Okay. Hold the phone for just a minute. I’m a bit concerned after reading an article posted by a young girl who is living with sickle cell anemia.

She basically shares her history of having the disease since birth and how she missed out on things in life because of it. And… she also shares that her father is a medical doctor. Despite having this disease and living with chronic pain, she trudged on through hospital stays, dealing with people who treated her differently, trying to be a brave little girl. She was. She is. I am humbled by her.

What concerns me, though, is she says that because she and her parents confessed their sins to God and became true believers, Christians, God healed her from sickle cell anemia.

I am not one to ever question someone’s faith, but I’d sure like to see her medical records to see if she’s just stabilized… or if she’s had a miraculous healing. Undoubtedly, her faith is helping her, but she says she’s been delivered. Cured.

Important Facts About Sickle Cell Anemia:

Sickle cell anemia is a serious medical condition, but it can be managed as treatments and overall care have significantly improved over the years.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates the following about sickle cell anemia:

• 100,000 people living with SCA in the United States
• Affects 1 in 365 African Americans or those of African descent
• Affects 1 in 16,300 Hispanic Americans
• Nearly 1 out of 13 babies born to African Americans carry the trait for SC

Although signs and symptoms vary from person to person, these are the most typical:

• Mild to moderate to severe fatigue due to anemia
• Yellow pallor discoloration of the skin (jaundice) which can appear in the eyes
• Pain throughout the body
• Swelling in the feet and hands

Flares can be very serious and are commonly exacerbated by:

• Other illnesses (cold, flu, etc.)
• Changes in temperature
• Stress
• Not drinking enough water
• High altitudes
• Unknown causes

Is it that her stress has been reduced by her renewed faith in God? Hence, her flares have lessened? Or is it something more?

Who would you trust more? Your priest, pastor, or doctor? Please post on Patient Worthy. I’d put my faith in both—but I’d certainly want my doctor around for immediate help. After all: God helps those who help themselves.