Factor and supplies used to take over my kitchen. Boxes of syringes, Betadine swabs, dressing kits, monthly Sharps containers, and box upon box of factor arrived and needed to be organized and put away. The number of items was overwhelming. Sometimes the boxes would stay unopened for a…
Hemophilia 24/7
— Cazandra Campos-MacDonald
Rev. Cazandra Campos-MacDonald is a pastor, author, motivational speaker, and encourager. She lives in New Mexico with her husband, Rev. Dr. Joe MacDonald, and youngest son, Caeleb. Their adult son, Julian, is living the bohemian life of a starving artist and goes wherever there is an audition. Her sons live with severe hemophilia A and inhibitors. Her older brother died shortly after birth due to complications from hemophilia. Cazandra writes candidly of raising two sons with a rare bleeding disorder. She believes storytelling is about redeeming the journey and connecting with others.
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The sound of a tape gun gives me anxiety. There’s the quick pull of the tape from the roll, followed by its crinkling as it’s pressed onto the box’s flaps. The serrated blade bites down and tears the tape cleanly, the cardboard often giving a faint, hollow thud beneath the…
Is it starting again? Is hemophilia about to take over my world? For more than seven years, my family has enjoyed life with hemophilia in the background. My youngest son, Caeleb, is 15 and has severe hemophilia A with an inhibitor. His early years were filled with complications that led…
My family was involved in a car accident. An afternoon to the movies turned into phone calls to the police, 911, and the insurance company. Left behind by a reckless driver, I am grateful that two witnesses came forward. Having never been in an accident, I hope this is my…
My youngest son, Caeleb, is a sophomore in high school. Being with his marching band “people” makes him very happy. Caeleb plays the trumpet, but he also plays the synthesizer in the percussion pit (which performs from the sideline) during marching season. I am grateful for the band director’s…
Every family member has a role. Parents usually assume the roles of providers and nurturers, making sure their children have a roof over their heads, food to eat, and plenty of love. Siblings each bring their unique personalities to the home. Some are playful and fun-loving, while others may be…
I enjoy Sunday mornings. As a United Methodist pastor, I lead worship and love on my congregation. However, one of my favorite parts of the morning is my commute. My youngest son, Caeleb, comes with me to church. He is responsible for the video recording and sound each Sunday.
I have carried a pocket calendar since my junior high school years. I recently came across an old calendar from 10th grade. Pictures of playful puppies were on the cover, and ticket stubs were tucked inside the sleeve. I was overwhelmed by memories of my younger days and the happiness…
Sometimes, conversations lead me to reveal that my boys have hemophilia. It is usually a harmless conversation without any agenda. However, I am not always sure how to reply when someone tells me how sorry they are to hear that my boys have an illness. It often depends on…
Spiral notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, and highlighters make my heart happy. These items signal the beginning of the school year. I have fond memories of buying new pencil boxes and the perfect backpacks for my sons. I always look forward to taking them shopping for school supplies. Now that my…
As a parent, it is my responsibility to help my sons become productive, compassionate, caring individuals. My oldest son, Julian, is 25 and working to complete his college degree. He is on the cusp of transitioning to a new phase in life. In less than a year, he will…
My son Caeleb begins his sophomore year of high school in a few weeks. Before school starts, he will participate in summer band. Summer band was a highlight of my high school days. Even marching outside in the heat was fun because working with a tightknit group to put on…
My youngest son, Caeleb, is embarking on a new adventure and studying for his driver’s test. Once he earns his permit, we’ll take him to the church parking lot for practice. Caeleb is thrilled at the thought of driving to school and band rehearsals. He is growing up and realizing…
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