For years, long periods in the hospital proved challenging for my family. My youngest son, Caeleb, required many extended stays because of breakthrough bleeding episodes related to hemophilia. We often tried to find ways to break the monotony of the sounds of medical machinery that frequently rang and…
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Saying no has always been a challenge for me. I tend to overcommit, take on too many tasks, and then feel resentful toward the people or activities I didn’t want to engage with in the first place. For instance, I’m now on my condo board because I couldn’t say no…
My youngest son, Caeleb, and I recently visited the Ted R. Montoya Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) for his yearly checkup. This appointment was his first to the treatment center since turning the magic age of 18. Before leaving the house, we discussed what he should expect as a newly…
Picture this: I’ve finally settled down for some peace and quiet with my wife. I’m holding a nice glass of wine, and she’s sitting in her favorite rocking chair. Our two boys have found refuge in their bedrooms, and all seems right in the world. I turn to Cazandra…
I cannot stress enough how profoundly heavy menstrual bleeding can impact everyday life. Imagine needing to find a bathroom nearly every hour, seven days a week. It can make certain career choices extremely challenging and disrupt daily activities, including school and athletics. When I was young, I didn’t realize my…
For the last two weeks, my family has celebrated a significant milestone for my youngest son, Caeleb. He graduated high school and now looks forward to life as a college freshman. My boy is excited about this new adventure. While I’m grateful that he celebrated a mountaintop experience, I…
Good mental health is crucial for caregivers of people with chronic illnesses. As a wife to someone with severe hemophilia B and epilepsy, I’ve seen firsthand how mental health matters to both patient and caregiver. I have to balance my husband’s needs with my own physical and…
Equipping yourself with knowledge is crucial for advocating for your hemophilia B healthcare, especially if you want to ask your doctor about trying a new treatment like gene therapy.
A pastor in the United Methodist Church agrees to participate in an itinerant system, in which a governing body, the Cabinet, moves clergy to where their gifts and graces are needed. I’m serving my fourth church at the First United Methodist Church of Belen, New Mexico, where…
Last month, my husband, Jared, and I enrolled our daughter in a new school. She’ll start kindergarten in a few months, which marks the beginning of mandatory schooling here in the Philippines. Although her current school is decent and she’s a beloved student there, we felt she might thrive more…