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,…
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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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 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,…
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…
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