HELLO FRIENDS!

Suleika Jaouad’s book “Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted” moved me. Although we have had different cancer journeys, as with all cancer experiences there are always connections. As Gilda Radner once said, “Cancer is an elite club I didn’t want to be a member of.”  That is the truth yet, as Gilda also recognized, the cancer community you can build from being in that “elite club” is special. Having someone who “gets” what you are going through is everything. So being able to read someone else’s cancer journey story makes me feel “seen.” A story like this where amongst the sadness and pain there is hope and inspiration means a lot to me as someone living with cancer.

Between Two Kingdoms is in two parts. The first part is about Suleika’s cancer journey. She takes you in through her diagnosis (Leukemia with a 35% chance of survival) to treatments to living with cancer. I found this relatable as a cancer patient, but I also thought this would be a perfect way to help those who don’t understand what a cancer journey is like get a good insight. Suleika is a great storyteller and keeps you engaged as she goes through not only the physical transformation but the mental transformation that happens with cancer.

The second part of Between Two Kingdoms is Suleika taking some control of her life back. Realizing that living with cancer isn’t a reason to stop living. Suleika embarks on an incredible journey. A 100-day, 15,000-mile road trip around the country with her beloved dog Max by her side. The goal, to meet up with people who wrote letters to her during her years in the hospital. Hearing their inspirational stories while cheering Suleika on as she makes her way through this epic journey learning to live again was powerful.

I highly recommend this book. For anyone who has or has had cancer. For anyone who loves someone who has or has had cancer. For anyone who just wants to read a great story about someone who faced death and learned how to live again. This book has easily moved into my top 10 books of all time. That says a lot because, dudes, I can READ! If you do read it, and I hope you do, be prepared to be inspired.

Follow me on my social @JAYEMBarrie for my POSTS, REELS and IGTV or check out my website www.jayem.ca to stay informed on what I am doing. Share your questions or comments either in the comment box of my Instagram posts or in a DM.  Please note: I am not an expert or professional in the field of cancer. I am simply someone who has gone through it and living with it, doing my best to offer you my experience and advice in hopes that it helps.