May 7Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
Dearest Suleika,
Once again I am reaching out to you with a full and breaking heart.
I remain deeply attached to your journey, and was so moved by what Adam has written.
My husband, Michael Brecker, received a haplo- identical transplant with my daughter’s cells, which sadly did not work. She won’t discuss it with me, but I can only imagine the pain she must live with, feeling like she wasn’t able to save her father’s life. Adam was so articulate about the wide array of feelings surrounding being a donor. Please thank him for me, for his honesty and bravery.
I continue to send you love and light from afar. When I was with our mutual doc friend Sid recently, we lovingly spoke about you.
May 7Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
Bone Marrow Registry- by now my age has opted me out. However, in the dark ages I did try to be a match for my brother Roy. For what ever reason it was not a go and he had an experimental Autologous transplant (details vague) for Multiple Myeloma. After his transplant at Dana Farber, I had truly an honor to be on that amazing unit-where I saw miracles happening- rebirths- children awaiting a Mother to return-no greater gift.
May 7Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
Reading your weekly posts and especially today’s post with your brother Adam, I couldn’t help but think how proud your parents must be of both of you. I remember you both so well from your middle school days in Saratoga Springs when I taught there. I wish I were young enough to register as a donor!
As a former teacher myself, I have a special place in my heart for teachers. The good ones are "givers." They do this out of love, belief in the deep value of others, and the willingness to do anything and everything to attend to their Caring Community of Learners. They carry these traits out into the larger world too, as is evidenced by Adam. Adam, thank you for saving your sister, for giving her time and allowing her to (this is a little selfish of me) create The Isolation Journals, where she has created a Caring Community of Learners. Like Elizabeth Gilbert, I have "old-ass marrow," so I contribute monetarily to St. Judes Children's Hospital. I will also spread the word about signing up to be a bone marrow match. Thank you, you lovely siblings, for being in this world.
I am deeply touched by the love and care of your beloved brother, Adam, your family, your friends, this community. And thank you for the awareness of this registry. I’ve made a life long commitment to do good in the world--it’s not dramatic. It’s simply being kind, listening, reaching out to
checkup on friends and family especially if they are not feeling well, sharing a story of inspiration if one of my people or even a stranger is having a hard time, and just being present for myself and others. But most of all having the courage especially during critical health challenges to show up whether it’s for myself or others. Goddess bless all of you beautiful humans. I’m so touched that my heart is overflowing with love. Bottom line: love is the healing balm that can save many souls and thank you Suleika, Adam, this community for sharing so much love.
During the time in which I was eligible to be a bone marrow donor, I did get tested, and signed up to be a donor; I never matched. However, I did become a blood donor. I did so until I was medically and qualified.
My life has been organized around the principle that my life will have meaning and be “successful,” if, like George, Bernard Shaw said, “… My life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can…“
Becoming a part of this community has been an opportunity to see that there are many others around me who clearly do the same. Beginning with you, there will be hundreds more who will be moved to make their own contributions to others.
May 7Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
I'm an ongoing blood donor and am incredibly frustrated that I didn't have the foresight to register as a bone marrow donor when I was eligible. Of course I will advocate and financially support. Thank you for continuing to share your journey.
May 7·edited May 7Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
done. done. and done.
i have already gotten two of my 20-something relatives to join the registry and they are recruiting friends. i will get more.
i will share far and wide your and your brother's words and the inspiring video. that's today's work. thank you Suleika and family for all you've given to humanity, and may every day you feel all of that love returned to you.
Plant a seed of hope. So beautiful, reading all of this and the video. I look forward to finding big and small ways to plant seeds of hope for people, every single day. Thank you and your brother for this ❤️
It touches me so deeply that you have so much love and respect for each other. I recently received the contact information for my daughter’s stem cell donor. She passed away 11 months post transplant with a complicated version of TCell ALL at the age of 26. Aren’t all leukemias dreadfully complicated though? We are heartbroken, it is coming up two years since she died, and we miss her desperately . . . Especially her brother, who was a 6/10 match, hence the reason our medical team went to the registry. My son was disappointed not to be her donor, but we had so much hope. I wrote to the donor, to let him know that his efforts were not in vain, that he had given her time, that we so appreciated what he had done. I received the most beautiful letter back from this young man, who lives on the opposite coast of Canada as us, and on an island, too. I felt instant kinship and hope to one day meet him and his family. I found out he had donated twice, a year apart, which is in itself amazing. I continue to promote the stem cell registry and my son and I are donating blood together during national blood week in Canada, which coincides with the week our beautiful girl passed away.
