Hey Cuz

06/09/2022

You cuz dropped an interview for Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Go check it out!

https://vitaminsc3.transistor.fm/15

25/08/2022

24/05/2022

Hey Cuzn’s!! “It’s been a long time, shouldn’t have left you!” We’ve had to take a short hiatus. Candis has been away working and Collette is busy with wedding plans 🍾 ! Adulting, am I right?!?

Just wanted to stop by and say hey! We haven’t forgotten about you. When we get through this busy season, we’ll be back and better than ever. Stay tuned!

✌🏾 & 💜

- Your favorite cousins! 😊

09/02/2022

WEEEEEE'RREEEEEEE BAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!!!!!!!
We've missed you too. So we are back with another Hey Cuz episode.

Topic: Introverts vs Extraverts

https://youtu.be/5DDH2LIeZPU

How do you recharge? Do like and value your alone time? Do you like to be around a bunch of people? Can you be alone and/or do you avoid solitude? Can you fu...

27/10/2021

Episode 23: Dating in the Workplace☕️👀

https://youtu.be/ayAzEoYoEfI

Have you dated your coworkers before? What about your boss? Have you dated anyone in your work building not necessarily in your line of work? Did it work out...

20/10/2021

Episode 22: Sibling Love

Whether you adore your sibling or down right hate them, we want to hear from you! Sound off in the comments about your relationship with your siblings.

https://youtu.be/nzfKZ-UBmXM

Let's get into it! Do you like your siblings? Are you guys close or do you fight often? As adults how has your relationship with your siblings changed? If yo...

30/09/2021

Ending with a bang!!
Episode 21: Sickle Cell 🩸Awareness Month {Ask Candis Hour}

https://youtu.be/clXboNq8Ytk

Wrapping up the month of September aka Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Candis has her own personal journey with Sickle Cell to share and raise awareness to the ...

29/09/2021

❤️🖤

29/09/2021

Day 29:

Almost there! Everything is about to turn pink, but I had to do my part to turn everything red for September! There not much light or shine for Sickle Cell these days. I’m trying to do my best to change that.
🗣Sickle Cell Matters! We matter! I matter!!! ❤️🖤

Had to go out with a bang. Here’s some of my story in poetry form. You know I had to do it!

I hope you are blessed and inspired by this piece. There’s strength begging my tears! There is purpose in my pain!! Knowing that is a huge reason why I keep going!

✌🏾💜✊🏾,
Candis aka C~Saint

https://youtu.be/HVeVjw3Mo64

The story of a girl living with Sickle Cell. What does it feel like? How does it affect her life?

28/09/2021

Day 28- Sickle cell Awareness month

27/09/2021

Day 27:

Moral of the story, do what’s best for you!! Focus on health and wellness!!

"I know it may be hard for people to believe, but I've never taken pain medication ever. In dealing with sickle cell, lifestyle matters and through it I believe that I can heal myself.

Living with sickle cell disease (hb SS), I do fairly well healthwise. I've been vegan since third grade and wrote a book on nutrition and sickle cell disease and in reality, I’m actually “beyond vegan”. When I say “beyond” it goes beyond food. I live a natural and positive lifestyle. I wear natural fabrics, only linen and cotton. I love music, I think everybody when they see me, I'm the person that loves to dance and move my body. I like nature. I like going to the beach or taking a hike and I’m the type of person that ends my emails with the word “peace”, because that's so important to me to be able to walk in peace, no matter what it is. This is my lifestyle.

A lot of that has to do with how I manage stress. I believe in breathing and I think a large part is my diet. Also, I am not an anxious person and I pray through everything. I make boundaries and in terms of negativity, I don't allow that. I don't want to hear about the blues. Don't get me wrong, I'm a good listener and I'm a good friend, but when it comes to drama, I don't engage.

Growing up I was a happy child, but when pain set in I wouldn't be so happy. I was depressed and felt lonely. I constantly went in and out, in and out of polar opposite emotions because of sickle cell and I remember not liking that feeling.

So I distinctly remember telling God, “If I have another pain episode, take me out. But if you don't take me out, I need to have joy.” I’m here today and I wasn't taken out and I have a very fulfilled life because I became determined to have joy in spite of having pain. It's been like that ever since that day and while I am not pleased when I have pain episodes, they don't have the same effect as they once did. Life is no longer a roller coaster. I’m living my best life.

When I’m in sickle cell pain, I don't take pain medications. I..."

Read more about Dr. Carolyn Rowley's experience with a healthy lifestyle to manage SCD: https://www.sc101.org/carolynrowley/
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26/09/2021

Day 26- Sickle cell Awareness month

25/09/2021

Day 25:

It’s important to see the bigger picture. We are but a vessel of life. It’s important to address all aspects of being human: mind, body and soul!

I believe in modern medicine. Sometimes it’s necessary. But I also believe in health and wellness. I engage in a healthy diet, exercise, mindfulness, meditation and living a life filled with joy. My parents always said “prevention is better than cure!”
It’s important to focus strengthening yourself daily. That may look like reading, learning new things or therapy to ease the mind. It may include finding a hobby to stay physically active and emotionally calm. This may look like surrounding yourself with positive people, family and friends in order to create a stable support system. Doing things that you love to spark joy! All of these things are undervalued, but equally, if not more important that anything that modern medicine may provide.

