a survivor's story

​by Pam Wical

Hi, my name is Pam Wical, and I am a two-year breast cancer survivor. In April 2008, I went for my yearly physical and my doctor found a lump. My mom came with me for the biopsy and was there when I was told I had breast cancer. I remember crying in the doctor's office thinking of my boys. I'm a single mom of three boys who were then 14, 10 and 1. I had to fight this; I could not die. On the drive home I told Mom I was going to fight this, that my three boys were still dependent on me. When I got home, I told the boys I would fight this and be here for a long time. I told my friends the same.

I always supported breast cancer activities, but who knew I would end up with it? Because of the size of the lump and my age at the time, 44, I had a left-side mastectomy. Breasts are not important to me, so I had no problems with having a mastectomy. My thought was just to get this cancer out of me.

Five days after my mastectomy I returned to work. I work as a church secretary, so what better place to be while fighting breast cancer?! I had six months of chemo treatments, given every two weeks, with 33 days radiation. I continued to work every day except the day of chemo. When I went for chemo I would drink a lot of water that day and the two days following, to get the toxins out of my body. My friends and family told me I was looking great and I always had a smile on my face. I never forgot that I had to fight this for my boys. I am lucky I had no side effects from the chemo or radiation…except losing all my hair. That was the worst part for me through everything I went through.

I did not want to talk with people that had gone through this if they were negative or had tough times. I wanted to find out on my own how this was going to affect me. I read Julie Borton's story through the Touch of Courage Survivor Stories and emailed her. She was a good influence and had a positive effect on me. Julie found her breast cancer during pregnancy and this made me realize someone had it tougher than me. I was going through a painful and difficult second divorce during my battle with cancer, and it helped me realize I was much stronger than I ever believed myself to be. I tell my friends that breast cancer was just a jaunt in my road of life.

I had great support from my two older boys, their dad, family, girlfriends, and my church family. My baby brother emailed me when all my treatments were finished, and I quote, “I have been truly impressed and inspired by your attitude and courage in dealing with the hand that was dealt you. I have told many of my friends that of any of us kids (Jerome's) that you would be the one who would best deal with, fight and win a battle like this. I am very proud of you and how you have handled this, and hope that if I ever have to deal with something like this that I do it with as much courage, grace, and humor as you have done!” To this day when I read that email I still cry.

2008 was a very stressful year, but I continue to smile and workout every day, and take life as it is dealt me. Most importantly, I thank God every day for his strength and for carrying me on those days that were extra difficult. 

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