All Episodes

May 19, 2024 • 6 mins
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted (Suleika Jaouad)
Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BTMJ2RG?tag=9natree-20
Read more: https://mybook.top/read/B08BTMJ2RG/

#SuleikaJaouad #cancermemoir #resilience #selfdiscovery #lifeaftercancer #healingjourney #livingwithillness #BetweenTwoKingdoms

These are takeaways from this book.

Firstly, The Diagnosis: Beginning of the Journey, The initial diagnosis of leukemia marks a critical turning point in Jaouad's life, introducing her to a realm of uncertainty, fear, and the immediate realization that her life would never be the same. This section explores the shock and turmoil that comes with facing a life-threatening condition at a young age. Through Jaouad's introspective recount, readers witness the emotional and psychological battle that ensues alongside the physical one. It delves into the themes of vulnerability, the loss of control over one's body, and the acute sense of mortality that pervades the patient's consciousness. This narrative is not just about the sickness but also about the seismic shifts in identity, relationships, and aspirations that diagnosis triggers.

Secondly, The Battle: Between Hope and Despair, In this part of her journey, Jaouad navigates the grueling terrain of cancer treatment, oscillating between hope and despair. This section uncovers the brutal reality of chemotherapy, the loneliness of hospital stays, and the constant battle against slipping into despair. Readers are given a front-row seat to the physical and emotional toll that prolonged medical treatment can exact on one's spirit. However, it's also a testament to human resilience. Jaouad's narrative weaves through her moments of vulnerability, her fight to cling to hope, and the small yet significant victories against her illness. This topic not only reveals the harshness of the battle against cancer but also highlights the flickers of hope that guide one through darkness.

Thirdly, The Interlude: Life in Remission, Emerging into remission is another pivotal moment in Jaouad's memoir, presenting both relief and a new set of challenges. This section reflects on the concept of survivorship and the complexities of navigating life after cancer. It discusses the physical scars and the deep psychological impact of having battled a life-threatening disease. Jaouad touches on the struggle to reconcile her pre-cancer identity with who she has become, the fear of relapse, and the quest to find meaning and purpose in her second chance at life. This interlude in her journey sheds light on the seldom-discussed aftermath of survival, the difficulty of adjusting to 'normalcy,' and the ongoing process of healing.

Fourthly, The Journey: A Quest for Healing, In an effort to reclaim her life and identity, Jaouad embarks on a cross-country road trip, which becomes a symbolic journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. This section focuses on the transformative power of travel and introspection. As Jaouad encounters different landscapes and people with their own stories of struggle and resilience, she reflects on the lessons learned from her battle with cancer. This journey is not just a physical one but an emotional and spiritual quest to find peace, understand suffering, and rediscover joy. It is a powerful illustration of how venturing into the unknown can facilitate profound personal growth and healing.

Lastly, The Realization: Living in the Present, The culmination of Jaouad's memoir brings forth the realization of what it truly means to live. This section encapsulates the essence of her journey, highlighting the newfound appreciation for life that often comes from having faced its potential end. It discusses the importance of living in the present, embracing vulnerability, and finding beauty in the mundane. Jaouad's reflections on her experience illustrate the transformation from merely
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.