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Zuhra F. Abdullahi

@itszuhra

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Sickle Cell & Mental Health. The Good, Bad & the Ugly.
Chef @xuhsworld

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I had an interview for Episode 3 of Unheard with @thegrio. I spoke about my life with sickle cell. I forgot to post this 🙈

#sicklecellawareness #sicklecellwarrior #sicklecellanemia #sicklecelladvocate by @itszuhra

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4 years ago

Hey, the sun is out and so is my mood.

#sicklecell #sicklecellwarrior #sicklecellawareness by @itszuhra

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12 days ago

Hey 👋🏾 long time no post! @maryamuwais Love the dress, thank you 💕 by @itszuhra

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13 days ago

On the last day of sickle cell awareness month, I thought I’d never walk normally ever again. I’d just listened to the @boomwithhadiza podcast with @samirahsanusi the day before. She shared how one day she was fine and the next she was in a wheelchair and stayed in it for years all due to sickle cell. She’s a fighter in every sense of the word.

The night before I had a crisis on the left side of my body, I took my pain meds, drank lots of water and it subsided. I fell asleep, 3 hours later I woke up to use the restroom. When I tried to stand I felt an unfamiliar pain shooting all the way up my to my hip. I tried again, no luck. I was in tears, It was so humbling. It was the middle of the night and didn’t want to disturb anyone because they were already up all night with me while I was in pain. So, I held my pee, took my strongest pain meds and waited. Nothing. My knee was locked, I couldn’t straighten or even extend it. It was swollen. I couldn’t believe it. It felt like it was locked and someone took away the key. My regular leg pain didn’t prevent me from at least moving the leg or even limping, this was different.

I finally asked for help, it was hard to move me because I couldn’t bear any weight on the leg. They managed to get me into an office chair and wheel me to the bathroom. After that, I messaged my doctor and was sent straight to the ER. The sickle cell team was expecting me. This time all the doctors were kind to me and made sure I was treated well. It was Mount Sinai where I’m getting gene therapy. I’m so grateful for that, I didn’t have to worry about judgement or stigma this time.

I got diagnosed with arthritis, it caused the sickle cell crisis and I’m to be followed by orthopedics now. I’m terrified that it’ll happen again so I keep the crutches close. That loss of independence is crazy. Thank god my leg is moving again and I can walk. I had been having problems with my knees for years, I eventually started limping occasionally. I’d be in pain, but once the pain stopped I’d forget about it and carry on like it never happened. I assumed it was the usual #sicklecell pain. I have my follow up soon. #sicklecellawareness
#sicklecellwarrior by @itszuhra

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14 days ago

Gene Therapy Process 5th Apheresis

My friend Ozoz @kitchenbutterfly came by the hospital and we went to a cookbook store. Felt loved. I got to watch her sign her book, loved that! It’s something she’s worked years for and she deserves every bit of the @beardfoundation award she received this year.

Anyway, my 5th Apheresis went well. Besides more problems with my port. It was smooth, I was premeditated so I didn’t have a reaction to the blood. I sometimes do.

We went to a restaurant after all that and it was horrible. She enjoyed her soup, but I only liked the bread and butter. What was supposed to be a lobster ravioli turned out to be a bad creamy not fresh seafood soup with a sheet of pasta on it. It made me nauseous immediately, it was a bad experience. That’s what happens when I get tired and can’t walk one more block to the resturant we intended to go to. Urg, but the company was awesome so I didn’t care. by @itszuhra

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24 days ago

Proof I’m good, this was two nights ago. I cooked and packed food for my friend @chez_amina who had a beautiful baby boy, Idris. So cute! My sous chef @nafisah_muhtar 💕

Lamb pepper soup
Chicken curry
Sweet potato purée
Chicken & Spinach Peanut Sauce taken in Long Island City, New York by @itszuhra

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a month ago

I’m home now, I’m making these posts when I leave the hospital. I’m feeling much better now. I’m mostly just tired and I’m on pain medication daily. Just sharing the past week. I promised I’ll post the process and this happened so 🤷🏾‍♀️

I wonder if I’m the only one that has a crisis after procedures or surgery. This has happened multiple times.

#sicklecell #sicklecellawarenessmonth #sicklecellwarrior #sicklecellawareness by @itszuhra

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a month ago

Had my liver biopsy after getting an abnormal result from the abdominal MRI.

Spent over an hour trying to access my veins instead of just using my port. I told them what needle to use 1” and was told they only have 3/4”. How? It’s interventional Raidiology. Anyway they took me to the OR and poked me multiple times, ultrasound guided. After all that they did go and get the 1”. This is what we mean when we say they don’t listen to us.

Anyway, it’s done. Got a crisis right after because I was so dehydrated. Results to come.

#sicklecell #sicklecellawareness #genetherapy #sicklecellwarrior by @itszuhra

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a month ago

Hello hello,

Reporting live from a hospital observation unit, my body was under attack. It’s a sickle cell crisis triggered by a few things. The pain is more controlled now. I’m being discharged soon and will be heading to my hematologist’s in less than 2 hours. I’ve been here since Tuesday morning. It’s Friday. I’m going to stay in bed and drink lots of water. Have a lovely weekend everyone.

#sicklecellwarrior #sicklecellawareness by @itszuhra

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a month ago

Just me, myself and my meals. No recipes. Roughly documenting fuelling this sickled cell body. Nothing fancy smancy 🤤

Would you be interested in seeing more plates? by @itszuhra

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a month ago

Sickle cell is part of my life, but it doesn’t get to be my whole life. It was a medical day but it ended very well and that’s what I strive for after every procedure. For my mental wellbeing.

#sicklecell #sicklecellawareness
#sicklecellawarenessmonth #apheresis #genetherapy by @itszuhra

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a month ago

It’s Sickle Cell awareness month and here’s a day in my life. My gene therapy process hasn’t been easy. I haven’t been talking much about it or sharing reels. I was nervous it wouldn’t happen, I’ll keep sharing. So far I’ve had all the tests and 3 Apheresis sessions.

Regarding @nyulangone I have no problem with residents/students doing procedures on me. How else will they learn if we don’t allow this? What I don’t appreciate is not even mentioning this to me before hand. They also never came to see me after I complained about it possibly being infected. It took 8 days! For them to come see me, even though I was admitted in the hospital. I spoke to someone they said they’d be in touch. Left me a voicemail, I called back and left a voicemail about two weeks ago right after they called me. Thanks to you for sharing the post. I alone wasn’t enough for them to call. I explained everything to them again over the phone and I still have not gotten a call back after they took all the information.

Silk scarf is from @kreatewithkweyve 💕

#sicklecell #sicklecellawareness #genetherapy by @itszuhra

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a month ago