One of our most significant take-aways from chemotherapy so far – Jadan and the steroid medication do not go well together. He has experienced dizziness from the moment he was given it on day 1. His first night’s sleep went okay until 2:40 am. After some time managing, now feeling well, he was able to return to bed only to wake up early for chemo day 2.
This morning was rough – chills, shakiness, and not feeling well.
Our job is to ensure that Jadan does not experience an allergic reaction to the meds. I checked his temperature—it was normal. We were good to head to treatment.
Jadan’s new best friend, Amanda, had a brand new friendship bracelet ready for Jadan during our check-in. Today’s message was spot on. Even though this morning was difficult, the day had significantly improved.
Once settled into his chair, Jadan told his nurse, pharmacist, and doctor how he felt. It was determined that he was not doing well with his steroid dosage, so the dexamethasone (steroid) was moved from 12 mg to 4 mg. I am happy to report that he didn’t experience any more dizziness. Even better, he enjoyed oatmeal and later had a pesto grilled chicken sandwich handcrafted by Kevin (dad).
Between breakfast and lunch, we had time to play Super Mario Bros on the Switch. The screen was so small that every avatar – good or bad – looked like cute little puppies to me. Thanks to Jadan’s patience and guidance, we could free the poplins (citizens of the flower kingdom) imprisoned by the monster Bowser.
During Jadan’s nap, I found a beautiful metal flower that inspired some art. I used the crescent moon tangle in the shape of a flower. The versatility of the crescent moon is endless. The crescent moon tangle is one of the fundamental tangles to learn. It introduces a technique where you mirror or ‘aura’ the shape of the shaded black ‘bump’. Another method used was shading. This gives contrast to lines, creating the illusion of depth.
To create mindful art through the Zentangle Method, please visit Zen with Zeal: Cultivating mindfulness, healing, and well-being. Tutorial videos are linked, and tangle step-outs are shown in the slide PDF for each tangle used in art created throughout Jadan’s Chemo Journey.
Chemo Day 2 art is grounded in gratitude for the power of love.
“Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God’s holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God’s revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind, the establisher of true civilization in this mortal world, and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and nation.“
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 2
Soul Gardening: Jadan's Cancer Journey 