Abram's Song

Jack and Ashlee Drake
  • 5.0 (18)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Abram's Song

Welcome to the Abrams Song podcast, where we commemorate the life and journey of our beloved son, Abram. In this thought-provoking series, we aim to share the lessons we learned during Abram's 22-month battle with Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. Our hope is to provide support, guidance, and solace to families and loved ones facing similar challenges. Through Abram's unwavering faith and his love for singing songs to God, we fight to keep moving forward and follow Abram’s example and cling to hope in God.

Episodes

  1. 11/26/2023

    Abram's Song

    Abram's unique spiritual vision and strength during his struggle with cancer left us with many questions and a deep desire for understanding. As we journey through our grief and anger, we share the profound impact Abram had on us and those around him. Despite the pain and suffering, Abram's illness brought us together and opened the door to deep, meaningful conversations about faith and life. Abram's extraordinary empathy, resilience, and unwavering love for us, even during his final days, is a testament to the Lord. Lastly, we discuss the enduring legacy of love that Abram has left behind. His deep bond with his siblings, particularly his brother Ezra, continues to influence our family dynamics today. Even in the face of suffering, Abram's love for his family and God never wavered, leaving us inspired to live our lives in the same spirit. Through Abram's story, we hope to encourage others to celebrate the lives of their loved ones and appreciate the impact they've had, no matter how short their time with us may have been. Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.abramssong.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abram's CaringBridge website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reach out to us at jack@abramssong.org

    46 min

  2. 11/19/2023

    Grief

    Join us as we explore grief, pre-grieving, and the emotional journey that comes with it. We share our experiences and how guilt can accompany the relief felt after the loss of a loved one. We dive into how the timing of grief can be unique, the complexities of grieving together as a couple, and the significance of establishing healthy boundaries and communication in a marriage. Finally, we look at how grief can be a long, often relentless process that requires resilience. We reflect on how two years of coping with grief has altered our approach, the effect of anticipatory grief, and the importance of small acts of self-care. We emphasize the importance of being honest and open about our grief, finding strength even in our weakest moments, and the power of resilience in the face of loss. Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.abramssong.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abram's CaringBridge website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reach out to us at jack@abramssong.org

    1h 1m

  3. 11/12/2023

    Nearing The End

    Join us as we navigate the painful yet sacred journey as we recount the last days of our beloved son, Abram. We discuss the emotional roller coaster of end-of-life care and the hard decisions that have to be made. We also delve into the grieving process and the importance of finding a support system. Listen as we explore the unique difficulty of providing a safe place for others to process their grief and find comfort in knowing they are not alone. In this discussion, we further share how we found ways to honor the memory of our son, such as selecting a dress Abram had chosen, making hand molds, and taking pictures of their artwork. We explore the conflicting feelings of faith in God's healing and preparation for any outcome. Lastly, we reflect on the shock of losing a loved one and how the Lord provides a space for us to grieve and heal. We discuss the hard reality of coming to terms with such a loss and how no matter how much we are thankful for what the Lord has given us, we still want our loved ones back. We hope that our shared experiences will provide comfort and a sense of companionship to those dealing with a similar loss. Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠www.abramssong.org⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abram's CaringBridge website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reach out to us at jack@abramssong.org

    53 min

  4. 11/05/2023

    Philosophy of Life - "Go Live!"

    Abram's journey, our precious son who bravely fought cancer, serves as a reminder to cherish every moment and live life to the fullest. As we journey back through the tough hospital visits, the constant battle with infection, and the cherished memories we made during our Easter trip, we are reminded of the importance of being present for our family. Despite the difficulties, we found resilience in Abram's desires and were driven to organize a family trip to Disney World amidst the pandemic, giving birth to moments of joy that we will hold dear forever. Join us as we talk about finding moments of happiness even in the most challenging situations. We share stories about how Abram constantly found ways to bring joy to his siblings. Listen to our account of the difficult family trip to Disney, Universal, and Sea World, where we grappled with balancing Abram's wishes and those of his siblings. Despite the obstacles, we strived to create moments of joy and grant wishes for our brave little boy. Visit us at ⁠⁠www.abramssong.org⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abram's CaringBridge website⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reach out to us at jack@abramssong.org

