Soul Gardening: Jadan's Cancer Journey

According to Dr. Purdy, Jadan’s oncologist, “Bone pain is good; it means you are making white blood cells.” Last Saturday, just before 4 p.m., Jadan’s robot shot successfully administered the medication that stimulates white blood cell growth. One of the side effects of this process is bone pain, which showed up today. So far, he is managing through the pain quite well. Jadan has also been continuing to do well with food, but has different cravings quite often. He has also been feeling strong enough to go on short walks, avoiding direct sunlight due to his medications being light sensitive. However, since Jadan is a walker and loves being outside, I am keeping a close eye on him.

Jadan had an excellent visit from Anya yesterday. She made him the most delicious apple pie infused with love – it even had a heart on top! Apple pie is one of Jadan’s favorite desserts, it couldn’t have been more thoughtful and yummy!

Anya started 5th grade today. Happy back to school, Anya! We are looking forward to the back-to-school picnic in a few weeks.

August 5th marked 6 months since Laurie’s death and 2 months since we learned of Jadan’s cancer. This is how we tell time these days. Our experience with loss and serious illness has redefined our relationship with time. In a way, our current reality feels familiar, like we’ve been here before…we have. And at the same time, we are living a new moment in time that unfolds daily, and as we continue to move through the pain of loss. Kulber-Ross and Kessler state, “The pain of loss is so intense, so heartbreaking, because in loving, we deeply connect with another human being, and grief is the reflection of the connection that has been lost,” which in turn becomes “the healing process that ultimately brings us comfort” as we embrace our love in experiencing the pain of loss. Essentially, if we “avoid the pain of loss,” we would need to “avoid the love and the life we shared” (On Grief and Grieving, p. 203). Another quote that resonates deeply is from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He states, ” To attain eternal happiness one must suffer. He who has reached the state of self-sacrifice has true joy” (Paris Talks, p. 178). Experiencing Jadan’s cancer journey so close to our experience with Laurie’s cancer journey is dreamlike. It is an opportunity to embrace the love found hidden within our grief in losing Laurie, and, at the same time, it strengthens our understanding of purpose and meaning, as we focus on healing and a full recovery for Jadan’s cancer.

According to this morning’s blood test results, Jadan’s white blood cell count looks good. Dr. Purdy is happy with how Jadan responds to the robot shot from this weekend. However, there was some not-so-good news also. One of the side effects of cisplatin is loss of hearing. Cisplatin is the key to curing Jadan’s cancer. Jadan has had light ringing in his ears a few times this week and noticed a slight change in his hearing that comes and goes. In light of this, Jadan will see an audiologist ASAP to test his hearing. Once we learn the results, we will know the following steps, which may include another medication that will require him to stay in the hospital for the duration of his August 18th week-long chemotherapy treatment. More to come on this new development. In the meantime, we are hopeful that his hearing has not been negatively affected and he can continue on his current treatment plan.

Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you to all who sent cards filled with beautiful art, love, and encouragement. Words fall short in expressing our gratitude. I am inspired by Jadan’s courageous spirit and positive attitude. He is committed to being cancer-free and faces each challenge with his zestful smile and determined spirit.

Art inspired by the innate powers and qualities of youth, as stated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá;

“Man’s life has its springtime and is endowed with marvelous glory. The period of youth is characterized by strength and vigor and stands out as the choicest time in human life. Therefore you should strive day and night so that endowed with heavenly strength, inspired with brilliant motives and aided by His celestial power and heavenly grace and confirmation, you may become the ornaments of the world of humanity, and preeminent among those who are initiated into true learning and the love of God. You must be distinguished amidst men by your sanctity and detachment, loftiness of purpose, magnanimity, determination, noble- mindedness, tenacity, the elevation of your aims and your spiritual qualities; that you may become the means of exaltation and glory for the Cause of God and the dawning places of His heavenly bestowals; that you may conduct yourselves in conformity with the counsels and exhortations of the Blessed Beauty—may my life be offered up for His loved ones—and by reflecting Baha’i qualities and attributes, you may stand out distinguished from others. ‘Abdu’l-Baha eagerly anticipates that each one of you may become even as a fearless lion moving in the pastures of human perfection and a musk-laden breeze wafting over the meads of virtue.”