WARRIOR’S STRIPES

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Before the advent of modern warfare and all the plethora of weaponry displayed today, warriors in the past had to fight their enemies with crude weapons. These weapons ranged from bows and arrows to swords and even axes and cutlasses. Horses were also a part of such warfare and warriors were expected to fight hard. In fact, survival means no mistake

otherwise one risked being stabbed and skinned by enemy warriors who most likely parade their carcasses as prized trophies of war.

These were not the only trophies displayed or carried around proudly. Sometimes, some warriors were badly wounded with zigzagged stripes like those of a Zebra. Many such were often left to die. In the event that they brave the odds and survived those damaging beatings to their bodies, they were often left with a disfigured and twisted body form. To many a warrior, this disfiguration was nothing to be ashamed of. It was a testament to the fact that they were survivours; they went into battle and came out victorious as such, they brandished their disfigured stripes and all as prized trophies to any who cared to see and hear their tale.

Sickle cell warriors similarly have a battle of sorts to fight. Theirs is fought within the confines of a hospital dressing room filled with antiseptics and what have we. Their weapons are injections and a host of antibiotics administered regularly to combat this common enemy to many a sickle cell warrior. Many have to go into this battle field again and again; depending on how often the enemy decides to strike dealing with pains, agony and facing amputations.

But then what kind of battle is this? Screams and wails become akin to the victory cry of a warrior in a typical battle field.

We are talking leg ulcers. Yes you heard me right leg ulcers.  Sickle cell patients have a hard time coping with any wound, especially wounds that develop around the ankle area. This is probably due to their already weakened immune system. However, many medical journals show that leg ulcers are a common enough occurence to the majority of sickle cell patients.

It is a bit difficult to pinpoint why some wounds automatically result to ulcers. Nevertheless, factors such as poor blood circulation around the wound added especially to the already weaken anaemic state many find themselves in is a possibility. It is well known that among other things one of which is healthy lifestyle, blood flow and circulation is essential to accelerate wound healing.

That notwithstanding, dealing with the leg ulcer is every inch a battle. The constant hospital trips, the numerous injections, the uncountable painful scrapping and debridement that elicit screams from patients, the high risk of losing limps if they don’t properly heal. The list goes on.

They say only those who wear shoes in this case stripes know where it pinches (pains) it  is therefore only reasonable to conclude that if you have never been a victim of a leg ulcer, you can never truly understand the pain and agony that accompanies it. Just as anyone can be a warrior but only those who have engaged in warfare understand the agony of a battle field.

You come out scarred and you wonder if you will ever wear those heels you have been dying to have? Never mind that you can’t wear the heels but you certainly still have the legs to wear ‘two ropes’ and move around. Some come out limping on crutches.

Does this mean sickle cell warriors who never had leg ulcers are not warriors enough? No. Neither does it make what they go through less a battle. The crux of the matter here is that if you have never been ableto pass through the agonyof a leg ulcer, count yourself mighty fortunate and take all precautions possible to make sure you never. If however, you have been through this road before, then be proud to be a survivor. I don’t here mean you go about bragging. It is not something to be proud of but neither is it something to be ashamed of. Just like any typical warrior, the scars are your stripes incurred in the line of battle and there is nothing to be ashamed of the disfiguration of your body. On the contrary, even if it doesn’t make your leg the best to win the Miss Universe leg pageant, it made you the noble prize winner of courage under fire; something only few people can actually brag about.

No corrective surgery, no scar removing creams just wear your stripes. They are a reminder of a baptism of fire you passed through again and again and each time, you come out victorious.

ARREY E. AGBOR-NDAKAW

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Emmanuel N S
Emmanuel N S
8 years ago

Courage they say can only live in a world of fear without which courage has no significance. Love it.

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Emmanuel N S

Exactly so Emmanuel. Thanks so much for stopping by and for the ever ready kind words.

Olivette
Olivette
8 years ago

Thumbs up! An excellent write-up but as you say, anybody can be a warrior but only those who have engaged in warfare understand the agony of a battle field so we just have to see their stripes and respect them.

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Olivette

Exactly that Olivette. Thank you so much for stopping by. Please comeagain and keep reading.

Jurence
Jurence
8 years ago

Great write-up! And truly, only those who have walked that path can fully understand. Just wondering if anything can be done to avoid leg ulcers for sickle cell warriors? Yes, warriors fight their enemy with bows, arrows, spears, etc (injections, antibiotics) but they also have PROTECTIVE weaponry like shields, helmets, war sandals made from animal skins. Nothing can be Done to prevent leg ulcers in sickle cell warriors?

