Managing a bleed at a conference for women with hemophilia
How fellowship, empathy, and support helped get me through the worst of it
I can still feel the sting of frustration as I replay that night at the recent National Conference for Women and Teens with hemophilia in Detroit.
The conference was a place of empowerment — a chance to connect, learn, and share experiences with others who live with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. But amid all that came pain that began in the middle of the night, jolting me awake with an intense, cramping ache, gripping my calf like a vise. I lay there in the darkness, willing it to pass. As I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, a dull, persistent throb accompanied every movement.
I examined my calf and saw nothing at first, no visible sign of the turmoil beneath the surface. But I knew the signs all too well. Years of living with bleeding disorders had taught me to recognize when a bleed was imminent. By morning, my calf was swollen and marked by a darkening bruise, a stark reminder of the internal bleed that had taken hold.
And the timing? It couldn’t have been worse.
Dealing with my bleed
A quick inventory of my options ran through my head. I was far from home, in a hotel room, about to enter a full day of presentations and workshops. I’d packed my medications, thankfully, and was aware of the importance of immediate treatment. I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and prepared to deal with the situation as best I could.
Administering factor in the confines of a hotel room is not ideal, but years of managing my condition have taught me adaptability. The needle prick was just another step in a routine I’ve mastered out of necessity. Afterward I sat quietly, icing the area gently and allowing myself a moment to rest.
But the pain wasn’t going away. Here I was, at an event meant to uplift and empower women like me, and I was grappling with the very thing that brought us together — hemophilia, a condition that refuses to be ignored, even for a single day.
Still, I refused to let the bleed define my experience. I hobbled my way to the conference hall, each step a reminder of the invisible struggles so many of us face. When I arrived, I was met with concern and support. Women from all walks of life offered their assistance. Some offered tips they’d learned through their own experiences, while others simply gave me words of empathy. It was a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of our community.
As the day went on, I made adjustments. I propped my leg up when possible. The pain persisted, but it didn’t define my day.
By evening, though, I was exhausted. The bruise had deepened, and my leg throbbed, but I felt something else, too — a sense of connection. At that moment, I knew I wasn’t alone in my struggle. The women around me understood, and their stories gave me strength. We laughed, we cried, and we lifted each other up, proving that even on the hardest days, we are stronger together.
That night, I reflected on the day and its challenges. Living with a bleeding disorder means facing the unexpected, often at the worst times. But it also means finding strength in community, in shared experiences, and in the unwavering determination to move forward — one careful, painful step at a time.
Note: Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hemophilia News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hemophilia.
About the Author
Comments