It all started with an itch. Suleika Jaouad was 22 years old in 2010.

She’d recently completed her studies, relocated to France, and fallen in love.

It was a period of hope and anticipation until the itching became unbearable, resulting in six-hour naps, mouth sores, weight loss, and, eventually, a diagnosis of leukemia with a 35 percent chance of survival.

Suleika Jaouad leukemia: What happened to Suleika Jaouad?

Suleika is now 33 years old and the New York Times bestselling author of “Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted,” which was recently published in paperback.

She lives with her longterm lover, musician Jon Batiste, whom she met at band camp in Saratoga Springs, New York, when she was 13 years old.

What did Suleika Jaouad say about having leukemia?

Suleika Jaouad spent the next few years battling cancer and chronicling her experience in a series of blog entries and videos for a New York Times column, as well as in her memoir “Between Two Kingdoms.”

She spent five weeks in the hospital in December of last year for a second bone marrow transplant, she added.

“If I’m being honest, it’s been a nightmare. I spent more time in the hospital, had more difficulties (than the first time), and had some of the most excruciating physical pain of my life. However, I am constantly amazed and appreciative. My entire family lives in Tunisia, where this type of medical care is unavailable.”

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