NFL's Tevin Coleman and wife Akilah shares update on their 'resilient' 6-year-old daughter's battle with sickle cell disease

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tevin and Akilah Coleman have provided an update on their 6-year-old daughter Nazaneen, who is diagnosed with sickle cell disease. The NFL star's wife shared a video on her Instagram on Tuesday, April 9, giving some details about her daughter Nazaneen's difficult past few weeks. 

Akilah shared clips from her daughter as she spent time in the hospital, played with her father, and walked around outside. "A short story about the most resilient girl I know," Akilah began her caption, before sharing that Nazaneen recently spent time on a BiPAP ventilator machine, People Magazine reports. 

Tevin and Akilah Coleman's daughter Nazaneen cannot breathe on her own

The mother of two explained that this "essentially means she couldn’t breathe on her own & needed the machine to expand her lungs & breathe for her. She also received her first blood transfusion."

Akilah went on to say that she admired and envied her husband's self-control, because when she heard the news that her daughter would be "placed on the ventilator," she said she began to hyperventilate.

"I was swinging in & out of consciousness, it’s a feeling unexplainable watching your child literally fight to breathe," she wrote. "Tevin managed to calm my spirit while managing his own. I’m so sorry for that because it doesn’t leave space for him to go through the motions."

The proud mother said that it has been hard for her to be transparent but stated that she considers it important to share their story because it would be misleading otherwise.

"I’ve realized one of the hardest things for me to do as a parent, wife & woman is to surrender. I cannot always control the outcome & that is such a hard pill to swallow," Akilah said. "We have moments in life where we are often stripped of legacy, wealth & success & nothing else matters but the air in our lungs. No amount of hard work or dedication can alter this. It’s humbling but inspiring when we rise back up."

The end of the video included audio from Nazaneen's class that played over a photo of the little girl in a butterfly shirt and tutu. "We miss you Nazzy! We hope you feel better soon," the class can be heard saying.

"She listened to that message more times than I can count. Even when she couldn’t speak & all she could do was cry that audio was on repeat for two weeks in the hospital," Akilah said of Nazaneen's class's message. "I think it kept her spirits up & determined to fight. It serves as a reminder of the power of friendship no matter the age! ❤️."

Tevin Coleman previously spoke about daughter Nazaneen's health issues

Tevin spoke about his daughter's diagnosis with the outlet last year. "I just wanted to protect my daughter when I first learned she first had it," Tevin, who began experiencing symptoms of sickle cell himself as a college athlete, said. "I wanted to protect her — from the public, from everybody. So that's why I didn't say anything at first."

"She's only 5, so we haven't gotten to the point where I explained to her what her body is going through, but I have let her know that it's just really important to always tell Mommy — whatever you're feeling, whatever you're going through, tell Mommy," Akilah said at the time. "Let's talk about it. Don't be scared to tell me if you're in pain, so I can help you."