My girlfriend whom I intended to marry deserted me in these 16 days of hospital admission! In this state of despair, my final year examination in restorative dentistry was staring at me!
My mum bathed me as a grown-up because I couldn’t stand to bathe myself during any severe bone pain sickle cell crisis . I’d sit on a stool till bathing is finished! I had my siblings and parents, massage my limbs, or body parts where I had these crises on several occasions. I recall my classmates and dad copied my school notes for me during my secondary school days because Vaso Occlusive Crises made me miss school. I was refused admission into the University of Ibadan until my third attempt at writing the University Matriculation Examination , because my marks didn’t hit the cut-off of my choice course and my Chemistry result was withheld by WAEC.
On my third attempt, I was temporarily discharged from a hospital admission so I could attend my post-UME interview. A cannula was beneath the sleeve of the shirt and suit I wore that day. I went right back to the hospital bed after my interview. I was discharged a few days later, and I passed my interview.
In all these seemingly insurmountable die minute brutality, I emerged a dental surgeon! I made tons of friends during this 16-day hospital admission who graced the reception where I was celebrated. It was my turn to be the legend, whose success was to be coveted by junior colleagues that came to celebrate with me. I have long-term memories that I will not forget because of Sickle cell. Yes, I am now a dental surgeon but being admitted into university was an ordeal, to say the least.