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My journey with breast cancer: The comfort of this classic Songster song
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).
A Salvationist woman shares her experience in the lows and prayers of breast cancer and the Songster song that speaks most of her journey. This story was submitted anonymously to us.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. I have had surgery and will have ongoing monitoring by an oncologist for the next two to three years.
I needed my own space to process the diagnosis but felt supported by the prayers of close friends. Gifts of food were most welcome after surgery. Three friends in the Corps would always be available for coffee or a walk, which was great.
There were two older Corps ladies who quietly told me of their own similar experience and this was helpful and hopeful for me.
I found it very difficult to even pray about it at first. 'What right have I to pray for healing?' - I had those sort of thoughts - but it meant a lot to know that others were praying on my behalf. I think my experience with breast cancer has made me think more about what is really important to me. I think I’m less tolerant of negativity.
I kept my experience with breast cancer private, but I was happy to be included in the Corps prayer chain. I remember specifically requesting prayer from Corps friends for a peaceful mind, and peace to be able to trust the process and decisions that had to be made. There were two older Corps ladies who quietly told me of their own similar experience and this was helpful and hopeful for me.
The songster piece 'Somebody Prayed For Me' means so much to me and was really my experience. I am totally supported by a wonderful family.
Somebody Prayed for Me
'When my heart was so broken
that I could not pray,
When love wasn’t easy to see
Someone was there, somebody cared,
Somebody prayed for me.
Somebody went to the throne of heaven,
Somebody lifted my name
Bringing me into His holy presence,
Saying what I could not say.
Somebody showed me the
face of His mercy,
When darkness was all I could see
Somebody pleaded the Blood of Jesus,
Somebody prayed for me.
Somebody went to the throne of heaven,
Somebody lifted my name
Bringing me into His holy presence,
Saying what I could not say.
Somebody showed me the
face of His mercy,
When darkness was all I could see
Somebody pleaded the Blood of Jesus,
Somebody prayed, Somebody prayed,
Somebody prayed, Somebody prayed,
Somebody prayed, Somebody prayed for me,
Somebody Prayed for me.'
Breast cancer awareness as a faith community
- What practical ways of caring has this 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/