Join Suleika Jaouad, a New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Award-winning journalist, as she shares her transformative journey following a cancer diagnosis. She discusses finding identity through illness and creativity, the emotional power of writing, and the importance of community during recovery. Suleika reflects on her upbringing, the legacy of resilience in her family, and the healing nature of love and connection. Insights into her memoir and encouragement for meaningful actions, including joining the bone marrow registry, make this conversation truly inspiring.
Suleika Jaouad's battle with leukemia transformed her career aspirations, inspiring her to write influential works like 'Life, Interrupted' and 'Between Two Kingdoms.'
Her multifaceted identity and early experiences of belonging shaped her journey of self-discovery, ultimately empowering her voice as a writer.
Through journaling during treatment, Jaouad found a therapeutic outlet that fueled her creativity and allowed for meaningful engagement with her healing process.
Deep dives
The Journey from Illness to Creativity
Suleika Jawad's journey took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with leukemia at age 22, shifting her aspirations from becoming a foreign correspondent to navigating the complexities of cancer treatment. Despite an initial grim prognosis with only a 35% chance of survival, she turned her experiences into creative projects, including her New York Times column 'Life Interrupted' and her best-selling memoir, 'Between Two Kingdoms.' These works provide not just a personal account of her struggles but also a broader commentary on life, hope, and the human experience in the face of adversity. Jawad’s ability to express vulnerability and resilience resonated with many, offering a sense of connection and understanding for others facing similar challenges.
Embracing Otherness and Identity
Throughout her childhood, Suleika faced the challenge of reconciling her multicultural identity, often feeling too foreign in both her family’s culture and her American surroundings. This sense of otherness was compounded by her early experiences of relocating frequently due to her family's search for belonging. Her reflections on wanting to assimilate and her eventual acceptance of her unique identity illustrate a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. By embracing her differences, Jawad not only found her voice as a writer but also developed a deep understanding of the cultural complexities that shape individual experiences.
The Therapeutic Power of Journaling
During her treatment, Suleika discovered the therapeutic benefits of journaling, which provided her with a sacred space for introspection and expression. This practice allowed her to articulate her fears, hopes, and experiences in a way that felt safe and authentic, contributing to her healing process. As she navigated the complexities of illness, journaling became a pathway for her creativity to flourish, offering a connection to the world outside her hospital confinement. By documenting her journey, she fostered a sense of purpose, transitioning from merely surviving to actively engaging with her narrative.
Navigating Life's Dualities
Suleika explored the dualities of life, artfully articulating the balance between suffering and joy throughout her journey. She candidly shared her experiences of grappling with both the isolation of cancer and the vibrant moments of love and creativity that emerged alongside it. By emphasizing the coexistence of beauty and despair, she offered insight into how trauma can coexist with hope, inspiring others to find meaning even in their most challenging moments. This nuanced perspective serves as a reminder that healing involves embracing the full spectrum of human emotion rather than seeking to eliminate pain entirely.
The Ongoing Nature of Healing
Suleika's later reflections highlight the misconception that surviving cancer is an endpoint; instead, she emphasizes the continuous nature of healing. After undergoing a second bone marrow transplant and facing the recurrence of leukemia, she acknowledges the ongoing work required to navigate life with its uncertainties. By framing her experiences within the context of both struggle and growth, she invites others to understand that healing is not linear and often involves revisiting painful memories while simultaneously forging ahead. Through her narrative, she encourages a conversation about mental health and the importance of community support in fostering emotional resilience.
New York Times bestselling author and journalist Suleika Jaouad began writing her Emmy Award-winning column, “Life, Interrupted,” from her hospital room, chronicling her experiences as a young adult with cancer. She joins to discuss her remarkable life, career, and bestselling memoir, Between Two Kingdoms.