A season inspired: Faith, support in midst of cancer situation adds perspective to holiday

Author’s note: This story was published in the Inside Pennsylvania magazine’s holiday (November 2020) issue.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Trina Eia silently watched through tear-soaked eyes as a Christmas Miracle entered her Middleburg home.

The Oct. 9 parade of more than 50 wrapped Christmas presents and other items donated by friends, family and members of a local church guaranteed the cancer-stricken 38-year-old mother of four at least one final Christmas experience with her family.

“I don’t know how much time I have left on this earth, so it was a priceless moment to celebrate a Christmas moment with my children,” Eia said. “I was so overwhelmed by people’s generosity – to know that people care enough to bless us in that way and that God can use these people to offer yet another blessing in the midst of a storm.”

Diagnosed two Novembers ago with Stage 3 mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung, Eia’s options for treatment were limited. Doctors felt chemotherapy would not be effective and the location of the masses made surgery too risky. Eia ultimately opted to focus on alternative therapy from a health center in Arizona and a revitalized reliance on her faith in God to help navigate the minefield she faced.

She exceeded numerous timelines doctors placed on her condition, beating the odds via “God’s grace” and improving until a recent downswing landed her in the hospital. Medical staff told her there was little left they could do, and she was placed on hospice.

“According to the doctors, I only had weeks to live,” said Eia. “Yet, through God’s divine intervention, I have outlived their timeframe and continue to savor each moment I have with my family and friends.”

Intervention of love

Considering the situation, Eia’s cousin Annette Sprenkel felt compelled to help.

“I’ve been praying for a miracle throughout her entire battle, when I heard that her condition worsened and she was sent home with hospice, my heart shattered – not only for her, but also her children and husband,” said Sprenkel. “I was praying about this and I couldn’t shake the feeling that her battle isn’t over and God laid it on my heart to give her and her children the gift of Christmas. My main prayer was for a miracle, but accepting that God may have other plans, I wanted to give her children sweet memories with their mom at Christmas.”

The effort provided the family with an abundance of gifts.

“The kids each received double or triple what they would normally get on Christmas, so we decided to spread the experience over five days,” Eia said. “I decided to use this as a teachable moment for the kids.

“I mentioned how we are the body of Christ, and in the past, when we have seen someone else struggling or in need, we would do what we could to help out. We talked about how this time, we were the family in need, and the body of Christ saw that and wanted to bless us. What better time to talk about this than Christmas, when God sent His son to bless mankind even when we didn’t deserve it. The gifts we received provided a very valuable talking point as a family.”

Family impact

She admitted that her journey with cancer over the past years has opened up a different kind of dialogue with her husband, too.

“I am amazed at how God has transformed us into different people,” she said. “Shane gets up at 1:30 in the morning to handle the IV for my antibiotics. Three years ago, I would have never guessed that he would be doing that.”

Shane agreed.

“Trina has handled this whole situation gracefully, and it has been inspiring watching her faith grow,” he said. “We have appreciated having deeper conversations as husband and wife that you wouldn’t expect to have at our age.”

Trina admitted her situation has definitely impacted her children, ages 10 (Zeynu and Fozia, which were adopted out of Ethiopia by Shane and Trina at 18 months old), 8 (Leif) and 6 (Elias).

“Elias asked one night at supper if I was going to die. I was honest with him, telling him there was a chance I might, but I didn’t think at that point I was going to,” she said. “One of the others is typically really happy-go-lucky, but more recently has been more short-tempered and not himself. This has affected them all in different ways.”

Divine reassurance

Which is why the outpouring of support from the community has been so crucial – each GoFundMe campaign or delivered meal offers an opportunity to celebrate God’s goodness in the midst of the storm and create a habit of turning to God that Trina hopes the children will continue whenever she is no longer with them physically.

“For a while, my biggest struggle has been wondering what would happen to Shane and my kids if I was gone,” she said. “However, God has helped develop this crazy peace for me as He keeps providing through individuals in the community, showing me that He can provide when I am too weak to do so. I want to be able to instill that in my kids so they don’t grow bitter.”

New holiday priorities

Another lesson she would like to pass along – not just to her children, but really to anyone who may benefit – is her newfound take on the holiday season.

“Sometimes, we get so overwhelmed with what we have to do during the holidays. Instead of enjoying it all, we stress over it,” she said. “I have learned that I would rather have less and enjoy family time instead. For so many years, I thought I had to have things a certain way.

“Now, I feel like that is not as important, and it is more about enjoying time with the people I care about, blessing others and going beyond the food and the gifts. That all has its place, but now, I don’t get stressed. The relationship is more important than the gift.”

Impacting others

Those connected to Trina — both via family and the local community — admit her example has challenged them to live better lives.

“Trina is such an inspiration and amazing person to me. While fighting for her life, she always has a smile on her face and is such an encouragement to many,” said Amber Kincaid, of Middleburg. “It was an honor to be a small part of giving he and her family a Christmas to remember.”

Jolene Maurer, also of Middleburg agreed.

“It was one of the most meaningful things I have been able to contribute to,” she said. “Her story and faith has touched the lives of so many, and I was happy to be able to give back a bit of the love that she has given to so many.”

Shane suggests that communicating his gratitude toward so many can be difficult.

“Sometimes, we will be out and people will come up to us, saying they are praying for our family, and we don’t even know them,” he said. “There is not a thank you big enough to give this community.”

Glory given to God

Trina admitted that she feels awkward when others suggest that she and her faith have inspired them.

“I know it is not me. I am a wretched, awful sinner. It is not my character to be joyful in all circumstances. God has truly transformed me – making me more like Him,” she said. “I wish I didn’t have cancer and the pain and suffering that comes with it, but in a certain way, I am kind of glad I do because He has used it to transform me.

“There are times where I have felt His presence and an incredible feeling of love, so much that I can’t contain it. I know that is God’s grace on me, and He shows himself through the kindness and blessings of others. Beyond the presents and food and music of the upcoming season, that truly is what the holidays are all about.”