Sickle Cell Disease
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“Recovery Week 7: Ready or Not, I’m Going Back to the Classroom”
At 7 weeks post shoulder surgery, Andrea shares her latest progress, pain management with natural remedies, and returning to the classroom while preparing for another surgery. Healing continues—one day, one choice, one step at a time. Recovery Week 7: Ready or Not—Here I Come! Well, ready or not, school starts Monday…And that means:Back to the Continue reading
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“I Declare War: A Spiritual Wake-Up Call to Fight the Inner Battle”
The Christian life is not a playground—it’s a battleground. In this soul-stirring devotional, Andrea Poyotte declares war on everything holding her back. It’s time to confront the struggle within and rise in God’s strength. I / De / Clare / War Good Morning and Happy Sabbath.I can never begin my day without a devotional—it is Continue reading
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“Cyberbullying & the Collapse of Kindness: Late Night Thoughts on Humanity and Social Media”
Cyberbullying has become far too common in our digital lives. In this honest reflection, Andrea shares how one woman’s story—and her own experiences—shed light on the painful cost of online cruelty. Cyberbullying: What Happened to Human Decency? When did we become so desensitized to each other that attacking strangers online feels normal?How did we become Continue reading
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“Shoulder Replacement Recovery: Weeks 5–6, Muscle Pain, and Learning to Slow Down”
At six weeks post shoulder replacement, I’m still in pain, still pushing through physical therapy, and now preparing for a second surgery—my hip replacement. Here’s what recovery looks like when life refuses to pause. Weeks 5 & 6: Recovery, Real Talk, and Pain Management Let me start by saying:I wanted to write this last week—week Continue reading
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“How Are You Doing? The Question We Ask, But Rarely Mean”
“How are you doing?” is a question we hear daily—but do people really care? Here’s a reflection on chronic illness, invisible struggles, and what that common question truly means for those living with lifelong conditions. How Are You Doing? It’s one of the most common greetings in the world.Right after “Hello,” we say:“How are you Continue reading
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“Fascination with the Body: My Sickle Cell Journey and Discovering Avascular Necrosis”
Living with Sickle Cell Disease has shown me how remarkable the human body is—and how faith, persistence, and the right questions uncovered years of hidden damage. Here’s my AVN timeline and what I’ve learned about pain, patience, and healing. Introduction: The Body Is a Fascinating Map Part 1: The Start of the Pain – 2016–2017 Continue reading
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Bring Life into Alignment
A steel beam has integrity when its purpose, its design, its manufacture, and its use are aligned. Said another way, to have integrity, a beam must be designed and manufactured for a specific purpose—and it must actually be used toward that purpose. We can count on a beam like that, even to bear a heavy and important Continue reading
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Going through hell
Devotional: Going Through Hell We all know what it feels like to be in the thick of it— It’s that “I just don’t know what to do” feeling.But deep down, we actually do know.We know to turn to God.We know to pray, to lean, to trust.It’s just hard to remember that when the fire feels Continue reading
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Recovery week 4“Week 4 Shoulder Replacement Recovery: Pain, Progress, and a Bun Goal”Recovery week 4
Four weeks after shoulder replacement surgery, I’m off narcotics, gaining strength, and starting to see real progress. Here’s what recovery looks like—plus a few reflections on shared pain and support from unexpected places. Recovery Week 4: From Pain to Progress Finally!These last three days have been the best I’ve felt since surgery. 🙌🏽 Sure, there’s Continue reading
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“Sometimes I Cry: The Exhaustion of Chronic Pain, Broken Trust, and Relentless Faith”
In this raw and honest reflection, I share what it’s like to cry from physical pain, emotional burnout, financial stress, and spiritual exhaustion—and how holding onto faith has kept me going through it all. This morning, like I always do, I sat down to check my emails.But this time, without warning, I started to cry.I Continue reading
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“3 Weeks Post Shoulder Replacement: PT Pain, Muscle Weakness, and Finding My Strength”
Three weeks after left shoulder replacement surgery, I’m navigating physical therapy pain, muscle rebuilding, and daily recovery challenges as a sickle cell warrior. Here’s what this phase looks like and how I’m pushing forward. Week 3 Post-Surgery: Pain, PT, and Pushing Through Today marks exactly 3 weeks since my left shoulder replacement, and let me Continue reading
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Post-Op Recovery with Sickle Cell: My First 14 Days After Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Follow my 14-day journey after left shoulder replacement surgery while living with sickle cell disease. From nerve blocks to physical therapy, here’s how I’m navigating pain, recovery, and daily challenges with determination and faith. Post-Op Reality: What You Don’t See Behind the Smile The photo above was taken just after surgery.I know—I’m smiling. But don’t Continue reading
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Just a thought I would like to share
If I’ve learned anything over the past five years, it’s this:I can depend on God. No matter what life has taken from me—my health, my peace, even people—I have never lost my faith.Yes, I’ve questioned things.Yes, I’ve wrestled with pain.But I’ve also waited, trusted, and listened for answers. And in that waiting, I’ve seen God Continue reading
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I Wish Healthcare Providers Would Listen
One thing I wish healthcare providers would truly understand is this:Sometimes, doing the job isn’t enough—you have to listen to the patient too. As someone living with a chronic blood-related disease, I already face more than my share of battles.But one of the parts I absolutely hate the most?Being a hard stick. My veins are Continue reading
About Me
I LIVE LOVE LAUGH LEARN – the only way I know how to survive this life! I am a free-spirited, independent, or uninhibited person. I began this blogging journey years ago for sharing my thoughts on everyday life. Since then, so much has happened including me being in a coma because of Sickle Cell with brain damage and extreme trials in life. I am still struggling, but I feel someone can be motivated through my journey, thoughts, feelings, and life.
Phoenix: Live Love Laugh 