LIFE WAS good; it was normal, something Samantha Shreve, then 29, didn’t realize was so precious. As a dental assistant in a local office, catching up with patients was normal. As a mom to two girls, ages 3 and 5, running them wherever they needed to be was normal. Sharing household chores and inside jokes with her husband, Colton, was normal until “normal” suddenly disappeared when she could no longer ignore the pain in her leg. A few tests and doctor appointments later, cancer sent “normal” packing.
“I never thought it would be cancer until I was told that I was going to an orthopedic oncologist, and it hit me that something could be really wrong,” Shreve said. “I was trying to understand what could happen and praying it wouldn’t. When it did, it was like a whirlwind. I started treatment the very next week, so I didn’t have a lot of time to process it.”
The diagnosis flung the young wife and mother headfirst into a different world, but she didn’t go alone. It sounds cliche to say her life flashed before her eyes, but it’s true. But something bigger was also true.
She said, “Before I was diagnosed, something was pulling at my heart; it was the Lord, and I knew [it]. I’ve always been a Christian. I’ve always loved Him, but I’ve never thought about Him this hard before. And now I know it’s because He was trying to prepare me for what was about to happen.”
It was strength training, equipping her for the fight of her life.
“I’m thankful that it happened to me, and I think the Lord built me strong to handle this disease. People tell me all the time that I have inspired their faith, and I want the Lord and His love to be seen through me,” said Shreve.
Your prayers make her stronger, and she believes your prayers for her have the power to draw you closer to God.
“I trust God. He created me for a purpose. Maybe that purpose is to lead you to Him, or you find your prayers for me get you one step closer to the Lord and restore your faith,” said Shreve. “We’re all going to pass from this world, and my hope and prayer is that I see every person who has prayed for me in heaven.”
She draws even more strength from her husband.
Samantha said, “My husband is my rock. He really listens, he cares, and he prays for me. We’ve found our power in prayer. He brings me back to the center and [assures me] we’re going to get through it. I have to remember it’s not always going to be this way, whether I stay in remission or if I’m called home to the good Lord.”
Her faith gives her clarity and the ability to see God’s goodness surrounding her. Relationships are stronger. She sees it in how their families have rallied around them, ready to help at a moment’s notice.
Following her initial treatments, doctors declared her cancer in remission. For 15 months, the family eased back into “normal,” and just as they were getting back into their old routines, a pain in her side alerted her that something was wrong. It was a familiar pain, and soon “normal” hit the road again. Shreve had relapsed, and the cancer spread. It’s now being treated with chemo pills and is shrinking.
“I was surprised it came on as quickly as it did. And I think deep down, I always knew that I might relapse, but I felt that it would be way on down the road,” she said. “It was just a little time of normalcy — my energy was back; we were going places and doing things, able to be back in church participating in programs. When I relapsed, I didn’t know how things would go and whether we’d be able to keep some normalcy.”
A local fundraiser generated assistance that far exceeded her expectations, and she had no idea of the support offered through the Bedford County Cancer Foundation (BCCF) until now. Her experience with the foundation inspired her to volunteer and help them help other cancer patients.
“It has been a wonderful blessing. I never knew how many wonderful people in our county struggled with cancer. It’s more than I ever thought. So [volunteering with BCCF] was my way of giving back all that people had given to me. I was able to help people, and helping people is a blessing. Everyone on the board is a blessing because they’ve helped us. It’s not easy financially. Whether it be gas, food, housing, water bills, or electric bills, just to know there are people [that cancer patients] can count on is a wonderful feeling because I understand exactly how they feel. So I think that’s what I bring to the table. I understand how these people feel, and for someone to have a place to call for support is just a wonderful thing. And it’s beautiful to be a part of,” she said.
Supporting others out of the support she receives from God and those around her renews Shreve’s strength to continue battling cancer while shining the light of God’s love.
“The Lord has told me multiple times I will get through this. I trust God and know He has my best interest at heart. That’s the beautiful thing with faith — you get to see and witness beautiful things, and you get a relationship with God that you never thought you’d have. I’m glad people have gotten to witness it,” she said. GN
