Family Caregivers Need to Take Care of Their Medical Needs, Too
Last week I attended the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. As a pastor, I must attend…
Articles by Joe MacDonald
The Time Spent Together Is What Matters
Last week, my 16-year-old son, Caeleb, had a physical therapy session at 1 p.m. Unfortunately, the business of the…
Museum Day Brings a Grim Reminder of My Son’s Pain
As summer begins, the MacDonald family continues a great tradition of visiting a local museum every Friday. We started…
A Dream Reveals a Truth About Medical Treatment
Last night, I dreamed that I attended a doctor appointment for my wife, Cazandra. It was a follow-up to…
We Have More Gas in Our Tanks Than We Think We Do
Many times when my sons were younger, I found myself overwhelmed by the constant demands of their bleeding disorder…
Struggling With Loneliness During My Son’s Long Hospitalizations
One of the unexpected issues I struggled with when my youngest son, Caeleb, faced many prolonged hospital stays due to…
Dancing for Joy Unites Us All at National Conference, and Beyond
I love the final-night event of a national bleeding disorder conference. Different groups invite community members to play games,…
Affirmations Go a Long Way When Treating My Sons
Affirmation: one word with significant connotations. From the day we come into this world, we seek an acknowledgment that…
My Sister, Tawn, Is an Amazing Aunt and Friend
Last week, my wife, Cazandra, my youngest son, Caeleb, and I attended the annual meeting of the Hemophilia Federation…
Allowing the Role of Caretaker to Change
This past week my adult son, Julian, made a decision that I didn’t like. I wanted badly to tell him…