Sending love and light, and of course, always, hope.
This was such a moving prompt. Like someone else commented, I didn’t realize I’d need a tissue to read it. I’m in the old-ass marrow club but I’m happy to donate money and spread the word about registering. Thank you, Adam, for your selfless act of saving Suleika. Actually selfless is the wrong word. Your “self” is alive and thriving in this gift to your sister. What a loving and generous family you are part of, Suleika.
Princeton '61. AML in 2012. Transplant from a stranger (10 for 10) 4/23/13. 82 years old. play tennis, have a large vegetable garden. Hoping to attend my 65th Reunion in 2026
I have been such a fan of you and John over the past toe years and have recommended your book so many times. Never anticipating that your story would become part of our family story, My sister got the news in January, and in August I’ll br her bone marrow transplant donor. Reading todays journal has touched and inspired me so deeply, you and Adam can’t even imagine. Or no, I guess you can. Thank you both.
What beautiful words - yours, Suleika, and your brother, Adam’s. I, too, have “old-ass” marrow-but have made a $ contribution. My response to Adam’s prompt today will be to call my dear friend, who fell recently while on a walk, and last night texted me that she is being sent by her PCP to see a specialist in multiple myeloma. The words struck terror into my heart. Only ten months ago, we lost her spouse, also my dear friend, to complications of MS. In this same year, my spouse and I lost a brilliant, sweet, funny young cousin, age 30, to brain cancer. I came to The Isolation Journals as a writer, looking for creative community. But this morning I am thinking that if there’s anyone out there (God, Higher Power, Shechinah, whatever names I stumble among), they sent me here for other reasons as well...
May 7Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
I'm in tears right now. All of your story so moving and beautiful.
Suleika, even through all that fog, you manage to find clearings of light, no matter how small.
I love your amazing brother too - even though I don't know him. I, like Liz G. have old marrow - even older - almost ancient (lol). Sending love and hugs. 💕
Prompt 242. A Seed of Hope
Dearest Suleika,
Once again I am reaching out to you with a full and breaking heart.
I remain deeply attached to your journey, and was so moved by what Adam has written.
My husband, Michael Brecker, received a haplo- identical transplant with my daughter’s cells, which sadly did not work. She won’t discuss it with me, but I can only imagine the pain she must live with, feeling like she wasn’t able to save her father’s life. Adam was so articulate about the wide array of feelings surrounding being a donor. Please thank him for me, for his honesty and bravery.
I continue to send you love and light from afar. When I was with our mutual doc friend Sid recently, we lovingly spoke about you.
It was a warm connection to you.
Yours in gratitude,
Susan
Bone Marrow Registry- by now my age has opted me out. However, in the dark ages I did try to be a match for my brother Roy. For what ever reason it was not a go and he had an experimental Autologous transplant (details vague) for Multiple Myeloma. After his transplant at Dana Farber, I had truly an honor to be on that amazing unit-where I saw miracles happening- rebirths- children awaiting a Mother to return-no greater gift.
Reading your weekly posts and especially today’s post with your brother Adam, I couldn’t help but think how proud your parents must be of both of you. I remember you both so well from your middle school days in Saratoga Springs when I taught there. I wish I were young enough to register as a donor!
As a former teacher myself, I have a special place in my heart for teachers. The good ones are "givers." They do this out of love, belief in the deep value of others, and the willingness to do anything and everything to attend to their Caring Community of Learners. They carry these traits out into the larger world too, as is evidenced by Adam. Adam, thank you for saving your sister, for giving her time and allowing her to (this is a little selfish of me) create The Isolation Journals, where she has created a Caring Community of Learners. Like Elizabeth Gilbert, I have "old-ass marrow," so I contribute monetarily to St. Judes Children's Hospital. I will also spread the word about signing up to be a bone marrow match. Thank you, you lovely siblings, for being in this world.
I am deeply touched by the love and care of your beloved brother, Adam, your family, your friends, this community. And thank you for the awareness of this registry. I’ve made a life long commitment to do good in the world--it’s not dramatic. It’s simply being kind, listening, reaching out to
checkup on friends and family especially if they are not feeling well, sharing a story of inspiration if one of my people or even a stranger is having a hard time, and just being present for myself and others. But most of all having the courage especially during critical health challenges to show up whether it’s for myself or others. Goddess bless all of you beautiful humans. I’m so touched that my heart is overflowing with love. Bottom line: love is the healing balm that can save many souls and thank you Suleika, Adam, this community for sharing so much love.
