Learning to embrace imperfection after 10 years with my husband
My favorite band, Fall Out Boy, has a song titled “The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years).” Now that I think of it, my husband, Jared, and I celebrate 10 years together this April.
HemoWife — Alliah Czarielle
Alliah Czarielle, 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
Our child’s graduation was a celebration of our family’s wins
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…
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Advocating for mental healthcare is important to me as a ‘HemoWife’
As a “HemoWife,” I’ve become intimately acquainted with the intricate dance between physical and mental health. In recent columns, I’ve delved into the journey of navigating my husband Jared’s hemophilia alongside my…
My 30th birthday came with heightened anxiety
As my 30th birthday approached, I found myself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. Unlike my husband, Jared, who greeted his own 30th with gratitude for another year of life, I was consumed by…
A mindful ‘body scan’ can be a powerful pain-relief tool
My husband, Jared, and I have been binge-watching “House” lately. Watching this mid-2000s medical drama as a couple living with chronic and mental illness is a fascinating experience, since we’re no strangers…
My ‘firefighter mode’ helps when responding to emergencies
I’ve always had a naturally good “firefighter mode.” As a child, I was inventive and resourceful. If I accidentally left my homework at home, I could do it over in minutes. In high school,…
My husband is becoming skilled at self-administering factor infusions
It’s infusion day again! Pens, inks, and assorted notebooks leave our bedroom work desk to make room for a makeshift medical setup. Medicine vials, alcohol swabs, and needles take their place. For my husband,…
As a caregiver, I can’t be at my best if I’m not getting enough sleep
As I sit at my computer, fatigue seeps into my bones. The intense heat here in the Philippines, combined with the side effects of my new acid reflux medication, amplifies my exhaustion. Mild tension…
My husband’s efforts to understand the health issues of others
As someone living with hemophilia B and epilepsy, my husband, Jared, has faced numerous health challenges throughout his life. From medical tests to hospitalizations, he’s endured his fair share of pain and…
It pays to be mindful of the zero-risk bias in daily life with hemophilia
In our quest for security and certainty, it’s only natural to gravitate toward options that offer zero risk. Think about it: When you purchase insurance or opt for a product with a money-back…
Rediscovering a song that reflects our living with hemophilia
I’ve written here numerous times about my love for the American pop-punk band Fall Out Boy. Since discovering them in 2007, I’ve been a huge fan of not just their music, but…
Musing about cosmic irony helps my husband cope with hemophilia
Irony manifests in diverse forms, but cosmic irony captivates me the most. This literary device suggests that the universe possesses a sense of humor, purposefully orchestrating situations contrary to expected outcomes. This often…
Dealing with loneliness during my husband’s bleeding episodes
Loneliness in marriage is a controversial subject, and one often discussed in a negative light. But in my marriage to my husband, Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, it’s…
