Jadan’s LAST DAY of CHEMO: Friday, October 3, 2025: “Wanna ring the bell?”

03 Oct 2025 Leave a comment

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

It was a day of gratitude and relief. Jadan’s last day of this 12-week chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer is over. We have been looking forward to this day for a very long time. Personally, I feel exhausted. I have also been emotional off and on all day. I am focusing on the ‘good’ or ‘positive’ of having cancer. I acknowledge that with Jadan’s cancer being curable, we are so fortunate. And I celebrate this. At the same time, we have met so many beautiful people during treatment who are in for the long-term journey. There are so many people from every background, culture, age, gender, etc. Cancer does not discriminate; it takes anyone, as we know too well.

In preparation for today, Jadan and I planned a few tokens of appreciation for our excellent nurse care team. We thought it would be a good idea to replenish their stock of Jolly Rancher hard candies, so they got a 3-lb bag. I had no idea they came in such large quantities. Jadan requested that they each get Soulgardener earrings and a custom pen.

We also included watercolor paints, Be the Change stickers, and a pocket notebook. Health care workers can experience burnout, chronic grief, and compassion fatigue, which can affect the nurse-patient relationship. The time we spent with the nurses only reiterated how vital and essential their work is and how essential acknowledging their key role in healing for all patients is. Words cannot express our gratitude. Health care professionals, especially our nurses, are heroes. They are true Soulgardeners of humanity.

Last but not least, Kevin, Vanny, and Subi ran to Dunkin’ Donuts for some tasty treats for our nurses. Everything was a big hit! Jadan’s nurse put on her earrings and was delighted with her pen.

Jadan’s treatment started at 9:15 am and finished a little past 1 pm. Everything went well.

As we approached the final chemo med infusion, Jadan’s ‘robot shot’ was attached to his abdomen. This device will administer the medication to boost his white blood cells 27 hours after the cisplatin. And yes, this is the last time he will have this done. Yay!!!!

When Jadan’s port was flushed, there was slight nausea, but overall, it was okay. As the nurse removed the Huber needle, she asked, “Wanna ring the bell?” His reply was, “Oh, yes, I want to ring the bell.”

We have been waiting for this for 12 weeks.

Enjoy!!!!

Day 4 of Last Week: Thursday, October 2, 2025: “ONE MORE DAY!!!!”

03 Oct 2025 Leave a comment

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Jadan has made it to the second-to-last day of chemotherapy. Today was the first day we noticed the flip calendar on the counter. Funny how we don’t notice things and then see them as something new. After helping Amanda change the date, he received his words of encouragement and was welcomed to his chair. Even with the excitement of being so close to the end of treatment, he struggled with nausea.

Once again, we were grateful for our very attentive and caring nurse who helped Jadan avoid feeling sick during the Huber needle placement and flushing. Jadan’s vitals are always checked first thing, which was great.

The next task is to visit the blanket oven for a warm blanket to snuggle with. One of the side effects of treatment has been shakiness. Having a blanket on the shoulders or lap helps.

FUN FACT: I checked to see if our little soulgardener was still watching over us, and he was! So cool! He has been there since our first week of treatment. I didn’t expect the little guy to stay there the whole time. It’s very cool that he’s still here!

Overall, today was better than the first few days of treatment. Jadan still experienced off-and-on nausea, but was able to go mindfully still which helped keep getting sick at bay.

We had a visit from Jadan’s doctor toward the end of the day. We learned that he will have another CT scan in about a month. This will be a baseline scan that will help us as we move further into navigating his cancer. Keep in mind that Jadan’s tumor was mixed, 80% treatable with this therapy and 20% only treatable with surgery. What we don’t and still don’t know is the type of cancer that spread to his lymph nodes. The baseline could give us more information on that, but may not. The doctor said it takes time to see the results of chemotherapy. We were relieved to learn his scan will be sooner rather than later.

Mobi welcomed Jadan home. He waited patiently while Jadan was in treatment. All the animals seem to know when he doesn’t feel well. They surround him with snuggles, which is perfect comfort as he prepares for the last day of chemotherapy.