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Jurence

Jurence thanks so much dear for stopping by and raising an interesting question. you are right warriors have protective weaponry. For sickle cell warriors, prevention is usually the best protective shield they can have. Which means they treat any scratch with the utmost care and choose healthcare providers who understand the disease well. Mine resulted mostly out of negligence. The healthcare personel we chosed didn’t consider my scratch serious enough and before we could realised it, things took the turn for the worst rather rapidly. And there the battle began. Knowledge is always the best defence.

Jurence
Jurence
8 years ago
Reply to  Joy2Endure

I see… Good thing you’re writing and bringing these aspects to light. Keep up the good work. You are one great warrior not just because you overcame this one too because you talk about it… so much courage in one person.

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Jurence

Thank you so so much for the kind words. With people like you cheering, it makes it much more easier.

T. Agbor
T. Agbor
8 years ago

The plight of a warrior is characterized by the signature of a warrior, in the case of SC, the scars and sometimes fresh ulceration around the ankles. They are hard to heal b/c the tissues are hypoxic (low oxygenation) as a result of poor blood supply mostly due to the sickle shape of the red cells.
You have to keep on fighting; the antibiotics and pain killers prevent infection and suppress pain, iron tablets maybe of help.
Thank u so much for the enlightenment. Keep up with the great work.

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  T. Agbor

On point T.Agbor. Thanks alot for adding that medical explanation. For real poor blood supply is a huge hindrance but then life is still beautiful with the scars and all and so we keep fighting. Thank you.

Mbole Nnane
Mbole Nnane
8 years ago

Warriors indeed… A new aspect of SC I learnt. Excellent write up, not a pleasant topic but worth creating the awareness. My prayers go out to all SC patients. Keep fighting, your courage is an enlightenment. You are true soldiers. Thank you for this post.

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Mbole Nnane

Thanks alot Mbole dear. Happy you learnt something new from here. You are right not a pleasant topic and it took all the courage to start this blog and share my story. It is worth creating all the awareness. I hope with time to bring more positive vibes like what warriors are accomplishing by braving the odds. Stay tune 🙂
Thanks for the love and prayers together the battle is easier.

Arnold Onana
Arnold Onana
8 years ago

Du courage!
Certainly a hard fight… Till the end fight it good!

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Arnold Onana

Merci Arnold! Thanks for stopping by. Sure a hard one and yep fighting till the end and hopefully the end is faaaar :)!

PRUDENCIA ASANGA
PRUDENCIA ASANGA
8 years ago

Arrey I must admit I never knew about sickle cell patients and ulcers . I just learnt about it here. I always hear and read about diabetees patients with wounds and ulcers but never about Sickle cell patients and that of the ankle to be precised. Thanks for this enlightenment. Du courage les Warriors

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago

There is much noise about diabetes and other disease but very little about Sickle cell because many consider it a taboo topic to talk about especially if there is a child present in the family. That is the reason why many are not aware about these leg ulcers affecting many sickle cell patients. Glad this was enlightening to you, Prudencia. Thank you dear for stopping by and for always.

maureen enongene
maureen enongene
8 years ago

Your scars are you trophy, your bounty, your badge of honour, your medals of merit and proof of the fact that you fought to win and won to fight again. FIGHT ON SOLDIER!

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago

Beautifully said Sis Maureen. Thank you and yes the fight goes on. Thank you for always following and having an encouraging word or two. Much appreciated.

Maryben
Maryben
8 years ago

Hey dear. Great write up. Your courage is simply commendable. Met you for the first time today and first time on your blog too. You are such a great warrior! Keep up keeping up my deae

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Maryben

Oh wow thanks alot for the kind words Maryben. Was great meeting you. Thank you for stopping by. I sure will keep keeping up. Thank you. Please come again.

Ajang John Nzeh
Ajang John Nzeh
8 years ago

Dear Arrey am always carried by your write ups especially with your intro. Very captivating. You are a true warrior to always defeat your enemy and relate the story. Just learnt about ulcers and sickle cell victims which I did not experienced with my kid bro who was finally defeated in the battle field. I pray you always defeat this enemy whenever he strikes so you can always make a mockery of him in Yr narratives. Be Courageous Ma Arrey.

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago

Hi John, just seeing this now. Thank you very much for those encouraging words. Yes, leg ulcers are a common enough occurence for sickle cell warriors though many are fortunate not to pass through this agony. Your late kid bro was an eg. Sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for the kind and reassuring words. Someday, I may bow but until then, with God’s help, I pray to keep fighting for a long time to come.

Toney
Toney
7 years ago

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