The Desert Shall Rejoice: Psalms from the Wilderness of Breast Cancer

In the winter of 2020, just as the Covid-19 pandemic was beginning to change our world, Susan E. Goff had her world further rocked by a diagnosis of breast cancer. Goff channeled her creative energy through the disruptions, crises, fears, and opportunities as these two realities converged. Through this process, The Desert Shall Rejoice emerged. The psalms in this collection tell of her journey, tracing the events from the initial screening mammogram, through her treatment, and on to her “cancerversary.” The psalms reflect a journey filled with sorrow, laughter, and (mostly) unshakeable hope. Those who faced, or are facing, their own such journeys will find solace and reassurance in Goff’s outlook and words, and may be inspired to tell their own stories just as boldly.