In the Twinkling of an Eye
— Joe MacDonald

For many years we tried to overcome my younger son’s reaction to factor VIII. No matter which medical product we tried, we ended up with the same results. He would break out in hives early in the infusion.

I was with my son in a store recently when a coloring book for adults caught my eye. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have given it a second glance. But what made this one special was the title on its cover:…

There is never a time that I do not worry about my sons. “MacDonald the Older” is 23, but not a day goes by that I do not feel concern for his welfare. The phrase “don’t do anything stupid”…

In my experience, raising two children with a chronic illness includes the usual worries that parents and other primary caregivers often face. It also creates issues that directly address medical needs and concerns related to treatment. For instance, not…

My wife and I were trying to find the perfect gift for one of our favorite people. We needed to find a bow tie, but not just an ordinary, humdrum kind. It must have a road map from one…

Last week, I did something I never dreamed I would do: I taught “MacDonald the Younger” how to ride a bike. At 13, he is considered a senior statesman in our neighborhood. Other children learn at age 5 or…

When my son “MacDonald the Older” took over his care, I celebrated his accomplishment. “MacDonald the Younger” would not reach independence until many years after his older brother did, but reducing oversight of infusing to one child proved liberating.

One issue that faces many families with chronic illnesses is lengthy hospitalizations. The entire household is affected by the disruption in schedule and routine. Life changes drastically for everyone involved. The child in the hospital must spend precious…

I work as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. One of the many challenges of participating in a denomination that calls ministers to move quite frequently in an itinerant system is the continuous upheaval regarding medical care. For…

The other day, I picked up “MacDonald the Younger” from hemophilia camp. I enjoyed the trip through the mountains. The air felt fresh as I grew anxious to see my son. I wanted to hear all about his…

Living with a chronic bleeding disorder brings a whole new set of words into our vocabulary. Around my house, when it is time to infuse, we say, “Hey guys, its time to get liquored up.” While that may sound…

I often wonder what my sons feel when they are in the middle of a bleeding episode. Both boys tell me that a bleed into a joint or muscle feels like needles constantly stabbing into the skin. The…