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 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.

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

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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

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

23 Aug 2025 Leave a comment

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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

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

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

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

Chemo Day 5!!!! “Oh, by the way, you will have bone pain.”

02 Aug 2025 Leave a comment

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

Wahoo!!! Jadan made it to Day 5 of his first week of chemotherapy. It was a pretty good morning. So far, Jadan’s appetite has been demanding. And he has done exceptionally well with his meals. After enjoying a beautiful morning, Jadan gave Subi some goodbye snuggles.

We were excited to see Amanda, one of Jadan’s new best friends, and her special message, which couldn’t have been more perfect for our last day of chemo: “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship!” If you didn’t know, Jadan LOVES watching the weather, especially storms.

Anytime we see clouds starting to build, Jadan narrates the process and what to expect. Over the last year, we have had some really great storms. The sky seems to open up and drop all the water at once. Jadan will sit on the front porch or walk in the rain, enjoying the beauty. During our last storm, I spent some time outside and was thrilled when I heard the rain hit our metal roof. It sounded like a rain stick! So cool!

On his way to the chemo chair, he ran into Howard, his pharmacist. After hearing about Jadan’s night, he mentioned that if Jadan decided not to pursue Physics, he could study to become a pharmacist. He thinks Jadan would excel at “being a legal drug dealer.” Howard has an incredible sense of humor and an excellent bedside manner. We have appreciated the time he spent coming over and checking in on how Jadan is managing with his chemo meds. He is a very thoughtful guy!

As Jadan worked through his nausea from the steroid, I read out loud the Lawḥ-i-Karmil (The Tablet of Carmel) from Baháʼu’lláh. This tablet is a charter for establishing the world spiritual and administrative center of the Baháʼí Faith on Mount Carmel. I am especially fond of this tablet. Two years ago, while traveling in Israel, Laurie, Anya, and I read this tablet out loud on Mount Carmel while visiting Deir el-Mukhraqa Carmelite Monastery. It is truly a blessed spot.

Once his steroid was administered and his light nausea passed, it was time to read, eat, and get a foot massage. He had the munchies for quite some time. Once again, the lunch of choice was hashbrowns and tortillas from Frontier Restaurant, one of Albuquerque’s most iconic and famous places to eat.

We also had a visit from Jadan’s doctor. He’s been watching Jadan closely this week and was very pleased with how well he’s been doing—especially on day 5. His overview of the week was super positive. Before he left, he said, “Oh, by the way, you will have bone pain,” as he referred to Jadan’s Neulasta, an on-body-injector for Saturday’s med. This drug will stimulate the growth of white blood cells in his bone marrow, which are essential in fighting germs. However, patients have experienced intense bone pain as a side effect of this process. Dr Purdy shared his hopes that Jadan may not have any pain since he is young. His injector is set to administer the dose 27 hours after the completed chemo treatments. Since the center isn’t open on Saturday, they stick the injector into his abdomen, which will give the dose shortly before 4 pm Saturday. Once administered, it can be removed. I’m calling it a robot shot.

As Jadan wrapped up for the day, his nurse flushed his port, removed the needle, and gave him the okay to head out. Lavender oil has helped him with the chemo smell. As each med is changed, there is a strong smell. Smelling lavender during this procedure keeps the nausea away.

As we were leaving, Dr. Purdy’s nurse stopped by with some super cool chemo merch. Subaru (yes, the car company) and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society partnered to create a soft, cuddly blanket that lives in a heart-shaped zipper pillow. Who knew a blanket could be so cute?

And guess who LOVES it? Yup – The Subi! She thinks it belongs to her.

Fun fact: Did you know the word Subaru is the Japanese word for the Pleiades star cluster? That is why Subaru has stars as its logo, and it is how Subi got her name.

Chemo Art day 5: I am grateful for all the Soul Gardeners who translate their love into inspired acts of love. I am especially thankful for all my family and friends’ love, support, and prayers.

As we move into the next phase of Jadan’s first of four sessions, all are invited to include the Long Healing Prayer in your prayers over the next two weeks. The music by Elika Mahony, complemented by the ocean sounds, immerses our souls in the ocean of healing.