Dear Suleika,
During the time in which I was eligible to be a bone marrow donor, I did get tested, and signed up to be a donor; I never matched. However, I did become a blood donor. I did so until I was medically and qualified.
My life has been organized around the principle that my life will have meaning and be “successful,” if, like George, Bernard Shaw said, “… My life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can…“
Becoming a part of this community has been an opportunity to see that there are many others around me who clearly do the same. Beginning with you, there will be hundreds more who will be moved to make their own contributions to others.
Much love, Sandra
I'm an ongoing blood donor and am incredibly frustrated that I didn't have the foresight to register as a bone marrow donor when I was eligible. Of course I will advocate and financially support. Thank you for continuing to share your journey.
done. done. and done.
i have already gotten two of my 20-something relatives to join the registry and they are recruiting friends. i will get more.
i will share far and wide your and your brother's words and the inspiring video. that's today's work. thank you Suleika and family for all you've given to humanity, and may every day you feel all of that love returned to you.
Plant a seed of hope. So beautiful, reading all of this and the video. I look forward to finding big and small ways to plant seeds of hope for people, every single day. Thank you and your brother for this ❤️
Dear Suleika and Adam:
It touches me so deeply that you have so much love and respect for each other. I recently received the contact information for my daughter’s stem cell donor. She passed away 11 months post transplant with a complicated version of TCell ALL at the age of 26. Aren’t all leukemias dreadfully complicated though? We are heartbroken, it is coming up two years since she died, and we miss her desperately . . . Especially her brother, who was a 6/10 match, hence the reason our medical team went to the registry. My son was disappointed not to be her donor, but we had so much hope. I wrote to the donor, to let him know that his efforts were not in vain, that he had given her time, that we so appreciated what he had done. I received the most beautiful letter back from this young man, who lives on the opposite coast of Canada as us, and on an island, too. I felt instant kinship and hope to one day meet him and his family. I found out he had donated twice, a year apart, which is in itself amazing. I continue to promote the stem cell registry and my son and I are donating blood together during national blood week in Canada, which coincides with the week our beautiful girl passed away.
Sending love and light, and of course, always, hope.
Marnie
This was such a moving prompt. Like someone else commented, I didn’t realize I’d need a tissue to read it. I’m in the old-ass marrow club but I’m happy to donate money and spread the word about registering. Thank you, Adam, for your selfless act of saving Suleika. Actually selfless is the wrong word. Your “self” is alive and thriving in this gift to your sister. What a loving and generous family you are part of, Suleika.
Suleika-you are a rock star. Beloved and respected by so many. So glad you are here with us on our journey around the sun.🌞
Princeton '61. AML in 2012. Transplant from a stranger (10 for 10) 4/23/13. 82 years old. play tennis, have a large vegetable garden. Hoping to attend my 65th Reunion in 2026
I have been such a fan of you and John over the past toe years and have recommended your book so many times. Never anticipating that your story would become part of our family story, My sister got the news in January, and in August I’ll br her bone marrow transplant donor. Reading todays journal has touched and inspired me so deeply, you and Adam can’t even imagine. Or no, I guess you can. Thank you both.
What beautiful words - yours, Suleika, and your brother, Adam’s. I, too, have “old-ass” marrow-but have made a $ contribution. My response to Adam’s prompt today will be to call my dear friend, who fell recently while on a walk, and last night texted me that she is being sent by her PCP to see a specialist in multiple myeloma. The words struck terror into my heart. Only ten months ago, we lost her spouse, also my dear friend, to complications of MS. In this same year, my spouse and I lost a brilliant, sweet, funny young cousin, age 30, to brain cancer. I came to The Isolation Journals as a writer, looking for creative community. But this morning I am thinking that if there’s anyone out there (God, Higher Power, Shechinah, whatever names I stumble among), they sent me here for other reasons as well...
I'm in tears right now. All of your story so moving and beautiful.
Suleika, even through all that fog, you manage to find clearings of light, no matter how small.
I love your amazing brother too - even though I don't know him. I, like Liz G. have old marrow - even older - almost ancient (lol). Sending love and hugs. 💕