I'm really special.
How do I know I'm special?
Cos today my doc diagnosed me with Alpha Thalassemia Minor. With only 3% in countries like India, China and Singapore having this blood disease, I had better be special.
Here's Wikipedia's definition of Thalessemia:
___________________________________________________________________

(Thalassemia (American English) (or thalassaemia in British English) is an inherited disease of the red blood cells, classified as a hemoglobinopathy. The genetic defect results in synthesis of an abnormal hemoglobin molecule. The blood cells are vulnerable to mechanical injury and die easily. To survive, many people with thalassaemia need blood transfusions at regular intervals.
The disease's geographical association with the Mediterranean sea was responsible for its naming: Thalassa is Greek for the sea, Haima is Greek for blood. Thalassemia occurs in all populations and ethnic groups, however the prevalence differs among different populations. )

Thalassemia Minor:

Contrary to popular belief, Thalassemia Minor patients should not avoid iron-rich foods by default. A serum ferritin test can determine what their iron levels are and guide them to further treatment if necessary. Thalassemia Minor, although not life threatening on its own, can affect quality of life due to the effects of a mild to moderate anemia. Studies have shown that thalassemia Minor often coexists with other diseases such as asthma [2], and even bipolar disorder [3].

_____________________________________________________________

Thalessemia Minor patients should not avoid iron-rich foods and coincidentally, I live and breathe for seafood like mussels, oysters and clams :) Now an added excuse to eat my world's favouritest food and just shrug away Hepatitis possibilities.

The most amazing thing is my best bud happens to have Congenital Spherocytosis: a blood disease even much much more rarer than mine. It is caused by a molecular defect in one or more proteins of the red blood cells.
There is this joke between us now that we can NEVER get married cos our inherent blood diseases will cause defects in the poor child.

So as you can see, me and my best bud are very special indeed.