Cancer
Comforter
By
Karen D’Amore
“Praise
be to the God… the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
2
Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
My disdain with
mirrors began shortly after the growth first appeared on my lower lip.
Paralyzing fear clouded my judgment; avoidance delayed medical attention,
inhibiting early detection and diagnosis. I feared confirming what God had already
endorsed in my heart.
As
“biopsy” rolled off the doctor’s lips, my fears began to congregate. I pleaded
with God, “Let it be anything but the Big C.” Monday, February 28, 2005, the
biopsy results would confirm my worst fears. CANCER was the only recognizable
word I remember the doctor speaking.
My
treatment options were surgical removal and reconstruction of the lower lip or
months of painful radiation treatments. The whirlwind immersion drew me to
settle into my new normal cancer routine: biopsies, surgeries, medication,
radiation, pain, fatigue…
It
was a journey nothing could have prepared me for…a journey I wouldn’t have ever
chosen. Initially, paralyzing fear
capsized my faith. Once I relinquished my fears, God had the opportunity to
expand my faith. Though He didn’t deliver me from cancer, He faithfully carried
me through it. For six years, the cancer re-emerged and repeated itself. To
date, I am two years cancer-free.
Now,
as a manicurist, God is redeeming my cancer journey for His express purpose.
Orchestrating Divine Appointments, He continually brings me clients who are in
the midst of personal cancer battles. Brain cancer, double mastectomy, lung
cancer, liver cancer, melanoma…just a few of the cancer warriors He’s placed
before me to touch (literally) and comfort. I speak their language, understand
their silence, relate to their tears, and empathize with their pain. With
opportunities to be the hands of Jesus, I’m able to share the “hope” that lies
within me. I can introduce them to the hope and comfort of The One who carried
me through my cancer.
Recently,
I manicured a woman in hospice with stage four cancer. A believer, Jill was
preparing to meet her Maker. She wanted her hands to look beautiful as she
lifted them to her Heavenly Father, when He came to take her home. Inquiring
about my cancer experience, she found comfort and encouragement in my faith-
stories. Jesus took Jill home ten days later.
What
began as a treacherous firestorm has transcended into a powerful ministry. As a
“Cancer Comforter,” I’m experiencing joy from my cancer journey. A spectator in
God’s redemption arena, I’m gratefully honored to share my source of hope and
comfort with others.
GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you comfort others with the comfort
you’ve received from God?
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon. She’s on the Oakwood
Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team and a volunteer wildlife
rehabilitator.
