UNILAG first class graduate recounts battle with sickle cell

Needs fund for hip surgery A First Class graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has narrated her journey through school from the time she gained admission to her convocation on Tuesday. Sanni Joy Omowunmi, a graduate of Cell Biology and Genetics, on her twitter handle @Joy_fro said she entered UNILAG with six legs but graduated […]

• Needs fund for hip surgery

A First Class graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has narrated her journey through school from the time she gained admission to her convocation on Tuesday.

Sanni Joy Omowunmi, a graduate of Cell Biology and Genetics, on her twitter handle @Joy_fro said she entered UNILAG with six legs but graduated with two legs. This according to her will forever be a testimony to her and her family.

Narrating her travail, 23-year-old Omowunmi said she got admission into UNILAG in October 2016, a time when she had Sickle Cell complication called ‘Avascular Necrosis of the hipbone’.

“My doctors said I could never walk on my own until I have a hip replacement surgery on both hips. Hence, I was moved from using crutches to using a walking frame. Throughout my 100 level, I would walk to class and laboratory practical with the walking frame, in pain and in shame. I couldn’t even take a cab because the frame was heavy and the cab men didn’t have the patience to wait for the process of folding my walking frame.

“This took a toll on me socially, mentally and physically. Other students would stare at me on the road. Some got close to offer help, and even became friends in the long run. Some just stared and walked past; it was a struggle. Battling with sickle cell and having to study in UNILAG was an extreme sport. The constant stress had a huge effect on my health, and it was so bad that I had to change my course of study in my second year to a less stressful one.

 

“I was initially admitted to study Biochemistry, but it was stressful for me as the lectures were held at a college in a distant location from my hostel. So, I changed to the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, which was closer, and aligned with my area of interest.”

She further narrated how she had to write her 100 Level exams on hospital bed. “I have been in and out of hospitals so many times for sickle cell crisis. UNILAG medical centre was almost like my second home at some point. The pain just springs up from nowhere and there were times I had to be rushed at midnight from the hostel to the medical centre.

“I remember writing my 100 Level exams on the hospital bed! I wrote almost every exam at the hospital – writing laboratory reports and doing my assignments there sometimes too. I made up my mind to stop using crutches even if it will take me to limp and feel the pain.”

Speaking further on how she was able to scale through despite the pains that come with her peculiar health challenges, she said: “During the period when the pain starts and they have to rush me to the medical center from my hostel, I ask my roommates to help bring my books and notes. So I read them (my books) on the hospital bed. And if I have any assignments to be done, I’ll do it and ask a course mate to help me submit. For classes I miss, I update my notes later when I get discharged.

“There were times I felt sick during exam period, and the examiners had to bring the question papers to me and I wrote my exams on the hospital bed. Other times, if I feel strong enough, the doctors will permit me to leave the medical center to write the exams in the hall and then return to continue treatment after the exam is over.”

Despite the pains and suffering she went through, Omowunmi graduated with first class honours. She is among the 238 students awarded first class honour at the 52nd convocation ceremony of the UNILAG. 

The young Omowunmi in addition to her qualification had taken a course in Health Safety and Environment, which qualifies her to be an HSE officer.

She thanked God for seeing her through her studies. She also expressed gratitude to her mother, sisters and few of her friends who constantly reminded her to take care of herself, take her drugs, drink plenty of water, avoid stress and cold.

“People always wondered why I carried big handbags everywhere. I couldn’t go anywhere without at least two bottles of water, a jacket and socks. Even the scars I have on my body are because of allergic reactions to an injection I was given during pain crisis. Imagine having to choose between having a flawless skin or being relieved of pain.”

Recalling her primary and secondary school days experience, Omowunmi narrated, “My primary and secondary schools were tough. I missed school a lot due to long hospital stays and it was hard to keep up with my social life again after being away for a long while. I didn’t fit in much with my peers because there were certain activities I was told by my doctors and family to avoid, including sports.”

Omowunmi is yet to overcome sickle cell crisis, as she still experiences pain whenever she goes through stress, cold and when down with malaria. 

She said, “Other times, though rarely, it just comes without any of the triggers. However, I have learned to manage it by avoiding triggers like stress, extreme temperatures, and dehydration. Also, I take my routine drugs regularly, they help prevent crisis,”

The fresh graduate told Daily Trust on Sunday that she has not gone for the hip replacement surgery she was recommended to go for due to financial constraints

“The surgery is quite expensive for just one hip. How much more both hips. Also, I didn’t intend to have the surgery while I was still studying because the healing time frame after the surgery could affect my academics as I might be bedridden for a couple of weeks. But I am still considering going for the surgery as soon as we can afford it.” 

She however clarified that the hip replacement surgery is not all she needs to overcome sickle cell, though it will help reduce the frequency at which she experiences sickle cell crisis. 

Avascular Necrosis of the hip, according to her, is just one of the complications of sickle cell. “I feel pain on the hip when I walk a long distance, which is expected to stop when I get the hips replaced. The only permanent cure for sickle cell so far is bone marrow transplant.