Living with hemophilia and epilepsy has shaped much of my husband’s life — but fatherhood transformed it. Before our daughter was born, Jared, my husband, already carried the weight of two chronic conditions. He’d long made peace with a life of calculated risks, limited physical activity, and the unpredictability…
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.
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When people think about hemophilia, they usually think of joint, muscle, and sometimes soft-tissue bleeds. But one of the most dangerous complications occurs elsewhere: the brain. My husband, Jared, had a brain bleed as a child. It’s the kind of event people often imagine as…
My husband, Jared, lives with hemophilia B and a seizure disorder. He also lifts weights, performs bodyweight workouts, and swims. Now and then, someone will see him doing laps in the pool and ask, “Are you a professional?” To which he responds, “No, the water just loves me more.
When my husband, Jared, was growing up, people in his community didn’t always speak kindly about mobility aids. Crutches, wheelchairs, and canes were often seen as signs of helplessness, things you turned to only when you’d run out of options. That perception stayed with him well into adulthood. He did…
My husband, Jared, has been performing his factor infusions for his hemophilia B for over three years now. In that span of time, he’s learned so much — not just about veins, syringes, and technique, but also about his body and his limits. Infusing factor IX has become…
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be an expert. In my work as a virtual marketer and strategist, the word gets used all the time. People in my profession are expected to act like we know exactly what we’re doing. We’re told to speak with…
I recently stumbled across a passage on social media referring to relationships: “If you want a garden? Take care of it. You want love? Love them.” Something about those simple words struck a chord with me. Instinctively, I forwarded it to my husband, Jared. “This is exactly why I’ve been…
I’ve been writing about life with my husband, Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and epilepsy, for many years now. In doing so, I’d often refer to myself as a caregiver in passing. But here’s something that might surprise you: This column is the first time I’m openly…
Last weekend, our daughter graduated from kindergarten. As she proudly crossed the stage, I found myself reflecting on how far we’ve come — not just in terms of our child’s academics, but as a family living with hemophilia. As she received her diploma and later danced through musical numbers…
Sometimes I hear other women joke about their husbands being their “extra child,” and I can’t help but nod in understanding. Living with Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, means I occasionally slip into caregiver mode with him, too. But here’s what might surprise you:…
Life had been running smoothly for a while. No major bleeds, no medical scares — just the comforting rhythm of our daily routine. But as life with hemophilia goes, that peace was bound to be interrupted at some point. It came this time in the form of a…
Life when you’re married to someone with severe hemophilia B often feels unpredictable. One moment, everything seems fine, and the next, a spontaneous bleed or unexpected health concern throws everything into chaos. Over the years, I’ve learned to stay on high alert, always ready to shift gears at a…
I made it to the Manila Pen Show here in the Philippines, and I couldn’t be happier! There’s something deeply satisfying about being in a space filled with fellow enthusiasts, surrounded by exquisite writing instruments and vibrant bottles of ink. For me, collecting fountain pens is more than just a…
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