Columns

It’s been almost 30 years since I first discovered the joy of pregnancy. I can still recall my excitement as I left the doctor’s office, clutching the positive test in my hand. I was eager to surprise my husband, Joe, who was teaching high school choir. I called his…

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare? You’ve got to be kidding me! What a ridiculous idea! That sounds horrifying. We don’t want computers diagnosing us; we want trained, experienced professionals who can think for themselves. As someone with hemophilia, I felt this way. Strongly. Until last week. As I’ve mentioned…

Some days, my husband, Jared, who has severe hemophilia B, is unstoppable. He’ll haul a heavy plant pot across the living room, rearrange furniture, or even knock out a workout that would leave me sore for days. On other days, he’s down for the count; there’s no negotiating with…

Last week, I drove two hours to my hemophilia treatment center (HTC) in Tampa, Florida — not just to see my hematologist or get my labs done, but to meet with the physical therapist. The distance was long, but the trip was worth it. My knees have always been…

When I reflect on the unexpected detours my life took when my wife, Cazandra, and I had children, I cannot help but feel gratitude for them. They led me to where I am now. The author and teacher Joseph Campbell once wrote: “We must be willing to…

Dinner with friends is a delightful escape from the daily grind, a precious opportunity to share moments of love and presence. Recently, another couple invited my husband, Joe, and me to dinner at their home here in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The prospect of spending quality time with them and…

I can already tell this journey will be long, and that sucks. I remind myself to breathe. Inhale for a count of three, hold for a count of four, exhale for a count of five. Repeat. I wring my hands, fight back tears of frustration, and try again. I name…

The other day, I watched my husband, Jared, handle a parenting moment in a way that surprised me. He didn’t scold or lecture our young daughter. He didn’t swoop in with a tidy “lesson learned” speech. Instead, he did something that some parents might find unconventional and even controversial: He…

Ina Fowler, 68, of Brooksville, Florida, lives with several conditions, including hemophilia C, platelet dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral artery disease. She recently suffered a brain bleed. To learn more about Ina’s journey, I spoke with her via Zoom. When Ina was in second grade, she hemorrhaged after a…

My recent columns have focused on my experience at the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s (NBDF) annual Bleeding Disorders Conference, held Aug. 21-23 in Aurora, Colorado. I wrote about fun times with colleagues and new friends, and offered my gratitude to salespeople who truly care. I shared that my…