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The holiday season is in full swing, and with fewer shopping days, it will be upon us more quickly than usual. While we are concerned with presents, shopping, parties, and entertaining, it is easy to forget about taking care of ourselves. We can put off our self-care easily by blaming…

Since hemophilia was discovered, it has been accepted as a male disease. No one questions that a man is struggling with hemophilia. A man with a bleeding disorder living in a developed country is rarely denied access to healthcare. When he receives a diagnosis, he is told that…

A “6 Years Ago Today” moment popped up in my Facebook feed recently. The notification took me back to another Thanksgiving when my son, Caeleb, was 7, and we were in the hospital. He had port access issues, his factor levels were all over the place, and a knee bleed…

Living with hemophilia is challenging for anyone. It can be even more difficult for women who struggle to obtain a diagnosis and treatment. Despite the struggles, I am thankful for many things. A missed diagnosis I am thankful that the hospital lab made an…

My husband, Jared, and I are at a point in our lives where our careers have taken on greater significance. It seems like just yesterday when we were college students eager to graduate and experience life, curious about the mysteries that the future might hold. We were figuring out our…

When my daughter was little, she had the most amazing dance teacher, Jenna. Jenna was a mom of boys who loved the rough and tumble, but her dance studio was all about learning to move young bodies with grace and fluidity. While we no longer head off to Jenna’s classes…

I recall an early experience with anxiety. I was standing at the back of the church, ready to appear before the congregation to offer the sacrament of communion. But something held me back. The more I fought my feelings, the more I struggled. I took labored breaths as I stood…

With so many injuries lately, possibly because of a lack of exercise, I found it necessary to finally learn the ropes of self-infusion. Self-infusion of critical factor is important for me to prevent and treat bleeding episodes. As much as I have wanted to learn the craft, I…

For the longest time, my son Caeleb being in a wheelchair was just part of the normal workings in my home. The constant bleeds that kept him immobile were in the forefront of my thoughts as I watched him struggle to get around. But after five years without bleeds,…

I am a woman with mild hemophilia. I was angry when I realized that I had gone years without proper diagnosis and treatment. Over the years, I have had multiple bleeds that would have healed more effectively with access to factor replacement products. Many people mourn…