Columns

A few years ago, I woke up to find my right breast swollen, hot, red, and extremely painful. Beneath the skin was a lump that felt about the size of a golf ball. I’d had mastitis before, in the other breast, so I wondered if this pain could be…

To say my youngest son, Caeleb, is excited to start his second year at the University of New Mexico is an understatement. He lived at home during his freshman year, but next month, he’ll move into a dormitory. He can’t wait to spread his wings and live on his own(ish).

Helping people brings me joy. As a hospice chaplain assisting families through their darkest hours, I am truly fulfilled. Outside of my work, my heart is full when I can make dinner, pick up groceries, or visit a friend. But asking for help is an entirely different thing. During my…

It’s never easy to talk about weight. Like many people, my weight has wildly fluctuated throughout my adult life, sometimes by as much as 60 pounds or more. I’ve struggled to find a happy medium between healthy food choices and enjoying the occasional indulgence. I haven’t been in tip-top shape…

The other day, I found an old document from my husband Jared’s last hospital stay — the one after his freak accident on a pool slide. I’d written about it before, but seeing the discharge papers brought it all back. The memory feels a little funny to us now…

A few weeks ago, I spent a long weekend at a women’s retreat hosted by the Coalition for Hemophilia B in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Years ago, I attended the iconic laser show at Stone Mountain and have always wanted to return. I was thrilled to find out the show was…

Sometimes I forget I have hemophilia. I know that sounds silly, particularly after years of struggle to obtain a diagnosis, yet it’s true. This forgetting is great when I’m healthy and have no issues. There are times, however, when it’s imperative that I remember I have hemophilia. Sometimes I…

Caeleb, my youngest son, is 19 and preparing for his second year of college at the University of New Mexico. He’s experiencing an issue at school that required him to write a letter explaining the difficulties he faced because of hemophilia during his freshman year. As a child, he…

Several years ago, I spoke at a great bleeding disorders conference in California. Around 300 people attended, and we all had wonderful interactions. The attendees engaged with one another and found hope in their shared experiences. I left the conference energized and proud to be part of such a…

I recently came across a social media post that hit home. It began: “Never judge someone with a chronic illness if they …” and went on to list things like skipping meds, eating foods that might trigger symptoms, resting all day, or even doing something that looks “wrong”…