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Emma's journey with breast cancer: God in the here and now
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and we want to listen as the women of The Salvation Army tell their breast cancer stories.
If you are a woman who has experienced breast cancer and would like to tell us about your journey, please feel free to share your story here (anonymously if you prefer).
Lieutenant Emma Howan is a young Salvation Army Officer in New Zealand who was diagnosed with breast cancer just this year. Her first chemo treatment was only days before her 30th birthday. Read as Emma takes us on her journey of self-discovery and deepening faith as she trusts God with the unknown.
I received my diagnosis of breast cancer on 20 May this year.
My first chemo treatment was five days before my 30th birthday.
In the early days after my diagnosis, I was in a space of knowing I'd need practical help but didn't quite know what with. Having offers of meals and knowing I had people who I could call for rides to appointments or childcare if I needed them all helped me to work out what kind of support I needed, and to feel comfortable asking for it. Having people bring dinner to us each day I have treatment has been one of those things that have made that day so much easier for us as a family.
I initially took that as something that would be helpful after I'd come out the other side of my treatment, but now I see this as an experience that is being used in the here and now as I openly and honestly share my reality with others.
I'm being challenged through this time to slow. I'm usually quite a busy person moving from one thing to the next but with my treatment, my body just doesn't keep up with that pace or if I try to keep with that pace I end up feeling worse. This experience is forcing me to slow, to take more moments to stop and rest, and more and more it's showing me the importance of ensuring I don't lose that when this experience is over.
I'm still journeying through my treatment so am still 'coping', but I've found I continually need to keep my focus away from the 'why' questions of 'Why this has happened to me', or, 'Why this has happened at this point in my life', and focus on 'God, use this part of my journey'.
My mum made a comment to me early after my diagnosis about this being a life experience that can be used to identify with others journeying a similar path. I initially took that as something that would be helpful after I'd come out the other side of my treatment, but now I see this as an experience that is being used in the here and now as I openly and honestly share my reality with others.
Breast cancer awareness as a faith community
- What practical ways of caring has Emma's journey showed you were needed while experiencing breast cancer?
- Has your Corps or faith-setting come alongside women experiencing breast cancer?
- How might you provide space for women who have experienced breast cancer to share their stories in your faith community?
Find more resources to aid your journey in spreading awareness of breast cancer and hope for women experiencing it here: https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/