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

I’ve been living with chronic pain for several years. When I’m asked whether I had an accident or trauma to my neck and back, my answer is no. But I think hemophilia indirectly triggered my pain. Years ago, when my youngest son, Caeleb, was in a wheelchair, I think…

When you are around someone day in and day out, there are things that you don’t notice. A few pounds lost, a change in mood, or even a change in their daily habits. My 14-year-old son Caeleb has endured quite a bit of trauma over the years as a result…

Parenting is not easy. And when you have a child with a rare bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, it is exponentially more difficult. Not only are you dealing with the typical ear infection, cough, or broken wrist, you also must consider how hemophilia plays into the mix. My youngest son,…

I received an email from a friend I hadn’t heard from in some time. She told me that her nephew and his wife just had a baby and he has been diagnosed with hemophilia. She had ordered my book to send to her niece and was hoping I would…

I have begun the year on a high note: I can park both cars in my garage. My family pitched in to help with a clear out. We tossed things we no longer need and donated useful items. It was a fantastic feeling to get rid of the things that…

As I look back on where I was at this time last year, I can honestly say that 2019 has been a fantastic year. My health has improved tremendously. My book, “Dear Hemophilia, Finding Hope Through Chronic Illness,” has been published. And most importantly, my sons with hemophilia have…

The holiday season brings happiness and joy to many. Homes are adorned with lights and decorations, and people wear clothing in festive colors. The excitement is contagious. However, many people find this time of year to be exhausting and even painful. When they are living with a rare or chronic…

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…

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…

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,…