She’s a survivor.

If Reba’s song “I’m a survivor” could embody any one person, that would be Tami Gravert. The oldest of five children, her home was far from a happy one.

Tami Gravert was born in Mason, Michigan in the 1960’s to what eventually proved to be an abusive home. “My mother was verbally abusive… we all [her and her siblings] got it,” said Gravert as an example she added, “Sheryl dropped potato peels on the the floor and Mom made her get down and pick them up with her teeth to throw in the trash.”

Unfortunately as in most of these awful situations, the abuse didn’t stop there. When Gravert turned nine years old her step father started molesting her and her sisters in a drunken stupor, “It didn’t stop until I told Mom what was happening,” said Gravert, “He went to a health institution for awhile after that. When he got out, Mom took him back… the molesting didn’t really happen again after that though. He only did it when he was drunk.”

Years later and with a family of her own, Tami Gravert enjoys 10 grandchildren and a great grandchild on the way. Meeting their maternal grandmother now, Gravert’s children would never guess the pain that filled her mother’s household growing up. Gravert attributes her found faith in God in the healing of her past relationships, “I came to God when I was about 42. It’s all Him.” She now enjoys spending time with her mother and likes to travel for visits when able.

An abusive past isn’t the only thing Gravert claims God has helped her with however. In 2013 a routine mammogram saved her from meeting an early death. She explains had she skipped it until the next year like she initially wanted to (what woman enjoys mammograms?), the cancer would have spread too far to do anything about it. Gravert explains doesn’t believe in coincidences. One double mastectomy and some chemo treatments later, Tami was in remission and celebrating life.

A few years later the cancer returned as the doctors warned it would, but it also decided to bring a friend along to attempt bring down this beast of a woman. A few treatments in, Gravert was hospitalized for a massive abdominal infection caused by a tear in her bowels. The chemo treatments had to come to a screeching halt while doctors raced to get the infection under control.

Although her family was terrified, Gravert remained calm and unworried through the whole ordeal. When asked how she could be so calm when everyone around her was so scared for her, Gravert again pointed to God, “He’s got me. Whatever happens.” Gravert spent two months in the hospital and underwent yet another major surgery that left her with a colostomy bag.

Back home her chemo resumed and she eventually reached remission yet again. Nothing was going to bring her down yet. Then it happened again. The cancer returned with a vengence.

This time, tumors were throughout her body. The cancer had spread to her brain, lungs, liver, and spine. Again though, Gravert showed no fear. Plenty of frustration at not being able to walk properly anymore, “I had a tumor in my spin that damaged some nerves in there,” said Gravert, “My knees give out all the time… they’re just numb all the time,” but no fear.

Radiation plus chemo treatments beat the cancer back once again and Gravert is just as sassy and fierce as ever. Currently in remission she’s grateful for the break in Chemo treatments. For anyone going through similar battles and scared, Gravert had this to say, “Find God and never let go.”