WHO IS NORMAL?

One day, an attorney was rehearsing with her client possible court proceeding which was meant to be a preparation for the appointment they were to have in court the next day. It took so many hours to convince the ever honest client to tell lies in order to help himself out of trouble. Amidst frustration, the Defense Council, though doing what she finds normal was amazed that there is another side of life which someone finds normal though weird and discouraging for the situation at hand. It took more than convincing the client that he was not lying but manipulating the truth in order to help himself out of the case for him to repeat what the Defense Council was reading out without quoting her. In court the next day, the client still could not tell lies but the truth set him free when his consistent honesty challenged the Defense Council who fell in love with him and agreed to be the mother of the child who was meant to be taken away from him due to his inability to reason beyond the age of the child. 

Is it the being that cannot tell lies that is normal or the one that cannot be truthful? We think from the heart and not from the books. It is unfortunate that the society has turned the value tables over and thinks only from the books and not from the heart. The man that cannot be truthful is celebrated in the world today because he has always succeeded. The truthful being that cannot lie but believe that by accepting his misdeeds, have room to be a reformed person through reformatory procedures which may include punishment is isolated in the society. The evil beings that through manipulation of the truth have been set free in the society are left to call the shots and we follow in ignorance. 

It is obvious that evil does not last forever. It can be covered now but in the future the consequence of lying is humiliation. Truth is stubborn. It does not apologize to anyone since no one can do anything against it but for it. The popularity of truth cannot be written about, but it is always right. It stands the test of time but remember that lies are exposed. Honesty as well as dishonesty exists in three aspects of human lives. It exists in the heart showing what one believes in, it exists in the intention behind people's deeds and it is present in the words that they speak. Dishonesty in deed is more despicable than dishonesty in word; it signifies a high level of hypocritical display of sincerity. 

Honesty, in fact, engenders strength on every level. On the personal level, it provides integrity, self worth, and inner fortitude. On the social level, it lends depth and substance to our relationships with other people. On the spiritual level, it brings about the sincerity to our Lord that is the key to our salvation. When you lie, you waste valuable time doing that but truthfulness flows like a river. One needs a good memory to continue to manufacture lies. 

Truth is never rehearsed; it is a fact that needs not be explained. Do not make any pretence about being normal. If you cannot tell the truth always, you are not normal. Every normal man must be tempted. We must try to increase our capacity to live normally to a point where we can visibly be seen as completely normal. You may not be celebrated now for doing that; never mind. The world will celebrate truthfulness one day. 

THE BEST COMPANION

Valentine’s Day in present times has become a huge craze especially among the youth. Those in love start planning for the Valentine's Day celebrations with sweetheart days before the festival while those without a lover start looking for a date so that they are able to celebrate the day in the much-romanticized manner. Hype for the festival is further built up by the media and the rigorous advertising campaign run by the cards and gifts marketers.

The festival has come to be known as the day to celebrate love that can be in any form. People therefore take opportunity of the occasion to wish ‘Happy Valentine's Day' to their friends, parents, siblings, teachers or anyone they consider special. Children too celebrate Valentine's Day by organizing concerts and classroom get-togethers.

While most people go out of their way to celebrate the day of love and romance, some feel there is no reason to celebrate love on one particular day as love is to be cherished on all days of the year.  

The best place to find love is not in another person but in a book, the Bible.  The Bible tells of God’s great love for us.  This is expressed in John 3:16.

  For God so loVed the world,

                                          That He gAve

                                                         His onLy

                                                        BegottEn
                                                             SoN

                  That whoever

                                                    Believes In Him

                                                     Should Not perish,

       But have Everlasting life.

God loves us like no one else ever could.  He showed that love when He sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Saviour. He is also the Best Companion we will ever have.

Open your Bible and learn more about Him.

The more you read the Bible, the more you will love its Author.

How to Manage Sickle Cell Anemia (Part Two)

Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell crises can affect many parts of the body and cause many complications.

1. Hand-Foot Syndrome

Sickle cells can block the small blood vessels in the hands and feet in children (usually those younger than 4 years of age). This condition is called hand-foot syndrome. It can lead to pain, swelling, and fever. Swelling often occurs on the back of the hands and feet and moves into the fingers and toes. One or both hands and/or feet may be affected at the same time.

2. Splenic Crisis

The spleen is an organ in the abdomen. Normally, it filters out abnormal red blood cells and helps fight infections. In some sickle cell cases, the spleen may trap red blood cells that should be in the bloodstream. This causes the spleen to grow large and leads to anemia.

3. Infections

Both children and adults who have sickle cell anemia may have a hard time fighting infections. This is because sickle cell anemia can damage the spleen, an organ that helps fight infections. Infants and young children who have damaged spleens are more likely to get serious infections that can kill them within hours or days. Bloodstream infections are the most common cause of death in young children who have sickle cell anaemia. Medicines and vaccines can help prevent severe illness and death. For example, vaccines are available for infections such as meningitis, influenza, and hepatitis. Getting treatment right away for high fevers (which can be a sign of a severe infection) also helps prevent death in infants and children who have sickle cell anemia.

