This morning, I took my 16-year-old son, Caeleb, to physical therapy at Carrie Tingley Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He continues to experience recurring pains from past internal bleeding episodes in his right knee and ankle. The goal is to find the source of the pain and a…

Last week, I visited an outstanding church member in a local hospital. When I arrived, I saw a friend in the lobby, looked into her eyes, and knew that something was dreadfully wrong. She explained that her baby suffered unexplained medical issues and required immediate care. Parents whose children are…

Shared decision-making in healthcare was a topic at the National Hemophilia Foundation’s Bleeding Disorders Conference I attended virtually last week. Shared decision-making means you have a voice and your overall well-being should be considered as part of any treatment plan. We think of medicine as a science. But as…

As I entered my son’s bedroom this morning to turn on his light and wake him up, I heard him say a phrase that sent shivers down my spine. Caeleb, my boy, said, “Dad, my ankle hurts.” My first instinct wanted to allow him extra time to get himself together.

A recent news story caught my attention. The report highlighted local athletes who unfortunately sustained injuries while serving in the military. These amazing women and men play basketball, tennis, and several other sports while in wheelchairs. Watching these phenomenal veterans play with determination and the physical prowess of professional athletes…

One recent evening, my wife and I watched our favorite television shows. After the last one ended, the local news came on to give us the latest updates on the day’s top stories. One segment touched me deeply, and I couldn’t help but think back on the many health difficulties…

There’s often a children’s time at church when the kids race up to the front and sit with the pastor, where a message is geared to the children. When my husband leads this moment during worship, he asks questions and even takes the kids on “field trips” around the sanctuary.

As my husband, Jared, and I grow deeper in our marriage, the reality that we will spend our entire lives with chronic illness becomes increasingly clear. Jared has severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, which I learned about when we started dating. Meanwhile, I was diagnosed with…

The pandemic changed the world. From working in an office to working remotely, staying connected through technology, and shopping for necessities online, the world managed to keep moving. I’m grateful for the conveniences and adaptations that are now the norm, but I find there’s still an area where many are…

As I write this, I’m battling my first major cough and cold since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Regular mask-wearing seems to have lowered our chances of getting sick, which is good. But now I’m no longer used to feeling ill. At the same time, my husband, Jared, is bedridden…