Art for Day 4: Inspired by patience in times of difficulty

“When calamity striketh, be ye patient and composed. However afflictive your sufferings may be, stay ye undisturbed, and with perfect confidence in the abounding grace of God, brave ye the tempest of tribulations and fiery ordeals.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

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.

Day 2 of Last Week: Tuesday, September 30, 2025: “I”m good!”

02 Oct 2025 Leave a comment

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

Day 2 started with words of support, encouragement, and nausea. Jadan’s handwritten love messages on his medical bracelet are a necessity now. They are just a small reminder of how much he is appreciated.

It continues to be challenging to see him suffer. He has moved ‘into’ himself these last two days. From the outside, watching is hard. According to Merriam-Webster (2025) suffering is “to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it”. And when ‘Abdu’l-Baha was asked, “Does the soul progress more through sorrow or through the joy in this world?” he replied, “The mind and spirit of man advance when he is tried by suffering. The more the ground is ploughed the better the seed will grow, the better the harvest will be. Just as the plough furrows the earth deeply, purifying it of weeds and thistles, so suffering and tribulation free man from the petty affairs of this worldly life until he arrives at a state of complete detachment. His attitude in this world will be that of divine happiness” (Paris Talks, p.178). Jadan is a perfect example of how he is commtted to choosing positive thoughts during his last week of treatment. Every time his nurse asks him how he is doing, he says, “I’m good!” even when he is struggling. His strength is an inspiriation.

When nausea hits, a cool wash cloth helps. He tends to get warm and by cooling him down, it helps take the focus off not feeling well. He is still sensitive to the smells of the saline, steroid and chemo meds. The nurses are always coming up with new approaches to navigating the smell difficulties. During the third session, the nurse offered to take out the Huber needle that connects to the port after every infusion. This is still being done and continues to help Jadan not only with deceasing the med smell, but also allows him to shower and sleep more comfortably. A new approach he is trying is having a Jolly Rancher hard candy during the connection of the Huber needle and saline flush. It has helped him have more control over the queasiness. I appreciate the creativity and continued effort of Jadan’s nurses to problem solve his side effects. We are so close to completing his treatment. As Jadan says through out the day, “I”m good!”. Yes, he is.

Today’s art is dedicated to the powers of the mind: attention, thinking and memory. The video is a project that was included in a recent presention on how attention, thinking and memory serves information processing in human life span development. The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well-being. The Zentangle Method is enjoyed all over the world, across a wide range of skills, interests and ages. You will need paper, pencil and pen. If you want to add color, water color or colored pencils will do. Enjoy!

Round #3: Day 4: Thursday, September 11 – “In the fire…”

16 Sep 2025 Leave a comment

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

Deciding to change out the port dressings after each treatment has helped. Jadan still has difficulty with the chemo smell, but it has lessened with the bandage removed daily. It is interesting how the smell can immediately trigger nausea. He can even taste the saline when his port is flushed at the beginning and end of the daily infusions. The powers of the human body is fantastic.

One of his nurses shared how some of her past patients associate nausea with seeing her. The association is powerful. I love how his nurses are always exploring ways to help him in any way they can. We are grateful for their constant creative approaches to solving these issues. I can’t imagine not having the care and support of his care team.

Jadan moved through Thursday with his nausea and a growing feeling of relief knowing that he is getting close to the end of his chemotherapy. After every session, I watch the nurses gather all the medication bags from the stand. It is a daily reminder that Jadan’s body is enduring not one side effect of the chemo, but many, including fatigue, nausea, hair loss, potential hearing damage/loss, and a compromised immune system, all at once. His strength is awe-inspiring.

The stress of Jadan suffering from nausea this week has taken its toll on all of us. A deep feeling of exhaustion has set in, and it’s been difficult to concentrate on school and life. The day ended with a brief outing to Green Jeans Food Hall, one of my favorite spots to get crispy veggie tacos with green chili and lime. It is also a time to sit outside and appreciate the beauty of Albuquerque and prepare for Friday’s last day of this week’s chemo treatment.

Prayer-inspired art for Day 4: The Fire Tablet by Bahá’u’lláh, revealed in 1871, in the prison-city of ‘Akká, Israel.