4. Acute Chest Syndrome

Acute chest syndrome is a life-threatening condition linked to sickle cell anaemia. This syndrome is similar to pneumonia. An infection or sickle cells trapped in the lungs cause acute chest syndrome. People who have this condition often have chest pain, shortness of breath, and fever. They also often have low oxygen levels and abnormal chest x-ray results.

5. Pulmonary Hypertension

Damage to the small blood vessels in the lungs makes it hard for the heart to pump blood through the lungs. This causes blood pressure in the lungs to rise. Increased blood pressure in the lungs is called pulmonary hypertension (PH). Shortness of breath and fatigue are the main symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension.

6. Delayed Growth and Puberty in Children

Children who have sickle cell anemia often grow more slowly than other children. They may reach puberty later. A shortage of red blood cells causes the slow growth rate. Adults who have sickle cell anemia often are slender or smaller in size than other adults.

7. Stroke

Two forms of stroke can occur in people who have sickle cell anemia. One form occurs if a blood vessel in the brain is damaged and blocked. This type of stroke occurs more often in children than adults. The other form of stroke occurs if a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Either type of stroke can cause learning problems and/or lasting brain damage, long-term disability, paralysis (an inability to move), or death.

8. Eye Problems

Sickle cells also can affect the small blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the eyes. Sickle cells can block these vessels or cause them to break open and bleed. This can damage the retinas—thin layers of tissue at the back of the eyes. The retinas take the images you see and send them to your brain.

This damage can cause serious problems, including blindness.

9. Priapism

Males who have sickle cell anemia may have painful, unwanted erections. This condition is called priapism. It happens because the sickle cells block blood flow out of an erect penis. Over time, priapism can damage the penis and lead to impotence.

10. Gallstones

When red blood cells die, they release their haemoglobin. The body breaks down this protein into a compound called bilirubin. Too much bilirubin in the body can cause stones to form in the gallbladder, called gallstones.

Gallstones may cause steady pain that lasts for 30 minutes or more in the upper right side of the belly, under the right shoulder, or between the shoulder blades. The pain may happen after eating fatty meals.

People who have gallstones may have nausea (feeling sick to the stomach), vomiting, fever, sweating, chills, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (a yellowish colour of the skin or whites of the eyes).

11. Ulcers on the Legs

Sickle cell ulcers (sores) usually begin as small, raised, crusted sores on the lower third of the leg. Leg sores may occur more often in males than in females. These sores usually develop in people who are aged 10 years or older.

The cause of sickle cell ulcers isn't clear. The number of ulcers can vary from one to many. Some heal quickly, but others persist for years or come back after healing.

12. Multiple Organ Failure

Multiple organ failure is rare, but serious. It happens if you have a sickle cell crisis that causes two out of three major organs (lungs, liver, or kidneys) to fail. Often, multiple organ failure occurs during an unusually severe pain crisis.

Symptoms of this complication are fever, rapid heartbeat, problems breathing, and changes in mental status (such as sudden tiredness or confusion

How Is Sickle Cell Anemia Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of sickle cell anaemia is very important. Children who have the disease need prompt and proper treatment.

The blood test can show whether a newborn infant has a form of sickle cell disease (like sickle cell anaemia) or sickle cell trait.

Doctors in specialist centres can diagnose sickle cell disease before birth. This is done using a sample of amniotic fluid or tissue taken from the placenta. (Amniotic fluid is the fluid in the sac surrounding a growing embryo. The placenta is the organ that attaches the umbilical cord to the mother's womb.)

Testing before birth can be done as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy. This testing looks for the sickle cell gene, rather than the hemoglobin that the gene makes.

 

 

 

Dr. Olukayode Williams

 

 

THE WOUNDS OF A FRIEND

Not everyone appreciates correction. But David did. He felt indebted to those who corrected him and realized how much he owed them. "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. Let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it" (Psalms 141:5).

Correction is a kindness, David insists, a word that suggests an act of loyalty. Loyal friends will correct one another, even when it is painful and disruptive to relationships to do so. It is one of the ways we show love and help one another to grow stronger. As Proverbs 27:6 states: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend."

It takes grace to give godly correction; it takes greater grace to receive it. Unlike David, who accepted Nathan's correction (2 Samuel 12:13), we are inclined to refuse it. We resent the interference; we do not want to be found out. But if we accept the reproof, we will find that it does indeed become "excellent oil" on our heads, an anointing that makes our lives a sweet aroma wherever we go.

Growth in grace sometimes comes through the kind but unpleasant correction of a loyal friend. Do not refuse it, for "he who receives correction is prudent" (Proverbs 15:5) and "wise" (9:8 - 9).

"When others give us compliments, they are so easy to believe; and though it is wise to take rebukes, we find them harder to receive".

Correction from a loyal friend can help us change for the best.