Hot news: It’s the story of the birthday bruise
Some people get birthday blues. Jared got a birthday bruise. So we found ourselves heading to a café to get some birthday brews. — A rhyme by yours truly My husband, Jared, celebrated his…
HemoWife — Allyx Formalejo
Allyx Formalejo, or Cza, is a writer, entrepreneur, and digital marketer based in Marikina, Philippines. She is married to Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder. They have a young daughter and two other “babies” — a dog and a cat. Cza herself is diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar II disorder. This allows her to offer a unique perspective on navigating various aspects of young adult life (e.g. relationships, career, and parenting) with chronic health conditions. In her free time, she enjoys collecting fountain pens, supporting small businesses, traveling across the country, and exploring local cafes. She continues to blog like most 90s kids did in the Internet’s early years, sharing her thoughts and interesting discoveries on her personal website, czaofalltrades.com.
Featured Post
Even with hemophilia, it’s possible to have high standards for love
People often assume that loving someone with hemophilia — and in my husband’s case, epilepsy, too — must come with endless patience, unshakable optimism, and the kind of soft, gentle pity we reserve…
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For my husband, video games and the hospital went hand in hand
My husband, Jared, often spent his childhood navigating two very different worlds. In one, he was a regular kid with big dreams and boundless imagination. In the other, he was a young boy living…
Age is a great equalizer when it comes to health woes
When my husband, Jared, was younger, he was “the sick child.” With severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, he stood out like a sore thumb — or a rare gem. In any…
Why my husband prefers manual wheelchairs instead of electric ones
My husband, Jared, lives with severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder. Despite these challenges, he’s active in ways that many people wouldn’t expect. He swims, lifts weights, and plays badminton. He can…
How ADHD benefits me as a caregiver to my husband
At age 28, I received a diagnosis that changed the way I saw myself. Learning that I had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) felt like a missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place. Suddenly, everything that…
What do people with hemophilia actually need?
When someone we love is diagnosed with a chronic illness, our instincts often compel us to search for solutions: stricter routines, healthier diets, more discipline, or the willpower to push through. While self-help culture…
How to support a loved one with chronic illness
Living with someone who has a chronic illness has taught me much about perspective — both my own and that of others. While being married to someone who has hemophilia and epilepsy, I’ve…
Embracing the holiday hustle and bustle in our own way
While the holiday season brings excitement, it also creates unique challenges for families like ours who are managing chronic conditions. My husband, Jared, has severe hemophilia B and epilepsy, and I have attention-deficit/hyperactivity…
Understanding the nuances of hemophilia bleeding
After a decade of living alongside my husband, Jared, and his severe hemophilia B, I’ve learned that not all bleeding is as straightforward as it may seem. Bleeds vary widely, not just in…
For my husband, it’s harder living with epilepsy than hemophilia
When people hear about epilepsy, they often picture sudden, dramatic falls, frantic efforts to keep the person safe, and looming threats of injury. For my husband, Jared, these are indeed valid concerns. “What…
The benefits of pride and dignity, for people with disabilities in particular
I’ve lately come to realize that pride and dignity are core values in my life, profoundly influencing my sense of self and my interactions with others. Although pride is sometimes seen as a negative…
How hemophilia influenced my husband’s need for validation
Living with hemophilia involves more than managing physical symptoms. It comes with mental and emotional challenges, too. My husband, Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and epilepsy, has spent much of his…
