Columns

On Tuesday morning of last week, as I sat at my desk sifting through emails and attempting to plan my afternoon, my phone rang. I saw it was Julian, my oldest son, so I picked up the phone and steadied myself for our usual late-morning chat. I said hello in…

My husband, Jared, and I have now been married five years! In celebration of our anniversary, I dedicate this letter to him. To my dearest husband (and our daughter’s one and only “bleedy boy“), Five years have passed since the day we made a lifelong commitment to each…

Recently, I came across an old DVD recording of a Fourth of July celebration on a hot summer day in Baytown, Texas. Many families had gathered on blankets and lawn chairs to celebrate with one another and watch the evening’s entertainment. The first star of the production was…

As the carer of my husband, Jared, who has hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, I’ve realized the importance of communication, understanding, and empathy. Focusing on these values helps us mature in our roles while balancing personal challenges, which for me include being a caregiver, mother, and a person…

During my teenage years, I vividly recall attempting to convey the severity of my menstrual bleeding to a male hematologist. I described my bleeding by giving examples of the products I used, such as “superplus tampons” and “overnight maxi pads.” He couldn’t relate. In a somewhat perplexed tone,…

In middle school, I faced bullies just about every day. I often experienced physical violence during the three years I attended what was then called Burbank Junior High School in Houston. The beatings occurred so frequently that my speech teacher allowed me to stay in her class and…

In a society deeply rooted in patriarchal values, expectations regarding masculinity often dictate men’s roles and behaviors. With its historical background of colonization, the Philippines, where I live, has fostered a set of traditional norms regarding how men must assert dominance, provide for their families, and adhere to…

I’ve previously written about fellow Floridian Kayla Mack, a woman in her 50s who has Type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD). Her severe bleeding disorder is similar to those who deal with severe hemophilia, as her blood clotting factor VIII levels are nearly negligible. Her von…

When it came time to teach my oldest son, Julian, how to shave, I chickened out. The thought of putting a razor blade on his face terrified me. I lived with an unsupported fear that I’d instruct him poorly and a cut might unleash a river of blood. I…

My husband, Jared, and I were recently captivated by the valedictory of Val Llamelo, the 2023 top graduate of the University of the Philippines. His address garnered widespread attention on social media for its criticism of “inspiration” and the societal issues it masks. These points resonated deeply with…