KOGI’S FIRST DAUGHTER WHO IS A SICKLE CELL WARRIOR
Meet the 24 year old sickle cell warrior as she shares her beautiful story.
The world don’t get to talk about sickle cell but they do in the case of cancer,HIV and the likes but I have lived with this disease for 24 years.
I’ve been stigmatized, discriminated ,I have lived in regret but not anymore
“Consider for a moment a boisterous child, full of life, loved by all this child started to grow thin and begin to develop yellowish eyes and a protruding stomach sometimes go through oxygen, may or may not get to be transferred but of course normal saline, injections and a strong pain killer which is always at bay.
The scenario is getting rather too touchy right well this is the story of my life and this has been me for 24 years.
BACKGROUND
My name is Matthew Judith Ojonugwa, from Kogi state, a final year student of kogi state polytechnic lokoja, born on the 16th of march 1995.I’m currently lokoja based from a family of 6 now two males and four females, I’m a sickle cell patient being the 4th born and the second carrier of the disease
The first carrier of the disease (my elder sister) died when i was barely five years old. Had my early school days in LEA primary school Lugbe,Abuja then graduated to Bishop Del-isle College Lokoja Kogi State and then proceeded to Kogi state polytechnic Lokoja where I had my OND and HND respectively.
I am currently on Zimmer frame walker and a walking aid as a result of some sickling complications of battling sickle cell Anemia currently out of school due to the present state but hoping to go back to complete my exams and sign out by Gods grace
I am a sickle cell advocate and still fit, a fighter and a survivor; before I commence further this is to every warrior reading this.You are beautiful, you are strong don’t let the pain define you..be optimistic about life and the world is yours.
MY STORY
February 2019 was the beginning of my worst attack battling sickle cell a complication known as A vascular Necrosis of left my hip.
It all started just when I had a month to my first semester exams gotten my project topic and was happy that in the matter of months I will be graduating not knowing sickle cell was about to strike me with a nightmare I will never forget.
Aside this I remember I was told I was diagnosed of this disease at an early age because of the frequent crisis,my parents knew from the onset that I was a carrier just like my elder sister Jane of blessed memory she died while I was barely five years old.young as I was then I could recall how she would always cry at night in pain I didn’t really get to understand the name of this till I was 10 years old when my mum died leaving my dad to saddle all the responsibility.
We were all heartbroken and I was pained the most ..life dealt me a heavy blow I began to shiver owing to the fact I thought I was gonna die like my elder sister..I have not known life without a crisis, it hasn’t been easy but I am stronger than what you think, I have outlived every negative prognostication too
Sometimes I’m out of school for almost a term, sometimes I just come to write exam and with Gods faithfulness with the sickle cell intelligence God gave us i always aced my exams
So in February 3rd 2019 it started right in my apartment in school with a mild fever then crisis I was fine. march 6th 2019 few days to my 24th birthday I slept and woke up, got chit chatting with my room mates while in the room playing and listening to music I got up to go to the toilet so after a few steps I started hearing a squeaky sound in my left hip at first I thought maybe because I just woke up and was probably exhausted and all I shoved it aside but that night I couldn’t sleep the pain persisted it was all excruciating pain, no comfort, no joy I managed the pain for a month coupled with my drugs and painkillers exams was barely a month away …things later got out of hand that I could barely walk or do anything myself my room mates practically helped out I tried my best too not to get all depressed I tried to hide the fact that I was being and needed help I concealed it from everyone ..things got so bad days after I finished my first semester exams I decided to tell my parents about this..plus I did bad in my last paper a day before the paper I was discharged from. The hospital and I couldn’t pen anything down on my sheet as I was fully not recovered.
