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,…
Columns
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…
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,…
