I recently asked my husband, Jared, who has hemophilia, a this-or-that question: “Would you rather have many insignificant bleeds several times a month, or big bleeds several times a year that keep you bedridden for an entire month?” Jared chose the former, and I agreed. As a busy mom and entrepreneur,…

An internal investigation conducted by Ferring Pharmaceuticals into its recently recalled desmopressin nasal spray formulations found an issue with the tightness of the bottle seal. Measures taken to prevent recurrence of the issue will affect the availability of the products through at least 2023.

In past columns, I wrote about moments of absolute hopelessness — no more prevalent than the times when hemophilia reared its ugly head in my sons’ lives. There were many instances when powerlessness dominated my thinking as one of my sons screamed out in pain because he felt…

There is no shame in raising the white flag when caregiving challenges become too taxing. The white flag, an international symbol used when someone seeks a truce or ceasefire, usually is the last recourse after a long list of possibilities has been exhausted. For a parent or caregiver, it…

One thing that struck me over the head when I became a parent was an awareness that I bring my whole self to the table. When treating bleeds and other surprises, I show up with what I know — no more, no less. I cannot respond to my child beyond…

Rap sessions are common at bleeding disorder conferences. During these group discussions, people come together to talk about similar interests, such as a new diagnosis in the family, inhibitors, or what it’s like being a hemo parent. Facilitators help the participants ask questions of one another and have meaningful…

After an entire year of getting little exercise, I’ve finally decided to work out again. I’d gone several months without much physical activity, so I’m starting with jump rope fitness for body conditioning. So far, everything’s good. I’ve had to rearrange my schedule quite a bit and take more time…

Many years ago, friends told me about a workshop they attended, which addressed newly diagnosed patients with bleeding disorders. As they talked about the class, I agreed with everything I heard until one of the facilitators said that with a new diagnosis comes a sense of mourning. “Yes,” I…

My youngest son, Caeleb, recently turned 15. A celebration with his favorite dinner accompanied by homemade chocolate-peanut butter cheesecake ushered in another year filled with goals and dreams. After Caeleb blew out the candles, he looked up and said, “In three years I’ll be out of the…

“Motherhood is messy. And challenging. And crazy. And sleepless. And giving. And still unbelievably beautiful.” — Rachel Martin For me, motherhood is all of these things that blogger and author Rachel Martin suggests it is. Quite often it is tiring. Every day, I have a lengthy to-do list to…