September 9,2014 I was in a medically induced sedated coma... just the beginning. I will try my best to related my current situation now.. but first I digress... I don't remember much or even 2-3 days prior to being in the coma. My last knowledge is that I was feeling well alive and on my way to work. Based on my other post I have stated that I have Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle cell anemia, or sickle cell disease (SCD), is a genetic disease of the red blood cells (RBCs). Normally RBCs are shaped like discs, which gives them the flexibility to travel through even the smallest blood vessels. However, with this disease, the RBCs have an abnormal crescent (“sickle”) shape.) Well, I believed a crisis from SC Diseased trigger SLE - which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs.
SCD -
- excessive fatigue or irritability (from anemia)
- fussiness (in babies)
- bedwetting (from associated kidney problems)
- jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
- swelling and pain in hands and feet
- frequent infections
- chest pain
- Chest pain when taking a deep breath
- Fatigue
- Fever with no other cause
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Skin rash. A "butterfly" rash in about half people with SLE. The rash is most often seen over the cheeks and bridge of the nose, but can be widespread. It gets worse in sunlight.
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Other symptoms depend on which part of the body is affected:
- Brain and nervous system: headaches, numbness, tingling, seizures, vision problems, personality changes
- Digestive tract: abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
- Heart: abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Lung: coughing up blood and difficulty breathing
- Skin: patchy skin color, fingers that change color when cold (Raynaud phenomenon)
- Kidney: swelling in the legs, weight gain
The medical staff are still baffled at my recovery, and they were not sure how to treat me or which one was causing the major problems and damage... so over the next few post I will talk about many things, they might not be in order, they might be random feelings, my spirituality, thoughts, daily struggles, occasional observations, my courage, my strengths dealing with each and everyone of these symptoms... but as usual came follow me as I continue to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH, LEARN!!
