As the season of love and romance approaches, my husband, Jared, and I are already brainstorming ideas for possible February dates. We’re no strangers to unconventional coupledom. A trip to a park or a museum trumps a stroll at the mall; a night filled with laughter while watching a comedy…
Last year, at the Hemophilia Federation of America‘s Mild Matters Summit in Oklahoma, I attended a session led by physical therapist Nancy Durben that left a lasting impact. Durben guided a group on a leisurely walk, urging us to savor the experience — to relish the sound…
This week, my youngest son, Caeleb, visited the pediatric clinic for his last comprehensive exam there. My mind went in a million directions as I recalled meeting his hematologist, Shirley Abraham, MD. She witnessed the tough times when my son struggled through many painful spontaneous bleeding episodes because…
The new year ushered in an unexpected surprise: the near demise of my six-year-old laptop. I lifted the rose gold aluminum top expecting business as usual only to find a huge black line running from the top of my screen to the bottom. To my horror, I also discovered the…
The new year isn’t exactly kicking off on a high note for me. At the end of last year, I headed to Schaumburg, Illinois, to spend Christmas with my family only for my dental crown to crack in half during the trip and decide to make…
My oldest son, Julian, possesses many talents. Last August, he moved back home to save some money. He continues auditioning for theaters, hoping to make a living as a professional entertainer. I’m a little biased (OK, a lot), but his voice is in tip-top condition, and he can adequately compete…
In the middle of a work meeting, I stumbled upon an intriguing concept that resonated with me on a personal level: the good-better-best goal system. This is a goal-setting approach that allows you to set goals in three tiers that align with your individual capabilities. As I delved…
As we begin a new year, I can’t help but feel the power of hope permeate the air as conversations turn to new opportunities. Those of us in the bleeding disorders community long for new treatments that offer possibilities for a better quality of life. We pray that the…
The adventure of life is filled with ups and downs. Focusing on a word instead of on New Year’s resolutions can be a powerful practice when navigating a bleeding disorder. A focus word serves as a daily reminder and source of motivation, providing a lens through which to…
Embracing the start of 2024, I reflect on the friendships I’ve made within the hemophilia community over the past year. As a woman navigating the complexities of hemophilia B and von Willebrand disease, these connections have become a source of strength and solidarity for me. Each person…
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