Round #3: Day 3: Wednesday, September 10: “Strong and Stinky”

11 Sep 2025 Leave a comment

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

Cisplatin

Treatment continues. In between not feeling well from treatment side effects, Jadan managed to figure out how much platinum he would get during his entire treatment. The cancer-killing drug is cisplatin, which damages the DNA of the cancer cells, inhibiting their growth. Jadan calculated that he would get 468 mg or 0.016 ounces overall. Another fun fact is that Jadan’s favorite molecular geometric shape is a square planar, precisely cisplatin’s shape. He appreciates its symmetry and kite-like design.

During chemo week, Jadan gets his treatment from 9 to 1 p.m. daily. During this time, I am able to study and work. We found this portable desk last week, which has made all the difference. I now have a pop-up office next to Jadan.

Jadan continues to suffer from the cancer medication side effects. He has become sensitive to light and has started wearing a mask as he rests. One of his go-to approaches to managing his nausea is music. Earbuds are a must.

Toward the end of the day, the chemo smell continued to cause nausea. With the nurse’s help, he considered removing the access tube and dressing his port. She thought it was a great idea. Having it removed would eliminate some of the smell and also free him up for a shower. She assured him that they can do this every day if needed. On our way out, we determined that Jadan was both strong and stinky, strong in the sense that he is making it through a difficult and challenging health crisis, and stinky because he smells like chemo treatment.

Day #3 Art inspired by the ocean.

O wayfarer in the path of God! Take thou thy portion of the ocean of His grace, and deprive not thyself of the things that lie hidden in its depths. Be thou of them that have partaken of its treasures. A dewdrop out of this ocean would, if shed upon all that are in the heavens and on the earth, suffice to enrich them with the bounty of God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. With the hands of renunciation draw forth from its life-giving waters, and sprinkle therewith all created things, that they may be cleansed from all man-made limitations and may approach the mighty seat of God, this hallowed and resplendent Spot.

Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 279-280

Chemo Round #3: Day 2 : “Happy B-DAY Vanny!”

11 Sep 2025 Leave a comment

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

How can it be???? Vanny is 19 years old!

Last Sunday, we celebrated early with a family dinner before the start of chemo week. On Tuesday, September 9th, Vanny opened a few gifts before school. She got a cute little Grub squishy, a character from the Holo Knight game. Also, Jadan got the knight from the game—together, they make delicious eye candy for Subi, who thinks anything stuffed is for her. We also plan to do a little birthday outing after chemo week. Between school and treatment, our schedule is not only back-to-back but exhausting.

Amanda warmly welcomed Jadan during check-in. Once again, he received an inspiring handwritten message: “When you have exhausted all possibilities…Remember this: YOU HAVEN’T!” These words couldn’t have been more appropriate. Feeling powerless to help has been the theme for this week. From Monday to Tuesday, Jadan lost two pounds as a result of being sick. He typically gains weight from fluids, and the steroid increases his appetite, but not this week. After speaking with Jadan’s nurse and in agreement with Jadan, we decided to try a CBD tincture to help with nausea. We’ve had a crash course in Cannabis education from a local business recommended by Jadan’s doctor. The CBD tincture does not include THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana that produces a high or addictive properties. Overall, with the increase in treatment side effects, we are hopeful and grateful that there is another option to help alleviate Jadan’s suffering.

Jadan is sporting his ABQ-inspired socks!

Additional ways in which Jadan is helped through pain through foot massages and healing touch holistic healing modalities offered by Jadan’s nurse. Another nurse suggested he try acupuncture as a way to help with the nausea. Implementing healing art modalities contributes to the mind-body-spirit integrative approach to managing the stress caused by cancer and the treatment. According to the care team, the treatment for Jadan’s cancer is effective, with a full recovery expected. Ensuring Jadan’s mental well-being and emotional well-being will allow for sound decision-making and empower him to fill his thoughts with positivity. As we strive to strengthen his spiritual well-being, “Supplication to God at morn and eve,” which Abdu’l-Bahá states, “is conducive to the joy of hearts, and prayer causes spirituality and fragrance” (Baha’iquotes.com).

Day 2 Art inspired by Beauty

The New Mexico sunset captivates and inspires beauty and awe.

