Pam Robothom
(LE MARS) — Diagnosed in 2007 and re-diagnosed in 2009…Pam Robotham of Le Mars has been through a roller coster of emotions during her fight with breast cancer. She discovered a lump in 2007, had it removed and it was discovered that the cancer had spread all over her breast, resulting in a mastectomy. She went through chemo and the reconstruction process which ended in late 2008. After that relief and celebration, Pam discovered a lump under her implant in August of 2009. She says her doctor was surprised at what he found after he tested the tissue sample.
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Following that news she has decided to have a second mastectomy. What’s next? Constant monitoring…Pam goes in for check-ups every 3 months. Throughout this whole process Pam says that the support of the people in her life has meant so much to her and her family.
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Pam is the reigning “Survivor Queen” in Plymouth County for the American Cancer Society and
just starting working with the American Cancer Society as a “Reach to Recovery” volunteer. The group contacts people going through cancer related treatments just to make sure they are doing okay. Pam looks forward to helping others that way, because it meant a lot to her when she was going through treatment.
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Pam Robotham, cancer free going on 2 years.
Mary Ann Pick
(Le Mars) — Ten years cancer free…it’s a milestone that Mary Ann Pick of Le Mars has thankfully gotten past. Mary Ann was diagnosed in 2001, and at the time was a mammographer.
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Mary Ann had a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy, which got rid of her cancer.
More than anything else, Mary Ann stresses the importance of mammograms and self screening which leads to early detection.
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Having faith and the support of family, friends and the community has helped Mary Ann get through cancer and other on going health problems. The support has also helped her and her husband Dave Pick through his recent prostate cancer. Dave has been cancer free for 2 years.
Mary Ann says getting to know others in the community who are struggling with cancer at events like benefits and Relay for Life are very emotional and restorative.
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Mary Ann Pick, cancer free for 10 years. Keep listening to KLEM this week for more stories from survivors as we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Hellen Galles
(Remsen) — Cancer free for a year…it’s a big deal and definitely a time to celebrate for Hellen Galles of Remsen. She celebrated her one year anniversary free from breast cancer last month. Now, as we celebrate breast cancer awareness month, Hellen took the time to share her story.
Hellen says that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2010.
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The drive up to Mayo and back for chemo was definitely hard, but with the company of her husband and one of her 5 children for every trip, the windshield time became quality family time. Hellen was also surprised at the level of interest shown by her 15 grandkids.
The advice that Hellen has for anyone going through a physical struggle from cancer or other difficult time is to be willing to accept help.
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Can good come out of the bad? Yes. Hellen said she realizes now what it really means to have support through faith, family, friends and the community as a whole.
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Hellen Galles, cancer free since September 2010. Keep listening to KLEM this week for more stories from survivors as we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
