The Unique MacDonald Family Vocabulary
Every family speaks their own language. Mine certainly does. It is like a secret code that is unbreakable outside of our house, used to inform family members how we feel about an issue or event. It is done…
In the Twinkling of an Eye
— Joe MacDonald
Rev. Dr. Joe K. MacDonald is a pastor in the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Cazandra, live in Belen, New Mexico, along with their youngest son, Caeleb, and two fur babies, Laggie and Hildie. Both of Joe’s sons (the oldest is Julian) have severe hemophilia A, factor VIII deficiency. Julian was diagnosed in 1996 and Caeleb in 2006. Joe serves on the Board of the Sangre de Oro Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation. Joe’s goal is to help his sons and others in the community use their voices to help improve the quality of life for those with bleeding disorders.
Featured Post
Watching my sons form a new friendship with each other
Last week proved a time of celebration in the MacDonald house as my oldest son, Julian, came home to spend a few days with our family before going to Big Bend Ranch State Park for the summer. He successfully…
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Why Am I So Angry?
In past columns, I discussed my frustrations when anger rears its ugly head out of the shadows of my consciousness and takes hold of me. It isn’t pretty, nor is it the best choice to make.
Removing Port Number 7
This week, we will consult with the surgeon who will have placed and removed six of my son’s seven port-a-caths. There will not be an eighth foreign object in “MacDonald the Younger’s” body, as it will not…
We Will Continue to Rebuild Our Lives
February 2014 proved to host the last bleed “MacDonald the Younger” faced thus far. The treatment plan created by our Hemophilia Treatment Center worked like a charm, and in the twinkling of an eye, the storm subsided…
This Is Way Beyond My Understanding
My youngest son, wife, and I just returned from an appointment with our hematologist concerning plans for treatment. In the twinkling of an eye, our worlds changed. We will move to a new procedure requiring an…
There Is Lifesaving Wisdom and Care in the Hemophilia Community
Thank goodness for the great friendships that we forge along the way. Those of us who live with chronic illnesses learn the most about caring for our loved ones from those who are in our communities. While…
It’s Not Our Fault!
Those of us who either have caregivers or serve as caregivers for others with chronic illness know what it is like to feel as if we are the cause of our loved one’s affliction. We may think…
Resolutions to Keep All Year Round
We are in the middle of January and some of the resolutions we promised to keep just a couple of weeks ago already seem to be fading away. Our intentions were wonderful and our commitment admirable. So…
What Is in a Name?
Many of us have names that represent legacies and traditions handed down from generations past. My mom named me after my grandfather’s brother who died when he was 11. I often think of him and wonder if I…
Our Greatest Masterpieces
Last year, I traveled to Chicago and saw the masterpiece “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte.” The artist, Georges Seurat, captured a beautiful scene utilizing a technique known as pointillism. Each dot contributes to the…
When I Have Nothing Left to Give
I’ve spent several nights in the hospital with my son, and I play tag with my wife. It is her turn to trade duties with me. I leave the medical center and head straight to the church,…
Memory is Necessary to Move Forward
The MacDonald home celebrates this Christmas season with a little more excitement than those holidays of the not-so-distant past. My youngest son’s health is the best it’s ever been, and we are in an excellent place. We…
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