I Am Stronger Than I Ever Thought I Was

When it comes to fighting cancer, Pamela Hall is a warrior. Pam is a gastric cancer survivor, who has faced tremendous adversities throughout her journey. Still, she has remained positive, with the help of her family, support groups, yoga and traveling.

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but a lot of it has to do with your mindset. If you start out feeling defeated, I think it reduces your chances of making it through,” she says.

Pam, originally from Jacksonville, moved with her husband to St. Petersburg in 2014 following a work relocation. In 2018, Pam who has dealt with thyroid issues for several years, went to a routine checkup with her endocrinologist and received blood work. The blood test results indicated she was severely anemic. She saw her primary care doctor who then referred her to a GI doctor. She received an endoscopy and colonoscopy, and a tumor was found in her upper stomach near the esophagus.

She spoke to a neighbor who recommended she be treated at Moffitt Cancer Center. She scheduled an appointment at Moffitt, a decision she is extremely grateful she made. At her first appointment, she met Dr. Rutika Mehta, a medical oncologist and Dr. Jose Pimiento a surgeon in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology. In August 2018, Pam was diagnosed with stage 3 gastric cancer.

Her initial treatment included a chemotherapy regimen followed by a total gastrectomy. Complications from her surgery kept her in the hospital for 19 days. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy regimen she received prior to surgery did not result in the desired changes. She, therefore, completed radiation treatments but ultimately had a recurrence in her abdominal wall in 2019. Throughout her cancer journey, Pam has experienced four reoccurrences.

After the fourth recurrence, Pam and her husband began investigating drug trials. At this time, Dr. Mehta approached Pam about a CLDN18.2 CAR-T trial. Chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR T cell therapy) is an immunological treatment that modifies the body’s own immune system to destroy cancerous cells.

Pam had her first CAR-T infusion in May 2022 and received a clean scan a few months later. She received a second infusion the following September and receives scans every two months. Pam has been cancer free since August 2022.

“Everything happens the way it’s supposed to,” says Pam. Her husband’s relocation to St. Pete allowed her to be closer to Moffitt, an indication that she was right where she needed to be.

Throughout her treatment, she has engaged in support groups through Facebook, offering support and mentoring, sharing her experience with other gastric cancer patients, as well as individuals who are also exploring CAR-T trials.

Additionally, she has a strong support system, such as her husband, who Pam calls a saint. Her children have been amazing supporters throughout her journey.

Pam is an avid yogi, having been a yoga practitioner for over 20 years. She finds enjoyment in traveling, creating experiences, and living each day to its fullest. When asked what advice she would give to someone following a cancer diagnosis, she says, “I want people to know you can go through all these things and still come out okay. I am stronger than I ever thought I was. I endured things I never thought I would endure, and I came out okay."