This is a preview of the Shortform book summary of Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad.
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The narrative of Suleika Jaouad details her path from receiving a cancer diagnosis, enduring the rigors of therapy, and ultimately regaining her well-being.

This article outlines the author's intimate struggle as they confront the emergence of cancer, charting the course from initial discovery to recovery, and the unexpected challenges faced along the way.

At 22, the author was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia.

The young author's diagnosis elicited a blend of relief and shock, along with an intense feeling of confusion. The author struggled with enigmatic health issues before being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. She was diagnosed after presenting with symptoms such as oral lesions, persistent fatigue, and various other indicators. A medical evaluation diagnosed her with leukemia, stemming from a rare ailment often affecting older individuals and commonly linked to contact with certain toxic substances, known as myelodysplastic syndrome.

The author withstands an intense regimen of chemotherapy followed by the receipt of a bone marrow transplant.

When she was diagnosed with a failing bone marrow, the author faced a 35% chance of survival and the necessity of undergoing a marrow transplant. The family was deeply relieved to learn that the author's sibling, Adam, was an ideal match for a donor. The author received information from Dr. Holland about the challenging treatment that lay...

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Between Two Kingdoms Summary Healing often entails substantial psychological and emotional impacts that stem from illness.

The diagnosis profoundly altered the author's existence and self-perception.

The diagnosis of a serious illness set the author on a tumultuous journey characterized by grief, trepidation, profound rage, and a sense of profound sadness. For the author, these emotions stem from a significant disruption in her everyday life, making even simple activities like walking around the local produce market into challenging efforts.

The author wrestled with feelings of responsibility and remorse, acknowledging that illness impacts not only the individual enduring it but also their loved ones. Suleika Jaouad's struggle intensifies as she strives to present herself as healthy, thus protecting her family and friends from worry, even though it leads to her own suffering.

The author grapples with deep sadness, fear, intense anger, and a sense of hopelessness as she comes to terms with the changed reality of her existence.

As the author comes to terms with her altered circumstances, she experiences a...

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Between Two Kingdoms Summary Following her confrontation with cancer, the author set out on a journey to discover a renewed sense of direction and purpose.

After her battle with cancer, the author sets out on an important journey to redefine herself and to seek a life filled with purpose that transcends her illness, confronting the complex issues that emerge after her medical care and striving for a satisfying future.

The author was determined to infuse her survival with meaning, making certain that her identity was defined by more than just her health challenges.

The author initiates an online journal to document her journey and establish connections with others battling cancer, endeavoring to infuse her fight for life with meaning and to create an identity that goes beyond her illness. She aspires to do more than merely survive;...

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Between Two Kingdoms Summary Suleika Jaouad engages with individuals facing health issues, bereavement, and various other difficulties in life.

The author explores the deep connections created through shared experiences of illness, as well as the various challenges and hurdles that life presents.

The author establishes connections with a diverse group of people, including those contending with health challenges, as well as individuals who have triumphed over their adversities and those facing different types of hardships.

Throughout the story, the writer finds solace and strength from a community that extends past her close companions, including supportive individuals she meets on the internet, connections forged in healthcare environments, and people she gets to know through shared contacts. People dealing with their own sorrow and psychological wounds find common ground with the writer, offering comfort through considerate care parcels, compassionate backing, and various methods of correspondence including witty emails, social media exchanges, and personal notes that collectively bolster the writer's ability to face adversity.

The author discovers camaraderie and motivation by connecting with individuals who have faced comparable challenges.

Connecting with fellow cancer fighters like Ned and Johnny helps...

Between Two Kingdoms Summary The writer embarked on a voyage that would deeply transform her as she traversed the country.

In her memoir, the author recounts a journey that spanned the nation and profoundly altered her perception of self.

The author's journey by car signifies her pursuit of autonomy and the restoration of her personal identity.

The author grapples with a profound longing for the familiar warmth of her abode while undertaking a solitary expedition that spans approximately fifteen thousand miles, traverses thirty-three states, and involves encounters with over twenty individuals. Suleika Jaouad grapples with defining "home," especially when traditional anchors like a job, family connections, or owning a house are missing. The trip, initiated by the need to return a vehicle and meet with her medical team in New York City as she neared the critical milestone of 100 days, ultimately marks a transformative moment in her life. The author, along with her companion Melissa who was also fighting cancer, harbored a shared aspiration to journey to distant destinations, envisioning it as an escape from the grim reality of their hospital environment. Now, the writer has realized those aspirations,...

Between Two Kingdoms

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of cancers where immature blood cells in the bone marrow fail to mature into healthy blood cells. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, bleeding disorders, anemia, or frequent infections. Risk factors include previous chemotherapy, radiation therapy, exposure to certain chemicals, and heavy metals. Treatments may involve supportive care, drug therapy, and stem cell transplantation.
  • A [restricted term] patch is a transdermal patch that delivers the opioid medication [restricted term] through the skin and into the bloodstream over an extended period. It is commonly used for managing severe pain in patients who cannot take medication...

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