    46 min

  5. 10/29/2023

    Family Care

    In our bid to keep the family connected, we explore the role of open communication and counseling in helping our kids come to terms with their brother's deteriorating health. We openly share our faith journey, acknowledging God's comforting presence during our family's most challenging period. Don't miss our honest reflections on the tough conversations we had with our children about Abram's health and the role of counseling in helping our children process their emotions. We also discuss how we supported our children during their grieving process, creating safe spaces for them to express their feelings. Finally, we touch upon the role of faith in our story, acknowledging the presence of God in our family during this challenging period. We hope that our experiences will resonate with listeners who might be going through similar struggles. Visit us at ⁠www.abramssong.org⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abram's CaringBridge website⁠⁠⁠ Reach out to us at jack@abramssong.org

    55 min

  6. 10/22/2023

    Marriage

    Grappling with the loss of a child puts an immense strain on a marriage. Juggling the fight for survival while grieving a tremendous loss was challenging, but in retrospect, it allowed us to accept and appreciate each other's individuality. We share our experiences of attending marriage counseling and the persistent effort it took to make it fruitful. As parents, we had to confront the tough decisions of providing medical care for our sick child. From administering treatments, managing his nutrition, and weighing the risks, it was a grueling process that required strength and perseverance. Yet, the memories of our son and the understanding that we were on the same team brought healing. Despite the painful treatments, our son showed us immense grace and strength, and this continues to have a lasting impact on us. Visit us at www.abramssong.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠Abram's CaringBridge website⁠⁠ Reach out to us at jack@abramssong.org

    57 min

  7. 10/15/2023

    Self-Care

    We discuss how practicing self-care is like a life raft for us when we are dealing with life's storms. Creating a safe space for ourselves and acknowledging the importance of human connection can greatly aid in navigating through challenging times. We found comfort in ordinary activities like date nights and playing pickleball, as these activities provided a break from our troubles. We discuss the social pressures of maintaining a hopeful image during a crisis. We highlight the power of empathy and emotional support, underscoring the importance of being present for others during hard times. We also talk about the potential harm in using cliches in difficult situations, emphasizing instead the comfort found in shared experiences and the silent presence of loved ones. We conclude with a conversation about navigating grief and seeking support. We explore how presence can be more comforting than cliched words, and how people can offer significant support without necessarily having to say anything. This episode serves as a gentle reminder of the power of human connection and the importance of self-care during times of crisis. Visit us at ⁠www.abramssong.org⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Abram's CaringBridge website⁠ Reach out to us at jack@abramssong.org

    50 min

  8. 10/08/2023

    The Fight - Part 2

    Join us as we reflect on our first series of podcast episodes, discussing the trials of being vulnerable and sharing personal stories in a public setting. Listen in as we explore how grief extends from love after the loss of a loved one, and how talking about difficult subjects often requires the safety of storytelling. We touch on the grace of God that assists us in processing our deepest emotions, and how our stories continue beyond this life. Continuing our journey, we venture into the medical system, navigating the challenges and questioning doctors' advice after 14 months of struggle. Listen to our experiences as we look beyond Western medicine and integrate holistic and functional medicine into our approach, giving our child's body something to fight with. Hear about the complexities of having no plan or control in such situations and the critical importance of advocating for yourself and your loved ones. Finally, we discuss the significance of being an advocate for our child and making decisions that took us outside our comfort zones, like using cannabis for pain management. Listen to our journey of finding a doctor who could provide the care our child needed, and our experiences in dealing with the aftermath of a child's cancer treatment. We also discuss the role of holistic elements like natural vitamins and cannabis in managing pain and improving quality of life for a child. Through all these experiences, we emphasize the importance of trusting parental intuition and challenging traditional medical advice when needed. Visit us at ⁠www.abramssong.org⁠ ⁠⁠Abram's CaringBridge website

