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- Date:
- 2009-03-01
- Location:
- Annapolis, MD
- Description:
- Cheers from Pam Ellinghausen: I Had a great time in Key West March 2009. Have survived stage IV breast cancer for 2 years. Life is good….
I welcome all messages from former classmates. You can find my email on this page.
Hello Ames High School Alumni Association,
I was shocked out of my chair in June 07 when I received a diagnosis of Stage IV breast cancer. There was a small breast cancer tumor close to my chest wall. The disease had traveled to my top and bottom neck bones, and settled in for a bone snack. Damn. Stage 4. metastatic. I knew what that word meant. Radiation, chemo, all the goodies.
Since that time, they have radiated my neck bones, left hip and full brain. Sometimes I don’t give myself credit for being strong and tough because I know so many other people who have been stronger and tougher. Everyone tells me to fight fight fight. My fight is to open my eyes in the morning, and know I am alive.
My dear life partner of 8 years, George, didn't bargain for this either. Stage IV is the ultimate "survivor" game. It's a crap shoot.
God never gives you more than you can handle. Pure Hallmark sentiment. Sure He does. Gracefully, He has also coached me, strengthened me, and fortified me. Without Him, I believe I would not be here.
I helped start a stage IV support group here in Annapolis. Used to be called Compass---now we are MetaVivor. Don’t ask why. The group has about 30 female members…compassionate women who are all Stage IV. I love them all dearly. Here’s the web site: http://www.metavivor.org. I’m on the right side wearing a hat and a turquoise shirt.
I may be a mess, but I am a message…Living in Annapolis since my graduation from University of Iowa in 1987, life is pretty good. We have a small house on Spa Creek waterfront property, a huge catamaran, a Whaler … and I am surviving …. life is pretty good.
You’re welcome to send me an e-mail, you can find my email on this page.
Aloha, Pam Ellinghausen, AHS class of ’74.
-----
Update:
Born: July 30, 1956
Died: September 12, 2010
Sadly the AHSAA has received word that Pamela M. Ellinghausen, AHS class of 1974, passed away on September 12, 2010 in Lake Worth, Florida. Survived by Dr Herman C. Ellinghausen, mother Mary Ann, sister's Christine and Patty.
- Email:
- penguin4us2 at comcast dot net = Pam Ellinghausen 1974 AHS Alum
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- Pam Ellinghausen
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