Over the past few years, my youngest son has developed pain in joints that were damaged by internal bleeding episodes. As a result, he struggles some days to walk due to an arthritis-like ache. His hematologist prescribed the medicine Celebrex (celecoxib) to help with inflammation, which decreases…

Loneliness in marriage is a controversial subject, and one often discussed in a negative light. But in my marriage to my husband, Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, it’s a feeling that often creeps in whenever he’s stuck in bed due to a severe bleeding…

With all the issues surrounding the new coronavirus, I can’t help remembering about 15 years ago when we faced the possibilities of a medical shortage in the bleeding disorders community. A shortage of factor VIII meant that many in the hemophilia population faced a lack of medicine to…

Earlier this week, my youngest son, Caeleb, and I parked my car and walked to the financial aid office at the University of New Mexico, where he’s a freshman. As we walked, we talked about him registering for the spring semester. He expressed concern that he wouldn’t get into the…

As summer begins, the MacDonald family continues a great tradition of visiting a local museum every Friday. We started at least 12 years ago when my oldest son, Julian, graduated middle school. Caeleb, my youngest boy, continues our special ritual and looks forward to exploring the many things that…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has scheduled its inspection of the facility in California where BioMarin Pharmaceutical would produce the gene therapy Roctavian (valoctocogene roxaparvovec) if it’s approved. The agency is reviewing a biologics license application (BLA) from BioMarin that seeks approval of Roctavian to…

As a pastor, I often greet parishioners at the church door. I want to share meaningful words of assurance, but unfortunately, I must move from one person to the next in a quick, almost rapid-fire progression to avoid holding up the line. In-depth conversations, which I dearly love, must wait…

My adult son is 22 and living at home. He will be moving to a neighboring city next month and will go back to college in the fall. He was recently hired at a coffee shop and has been commuting the 90 miles one way about four days…

Bleeding disorders affect everyone, male or female, no matter how old you are or where you are in the world. If left untreated, bleeding disorders can lead to serious consequences, and may even cause death. Bleeding disorder patients in developing countries do not have any support from their governments in regards to necessary care. In fact, they may not even get help when it comes to being diagnosed. Unfortunately, these conditions often affect children, who needlessly suffer through all the awful symptoms of a bleeding disorder,…

As a woman of faith, I look for God in various places. I experience God in a beautiful sunset, a phone call from a dear friend, or even in the middle of a struggle. Walking a labyrinth is one of my favorite places to connect with God. A labyrinth…