Even in a crisis, I try not to reach for pain medication FIRST for relief. There are many ways to ease the pain that do not require medication. I’ve tried warm baths, heating pads, massage, distraction (tv, music, talking to friends), even light and aroma therapy. What other “unconventional” methods have you tried in efforts to alleviate pain?

It’s important to care for the body all days, in all ways!! Do not focus on quick and temporary remedies when problems arise. Focus on consistently building yourself up to be your best self: mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Be proactive! Be an active participant in your own wellness journey!

✌🏾💜✊🏾,
Candis

24/09/2021

Day 24- Sickle cell Awareness month

23/09/2021

Day 23:

Sickle Cell is a genetic blood disorder. It can only be passed down from parent to child. Considering varying circumstances, these are the odds that you would have a child with Sickle Cell Disease or Trait let pregnancy.

Do you know your trait status?!?

22/09/2021

For all those who ask how to show support for
Be sure to tune in!! 🔥🎙🔥

22/09/2021

Episode 20: Holidaaaaays!!👻🎃🍂🦃🎅🎄🎊🍾

Where are my holiday fanatics? When do you guys start decorating and when do you take down your decorations?

https://youtu.be/hiYBzLq8uuk

Where are my pumpkin spice people, early Christmas fanatics or Halloween decorators? When is it too early to decorate for the holidays? Is there a date when ...

22/09/2021

Day 22- Sickle cell Awareness month

21/09/2021

Day 21:

Jaundice is quite common in people with sickle cell. Did you know that sickle cells breakdown at a more rapid rate than healthy red blood cells. Health red blood cells live about 90 to 120 days, but sickle cells last only 10 to 20 days. The body is always making new red blood cells to replace the old cells. This is why people who have sickle cell may experience extreme fatigue, dark colored urine, yellowing of the eyes and jaundiced skin.

20/09/2021

Day 20- Sickle cell Awareness month

19/09/2021

Day 19:

Indeed it does!! Sickle Cell is a life long disease. There are different variants and can impact each individual differently. It wreaks all kinds of havoc on the body and is more than just pain. It can cause many chronic issues as well; blindness, deafness, avascular necrosis, stroke, heart attacks and death. It’s more serious than most people know. Anything you may think or imagine, it is more!! I have known so many young people who have passed from this disease. And to be truly honest, I fear for my own future at times.

Ignorance is the main cause of the deaths in my opinion… Knowledge is power!! In my life, knowledge is healing and life saving. Spread awareness!!!

✌🏾💜✊🏾,
Candis

Out of curiosity… besides Candis, how many of you know or have known someone with Sickle Cell?

18/09/2021

Day 18- Sickle cell Awareness

17/09/2021

Day 17:

No certain cures… No remission…
Unfortunately it doesn’t go that way for us!
This is some of what’s currently available. Thankfully, more research is being conducted and better treatments/possible cures are on the horizon!

I’m Hopeful…

✌🏾💜✊🏾,
C~Saint

16/09/2021

Ignorance ain’t bliss, but knowledge is power!!!

16/09/2021

Day 16: Sickle cell is not a death sentence. It is not contagious and those who have the disease are not drug seekers they experience significant amounts of pain in multiple areas of their bodies during a crisis. Stay educated, fight the stigmas.

16/09/2021

Knowledge is Power

15/09/2021

Day 15:

Personal experience…
I laugh to keep from crying. I ,admittedly, have a dark and twisted sense of humor. But if you knew what I’ve been through, you’d encourage me to keep laughing too!

They call us warriors! I’m not much into the nicknames or labels. But the term is accurate. It’s a constant fight. A fight to engage in day to day life. A fight to show up for your friends, be the life of the party even though you barely found the energy to roll out of bed. That’s the thing with most chronic illnesses though. Most of them are invisible. We can look completely “fine” externally, but every system in your body will be at war under the surface.

At the end of the day, there aren’t many options. Fight or Flight, they say. Do with that info what you will. I’m no fighter, I’m no hero, these are just the cards I’ve been dealt. And I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got.

“I’m only strong because I have to be!” -A Life in Crisis

✌🏾💜✊🏾,
C~Saint

14/09/2021

We're back!!

Episode 19: The Hierarchy of Friendships- There's levels to this...

https://youtu.be/5YGwtGpiftg

We often use the word "friend" to describe the people in our lives in general conversation but really they might just be someone we know or work with, etc. N...

14/09/2021

Day 14: Sickle cell Awareness month

13/09/2021

Day 13:

Personal experience…
This is why I do what I do! I was always ashamed that I had Sickle Cell. I kept is as a secret. I never told anyone unless had to. Usually because I would disappear for weeks at a time and when I returned to my regular day to day, I’d be bombarded with assumptions and/or questions.
Sickle Cell has been my lifelong struggle, fight and personal demon. Defected since birth, it made me feel weak and less than. I felt broken and inadequate, sometimes I still do.
Years ago, I decided to stop walking in shame and share my story. There is purpose in my pain, and there is purpose in yours too. I realized my test may lead to someone else’s testimony. My story could be the inspiration to help someone keep going. My words could save a life. I take that responsibility very seriously!! And in spite of my discomfort, I’ll continue to share my story because I have realized that it’s not about me!

There is purpose in your pain! You can overcome!!

✌🏾💜✊🏾,
C~Saint