Join Emily's Journey: Cancer & Health Issues

Many have asked how they can help the Hovland family as Emily deals with a variety of medical issues, so this GoFundMe page has been created as an option. There is also a MealTrain if you'd like to contribute to that instead (or as well). Emily and her family are also happy to just receive all the hugs, prayers, and efforts they have gotten this past several months. From Emily: "We have been completely blown away and humbled by the support we have received from so many in all forms - financial, gas, meals, positive vibes, check-ins, the list goes on and we feel the love and support that has been essential on this journey."

Last fall, Emily was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was a big blow to her and her family, but it will surprise no one that she met the challenge head on and with a "let's beat this" mindset. Much of Emily's life had been focused on supporting the fight of breast cancer, and once she was diagnosed she just hit that fight harder.

Emily started treatments in December, and although there were a variety of bumps in the road during much of her treatment, those bumps were pretty typical for cancer fighters and she weathered them with vigor -- missing hardly any work and continuing to be an amazing mother, wife, friend, and teacher.

This spring, however, with only two rounds of chemo left, the treatments were paused as the chemo had started to have a negative affect on her heart. Then, while her oncology and cardiology team were working on next steps for her treatment while protecting her heart, she was hit with another whammy - one of the medications she was on caused primary adrenal insufficiency. This is a very rare side effect of this drug and a very concerning complication.

Emily will not be finishing the last two rounds of chemotherapy so that her medical team can focus on addressing the adrenal insufficiency and heart issues. The adrenal insufficiency will also require her to be on critical medications for the rest of her life.

While insurance has covered most of the high medical costs, the new complications and all the drives to Rochester and back (and potentially missed work in the new school year) are weighing heavily on the Hovland family.

We know how much Emily has impacted the lives of this community, her students, and pretty much everyone who knows her. We as her friends want to help alleviate some of the financial burden she and her family face as they adjust to new realities of life with a chronic illness, on top of the cancer fight.

Although Emily herself does a great job of keeping folks up to date on her journey through Facebook, we will likely share major updates here as well.