“I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy Beauty that shineth forth above the horizon of eternity, a Beauty before which, as soon as it revealeth itself, the kingdom of beauty boweth down in worship, magnifying it in ringing tones, to grant that I may die to all that I possess and live to whatsoever belongeth unto Thee. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.” Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh

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: Thursday, August 21: Day #4 and LAST DAY (of round #2)

23 Aug 2025 Leave a comment

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

Thursday started out with nausea. Even when not feeling well, Jadan ate breakfast before heading to treatment. Vanny and Subi said farewell as Kevin dropped us off at St. Joseph’s Square.

It was lovely to get a new message from Amanda, the clinic’s receptionist. It was poignant and very timely.

This week has been very challenging. It was the first time Jadan’s favorite chair wasn’t available in the clinic. Jadan chose a new chair next to the nurses’ station. Throughout the day, the nurses paid him extra attention and took fantastic care of him. However, his hand shaking increased off and on during the day. Vitals were monitored, which all showed normal. The shakiness was similar to the first few days during the first round of treatment, when the steroid was at 12 mg. Since then, it has been lowered to 4 mg, which he receives every day during treatment.

One of the challenges for a person going through chemo is trying to figure out what causes the effects that show up. Even though Jadan’s treatment is known to cure his cancer type, each person reacts uniquely. Jadan decided to try some food from the cafeteria to help with the nausea. Happily, they had a perfect cup of grapes, cheese, and crackers. They also had a chicken salad that hit the spot. After lunch, his shakiness lessened.

It is shocking to see so many empty IV bags during each day of treatment. The cancer-killing drugs, etoposide and cisplatin, are being given back and take about an hour each.

Once the last medication had finished, the nurse disconnected the tube and flushed his port. He was finished for the day.

After spending some well-deserved time at home resting and taking his anti-nausea medication, Jadan started to feel better. We ended the evening by the pool.

LAST DAY of ROUND #2: Friday, August 22

It was another morning of feeling nauseated. Subi was extra cute as she snuggled with Jadan’s bear. Jadan woke up early and had some breakfast, trying to fight off not feeling well. He was determined to work through the chemo’s side effects, which continued throughout the day.

Before treatment starts, Jadan’s nurses always take his vitals. Today, his temperature was elevated to 99.7. Chemotherapy reduces the body’s ability to fight infection. If Jadan has a fever of 100.04, we will go to the ER as a precaution to fight a possible infection. Hearing his temperature had increased was a concern. Fortunately, our nurse opted to take a second temp with an oral thermometer, which showed a more accurate reading of 98.7. It was a relief that he was okay and good to continue his treatment. It was also a lesson learned to keep a closer eye on him from now on.

I am impressed and in awe of Jadan’s strength. He spent most of the day feeling sick, working on his differential equations homework, eating, and resting. Once the last medication was finished, it was time for the robot shot to be applied to his tummy. This medication will be administered 27 hours after treatment is finished, which should be a little after 3 pm tomorrow. After two minutes, the device beeped and deployed the needle into Jadan’s tummy. Then his nurse gave the okay to head home.

After a rest at home and some more food, Jadan felt well enough to head to UNM to meet his math instructor. Similar to Jadan’s Physics professor, his differential equations instructor has offered to meet with him one-on-one for personal class lectures weekly.

I sincerely appreciate the dedication of his instructors in helping Jadan succeed in his courses. Their commitment to teaching is an inspiration.

The University of New Mexico has several libraries. As we walked to his math instructor’s office, we passed the Centennial Science & Engineering Library, Jadan’s favorite spot to study. I am confident that he will continue to be inspired by his instructors as he navigates the difficulties experienced on his cancer journey.

Days 4 & 5 ART

Witnessing beauty during times of difficulty can bring hope and peace. I noticed a new rose blossoming in the morning light. A quote from ‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to mind, “Sterile soil will produce nothing, even if the cloud of mercy pours rain upon it a thousand years. We must make the soil of our hearts receptive and fertile by tilling in order that the rain of divine mercy may refresh them and bring forth roses and hyacinths of heavenly planting. We must have perceiving eyes in order to see the light of the sun. We must cleanse the nostril in order to scent the fragrances of the divine rose garden. We must render the ears attentive in order to hear the summons of the supreme Kingdom. No matter how beautiful the melody, the ear that is deaf cannot hear it, cannot receive the call of the Supreme Concourse. The nostril that is clogged with dust cannot inhale the fragrant odors of the blossoms. Therefore, we must ever strive for capacity and seek readiness. As long as we lack susceptibility, the beauties and bounties of God cannot penetrate.”

