Columns

One night when my oldest son, Julian, was 6, we sat down at the kitchen table, preparing to infuse factor VIII, a clotting agent, to treat his hemophilia. He held out his arm, and I looked at the vein we called “Old Faithful.” Located on the top of…

In the Bible, there’s a story of a blind man on the side of the road begging for Jesus’ help. Jesus spat on the ground, made mud, and put it on the man’s eyes. He then instructed the man to go to the water and wash the mud…

I’ve been struggling with my mental health lately. For the past two years, I’ve been juggling two or three freelance jobs at a time while also fulfilling my roles as a mom, wife, and carer to my husband, Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and a seizure…

Years ago, a home health nurse came to my house to infuse my medication for von Willebrand disease and hemophilia B. Treatment for my bleeding disorders is often administered intravenously, meaning it’s injected directly into a vein. I’d had surgery a few days before and needed the…

Spoiler alert: This story ends with a Golden Girl moment with my son. Picture it: Las Vegas, 2015. My youngest son, Caeleb, is 9 years old. He and I tagged along with my wife, Cazandra, for a special event for the bleeding disorders community. My boy, who…

“I know, I know” is repeated in my home numerous times daily. When I hear these words from my 17-year-old son, Caeleb, I want to run away screaming. No, you don’t know! The teenage years are not my favorite. Was I this way when I was a teenager? Unfortunately,…

Marriage is a beautiful thing. People often describe it in flowery terms — “an unbreakable promise of partnership,” “a sacred unity of two souls.” Those who possess a more worldly mindset might regard it as a legal arrangement — albeit a powerful and binding one that changes every aspect…

My bleeding disorders, hemophilia B and von Willebrand disease, have significantly affected my family. As I’ve aged, my appreciation for my family has grown tremendously. I’ve come to realize that hemophilia‘s impact isn’t just limited to me; it’s also affected my family in profound ways. True, patients…

I’m a pastor, so I encounter the word “grace” almost every day. Words of encouragement pour out of my mouth as I talk with parishioners struggling to make their way in the world. I often say, “Give yourself some grace. Everyone falls short of the mark, but that doesn’t…

I’m training to become a chaplain. I want to work in a hospital setting one day, which will allow me to serve patients facing medical challenges. I’ll also have the privilege of walking with those who are in their last days. Sitting with people who are struggling at the hands…