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,…
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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Whenever I’m on social media, I find myself questioning everything. Is that picture real or made by AI? Is this headline accurate? Are these videos genuine? I mostly stick to following family and friends, though I do enjoy dog videos. When it comes to messages from strangers, I’m pretty cautious.
I attended the Hope for Hemophilia conference last weekend and met some wonderful people. I delivered a keynote address and shared my story of raising sons with hemophilia and holding on to hope. It was a special experience and I am grateful for the opportunity. The day after…
When my oldest son was diagnosed with hemophilia, it did not take long for my husband and I to start researching. More than anything I wanted connection. We found our local bleeding disorder chapter in Houston and began the journey with these amazing people. I was excited to…
“I wish that I were normal,” my mighty warrior Caeleb said as we returned from his recent orthopedic appointment. I looked at him and chuckled. “Son, there is no such thing.” I didn’t mean to make light of his comment, but the truth is that “normal” is something that…
I am a big list maker. Each day I start with a list of tasks that I need to accomplish. I find it gratifying to cross through each item once I’ve completed the job. Grocery lists, errands, and meal ideas are some of the elements on my agenda. I also…
Dear Friend, We live in a world where people want to help each other. I know you mean well, but there are a few things I need you to understand. When I tell you that my son is having a bleed and is in pain, don’t feel sorry for me.
Organizations such as the Hemophilia Federation of America and the National Hemophilia Foundation provide the bleeding disorder community with a wide array of resources, support, and platforms to connect with others. The National Hemophilia Foundation held its annual meeting recently, and I watched as friends in the…
Last year was difficult for my mighty warrior Caeleb. Moving to a new school in a town where everyone knows everyone is not something you wish for as an incoming seventh-grader. This year was better until I discovered that a couple of boys were bullying Caeleb and he did not…
My 13-year-old son, Caeleb, is a victim of bullying. This school year had a better start than the previous one until a couple of boys decided to pick on my mighty warrior. Name-calling and lies are hurtful, but at least words don’t leave marks on our bodies. But when…
My mighty warrior, Caeleb, has been in great health for the past five years. Five years of the occasional ear infection, strep throat, or allergies, but no bleeds. In the community where we’ve lived for the past 15 months, my son is seen as a regular eighth-grade boy. Many know…
My 13-year-old son Caeleb has had five years without experiencing any bleeding episodes. He developed an inhibitor at 11 months old, which is still active. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that he has been in such a good place with his health in recent years.
The start of a new school year is one of my favorite times. It smells of new pencils and crayons, lunchboxes, and my favorite, spiral notebooks. It’s a season of new beginnings, and when you have a child with hemophilia, you need the adults who will be teaching them…
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