Revisited

Okay everyone, as you can see I'm back, alive and well. I survived both flights with only L3s on the first one (which I quickly handled with a double dose of Vicodin/Benadryl) and L2s on the return trip. I did remember to walk every hour up and down the aisle and drank water like it was going out of style. I know the flight attendants were probably tired of my constant requests for water, but at least I stayed hydrated.

All in all it was a really great trip and I'm glad I went. Even though I thought I might fall sick, it didn't happen. Yay---go me!

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month

I recently got this in my Myspace box and I'm passing it on to all the Sickle Cell Warriors out there.

We are asking everyone to help raise public awareness of this deadly genetic disorder. PLEASE put SICKLE CELL, You Have No Idea! in your top friends.

http://www.myspace.com/sicklecellawareness1

While sickle cell is often thought of as a "black" disease, it is not exclusively so. Yes, it is concentrated in Americans of African origin. But it also occurs in many other groups of people including those whose ancestors were Greeks, Italians, Arabs, Latin Americans, Native Americans, etc. And not just in the U.S. Whether you are affected or not please help us raise awareness. This is a global disease!!!

Thanks, in advance

There are a few things in this paragraph that I could pick apart in frustration and outrage but I'll let it slide today because I've just had 9 delicious orgasms and feel fuckin' fantastic.

So yeah, Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Spread the word.