Last week, my wife, Cazandra, my youngest son, Caeleb, and I attended the annual meeting of the Hemophilia Federation of America, held in San Antonio. The grassroots, national organization promotes the health and well-being of those who manage chronic bleeding disorders. While attending the conference, we engaged with…

I sat in a hotel ballroom with hundreds of people who gathered to pay tribute to their loved ones. The names and pictures of the dearly departed appeared on giant screens at the front of the room. Many people had their cellphones ready, anxiously waiting to capture the image…

This past week my adult son, Julian, made a decision that I didn’t like. I wanted badly to tell him how I felt and that his choice may not be in his best interest. I don’t think it’s essential to mention what he did as much as my reaction to…

Osteoporosis and other bone disorders are more common in hemophilia carriers than in the general population, according to an analysis of U.S. insurance data. Its researchers also found a higher rate of bone problems among people with von Willebrand disease (VWD), another inherited bleeding disorder. “This study highlights the need…

I’m diligent about oral healthcare. I use an electric toothbrush, floss every day, and visit my dentist every three months. My reasons for this diligence are many, but mostly I am afraid of bleeding from dental procedures. Mouth and gum bleeding are common for those living with von Willebrand…

I often tell people to check my refrigerator if they want to track the development of hemophilia care in my family. For example, when my sons were small, the medicine they required, factor VIII, took up a full refrigerator, requiring us to buy a second one. As for other…

Hemophilia B patients who switched to Rebinyn (nonacog beta pegol), an extended half-life factor IX (FIX) replacement therapy, had similar or better responses than with their previous standard or extended half-life FIX replacement therapies, a real-world study in Canada suggested. The study, “Switching to nonacog beta…

“Demi-normal.” It’s a term I’ve coined to describe how my husband, Jared, and I both live with chronic illness. Most people are familiar with the prefix “demi-,” meaning “halfway,” “almost but not quite,” or “to an inferior degree.” For instance, a demigod‘s status is above man’s, but…

My older son, Julian, and I share many interests. We are both musicians and sing the same voice part, lyric tenor. Many people who hear us sing together tell me that it’s difficult to determine who’s singing. Our voices blend as if they’re one instrument. Genetics has a lot…

There are moments in our lives that are seared into our memories. Some of those in my life include getting married, giving birth, starting a new job, and bringing my now-husband to meet my family. One vivid memory is when my obstetrician told me that I would soon know more…