In past columns, I discussed my frustrations when anger rears its ugly head out of the shadows of my consciousness and takes hold of me. It isn’t pretty, nor is it the best choice to make. I wasn’t prepared to handle the overwhelming emotions that came over…

In my home these days, hemophilia is like a family member who stops by for a fleeting visit — just long enough to say hello and give a quick hug, but not long enough for a cup of coffee. I hadn’t dared to dream that this situation would…

This week, we will consult with the surgeon who will have placed and removed six of my son’s seven port-a-caths. There will not be an eighth foreign object in “MacDonald the Younger’s” body, as it will not see port number eight. His treatment does not require access, and…

When you become a parent, your world instantly changes. Your life focus becomes the child that you have brought into the world. When your child has a chronic condition, the game changes dramatically. Not only are you concerned about the regular milestones that your child may or may…

All of the items I own are covered with breast milk; it’s on my clothes, bedsheets, even my phone. Its subtle sweetness occasionally attracts ants in the same way it appeals to my baby. I find the human body amazing for producing this miracle substance…

Hemlibra (emicizumab), the sole approved prophylactic treatment for hemophilia A, is now available to patients in developing countries via the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) Humanitarian Aid Program after Roche and its subsidiaries Chugai and Genentech joined the program. The donation will provide access to Hemlibra for…

Clinical data from the ongoing Phase 2/3 trial data evaluating MarzAA (marzeptacog alfa activated) in patients with Hemophilia A or B with inhibitors continues to demonstrate the treatment’s potential to prevent bleedings. The most recent trial results were discussed at the 12th Annual Congress of the European Association for Haemophilia…

February 2014 proved to host the last bleed “MacDonald the Younger” faced thus far. The treatment plan created by our Hemophilia Treatment Center worked like a charm, and in the twinkling of an eye, the storm subsided and our quality of life improved drastically. What we didn’t…

As I write this, I’m bedridden from a bleed in my right hip. I’m learning what it means to have both hemophilia and a baby girl. Although I could see this bleed as a spirit-breaker, I’m readjusting, and I’ll be better prepared for episodes like this in the future.

The following is a group activity I like to do in some of the workshops and presentations that I give. Each person has 16 slips of paper and I ask them to write something on each slip. One category is the four most important people in their lives…