Hi Nyja babe - kedu?

I am not sure what you are looking for. Its hard to believe that any Nigerian is oblivious to sickle cell. In my family, one of the first questions that is asked when someone wants to get married is: is he/she a carrier? Of course, they mean a carrier of the sickle cell trait.

I will tell u what shocked me recently: an African American friend of mine who was obviously a carrier of the sickle cell trait (2 of her sibs died of sickle cell so she is at best a carrier or at worst has the decease as well.). Anyway, she got married to a Nigerian man without asking/investigating his medical background. She did not even discuss sickle cell with him. They have 3 children now....2 are carriers and the youngest has the decease.

My friend recently revealed to me the condition of the baby who is 18 months because I was there one day when the baby had a crisis. After everything died down, my friend told me that the oldest 2 are carriers. I asked her why she took the risk of having children knowing thatboth she and her husband are carriers. Her reply shocked me:

She said that she didnt know her husband was a carrier and only found out after they were married andthe youngest was first hospitalised with a crisis and subsequently diagnosed with the sickel cell decease. That led to the older 2 children being tested and they were found to be carriers of the S. C. trait

I said to her: but you knew you were a carrier, that should have been enough for you to start the convesation with your husband before you married him and tomake decisions about children.

sickle cell means to me:being educated and being responsible....realising thatone's choices/decisions will have far reaching effects on you and on the children you may choose to bring into the world.

Your brother's words were beautiful

God bless - I, too, hope that you made it through yesterday.