My oldest son, Julian, is preparing for a big audition. He hopes the casting director will hear his submission and ask him to go to New York for a final, on-site callback. If the powers that be select him, he’ll perform in his first national touring production. My son displayed…
Imagine a bank account. When depositing money, the ideal is to have enough to cover expenses, bills, and some fun things. But when the withdrawals amount to more than the available money, there’s a crisis. At that point, using credit cards or applying for impossible-to-pay-back loans may become necessary. The…
My husband, Jared, carries his hemophilia well. At first glance, he appears healthy, with a solid physique, and he actively engages in sports. The keloid scars running down his arms contribute to his rugged charm. Some might dub him a model hemophilia patient, an example to follow. During…
About a month ago, my world was turned upside down when my kneecap dislocated while I was simply shifting my leg on a recliner. This unexpected incident brought back memories of my teenage years, when I underwent two surgeries to keep my kneecap in place. To add complexity to…
Over the next few weeks, I’m taking a short sabbatical. I realized I needed time to regroup, rest, and renew my spirit. Little triggers that crept into my brain warned me I needed to care for myself. Failure to adhere to these warning signs often leaves me angry,…
What does your pain feel like? Is it burning, sharp, pulling, shooting, or achy? Describing pain is difficult. In fact, many words used to describe pain are metaphors or similes: It’s like being stabbed by a knife or burned by a hot stove, for example. Yet a lot of people…
As a “HemoWife,” I’ve had the privilege of connecting with numerous people in the hemophilia community. While our shared experiences allow us to create a strong bond, one important topic often remains unspoken: the social and mental maladjustment that some people with hemophilia may face due to…
Welcome to my world, where it seems like I’m perpetually hosting a pity party. The past year has thrown more curveballs my way than I’d ever anticipated, leaving me caught in a never-ending hurricane of challenges. While I’m sharing my struggles here, I’m also keeping in mind the resilience of…
After writing a weekly column for over six years, I needed the break I’ve just completed. I’ve spent the past few months working to renew my spirit and consider what’s essential. I didn’t realize how desperately I needed to let go of some things. While my recent sabbatical is technically…
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…
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