Fast forward to June I sought urgent medical help at federal medical center lokoja, I had an xray taken on the affected leg.the expression on the doctors Facebook i knew there was trouble he further explained that I had avascular necrosis of the left femural head of my hip stage 4 and I will require a hip replacement surgery.This is my first time to hear of such sickle cell complication. While growing up I hated to be called a weakling or a sickler i was tough skinned from birth,I was totally dumbfounded funny thing the leg never gave me any sign before that time,no pain,no hit, nothing.The X-ray revealed it has badly been eaten.Fast forward to surgery fees,I was told it was expensive and the money wasn’t even available step mum managers a provision stall outside our home and dad isn’t working.With the pain I was asked to use a walking aid to help movement around for some time before I get money for the surgery couple with getting all the required drugs and coming for physiotherapy
All these happened to me not just saying..these are realities and my challenges battling sickle cell.
I had supportive friends and family who went all out to crowd fund money for me to go for my surgery and in august 30th 2019 I had my surgery done, God did the miracle, the surgeons and anesthesia doctor’s were all on guard that day,I was arranged for the surgery on the 30th by 10,a.m
When i entered the surgery room i was visibly shaken I was till to erase every iota of fear and doubt in me, luckily the doctors present were Christians they broke into a song i was calm..tension was calm , two days before the surgery August 28th to be precise i was admitted and kept under a close watch, a day before the surgery 29th I was prepared by the doctor for the surgery the next day I was so tense, BP rose high i was asked to take a drug to ease my anxiety and not to eat or drink water once its 10.p.m on 29th after the drug and 6.a.m on 30th the second drug should be taken with just a shot of water
Cannula was placed in my hand that night too.Done tests were also carried out.
*THE D- DAY 3OTH*
The anesthesia doctors were at bay to always make sure they were topping up the epidural ..my bp was comstantly in check too
Surgery was done by Doc Olaniyan Sunday Chief head surgeon medical center lokoja
I was made to pull off everything I was wearing and I laid sideways before then a needle like thing was inserted on my back near the two bones close to my spinal cord and an injection was fussed twice I felt a sharp pain and a cooling effect next thing I couldn’t my lower body became numb , I laid side ways and the surgery began from 10.a.m to 3:15.p.m
Till date I battle the hip pain,I am a survivor, a fighter and a conqueror a testimony of Gods glory and goodness I know I have a purpose in life.
All I want to do is to create sickle cell awareness, a task that must be done, reach out to misinformation confused people who sees the disease as been contagious, its just a disorder and not a death sentence, there’s a cure for us someday.
Get intending couples to be properly tested before getting married, the negligence and lack of infrastructural support has made some warriors die, here in Lokoja Kogi state i want to see how I can create a center for those living with sickle cell awareness.
I believe sharing my story on all my social media platforms and my experience alone is some hope and encouragement to the public and someone out there going through a more depressing condition should brace up to life .
There’s this norm and believe that we don’t leave up to 15 years old we don’t even age up to 30 well I’m 24 years old and still waxing for the glory of God, I know and have warriors who has lived for even 90’s
I want to be a VOICE for and to my fellow warriors out there , I want to be a sickle cell ambassador in Nigeria.
The stigmatization and discrimination is a kill joy, I want to tackle these and more in my own little way with my ever ready team mate as God enables me.
Yes if only my parents knew they wouldn’t have gotten married but they got married in the Analog days when technology wasn’t as smooth as we have it now, when there was little or no awareness ,we live in a digital world now let’s seize this great opportunity and see how we can together unsickle our future generation from this disease cos I’d truly hate to see a new born brought into a life of pain.
I live in constant pain but I’m not giving up anytime soon
I want to call upon government and cooperate bodies for better health care facilities for sickle cell , sickle cell is believed to be a black man’s disease but not withstanding it is every body’s business and it affects and concerns the world so long as love, marriage and reproduction is concerned and all these counts in life.
