(image: Emily J. Johnson)
Three years ago, I read and reviewed author Emily J. Johnson’s debut book ‘Pushing Through The Cracks, which details her family’s journey with mental illness. Emily then released a book called BELLY about her binge eating and how she found recovery.
I was saddened when I heard that Emily had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2023, after all she had faced. A lump found by chance at the doctor in her neck, led to her diagnosis. However, in true Emily style (she is a fighter), she not only went through a lot of trauma and medical treatment, but she has come out the other side to find her own SUNSHINE. The thyroid cancer diagnosis left her struggling to cope as she navigated the impact on her loved ones. During her treatment, a medical emergency lead to a profound experience in theatre that changed everything.
As you can see from the cover of this book, this is a story of hope after trauma and adversity. It’s a life-affirming story about love, hope, and rediscovering joy in simple things.
Emily returned to writing during her recovery, publishing her third book SUNSHINE, sharing her cancer journey. Once fully recovered, she re-trained as a mindfulness and meditation practitioner and will embark on her teaching practice in 2025, supporting cancer patients along with other members of her community in learning these beneficial practices.
Emily is always helping others whether that is through her talent as an author and sharing her thoughts in writing and now through her work helping people.
The book is beautifully written and hugely eye opening about a cancer that does not get huge amounts of media air time. Emily goes through treatment and comes out the other side stronger. As she says,
‘A chance discovery leads to a shock diagnosis;.
A traumatic experience leaves me questioning everything.
But in the darkness, I discover the light. My light, my sunshine.’
SUNSHINE by Emily J. Johnson is a remarkable book and is out now on Amazon here.
(image: Emily J Johnson).