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I must apologize for not posting to my blog in almost two months. Believe me, I have wanted to but have been unable to do so because my vision is poor as well as many hospitalizations. I will get back to this later. What I want to talk about at this time is we have a soldier who really needs prayer. Her name is Phyllis Thomas, who founded Sickle Cell Soldier Network.
A few years ago I met Phyllis at the American Red Cross luncheon where I was a guest speaker. Although we didn't spend much time getting acquainted, we did exchange numbers and have been able to communicate on Facebook and Twitter. She had this smile of destiny that focused on alternative methods to advocate for sickle cell awareness and a cure for sickle cell disease. She founded "The Soldier Network" to fulfill these missions and has flown from California to Washington D.C. and in between building this network. Phyllis, as all Sickle Cell patients must do, has retreated to her inner sanctum in order to build strength to continue her journey. She has been hospitalized for several months and needs our prayers. So I ask all of you to keep her in your prayers.
Over the past several months I have been hospitalized due to Sickle Cell Crisis and End Stage Renal Disease complications with Peritoneal Dialysis. My catheter had been repositioned twice due to an inability to drain properly. This inability forced me to make decisions with regard to the ultimate goal of home dialysis. My hands were tied and after placement of a fistula in my arm to continue my dialysis treatment I had no choice other than hemo dialysis. While hospitalized, my blood pressure dropped to dangerous lows and my heart rate was extremely elevated, which required me going into ICU. With much prayer from family, friends and others my stay in ICU was a short one
Upon my release three weeks later, I have been going to in center dialysis. My strength has improved daily. My hemoglobin, after several transfusions (while in the hospital) has improved because of the Epogen shots given to me weekly. Although I have not yet been able to walk long distances, my stability is better. I am also able to shower and dress myself without much assistance, which I had not been able to do since the end of August. By the grace of God I feel I am on the right track towards returning to my old self.
I want to thank my wife Patrice for typing this blog. Many prayers are going up for Phyllis.
Prayers go out to Phyllis and to my dear friend Ronald Wayne Ragin. I was a young man in my hometown of Seattle when I first heard of Sickle Cell Disease. That was many years ago. I am very unhappy that more has not been done throughout the years to find an ultimate cure. And unhappy to know that my dear friend is afflicted with it, although, you would not know it from talking to him. He's just as upbeat as he was when we were students at Howard University. More focus certainly needs to be given to this disease and if we lend our support and prayers to warriors like Phyllis and Ronald Wayne Ragin, maybe we can get the attention of those that can fund research and find that cure. I know I'm going to try and do more for my friend and Phyllis by beginning this Sunday morning with prayers for each of them and all others who have Sickle Cell Disease.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rich, your comments are encouraging and inspiring to me and others. We a[[reciate all prayers and hope others will do so as well. You are truly a friend.
ReplyDeleteHope your feeling much better. We need more men to talk about having SCD. thank you for sharing. May God bless you. We will keep you lifted in prayer. Check us out on Facebook/sickleSTRONG.
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