I intend to see that JUDITH OJONUGWA SICKLE CELL FOUNDATION (JOSCEF) thrives even in thorns
I want to pass a message with these hash tags
#You can be sickle and still fit
#Know your genotype
#Fighting sickle cell is in my blood
#Sickle cell is real
We can inscribe on T shirts, caps, banners, shows, interviews brief but concise documentaries and whatever medium possible
Amidst all these I am a peer educator for HEAL FOR AFRICA INITIATIVE
MEMBER OF REAL PLATFORM
AMBASSADOR SHE LEADS KOGI STATE
I’m a social media enthusiast
A travel blogger
A dancer
An entrepreneur
When the surgery was carried out successfully I was wheeler to the X-ray unit for a test so as to ascertain if there was any thing wrong ..was wheeled back to a private ward which served as my room for 3 weeks and counting.
Surgery Night
When I got back to the ward, family and friends were already there to receive me, I was told I can now eat bad my first meal of rice and beans around 6.p.m.
I laid on my back with my two legs held in auction with wraps of bandages and supported with a pillow, catheter was inserted into my vagina for easy urinals, from time to time the Anesthetic doctor was always coming to top up the epidural an injection inserted through a thin tube from my neck to my back.
That night I couldn’t sleep at all I was wincing in pains, my legs was held in that position for 3 days, catheter was removed too.
I couldn’t stool for a week or so as days turned into weeks i became so use to the routine of waking up in morning to be given fluids, injections and drugs.
My elder sister who was my caregiver was also saddle with the responsibility of bathing media by using a soft towel dipped in hot water.
DEATH IN THE HOSPITAL
On this night a woman who suffered from cancer gave up the ghost, the whole hospital turned quagmire as she had relatives who created a small scene, and there was a heavy downpour, she was taken to the morgue by an ambulance that night too.
POST OFF SURGERY
I had my post off surgery on the 4th of September exactly five days after surgery I started walking with my Zimmer frame Walker the physiotherapist Dr. Olumide made me do some little exercise that could make me flex the leg
I felt my legs, gradually and tactfully I was gaining weight on the ground.
DO’S AND DON’T
The physiotherapist Dr. Olumide gave me this instructions so that the hip won’t get dislodged.
1.Do not excessively rotate leg inwards or outward.
2. Do not lift leg straight up in the air.
3. Do not force leg backwards
4.Do not cross legs whilst sitting, lying or standing.
On the 17th of September I was discharged with my bandages still on and was told to come back in a week time for wound dressing.
For 2 weeks now wound hasn’t healed up, I was told to get Mega bit C, eat lots of vegetables, take enough fruits and fluid too, I had a nurse who comes to give me this at home.
1st October 2019
Noticed my left leg is longer than right.
I still feel sharp pains on the left leg
I now have a drop foot
About The Author
Regardless if you believe in God or not, read this message!!
Throughout time, we can see how we have been slowly conditioned to come to this point where we are on the verge of a cashless society. Did you know that Jesus foretold of this event almost 2,000 years ago?
In the book of Revelation 13:16-18, we will read,
“He (the false prophet who deceives many by his miracles–Revelation 19:20) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
Referring to the last generation, this could only be speaking of a cashless society. Why so? Revelation 13:17 states that we cannot buy or sell unless we receive the mark of the beast. If physical money was still in use, we could buy or sell with one another without receiving the mark. This would contradict scripture that states we need the mark to buy or sell!
These verses could not be referring to something purely spiritual as scripture references two physical locations (our right hand or forehead) stating the mark will be on one “OR” the other. If this mark was purely spiritual, it would indicate both places, or one–not one OR the other!
This is where it really starts to come together. It is amazing how accurate the Bible is concerning the implantable RFID microchip. These are notes from a man named Carl Sanders who worked with a team of engineers to help develop this RFID chip:
“Carl Sanders sat in seventeen New World Order meetings with heads-of-state officials such as Henry Kissinger and Bob Gates of the C.I.A. to discuss plans on how to bring about this one-world system. The government commissioned Carl Sanders to design a microchip for identifying and controlling the peoples of the world—a microchip that could be inserted under the skin with a hypodermic needle (a quick, convenient method that would be gradually accepted by society).
