In December of 2012, I woke up like any other day, filled with excitement as I prepared to fly to Nigeria. It had been three long months since I had seen my family, and my school’s Christmas break was the perfect opportunity to reunite with them. My journey was set to begin with a flight from Manchester Airport, UK, scheduled for 9 o’clock in the morning, with a planned layover in Frankfurt, Germany, before reaching Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, Nigeria.
At the time, I didn’t have much experience with international travels, and as a result, I missed my initial flight to Nigeria. Consequently, I had to be rescheduled for another f flight the following day and spent the night at a hotel near the airport. The stress of not wanting to miss this second flight compounded with the heavy workload from school up to that point, and the onset of winter with sub-zero temperatures made me far from my best condition for the flight.
I however got on the plane and shortly after I boarded, I started feeling discomfort throughout my body. Initially, I attributed it to the usual turbulence and the physical strain of flying. I believed that once seated, the discomfort would subside. But little did I know that that was the beginning of a challenging ordeal.
The pain intensified, shifting from excruciating to agonizing, and I reached for the painkillers I always carried while traveling. Unfortunately, they provided no relief. Desperately, I tried different sitting positions, but the pain continued to escalate. It was at this point that I realized I needed help.
Summoning one of the attentive air hostesses, I was met with compassion and immediate assistance. However, it soon became evident that my condition was beyond her expertise. She made an announcement on the plane, urgently requesting assistance from any medical professionals on board. Two doctors answered the call, but they lacked the necessary medications to alleviate my excruciating pain.
The compassionate hostesses took me to the business class section, laying me across three seats, with two of them remaining by my side, doing their best to comfort and assist me. Despite their dedicated efforts, the two-hour flight felt like an eternity, but we eventually landed safely.
As the plane touched down, I managed to put a call across to my husband, my Paul, who was already at the airport in Abuja with our children, waiting to pick me up on arrival. At that time, I didn’t know I needed to change my SIM card before I could make a voice call to Nigeria. Eleven years ago, other means of calls on mobile phones were not so popular as they are now, at least in Nigeria, but God gave me a miracle. At the first dial, I was able to get my Paul and explained my predicament to him. He didn’t understand how severe my condition was so he told me to try and proceed to Nigeria, and as soon as I arrived he would pick me up straight to the hospital. He had no clue how severe the crisis was and how I managed to survive the two-hour flight from the UK. In the process of trying to explain, the network was cut off and neither of us could hear each other. I tried calling again, but it would no longer go through.
By this time, the pain was unbearable, and the last thing I remembered was being carried into an ambulance. My next conscious moments were sporadic, as I drifted in and out of awareness. I found myself in University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany, but the circumstances leading to my arrival remained hazy.
Upon arriving at the hospital, I was swiftly taken to the emergency department, where a doctor conducted an initial examination. However, my groans and exhaustion from the relentless pain hindered their assessment. Without delay, they administered an intramuscular (IM) analgesic to relieve my pain, and I was immediately transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
In the ICU, my care began earnestly. Tubes and monitors were attached to me, including a central line for administering medications and intravenous (IV) fluids. I was placed on oxygen, had a catheter, and my heart was continuously monitored. All of these interventions occurred while I was unconscious, and I had no awareness of their placement. Remarkably, I never experienced the excruciating pain again during my time in the ICU.
The dedicated medical team provided round-the-clock care, ensuring that my IV medications were administered on schedule, and all monitoring was meticulous and thorough. Nothing was left to chance. The next day I was transfused with two pints of blood because I was already severely anemic.
Five days later, I had improved sufficiently to be moved to a general ward, where the high-quality care continued for another five days until I was deemed fit for discharge and ready to return home. I couldn’t thank God enough for once again preserving my life.
Reflecting on this experience, I couldn’t help but wonder what might have been my fate if this medical emergency had occurred under different circumstances, perhaps in my home country, Nigeria, without any connections in the hospital or while traveling between states in the middle of the night. Would I have been as fortunate to survive and share this story?
While this incident serves as a powerful reminder that compassion and prioritizing the well-being of individuals in desperate health situations should always come before any other considerations, it underscores the importance of quality health care, professionalism and the willingness of both healthcare facilities and individuals to go above and beyond the norm to save lives and alleviate suffering.
My experience has taught me that embarking on air travels for people living with sickle cell disease or any other chronic disease need quite some physical, emotional, and financial preparations.
Here are some tips that may be helpful for Sickle Cell Warriors Traveling by Air:
Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Before planning any trip involving air travel, consult your healthcare provider. Discuss your travel plans, and make sure you are medically fit for the journey.
Avoid Stress: Plan your journey meticulously to minimize stress. Leave with plenty of time to spare to reduce anxiety and stress.
Travel Insurance: Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, including crises related to sickle cell disease.
Stay Hydrated: Sickle cell warriors are more prone to dehydration, which can trigger crises. Drink plenty of water before and during your flight to stay hydrated.
Pack Medications: Always carry an ample supply of your prescribed medications, including pain killers, in your carry-on luggage. Don’t rely solely on in-flight medical assistance.
Comfortable Seating: Request an aisle seat for easier mobility during the flight. Also, consider booking a seat with extra legroom if possible.
Walk and Stretch: Get up, walk, and stretch your legs regularly during the flight, especially if it is a long flight, to improve blood circulation and prevent clotting.
Stay Warm: Airplanes can get cold, so bring warm clothing to avoid temperature-related complications. You can also request for extra blankets, if needed.
Notify Flight Crew: Inform the flight attendants about your condition as soon as you board. They can provide assistance and notify medical professionals if necessary.
Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about the nearest medical facilities at your destination in case of emergencies.
Remember, preparation and communication are key to a safe and comfortable journey for sickle cell warriors. Always prioritize your health and well-being when traveling by air.
In part 2 of this blog, I’ll be sharing how we were able to navigate my hospital bills, the flight back to Nigeria and what happened when my Paul couldn’t hear from me after our initial conversation. Watch out for it!
