Hemophilia 24/7 - a Column by Cazandra Campos-MacDonald

If I had to define my self-quarantine in one word, it would be peace. I live in a peaceful, small, rural town. My street is quiet and my porch has a wonderful view. Three of us are at home — my husband, one of my sons, and me. My…

I can’t complain too much about my quarantine life. In my home are my husband, Joe, and 14-year-old son, Caeleb. There’s also my 14-year-old spunky, one-eyed, geriatric Corgi mix, Betty. I don’t have to worry about homeschooling little children or entertaining anyone. This is a good thing. But…

Our world is changing. Shelves are partially stocked, hugging friends is discouraged, church services are online, and we study and work remotely. We crave connection. Things will improve eventually, but that seems a lifetime away. Finding routines and things in our lives that are “normal” is not always easy,…

As an introvert, coronavirus isolation is not problematic for me. I have plenty of projects to keep me busy. My graduate schoolwork is online, and the normalcy of school has been nice during these uncertain times. I hear about people who have a hard time in isolation, and honestly, I don’t…

Fear. Millions of people are living with insane amounts of fear due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. This includes fear that the food supply will be limited, fear of catching the virus, and fear of lost income. There is a lot for our world to fear. But…

It is hard for some of the people in my community to understand why my son Caeleb struggles when he walks. Many see him as a normal 14-year-old boy who towers over me and is as goofy as the next kid. But they didn’t see him when he needed…

My 14-year-old son Caeleb is having trouble walking. Some days are better than others, but the bad days are filled with crazy pain. His right knee and ankle have sustained tremendous damage over the years from the joint bleeds that are a complication of hemophilia. His chronic…

It seems as if there is a day for everything: there’s National Wear Red Day, Boss’s Day, Rare Disease Day, Love Your Pet Day, and even National Margarita Day. And months are also observed for causes such as Blood Donor Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and National Yoga Month. From…

Hemophilia has been a gift. Let me explain. I know some people will struggle to understand my viewpoint. I realize that they have suffered great physical and emotional pain because of this bleeding disorder. Some have lost relationships, jobs, and mobility, and have a reduced quality of life. I get…

Change is inevitable — like it or not, it’s a part of life. The seasons change and bring a crispness to the air or warmth after the bitter winter cold. Jobs change and we are given new responsibilities and challenges. Change happens throughout our lives, and we must move forward…