Hemophilia 24/7
— Cazandra Campos-MacDonald

I grew up in a mostly white suburb of Houston. My dad, who was of Mexican descent and had dark skin, spoke English as his second language. He worked hard, went to school, and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Texas. He became…

I have two dogs, Laggie and Hildie, that are a mix of border collie and Australian shepherd. They’re 5 years old and came from the same litter, even sharing the same sac, which is pretty rare. Laggie looks more like a border collie, while Hildie takes after the Australian shepherd…

I use Spotify to listen to my favorite podcasts, audiobooks, and music. Downloading what I like is simple, but there’s another fun part: the app makes playlists based on what you listen to. One recent playlist really surprised me. The playlist Spotify picked for me was called Oldies Mix.

The swimming pool was the best place to be for a young girl growing up in the hot Texas summers. I’d hand over my crumpled dollar at the counter and spend the whole day there. After a quick shower, I’d grab my face mask, towel, and snack bar money, then…

At work, I’m the second-oldest on my team. With our ages ranging from mid-20s to early 50s, we each bring different life experiences. I’m always interested in hearing the Gen Z and millennial women share their stories. As a Gen X person, I sometimes do things that remind me of…

I struggle with something that affects me on every level — spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It’s called perfectionism. My perfectionism started when I was a kid. I used to rearrange my room all the time, making sure everything was in its place. A tidy space made me happy. As a…

I spend a lot of time in the hospital, but not for the reasons most people think. As a hospice chaplain, I sit with patients who are nearing the end of life. It is a privilege to be with their families and friends as they prepare to say goodbye. The…

As we approach our one-year anniversary in our home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, I want to spend more time on our beautiful, shaded back patio. We just got a new flat-top griddle, which works like a big cast-iron skillet. It’s great for everything from eggs and pancakes to veggies…

I love margherita pizza. Fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil on a thin, crispy crust, especially when it’s made with cauliflower, taste amazing. My favorite restaurant adds banana peppers, which make it even better. Last Friday, I suggested pizza for dinner, and the hardest part was deciding whether my…

Certain moments stay with me forever. I remember walking down the church aisle with my dad toward my future spouse, the scent of my babies when I first held them, and the bishop’s hands on my head as I knelt among my fellow clergy during my ordination as a…

Packing my lunch is necessary because my schedule as a hospice chaplain can change quickly. I keep food and drinks in an ice chest in my car because it can get hot here in New Mexico. When I get a call to see a patient whose passing is imminent, time…

Watching gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Olga Korbut in the 1976 Olympic Games inspired me to do front rolls in my backyard. I knew back flips and aerial twirls weren’t in my reach, so I set my sights on mastering the cartwheel. But it was never to…