I did my genotype and blood group two years ago because we were asked to do it in school, then, so we could submit it with our student file. On that faithful day, I went to a laboratory for the genotype. My sister was once an IT student at the lab; she directed me there because she knew they were competent. They attended to me, and I was asked to come back for the result, which I did. Getting home, I gave the result to my mom and sister. They were both shocked because the result was ‘SS’. Immediately, my sister stood up, we boarded a bike, and we headed to the lab. So, my sister told them to rerun the test and that I’m not a sickler and I have not had crises ever since I was born, just normal malaria. The lady at the lab apologized to my sister, re-ran the test, and gave me CC genotype as the result. All these happened two years ago.
Fast forward to this month, I went home for my niece’s naming ceremony. I told my mom I wanted to confirm my genotype, which she agreed to. I went to another hospital entirely for the genotype, and they gave me SS again. My sister told the nurse again that I don’t have any symptoms or crises that show I’m a sickle cell patient. So, the nurse collected more money from us, saying she would re-run it again at another laboratory entirely. I’m just here to ask my fellow Nigerians: is it possible to be a sickle cell patient without symptoms or crises? I’m 21 years old, but I have never experienced any crises or symptoms, just normal malaria as it is in normal people, and after using some medicines, I will be totally fine.
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