One Day at a Time

Instead of killing her spirit and wearing down her body, Melissa Morton has managed to maintain a positive outlook about her future while living with a terminal illness, and she credits her strength to her family, her peers but most of all to God.
Morton, a senior mass communication major from Shreveport, said she was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia when she was just six months old.
But surprisingly the illness had no significant life changing effect on her, although she does acknowledge that the disease’s presence in her blood can produce its fair share of problems for her from time to time.
“Some times I may have pain in my joints and other [times] I may feel dizzy and nauseated,” she said, describing what are called “crises”, some of the common symptoms associated with the disease.
According to the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, a sickle cell painful crisis is a complication that consists of pain in the bones, particularly the long bones, of the body.
Between kindergarten and the third grade, Morton said she experienced numerous “crises” episodes. Whenever one would occur, she said her parents would hold and comfort her until the pain would subside.
By the time Morton entered junior high, and on throughout her high school years, Morton said she experienced “crisis” less frequently.
“I basically live a normal lifestyle, but there are some days when I can’t do all of the things that others can,” Morton said.
Since her diagnosis, Morton has only been hospitalized three times, had one blood transfusion and undergone one minor surgery.
“I am considerably blessed,” she said, acknowledging most individuals diagnosed with sickle cell spend more time in the hospital.
Morton said she is not as active as she would like to be since it’s sometimes difficult for her to complete a strenuous workout or jog and walk for a long distance.
Despite the minor crises she had in the past, and the possibility of a difficult pregnancy, Morton feels that her diagnosis will not have an adverse effect on her future.
“I will still be able to do all of the things that I am doing now,” she said.
Morton said she just plans to continue gaining her strength from the love and support of her family who she says, “are just always there when I need them.”
When she’s home in Shreveport, Morton said she gains more support from others living with sickle cell anemia, who gather to share their unique experiences with the disease regularly.
“It is important to have a support group,” said Morton. “I will always keep God in my life because he is helping me through this.”