Columns

This morning, I took my 16-year-old son, Caeleb, to physical therapy at Carrie Tingley Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He continues to experience recurring pains from past internal bleeding episodes in his right knee and ankle. The goal is to find the source of the pain and a…

The internet is overflowing with life hacks that can make tasks easier. From using a plastic knife to cleanly cut brownies to using pillowcases to clean ceiling fan blades, there are hundreds of tricks to help people solve problems. For example, I recently grabbed a roll of Press’n Seal…

Last week, I visited an outstanding church member in a local hospital. When I arrived, I saw a friend in the lobby, looked into her eyes, and knew that something was dreadfully wrong. She explained that her baby suffered unexplained medical issues and required immediate care. Parents whose children are…

I’ve never met a parent who enjoys the school drop-off. It’s frustrating when someone doesn’t follow protocol and stops without moving their vehicle to the front of the drop-off zone, thereby forcing everyone behind them to wait. And in my experience, the line forms at least half an hour before…

Shared decision-making in healthcare was a topic at the National Hemophilia Foundation’s Bleeding Disorders Conference I attended virtually last week. Shared decision-making means you have a voice and your overall well-being should be considered as part of any treatment plan. We think of medicine as a science. But as…

As I entered my son’s bedroom this morning to turn on his light and wake him up, I heard him say a phrase that sent shivers down my spine. Caeleb, my boy, said, “Dad, my ankle hurts.” My first instinct wanted to allow him extra time to get himself together.

A recent news story caught my attention. The report highlighted local athletes who unfortunately sustained injuries while serving in the military. These amazing women and men play basketball, tennis, and several other sports while in wheelchairs. Watching these phenomenal veterans play with determination and the physical prowess of professional athletes…

Home improvement is a popular hobby here in the Philippines. Over the past few years, online communities dedicated to home decorating and renovation have sprouted up all over social media. Lockdown boredom inspired people to find new hobbies and pastimes, and as work shifted from office to home,…

Good thing this column isn’t a podcast because I’m not speaking today. Last night, I chomped down on my tongue for the second time in two months. Not a big deal, you might say. True. Unless you have a bleeding disorder like hemophilia B, von Willebrand disease, or,…

One recent evening, my wife and I watched our favorite television shows. After the last one ended, the local news came on to give us the latest updates on the day’s top stories. One segment touched me deeply, and I couldn’t help but think back on the many health difficulties…