October has come and gone and I couldn’t help but notice all of our “Think Pink” shirts are tucked away in our closets and our ribbons are no longer worn. As I sat down to brainstorm about what to write about next I suddenly wanted to break tradition. Why do we only write about breast cancer survivors in October?
Thanksgiving is upon us and I’m thankful for many things. One of the things I’m thankful for is my friend, Pam Seay’s improved health. I first met Pam a couple of years ago. She and husband Dennis live in New Braunfels and have a summer home in Seadrift. She is full of life and many would describe her as a firecracker! It saddened me to find out that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
Pam had a routine screen mammogram, just before Thanksgiving. “It all started about a year exactly, almost a year to the date,” she said. “When I received a letter from my doctor advising that I should have a diagnostic mammogram, I had an intuition that I had breast cancer.” Pam had an area that had been bothering her. While she did not experience extreme pain, she did fear there was a problem. Following the diagnostic mammogram, she was scheduled to have a biopsy. For several years, she’d informed her doctors, but nothing was found on the screen mammogram.
Pam said, “I knew in my heart of hearts something was wrong. Prior to being diagnosed, I called my cousin who had breast cancer; she had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. She didn’t have access to the latest and greatest technology. She advised me to learn about the different procedures.”
She found a clinic in San Antonio which specialized in a procedure called DIEP (deep interior epigastic performator flat). This procedure involves harvesting tissue from the stomach which is later used in reconstructive surgery. She investigated further and chose a surgeon even before her doctor confirmed she had breast cancer. Pam educated herself by visiting blogs, websites and learned about different issues women are faced with.
In her opinion, it’s definitely best to seek out options. These are decisions which you’re living with for the rest of your life. In March 2011, she had surgery, a bilateral mastectomy. The surgery, which involves microsurgery, lasted nine hours. “It was rough; the first few days were hard,” Pam said. “I had to have constant supervision.” Her doctor advised that if she did not have a short course of chemo, the cancer could come back in 10-15 years. She had to decide which road to take; she finally decided she would bear it. Her reconstructive process was put on hold and she had four treatments of chemo.
She was able to start a new job in Harlingen even though she was going to be having chemo. Dennis stayed in New Braunfels and Pam flys back and forth whenever possible. She knew the chemo wasn’t going to set her back. They give you medicine to take before, during and after chemotherapy. It’s specific to each patient, specialized for your own health needs. The worst thing about chemo was the fatigue. It’s a fatigue that just does not go away; she could sleep all night and wake up tired, drained. The other thing was chemo fog – chemo brain. “It can really do a number on your ability to function, especially the first week,” she said. The effects are very real; they are advised it could take anywhere from 1-2 years to get over the effects of chemotherapy.
Pam then waited about a month, then had the reconstructive surgery done. The process involved three different phases. She advises, “Be your own advocate. I take it one day at a time. It’s been a long and emotional year; but I remain optimistic.” She healed quickly and was inspired after the short course of chemo, which was encouraging to her.
“Ask for the best and if you can’t get the best, ask why not?” she said. If her cousin had not scared her in the right direction, she’s not sure where she would have ended up.
The procedure one chooses makes a world of difference, and that’s one of the reasons that she had a bilateral mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy. She didn’t want to take any chances. She couldn’t imagine going through it again. “You have to be aware of your body; there were too many decisions to make.” she emphasized.
There’s much to be thankful for this year. Pam has a new grandbaby who is three months old, “She’s beautiful and she runs the house for sure. We’re anxious for her to get older so we can really start spoiling her. Ella is a very happy baby.”
So, break tradition and sport your breast cancer awareness shirt once a week. It’s a scary thought, knowing breast cancer is such a common thing in today’s world. I greatly admire Pam’s bravery, strength and courage to share her story so that others are able to find their voice and ask for the best. Till next time.
Pam happily holding her new grandaughter, Ella
