Joe MacDonald,  —

For many years we tried to overcome my younger son’s reaction to factor VIII. No matter which medical product we tried, we ended up with the same results. He would break out in hives early in the infusion. We learned that my son had developed an allergy to factor…

I was with my son in a store recently when a coloring book for adults caught my eye. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have given it a second glance. But what made this one special was the title on its cover: “The Road Not Taken.” I couldn’t resist opening the book.

There is never a time that I do not worry about my sons. “MacDonald the Older” is 23, but not a day goes by that I do not feel concern for his welfare. The phrase “don’t do anything stupid” keeps running through my head. Will I get a call from…

In my experience, raising two children with a chronic illness includes the usual worries that parents and other primary caregivers often face. It also creates issues that directly address medical needs and concerns related to treatment. For instance, not every family deals with spontaneous bleeding into the joints. For…

My wife and I were trying to find the perfect gift for one of our favorite people. We needed to find a bow tie, but not just an ordinary, humdrum kind. It must have a road map from one place to another. Our friend, who happened to be one of…

Last week, I did something I never dreamed I would do: I taught “MacDonald the Younger” how to ride a bike. At 13, he is considered a senior statesman in our neighborhood. Other children learn at age 5 or 6 how to balance on two wheels and head down the…

When my son “MacDonald the Older” took over his care, I celebrated his accomplishment. “MacDonald the Younger” would not reach independence until many years after his older brother did, but reducing oversight of infusing to one child proved liberating. Before the Younger’s independence, my wife and I still actively participated…

One issue that faces many families with chronic illnesses is lengthy hospitalizations. The entire household is affected by the disruption in schedule and routine. Life changes drastically for everyone involved. The child in the hospital must spend precious time away from regular activities and friends. Social interaction moves from…

I work as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. One of the many challenges of participating in a denomination that calls ministers to move quite frequently in an itinerant system is the continuous upheaval regarding medical care. For those who live with chronic issues, picking up stakes and heading…

The other day, I picked up “MacDonald the Younger” from hemophilia camp. I enjoyed the trip through the mountains. The air felt fresh as I grew anxious to see my son. I wanted to hear all about his camp experience. What friends did he see? Did he try the…