Christian singer Carman shares testimony of cancer victory
Platinum recording artist Carman shared before and after photos with his Facebook fans on Tuesday following his successful cancer treatment.
Carman, born Carmelo Licciardello, was diagnosed with myeloma in February 2013, and given only a few years to live. This week, he reflected on how far he has come, and thanked God that he remains cancer-free.
"I remember so well washing my hair after the 3rd week of chemotherapy and seeing it all come off in my hands in clumps," Carman wrote. He shared a photo of himself bald and receiving chemo juxtaposed with a photo of himself nine months later, healthy and with a full head of hair.
"I remember the agony of that giant needle in my sternum to draw out stem cells," he continued.
"The ports they planted in my chest to daily inject drugs. The mind numbing pain of my bones expanding to produce stem cells. Sleeping in the bathroom for days because I'd throw up so often."
The singer also detailed the extreme weight loss and weight gain he experienced while receiving chemotherapy, and nearly dying after catching pneumonia. Through it all, Carman said he never questioned God.
"But I also remember God's grace," he said. "I remember never getting angry or depressed. Never feeling abandoned or hopeless. It was the valley of the shadow of death but I feared no evil."
Now, the 59-year-old is "strong and cancer free," and gearing up for the second leg of the "No Plan B" tour which begins in Alabama on February 12. He encouraged others to put their faith in God when they face trials.
"God can turn anything around," he told his fans. "He can keep you through the worse of times. Restore the years the locusts have eaten away. Give you peace and confidence when everyone else is loosing thier minds. I've been through it. I know."