Carl Sanders, with a team of engineers behind him, with U.S. grant monies supplied by tax dollars, took on this project and designed a microchip that is powered by a lithium battery, rechargeable through the temperature changes in our skin. Without the knowledge of the Bible (Brother Sanders was not a Christian at the time), these engineers spent one-and-a-half-million dollars doing research on the best and most convenient place to have the microchip inserted.
Guess what? These researchers found that the forehead and the back of the hand (the two places the Bible says the mark will go) are not just the most convenient places, but are also the only viable places for rapid, consistent temperature changes in the skin to recharge the lithium battery. The microchip is approximately seven millimeters in length, .75 millimeters in diameter, about the size of a grain of rice. It is capable of storing pages upon pages of information about you. All your general history, work history, criminal record, health history, and financial data can be stored on this chip.
Brother Sanders believes that this microchip, which he regretfully helped design, is the “mark” spoken about in Revelation 13:16–18. The original Greek word for “mark” is “charagma,” which means a “scratch or etching.” It is also interesting to note that the number 666 is actually a word in the original Greek. The word is “chi xi stigma,” with the last part, “stigma,” also meaning “to stick or prick.” Carl believes this is referring to a hypodermic needle when they poke into the skin to inject the microchip.”
Mr. Sanders asked a doctor what would happen if the lithium contained within the RFID microchip leaked into the body. The doctor replied by saying a terrible sore would appear in that location. This is what the book of Revelation says:
“And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial on the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore on the men which had the mark of the beast, and on them which worshipped his image” (Revelation 16:2).
You can read more about it here–and to also understand the mystery behind the number 666: https://2RUTH.ORG
The third angel’s warning in Revelation 14:9-11 states,
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.'”
Great hope is in our midst, and is coming in a mighty way–the greatest revival for Jesus in the history of the world where we will see the most souls come to Him of all tribes, tongues, nations, and peoples (Rev. 7:9-10); for we have this promise in God’s Word in the midst of these dark times:
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (not literal–rather a spiritual label for time spent in eternity); and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while (when the Antichrist and false prophet will rise up and God will test the world).” (Revelation 20:1-3)
“The coming of the lawless one (the Antichrist) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)”
Who is Barack Obama, and why is he still involved in politics?
So what’s in the name? The meaning of someone’s name can say a lot about a person. God throughout history has given names to people that have a specific meaning tied to their lives. How about the name Barack Obama? Let us take a look at what may be hiding beneath the surface.
Jesus says in Luke 10:18, “…I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
The Hebrew Strongs word (H1299) for “lightning”: “bârâq” (baw-rawk)
In Isaiah chapter 14, verse 14, we read about Lucifer (Satan) saying in his heart:
“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”
In the verses in Isaiah that refer directly to Lucifer, several times it mentions him falling from the heights or the heavens. The Hebrew word for the heights or heavens used here is Hebrew Strongs 1116: “bamah”–Pronounced (bam-maw’)
In Hebrew, the letter “Waw” or “Vav” is often transliterated as a “U” or “O,” and it is primarily used as a conjunction to join concepts together. So to join in Hebrew poetry the concept of lightning (Baraq) and a high place like heaven or the heights of heaven (Bam-Maw), the letter “U” or “O” would be used. So, Baraq “O” Bam-Maw or Baraq “U” Bam-Maw in Hebrew poetry similar to the style written in Isaiah, would translate literally to “Lightning from the heights.” The word “Satan” in Hebrew is a direct translation, therefore “Satan.”
So when Jesus told His disciples in Luke 10:18 that He beheld Satan fall as lightning from heaven, if this were to be stated by a Jewish Rabbi today influenced by the poetry in the book of Isaiah, he would say these words in Hebrew–the words of Jesus in Luke 10:18 as, and I saw Satan as Baraq O Bam-Maw.
Malie and Natasha are the names of Obama’s daughters. If we were to write those names backward (the devil does things in reverse) it would be “ailam ahsatan”. Now if we remove the letters that spell “Alah” (the false god of Islam being Allah), we would get “I am Satan”. Chance? I don’t think so!
