Karen’s Story

We close this year with Karen's story.   Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 after an invasive melanoma diagnosis and a 5-hour surgery on her face with two surgeons.  The following year, Karen found out in a letter - not even a phone call!! - that she was positive for breast cancer. 

Karen had a single mastectomy with lymph nodes removed (3 were positive) and a month later 3 more lymph nodes were found to  be positive.  She went through both chemotherapy and radiation and subsequently, Karen had reconstruction surgery.  Before surgery she complained about a lump and was assured it was scar tissue.  Karen insisted on it being removed and indeed, it came back with 3 more positive lymph nodes.  Thankfully, she was assigned a new oncologist.  It is thought that the lump was cancer left over from her first surgery.  She was on hormone blocking therapy for 10 years and has been cancer free since.  

Karen is co-leader of Cancer with Compassion's Southern California Chapter where she is one of its original members.  She has been serving in leadership and the Southern California Support Group has been meeting in her Costa Mesa home since 2017.  You don't know Karen very long without recognizing her primary spiritual gifts are hospitality and generosity.  She provides both her love and her home with a truly open heart.  As well, Karen's spirit is a giving one as she financially supports several Christian groups and organizations.  Karen also serves on the Cancer with Compassion Board of Directors.

The Bible verse that comes to mind regarding Karen is Proverbs 19:17:

      "Being kind, gracious and generous ... is like lending to the Lord;
        God will reward and fully repay you for what you have done."

Please pray for Karen.  Pray that the Lord would sustain her health and that her work with cancer patients and among other faith communities would receive His full blessing.

In honor of our friend Karen,
Rev. Cathie Young, Founder and Director