Supporting Mothers Through Their Child’s Cancer Journey with Amy Sloan

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A Christian Mom’s Story of Faith, Self-Care, and Finding Support

When I sat down to interview Amy Sloan for my podcast, I knew her story would be inspiring, but did not expect to be so deeply moved. Her story of walking through her son Isaac’s leukemia diagnosis is not just a tale of medical challenges, but a profound testament to faith, family resilience, and community support that anyone- not just those experiencing cancer will be inspired by.

The Unexpected Diagnosis

Amy’s journey began in September 2023, when what seemed like a routine pediatrician visit turned into a life-altering moment. After noticing some unsettling symptoms in her son Isaac, they discovered he had a high-risk form of leukemia. In an instant, their family’s world transformed.

Faith as an Anchor

What struck me most was Amy’s unwavering faith during this challenging time. As she shared during our conversation, her faith became her bedrock: “My faith in Him is not dependent on the long-term results and it’s not dependent on how Isaac or any of us are feeling on a day-to-day basis.”

Two powerful moments particularly anchored her spiritually:

  1. In the ER waiting room, she remembered the poem “Death Be Not Proud” by John Donne, which reminded her that death has been defeated.
  2. Reading the Book of Daniel, she was inspired by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s declaration. In her words, their statement of faith became her own: “Our God is able to completely heal Isaac…But my faith in him is not dependent on the long-term results and it’s not dependent on how Isaac or any of us are feeling on a day-to-day basis… My faith is in the character of a God who cannot deny Himself.”

Perhaps most powerfully, Amy reflected, “All those things that I’ve always said I believed about God… they actually are true. God is who He says He is. And I’m so thankful to have seen that proved true. That doesn’t mean it’s easy or happy or simple, but God is who He says He is.”

Practical Wisdom for Families Facing Challenges

Amy offered incredible insights for families navigating difficult diagnoses:

Proactively Simplify

  • Make intentional choices to set aside commitments
  • Create space in your calendar and life
  • Give yourself grace to slow down

Seek and Accept Help

  • Designate a “point person” to coordinate support
  • Be willing to say “yes” when people offer assistance
  • Allow your community to carry you through tough times

Maintaining Community During Isolation

One of the most powerful aspects of Amy’s story was how her church and community rallied around her family. Despite Isaac’s compromised immune system, they found creative ways to stay connected.

Supporting Families Through Diagnosis

Amy shared invaluable advice for both families experiencing a diagnosis and their support networks:

For Families:

  • Remember God remains the same
  • It’s okay to just do the bare minimum
  • Use tools like spreadsheets and alarms to manage complex schedules
  • Be honest about your struggles

For Support Networks:

  • Provide consistent, long-term support
  • Continue offering help months after the initial diagnosis
  • Send cards, meals, and messages
  • Remember the family is on a marathon, not a sprint

A Message of Hope

What resonated most was Amy’s profound vulnerability and faith. From the beginning of her journey, she approached Isaac’s diagnosis with a remarkable perspective: “I knew the end of the story. I didn’t have to be afraid.”

Her story isn’t just about surviving a cancer diagnosis. It’s about thriving in faith, embracing community, and finding hope in the midst of profound challenge.

To families facing similar journeys: You are not alone. There is hope, there is support, and there is a God who walks with you every step of the way.

Learn more about Amy’s story and her homeschooling journey at Humility and Doxology

Listen to the episode

Episode Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438335/episodes/16382802

Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler


Connect with the guest: Amy Sloan


Resources & More Related to the Episode:

  • Poem: Death Be Not Proud by John Donne

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood or Speaking Life Speech Therapy & Wellness. Not medical advice.

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