PUBLIC OPINION: I LOVE HIM BUT WE ARE BOTH HAEMOGLOBIN "AS"- What Should I Do?

8 comments
👀: @ugojesse

Hello distinguished DR KEVWE'S BLOG (D.K.B.) readers. Your advise might save the day for a confused soul here!!!What do you think this lady should do? Is it fair on love for sickle cell to be a barrier to what is beginning to feel like never ending realtime ecstasy?



For those who have been hearing but do not know exactly what this condition is all about,sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder characterised by the transformation of red blood cells into abnormal sickle shapes (as you see in the image below),as a result of a mutation that leads to the formation of abnormal proteins in haemoglobin( the component of red blood cells that carries oxygen to every part of the body). When a male and female carrier of this gene(AS) decide to have babies, the window of birthing a child with the abnormal gene(SS) is created and that is how the word "Sickler" came to be.

Those who have experienced it can attest of the frequent hospital visits. Modern day advances have however made things easier and science has it's stand on this controversial love matter but what is your advise for Madam here?
Every year,World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated on the 19th of June to create more awareness but until then, visit the references below for more information about the sickle cell phenomenon.

REFERENCES:
http://www.thelondonphysician.com/sickle-cell-anemia/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs308/en/

With this post,we commence a "PUBLIC OPINION"/ Graphic Series with which, we can sample your opinions/advise for particular individuals with "SOCIAL HEALTH DILEMMAS". I receive questions from different individuals about what health related decisions to take almost on a daily basis. Some of these issues I have experienced personally and some you have. Since we are building a vibrant following here, I have been led by the sense of inclusive reasoning to get all of your advise on the various issues. The identity of involved subjects will not be revealed but they will certainly read all the opinions you drop by way of comments. I will also make a contact form available, so those who have issues to be trashed out can send to us via email for posting. I am using this opportunity to also start a "Graphic series"- to show health related graphic stories by the super talented Graphic Artist- UGO JESSE. Also do well to tell us what you think about the work.

8 comments

  1. This is so true, same question I asked my husband on our second meeting......I can't shout.....lol

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  2. These days, it is common place for intending couples to run some medical tests (on personal or church request) before proceeding to tie the knot. And surely, this has helped in averting some disasters. In the case of sickle cell, if both parties are aware that they are carriers of the sickle cell gene, I think it would be very wise to end the relationship there. If they decide to go ahead "in the name of love", they must bear in mind that they could bring forth a child who is a sickler. Believe me, nobody wants to see his/her child suffer that much, or in some cases,die. The trauma can be so much that what the couple called love in the beginning can turn out to be hate, frustration and regret. There are a few cases in which carriers give birth to carriers and no sickler. But why take such a risk which could result in devastating consequences?

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  3. Great job Dr. Kevwe and team. I have a younger sis who suffers same disease, we are grateful to God for her life as she's over 40years with two lovely boys. The experience is unenviable both for the sufferer and the entire family. It gulp a huge amount of resources, financial and otherwise, child bearing wasn't easy as the two deliveries were between life and death and none of us ever wishes her to pass through that lane again. She's blessed with a very caring and loving husband and family but in my opinion, marriage, child bearing and life generally should be enjoyed and not endured. So I advise the person to weigh all options carefully because the emotional impact could lead to depression. Cheers!

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  4. Hmmm!Love indeed! Based on the work I do, i have met several couples who knew they were incompatible but still married for 'love',and one child who is a sickler down the line,they cant even stand the sight of one another. I havr even seen a couple with all 3 kids as sicklers. The only thing keeping them together right now are 3 sick children. I advise anyone in such a situation to end it, Its not worth the risk, a broken relationship doesnt kill. You'l get over it and love again.

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  5. My unknown friend hit a great point here, however the truth remains that the human nature is first emotional before it ever becomes logical. Hqving first hand experience, I will never, ever give my thumbs up to any couple who on getting aware of their genotypes as carriers still proceed to say I do, but having learned as much as I have about genetic counselling, I will put aside my feelings on this aspect and get couples educated from start to finish on the probabilities, financial and moral aspects of the journey they so wish to embark. They could get so lucky and have no child with ss, they could get so unlucky and have all attempts with ss. If they resort to determining the genotype of each pregnancy(which is expensive by the way) just so they can detect ss ones and terminating suspected pregnancies, how long and how many times will they be able to tolerate such a practice? What does the christian religion preach about termination of pregnancies? Will the destiny of a child now cease to matter juat because it is now ss, a situation that could well have been avoided? Well, these are the issues. If they go ahead to have the child, how long can they bear his burden and each other. I know men that habe left their wives just because of this; I know women that have ceased to love like mothers because somewhere along the line, they got frustrated. Yes, the love may be sweet today but when sickle cell gets involved, it can go sour. How prepared will they be?

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  6. Interesting comments here. Exactly why I wasn't going to take the risk with any man. @victoria God is with your sister and your family.OI is most likely a Medic-nice submission. Dr Kevwe and other Medics,what is the so called position of Science on this issue?

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  7. Unfortunately Dr Kevwe I have seen non consented AS people get married as some of the Laboratories these days probably jump into poor conclusion telling someone he or she ia AA when AS is the case.
    I must start by saying,it's difficult to reason genotype when love has "shelled!", so before yhe music turns to blues pls ask queations,and please question is not enough. Repeat genotypes in different Laboratories and be double sure. Then do what you need to do with your clear eyes, and bare the consequences of your choice. It really hirta when ignorance is the reason for an SS child. Let's tackle the awareness well, I guess being in LOVE will no longer be a reason for people to make this blunder.
    I learnt of a couple who insisted based on faith to go ahead,and had 4kids all SS and they died one after the other,with each death pulling the family apart until all four died and they now got divorced.For me,the dent that will do to their faith will be massive. Remember,wisdom ia profitable to direct. From my experience as a married woman,this shingles we Call LOVE end after the first 5years of marriage then we begin to develop true INTENTIONAL loving feeling towards our spouse, that keeps us in the home for the rest of our lives. We can as well reason outaidw the "shingles" and make the right decision. One SS child with regular crises can exhaust all your life time love in 1year,plus guilt and psychological condemnation of self is usually common with folks with these kids. .......Be wise, Love is nutured,not automated.

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  8. Excellent comments here thus far. Our subject is taking note. Final decision is hers to take. Her pre-natal counsellors will also advise.

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