Obama’s campaign logo when he ran as President in the year 2008 was a sun over the horizon in the west, with the landscape as the flag of the United States. In the Isalmic religion, they have their own messiah that they are awaiting called the 12th Imam, or the Mahdi (the Antichrist of the Bible), and one prophecy concerning this man’s appearance is the sun rising in the west.
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.'” (Revelation 14:6-7)
Why have the words of Jesus in His Gospel accounts regarding His death, burial, and resurrection, been translated into over 3,000 languages, and nothing comes close (the Quran about 110 languages)? Because the same Spirit of God (YHVH) who created all people likewise transcends all people; therefore the power of His Word is not limited by people; while all other religions are man-made, therefore they tend to primarily stay within their own culture. The same God who speaks to all people through His creation of the heavens and earth that draws all people around the world likewise has sent His Word to the ends of the earth so that we may come to personally know Him to be saved in spirit and in truth through His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus stands alone among the other religions that say to rightly weigh the scales of good and evil and to make sure you have done more good than bad in this life. Is this how we conduct ourselves justly in a court of law? Bearing the image of God, is this how we project this image into reality?
Our good works cannot save us. If we step before a judge, being guilty of a crime, the judge will not judge us by the good we have done, but rather by the crimes we have committed. If we as fallen humanity, created in God’s image, pose this type of justice, how much more a perfect, righteous, and Holy God?
God has brought down His moral laws through the 10 commandments given to Moses at Mt. Siani. These laws were not given so we may be justified, but rather that we may see the need for a savior. They are the mirror of God’s character of what He has written in our hearts, with our conscious bearing witness that we know that it is wrong to steal, lie, dishonor our parents, murder, and so forth.
We can try and follow the moral laws of the 10 commandments, but we will never catch up to them to be justified before a Holy God. That same word of the law given to Moses became flesh about 2,000 years ago in the body of Jesus Christ. He came to be our justification by fulfilling the law, living a sinless perfect life that only God could fulfill.
The gap between us and the law can never be reconciled by our own merit, but the arm of Jesus is stretched out by the grace and mercy of God. And if we are to grab on, through faith in Him, He will pull us up being the one to justify us. As in the court of law, if someone steps in and pays our fine, even though we are guilty, the judge can do what is legal and just and let us go free. That is what Jesus did almost 2,000 years ago on the cross. It was a legal transaction being fulfilled in the spiritual realm by the shedding of His blood with His last word’s on the cross crying out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
For God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). This is why in Isaiah chapter 53, where it speaks of the coming Messiah and His soul being a sacrifice for our sins, why it says it pleased God to crush His only begotten Son.
This is because the wrath that we deserve was justified by being poured out upon His Son. If that wrath was poured out on us, we would all perish to hell forever. God created a way of escape by pouring it out on His Son whose soul could not be left in Hades but was raised and seated at the right hand of God in power.
So now when we put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14), where God no longer sees the person who deserves His wrath, but rather the glorious image of His perfect Son dwelling in us, justifying us as if we received the wrath we deserve, making a way of escape from the curse of death; now being conformed into the image of the heavenly man walking in a new nature, and no longer in the image of the fallen man Adam.
Now what we must do is repent and put our trust and faith in the savior, confessing and forsaking our sins, and to receive His Holy Spirit that we may be born again (for Jesus says we must be born again to see and enter the Kingdom of God in John chapter 3). This is not just head knowledge of believing in Jesus, but rather receiving His words, taking them to heart, so that we may truly be transformed into the image of God. Where we no longer live to practice sin, but rather turn from our sins and practice righteousness through faith in Him in obedience to His Word by reading the Bible.
Our works cannot save us, but they can condemn us; it is not that we earn our way into everlasting life, but that we obey our Lord Jesus Christ:
Jesus says,
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:9)
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’
Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’
And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'” (Revelation 21:1-8)