Chemo Day 4: “Never trust your fears, they don’t know your strength”

01 Aug 2025 Leave a comment

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

It’s day 4 of chemo, and Subi was not going to let Jadan leave without her this morning. She had a lovely ride to the hospital, cuddling in Jadan’s lap. With only one more day to go, it will be a relief to complete the first of four weeks of chemo. Jadan is doing very well, considering how many different medications he is taking. We are still dialing in specifics on types of medication and dosages. I have deep respect for all those who are on his care team. I have learned that treating this cancer is difficult due to its nature and is unique to the individual. I appreciate how Jadan’s nurse constantly evaluates and analyzes his reaction to treatments to ensure he feels as well as possible.

We were looking forward to seeing Amanda at check-in. Jadan received his words of encouragement and support on his bracelet, and I learned that Amanda writes each message by hand at home after a full day’s work.

As I reflected on Jadan’s message, the video Armed by Devon Gundry came to mind. Armed was inspired by a prayer from the Bahá’í Writings, where a soul is protected by the power of God’s Name. Rather than focusing on fear, one focuses on the power of Divine Beauty and Knowledge through the world’s spiritual educators.

This theme seemed to resonate throughout the day. Jadan had another wonderful visit from the pharmacist, who reminded him to pray for healing. He also brought Jadan a thoughtful gift: an 11-page section of The New York Times from 1996, “Themes of the Times…Physics,” covering an assortment of topics, such as the mass of the universe, neutrinos, ice shelves melting, and lightning above storm clouds.

Jadan had already been studying the Law of Transformation of Velocities before his gift; what perfect timing!

One of the challenging side effects of treatment has been smell. He gets frequent whiffs of chemo meds. His nurse suggested essential oils and patches to help fill his sense of smell with frankincense, lavender, and peppermint. One thing that helped this afternoon was green chili from lunch. Each time he smelled chemo meds, he took a sniff and a sip of his green chili. It was a total success!

Chemo Day 4 art was created in gratitude for green chilies and a caring, kind, and skilled health care team that provided a ‘blessed spot’ for Jadan and patients to heal.

“Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.”

Baháʼu’lláh, Baháʼí Prayers

Chem Day 3: “Now, might be the time to pray”

31 Jul 2025 Leave a comment

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

“Now, might be the time to pray,” according to our pharmacist. We had a lively and insightful visit from our pharmacist this morning. We understand from his advice that it’s time to pray for healing. Day 3-4 is when symptoms may become more severe. Fortunately, since Jadan’s steroid dosage was lowered, he has been doing very well. No shakiness or chills. And he has been doing very well with meals. Today, the doctor added a new anti-nausea medication to help offset the lowering of the steroid. Jadan has responded very well to that also.

One surprising bit of information we learned this week was related to Jadan’s cancer stage level. Jadan was asked to sign a paper acknowledging the medications they were administering – that is where he saw he was at stage 3b, with the highest stage set at 3c. I am grateful for the life-saving science and attentive care Jadan is receiving.

At home, the Subi and Po have been paying closer attention to Jadan than normal. We think they know something is going on. Subi couldn’t understand why she didn’t get out of the car with us this morning. And then this afternoon, Po gave him a funny look. Perhaps he was wondering where Jadan was all day. Now that Jadan is home, everyone seems to be happier.

One thing I appreciated during today’s treatment was how hard each nurse works to care for their patients. It is obvious that they care deeply for each person they serve. One of the pros of chemo treatment is making new friendships with those serving in the healthcare field. The nature of chemo calls for many visits, which provide endless opportunities to get to know the staff. It feels like we are in a different world where the societal ills that typically take precedence in everyday life may become a point of conflict and anxiety, and are not the center of the universe. Rather, what is truly important is the sincere care, attention, support, and encouragement given to each person as they strive with heart and soul to live a life full of health and wellbeing.

During today’s treatment, Jadan decided that tonight would be the night for a dynamic change. One of the side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss within the first week of treatment. It was inspiring to see Jadan embrace the beauty in being bald. And WOW, he rocked the “Bald is Beautiful!” Didn’t he?

Ta-Dah!!! Game on Cancer! He is already looking forward to a scalp massage.

Chemo Day 3 Art:

Today’s art is about gratitude for being present in the moment and being the change by imbuing thoughts and actions with love. Tangles, such as Bales, Flux, Fescu, and Orbs, embellished the word ‘BE’. You are invited to create your “BE” art inspired by gratitude.

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.

Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh     

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