My 18-year-old son, Caeleb, is an artist. When he starts talking about colors, a lengthy conversation will ensue. Now in college majoring in digital arts, he’s passionate about his field, and his love of color runs deep. Art has been a saving grace for Caeleb, who lives with severe…
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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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…
Imagine a large pickle jar, the kind you might see at a movie concession stand filled with pickles. But inside this otherwise empty jar sits a large ball that’s pressing against the sides and all but filling it. Then imagine that this ball symbolizes grief. Many believe that…
I was honored to speak with my husband last week at the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation‘s annual Bleeding Disorders Conference, held this year in Atlanta. It was a memorable experience to share our story with fellow community members. While I’ve spoken at conferences nationwide for many years,…
“Be prepared.” Scouts around the world have this motto ingrained in their hearts. While I was a Girl Scout for only a short time, this practice remains essential to me. I look ahead and consider the numerous ways a situation may manifest. As the mother of two sons with…
I live in the high desert of New Mexico, where we have over 300 days of sunshine each year. It’s a perfect place to hike, bike, climb, and run. The beauty of this place is undeniable. Yet despite all its splendor, I often find myself yearning for the storms.
My son Caeleb recently started college. He’s enjoyed the beginning of school and appreciates the flexibility of his schedule, but there’s one problem: his mobility. Caeleb lives with severe hemophilia A with an inhibitor. Persistent bleeding into his right knee and ankle resulted in irreparable damage and…
I’m trying to accept that my youngest son, Caeleb, is a college freshman. People say that time flies by, and we should enjoy our children when they’re little. Those people are right. As my son begins college, I’m apprehensive. I long for the days when I’d go into school before…
One of my favorite movies is “Galaxy Quest,” a comedy that parodies and pays homage to science fiction films and TV. In it, the cast members of a cult series much like “Star Trek” are drawn into an interstellar conflict by real aliens who think the series is…
As a woman of faith, I look for God in various places. I experience God in a beautiful sunset, a phone call from a dear friend, or even in the middle of a struggle. Walking a labyrinth is one of my favorite places to connect with God. A labyrinth…
Game shows have experienced a resurgence in recent years, captivating audiences with their blend of entertainment, competition, and nostalgia. I’ve always liked game shows, especially those involving trivia. In “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,” contestants answer multiple-choice questions; if they’re correct, they advance to the next level, with…
The Summer Olympics are around the corner. Gymnasts there will soar through the air with grace and precision, showcasing incredible feats of strength and flexibility. Athletes will push their limits, running at record speeds, demonstrating the peak of human endurance. Divers will climb to dizzying heights, performing acrobatic feats as…
Raising sons with hemophilia is like being a blacksmith forging a sword. The blacksmith shapes a piece of metal that needs careful, skilled effort to become a sharp and strong sword. Each blow of the hammer represents the challenges brought by a bleeding disorder. The process is arduous and…
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