    44 min

  9. 10/01/2023

    The Fight - Part 1

    Listen in as we share an intimate discussion on our experiences navigating through some difficult spaces. In the episode, we recount our friendship journey, discussing how we met through pickleball and have grown closer since Abram's funeral. We reflect on the role of trust in our relationships, particularly as we maneuvered through the trying period of Abram's cancer diagnosis and further discuss the power of social media as a means of connection and support during such difficult times. Join us as we explore the emotional roller coaster that is a stage four cancer diagnosis and treatment. We share the challenging process of receiving Abram's diagnosis, the ensuing emotions, and the value of being surrounded by a supportive group during such times. We discuss the importance of being comfortable with your medical team and the significance of pushing back when necessary. In the course of the episode, we also examine the importance of having an advocate in the healthcare system to ensure the best care is received. In this conversation, we provide an overview of the journey of Abram's treatment, the limitations of Western Medicine, and the struggles of decision-making as caregivers. We discuss the role of advocacy in the healthcare system and the pressure to conform to the standard Western medicine approach. Join us as we encourage parents and caregivers to utilize all resources available to them to ensure their loved ones are receiving the best care. Visit us at ⁠www.abramssong.org⁠ ⁠Abram's CaringBridge website

    1h 7m

  10. 09/24/2023

    Introduction & Diagnosis

    What if the most unimaginable tragedy turned into a lifeline for others? This is the raw and riveting journey of Jack and Ashlee, who faced the devastating loss of their son, Abram, to a terminal illness. Over a span of 22 months, they dealt with an astounding array of challenges - from the gut-wrenching diagnosis to the stark differences in how they processed their grief. Their story is an earnest testament to resilience and the strength of faith amidst unimaginable pain. Navigating through the complex medical system becomes a necessity when you’re advocating for someone you love. Jack and Ashlee talk about their experience with their son's medical treatment, the stem cell transplant, and the difficult decisions they had to make while trying to align their instincts with the medical advice they received. Their candid discussions about the pressure they faced and how they managed to balance their roles are both enlightening and heartbreaking. However, amidst the tumult and despair, the incredible support they received became a beacon of hope. Jack and Ashlee talk about how they managed that support, from delegating roles to family members to setting up a blog for communication. Their insights on accepting help, leaning on the community, and the role of trust and faith are inspiring. Their journey of transforming their heartbreak into hope is a valuable resource for anyone facing similar challenges. Join us in this intimate exploration of navigating a tragedy and finding hope. Visit us at ⁠www.abramssong.org⁠ Abram's CaringBridge website

    1h 1m
  11. Abram's Song Trailer

    SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Abram's Song Trailer

    Welcome to Abram's Song podcast, where we commemorate the life and journey of our beloved son, Abram. In this thought-provoking series, we aim to share the lessons we learned during Abram's 22-month battle with Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. Our hope is to provide support, guidance, and solace to families and loved ones facing similar challenges. Through Abram's unwavering faith and his love for singing songs to God, we fight to keep moving forward and follow Abram’s example and cling to hope in God. Join us as we delve into the depths of our grief, share our experiences, and offer a message of resilience and unity. Visit us at ⁠www.abramssong.org⁠ Visit Abram's CaringBridge website here.

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Abrams Song podcast, where we commemorate the life and journey of our beloved son, Abram. In this thought-provoking series, we aim to share the lessons we learned during Abram's 22-month battle with Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. Our hope is to provide support, guidance, and solace to families and loved ones facing similar challenges. Through Abram's unwavering faith and his love for singing songs to God, we fight to keep moving forward and follow Abram’s example and cling to hope in God.

Information

  • Creator
    Jack and Ashlee Drake
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jack and Ashlee Drake
  • Show Website
    Abram's Song

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