Some days, the pain was so severe that Princess couldn't get out of bed.
At just 23 years old, sickle cell disease had taken away some of life's simplest moments. Walking. Working. Going to school. Even leaving the house sometimes meant being transported in a wheelchair.
"I had my first crisis at nine years old, and it seemed like it kept getting worse and worse on a weekly basis," Princess shares.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become hard, sticky, and sickle-shaped, blocking blood flow and oxygen throughout the body. For many patients, that can mean chronic pain, fatigue, hospitalizations, and serious complications.
Today, Princess is finding relief through specialized care at Memorial Healthcare System's Sickle Cell Medical Home, where a comprehensive team provides coordinated treatment and support designed specifically for patients living with sickle cell disease.