Round #2: Days 2 & 3 “Have fun stormin’ the castle”

21 Aug 2025 Leave a comment

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As Kevin dropped us off for Day 2 of Chemo Round #2, we heard, “Have fun stormin’ the castle“, before Subi drove away. If you didn’t recognize that line, it is from the classic movie, The Princess Bride. It seemed to work well since St. Joseph’s Square looks very castle-like.

Check-in for treatment went quickly, and Jadan began his day with flushing the port and a saline drip. One bit of good news we forgot to share was that his LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) blood work levels went down to 170. This level is now sitting in the middle of the normal range. Jadan’s first blood test showed his LDH was over 700. It is helpful to know the LDH level because it “is proportional to the mass of tumor cells” (Zaher, p.143). While important, it is not the only way to identify the tumor burden. Overall, it was exciting to see his LDH move to a more normal range.

Since school started, Jadan has spent time familiarizing himself with courses and studying. However, he was still feeling slightly nauseous. The nurse reminded him to take one of the meds that prevents nausea every six hours to stay ahead of it. Once he felt better, it was time to eat and have a foot massage.

At one point, I stepped outside to pick up food for Jadan. I remembered I had left a soulgardener in a tree at the front of the building during our first week of chemo, and I was pleased to see it was still there. I am eager to see if it has found a permanent home. On our last day of chemo during the first week, we handed out tokens of appreciation to our nurses, which included soulgardeners. We are so grateful for the care team staff, especially the nurses who are responsible for the well-being of their patients. They are beautiful and true examples of Soulgardeners – those who tend to the care and well-being of others.

We had the pleasure of spending time with Dave and Anya on Tuesday evening. After resting, Jadan was able to hang out and play Go with Anya. Both are highly skilled at that game, even though they haven’t played much. It’s been difficult to be away from family during chemo and recovery weeks. The dinner choice was sushi and miso soup from Shogun, another fantastic Albuquerque restaurant. This was also the place Anya picked to celebrate her birthday last December.

I remember it like yesterday. Laurie ordered the veggie tempura roll, which was new to me but has become one of my favorites, and Anya ordered her cucumber sushi roll and miso soup. Of course, she enjoyed opening her birthday gifts.

I am grateful for all the time we spent together. Too precious.

It is amazing how fast time passes, especially during treatment days. Day 3 started out very similarly to the previous days, except Jadan was still nauseous and tired this morning. Once at treatment, the med infusions go by quickly, especially when there is studying to do.

Chemo and Vanny’s classes started at 9 a.m. It worked well to drop Van off for school and then head to St. Joseph’s. And, of course, Subi was thrilled to ride in front with Jadan.

As Day 3 of chemo came to a close, and to avoid the unfavorable smell, Jadan sniffed his lavender oil. We were out a little early today, giving Jadan time to rest before heading to UNM. One of Jadan’s professors offered one-on-one time to review class lectures. He is committed to helping Jadan succeed in learning during his cancer journey. Jadan will meet with him weekly in a safe environment.

What an extraordinary educator!!!!

Next week I’ll bring homemade chocolate banana bread. For those of you who have had some, you know how yummy it is. I am grateful that Jadan has so many people who support and care for him. Thank you!!!

Days 2 & 3 Art inspired by Beauty of Nature

I had the gift of observing a new behavior in a local hummingbird. I believe this is a female Anna’s hummingbird. As she was feeding on the flowers, she started rubbing her head all over, inside and outside the flower. It was beautiful and fascinating!

Prayer for Aid and Assistance:

O Thou Whose face is the object of my adoration, Whose beauty is my sanctuary, Whose habitation is my goal, Whose praise is my hope, Whose providence is my companion, Whose love is the cause of my being, Whose mention is my solace, Whose nearness is my desire, Whose presence is my dearest wish and highest aspiration, I entreat Thee not to withhold from me the things Thou didst ordain for the chosen ones among Thy servants. Supply me, then, with the good of this world and of the next.

Thou, truly, art the King of all men. There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

Bahá’u’lláh

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