Day 3 of Last Week: Wednesday, October 1, 2025: “Surrounded by Beauty”

02 Oct 2025 Leave a comment

by lanikamal in Jadan's Cancer Journey Tags: , , , , , ,

Fall in Albuquerque is stunning. The previous owners of our home planted a large portion of the yard with Maximilian Sunflowers, which have exploded with beauty. I’ve been going outside every day after returning from Jadan’s treatment. I am captivated by the vibrant colors, their movement in the breeze, and all the life that can be found on the flowers. Immersing myself in beauty helps me navigate the feelings and emotions of Jadan’s cancer journey, as well as help me grieve the loss of Laurie. Seeing flowers bloom and the shimmering sunlight between the flowers and leaves in the trees inspires hope and purpose.

Day 3 started better than the first two days of Jadan’s treatment week. We were a little slow getting ready due to fatigue, but his nausea felt more under control. Jadan has been doing a great job taking his anti-nausea meds before treatment. This seems helpful, along with additional approaches to help with the side effects of the chemo meds.

FUN FACT: On a side note, the kids saw the new Superman movie a few months ago. I heard them talking on and off about it, but didn’t pay too much attention. It wasn’t until I saw it that I realized what they were saying. Evidently, Jadan could be the doppleganger for the Lex Luther character. All Jadan needs is a black coat, and he is all set for Halloween.

We are looking forward to being able to see family more often once treatment is over. It will also be exciting to have family and friends visit.

Wrapping up day 3 was a little rough due to nausea. The highlight was when Subi welcomed Jadan with puppy kisses. She loves going on car rides, especially when they involve picking up the kids.

Jadan has successfully completed day 3 of his last week of chemo. We are getting very excited to complete this treatment and move forward in life.

Day 3 Art is inspired by beauty:

“How wondrous is the unity of the Living, the Ever-Abiding God — a unity which is exalted above all limitations, that transcendeth the comprehension of all created things! He hath, from everlasting, dwelt in His inaccessible habitation of holiness and glory, and will unto everlasting continue to be enthroned upon the heights of His independent sovereignty and grandeur. How lofty hath been His incorruptible Essence, how completely independent of the knowledge of all created things, and how immensely exalted will it remain above the praise of all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth!

From the exalted source, and out of the essence of His favor and bounty He hath entrusted every created thing with a sign of His knowledge, so that none of His creatures may be deprived of its share in expressing, each according to its capacity and rank, this knowledge. This sign is the mirror of His beauty in the world of creation.“

Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 261.

September 2, 2025: The power of love…

02 Sep 2025 1 Comment

by lanikamal in Jadan's Cancer Journey Tags: , , , , , ,

New Mexico sky where living in art is real.

We have begun the second week of taking a break from chemo treatment. Monday, September 8th, will be the first day of Jadan’s third round of chemotherapy. As Jadan progresses through treatment, he has experienced an increase in fatigue and nausea. Managing both can be challenging at times. He continues to immerse his soul in playing guitar and piano. I am instantly filled with gratitude when the house is filled with Jadan’s piano music, especially in the mornings.

Jadan has also been deep diving into his courses: Physics 3, Differential Equations, and piano. His instructors remain available outside regular class time to help accommodate Jadan’s immunocompromised health. When Jadan attends lectures with professors, he wears a mask. Kevin and Jadan often work on problems together at the dining table. I also benefit from Jadan’s learning by being taught formulas and equations that explain reality in space and time. Truly a gift!

Handcrafted bear in turquoise and silver. It symbolizes protection, courage and strength and serves as a spiritual guide.The bear’s qualities are reflected in the Heartline, which illustrates the life force and inner strength of a warrior’s heart.

In a time when so much is unknown about Jadan’s health and the future, one truth infuses us with strength of purpose—the power of love. Love has taken the form of prayers, emails, letters, thoughtful packages, cookies, time with family and visits from friends, bringing soft, cuddly reminders of friendship. Words fall short in expressing how grateful we all are for the continued love and support. The love expressed by family and friends reminds Jadan (all of us) that we are not alone. One of the side of effects of grief and experiencing any form of loss is feeling alone. Symbols, signs and tokens of love give us hope, courage and serve as reminders to persevere in times of tests and difficulties.

Cookies from a dear and precious family.
Anya appreciating beauty in nature.
Jordan and Evelyn bringing tokens of love.
August 30, 2024 – Celebrating last day of radiation treatment.

Being immersed in the power of love reminds me of Laurie and her steadfast courage during her 30 days of radiation treatment. One year ago from August 30th – last Saturday – we surprised her with the biggest balloon we could find. I remember hiding outside, waiting for her and Dave to come out. Several passerbys were hoping they were the recipients of the giant rose balloon and flowers. It is hard to believe so much as changed in such little time. It feels like we lived a lifetime in a year.

Art inspired by love, beauty and knowledge found in nature:

Say: Nature in its essence is the embodiment of My Name, the Maker, the Creator. Its manifestations are diversified by varying causes, and in this diversity there are signs for men of discernment. Nature is God’s Will and is its expression in and through the contingent world. It is a dispensation of Providence ordained by the Ordainer, the All-Wise.— Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Hikmat

Round #2 Chemo: Day 1 “Any pain today?”

19 Aug 2025 1 Comment

by lanikamal in Jadan's Cancer Journey Tags: , , , , , ,

Over the last week, Jadan’s strength returned, and his overall well-being improved. In preparation for the upcoming semester, we shopped at the UNM Bookstore and had lunch across the street at Frontier Restaurant. This started today, the same day we went back to chemo.

Once again, Subi was confused about why she couldn’t join us as we exited the car during drop-off. As she spent the day with Kevin, Jadan got settled into his chemo station as the nurse flushed the port and inserted the Huber needle, the needle that feeds medication into Jadan. Happily, Jadan remembered to apply his numbing cream to the skin over the port. There was no pain as the needle was inserted.

Going into the second chemo session, we figured he was at 95% and was ready to do whatever was needed to fully recover. On Monday, August 18, the nurse asked, “Any pain today?” and Jadan replied, “Nope. No pain at all.”

The usual routine followed: saline, anti-nausea meds, and the two cancer-killing drugs, etoposide and cisplatin. We continue to monitor his hearing to avoid side effects of hearing loss from the cisplatin. I am happy to report that no changes have occurred. It was also time to visit the cafeteria. Jadan continues to enjoy hashbrowns with salt during his treatments, especially when getting his steroid meds. The key is to get breakfast snacks before the cafeteria closes at 10 a.m. for an hour as they prep for lunch.

The remainder of Round #2: Day 1 of chemo went by fast. Jadan was finished by 1 p.m. with no unwanted issues. Once home, he started to feel the effects of the chemo: nausea, shakiness, and fatigue, which lasted the afternoon. It was challenging to find food that he was able to eat. Some of his cravings were tomatoes, miso, and sushi, which he enjoyed.

I was pleased to see he was feeling well enough to meet Subi and me at the park. The skies were filled with dynamic, moody clouds. Experiencing Albuquerque is like living in a beautifully created artwork. We were grateful for the cooler temperature and welcomed the possibility of rain.

Round #2: Day 1 Art: Prayer for Healing

Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy.  Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion.  Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come.  Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Baháʼu’lláh