Sam Shields-Chatelain faces rare cancer after years of uncertainty

A South Coast mum of four has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, just weeks after finally receiving the surgery she had spent years asking for.

Sam Shields-Chatelain. Picture: Supplied.

When 44-year-old Sam Shields-Chatelain finally purchased her first home earlier this year, it felt like the beginning of a new chapter.

The Batemans Bay mother of four was settling into a job she loved, her twin daughters had just started high school, and she was preparing for long-overdue surgery she had been asking for since her girls were young.

Instead of celebrating such milestones, Mrs Sheilds-Chatelain is now facing a rare and aggressive form of uterine cancer – which started with bleeding and frequent pelvic pain.

The diagnosis is advanced Leiomyosarcoma — a rare form of cancer that affects smooth muscle tissue.

Her mother, Vicki, says more needs to be done for women’s health in regional areas.

Sam Shields-Chatelain with family. Photo supplied by the family

“She started asking for a hysterectomy not long after the twins were born,” Vicki said. “That’s when things began going haywire.”

Sam first sought help from a gynaecologist about eight years ago, four years after giving birth to twins in a high-risk pregnancy.

Despite experiencing bleeding and pelvic pain, she says her request for a hysterectomy was dismissed — repeatedly.

“The doctor told her she might want more children,” said Vicki.

“But Sam already had four. And she had been warned not to have any more due to complications of the twins’ pregnancy.”

Over the next several years, Sam saw multiple specialists in an attempt to undergo a hysterectomy.

One inserted a Mirena IUD device (a form of birth control) to control her symptoms — but it dislodged and migrated inside her body, requiring removal.

“She was bleeding for 25 days out of every month, for years,” said Vicki.

“She was falling apart mentally.”

Her mother then shared that her daughter felt that she was giving up hope, until she saw another specialist.

“She was so happy to finally be heard,” family friend Alex said.

“We thought this was the end of her pain — we didn’t expect it to be the start of something much worse.

“She’s worked hard in her life, everything she’s ever done has been for her family.”

“He took out six kilos of fibroids,” Vicki said.

“He even sent a photo to show us what had been growing inside her. He said it was like she was six months pregnant.”

Sam Shields-Chatelain fibrosis (left) and uterus (right). Photo provided by family

Further testing revealed that Sam had an aggressive, rare form of uterine cancer — so uncommon that it has no standard treatment protocol.

Her care team in Sydney has had to devise a bespoke chemotherapy plan.

The cancer has up-ended every part of Sam’s life according to her family.

She continues working from home in her APS role between chemo sessions — not because she has to, but because she wants to maintain a sense of normalcy and provide for her kids.

“She just wants to pay her mortgage, to keep the girls in school,” Vicki said. “She shouldn’t have to think about money right now. ”

Sam’s husband, a nightshift truck driver, has considered taking on a second job.

Their two youngest children — identical twins — are 12 years old.

The family is now sharing their story to encourage other women to speak up — and to be heard when they notice symptoms.

A GoFundMe campaign, launched by family friend Alex, is helping cover out-of-pocket medical costs like MRIs — which cost $700 per scan, with no Medicare rebate.

The family says the generosity of the local community has been a lifeline.

“Someone from her work dropped off a care package — a fluffy robe, bath stuff, chocolates,” said Vicki. “Sam soaks in the bath to ease the pain from her bones. It meant the world to her.”

Despite the devastation, Vicki says she’s proud of her daughter’s strength and determination.

“She told me, ‘Mum, I’m going to fight this like you did,’” Vicki said, who is herself a cervical cancer survivor.

“She’s scared, but she’s resilient. Even now, she’s thinking more about everyone else than herself.”

“She just wants other women to know – if you feel something is wrong, don’t give up.”

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Sam Shields-Chatelain faces rare cancer after years of uncertainty