Member Shin Emilia, who has been involved in the ministry of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society since July 1998, underwent a breast cancer screening in August 2003. After being advised to undergo further testing due to the apparent presence of a small tumor in her breast, she was ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent surgery, and has since regained her health. The total medical expenses amounted to approximately $90,000, and $85,597.17 of those costs were covered through contributions from members of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society. She graciously agreed to an interview, expressing her gratitude to all the members of the Mutual Aid Society.
1. We thank God that the deacon has fully recovered from her breast cancer surgery. Could you tell us how she came to have the surgery?
– I had always been confident in my health and had only performed self-exams. Last summer, I went on a trip with my aunt, and she mentioned that she gets a breast cancer screening every year and asked if I did as well. To be honest, I had been performing self-exams on my own and, confident in my health, had never undergone a screening even when I had regular health insurance. At my aunt’s urging, I had a breast cancer screening in early August after our trip. While taking the X-ray, the technician said something looked a little off, so we took another one right then and there. They told me there was a small lump—less than 1 cm—and that it would be best to do a biopsy. Since it was so small, they said it would only take 10 to 20 minutes. However,when they actually removed the tissue, they found that the cancer cells had grown in the opposite direction from what the X-ray showed, and I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. I underwent surgery, followed by four rounds of chemotherapy and six and a half weeks of radiation therapy. During chemotherapy, the pain was so intense that I even resented God in my heart, but at the same time, I thought, “Why shouldn’t cancer come to me?”When the pain was at its worst, I found solace by reciting Bible verses—a practice I’d maintained for over ten years—which helped me forget the pain. I entrusted everything to the Lord, telling Him that if He called me, I would go with gratitude, and my heart became even more at peace.I am grateful for all the days that have passed, but what I am most grateful for is that even though chemotherapy on Tuesdays usually makes it hard to even breathe for several days afterward, I was able to handle my work at the factory I run on Mondays. Amazingly, I didn’t lose any weight, and these days, the hair that had fallen out is growing back even more beautifully than before. The only difference from before is that I still feel dizzy and tired in crowded places.I am deeply grateful to all the members and fellow believers who have consistently prayed for my recovery.
2. Do you feel you received as much help as you had hoped? If so, please share your thoughts with the members who assisted you and with those who are still hesitant to join the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society.
– I would like to thank all the members who helped cover the full cost of my medical expenses. It has been over six years since I joined the ministry of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society. I received treatment through the Society after suffering a fracture in a minor accident at home, and this time, I underwent surgery and treatment for breast cancer; my husband also had cataract surgery. I am confident that if we participate in this precious ministry with faith, we will be able to find solutions together within that faith, no matter what challenges we face.
3. When and how did you become a member of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society?
– We had maintained standard health insurance ever since we immigrated to the United States. Even though we were healthy and had never used it—we’d never even been to the hospital—the premiums kept going up. We went without health insurance for about a year, but my husband, noting that we were getting older, thought it would be a good idea to have at least some coverage, so he started looking for a plan. That’s when we saw an advertisement for the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society in a daily newspaper, and we became members in July 1998.
4. The Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association is doing its utmost to put into practice the words of Galatians 6:2—“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”—and 2 Corinthians 8:14—“Now, as you have abundance, supply their lack, so that their abundance may also supply your lack, and there may be equality.” If you have any suggestions or advice to help the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association continue to grow, please do not hesitate to share them with us.
– Thank you for handling the administrative matters so well. There may be times when patients become emotionally or physically distressed due to anxiety about whether their medical expenses will actually be covered. Please be patient and always pray to the Holy Spirit that these situations may be resolved in a positive way. Thank you.
New Emilia Member