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Pam's Story

Pam's Last Chapter: An Angel Departs For Home

Written By Her Husband Don Peitzman

POSTED: 7:19 pm MDT April 26, 2004
UPDATED: 7:35 pm MDT May 4, 2006

As many of you know my wife, Pam Daale, lost her battle with breast cancer April 4.

Pam with Don Taryn and Logan

Although she lost her life she gained eternity with her Lord Jesus Christ -- something that was far more important to her than anything else on earth.

7NEWS has asked me, her husband, Don Peitzman, to write this final chapter in Pam's breast cancer journal.

But first, Pam's family and I would like to thank viewers for the hundreds of cards and thousands of e-mails expressing sympathy for Pam's death. It's clear Pam meant a lot to you.

It has been said that there might be angels among us, and I never gave it much thought until recently. It might be as little stretch, but I believe in my heart that Pam was a real angel, and not just a way to describe her. Webster's dictionary lists several definition for angel, but I think this is most fitting, "an attendant spirit."

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There were times I told Pam that I thought she wasn't a mortal. Of course, she just frowned at me and said, "That's not true." But as I reflect on her life and the 12 years I was her husband I don't think that she was anything less than an angel born on earth and used by God as a witness through the most powerful communication device ever created -- television.

Ironically, Pam didn't like TV. It sounds strange for someone who spent nearly 20 years working in the business. She thought it was a hard place to have a family since the hours can be so demanding. Working in television isn't an 8-5 job. Many times Pam wanted to leave the business, but I feel her job as a meteorologist was part of God's plan for her life. God has a plan for all of us.

While we all miss her, we can take comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain.

In her last days she was suffering greatly, but true to her nature she didn't show it. She was having difficulty breathing because of many tumors growing on her left lung. Just transferring from the couch to her wheelchair made her pant for air. Oftentimes, she had a hard time catching her breath.

As much of an optimist that she was, she was also a realist. She told her mother and I on separate occasions she didn't think she would make it through this battle with cancer. But she truly fought the good fight. She didn't lie down and complain about how she felt, which undoubtedly was miserable at times.

On March 29, she checked into Sky Ridge Medical Center for two surgeries that would attempt to stop cancerous fluid from forming around her lungs. True to her independent nature though she wouldn't let her mom push her wheelchair from the parking lot to the hospital. She never liked anyone pushing her wheelchair. After all, Pam wasn't handicapped; she just couldn't walk, as her former television boss from Iowa, Don Novak, once said.

The first surgery went well, but Pam's condition deteriorated by March 31. It was the last time I heard her voice say to me, "I love you."

The second surgery wasn't successful and by the end of the week her doctor, who initially was optimistic about her condition, felt that she wasn't going to get better.

Pam was on a ventilator, a machine that breathed for her. Earlier in the week she had told me she didn't want to be on life support for a long time. On April 4, all of her family and friends were near her and told her goodbye, kissed her and held her hands when life support was stopped. She quietly gave up her life around 1:33 p.m. Days later, at her request, her remains were returned to Iowa.

Pam was amazing, remarkable and one in a million. I think everyone who ever met her remembered her. Through television she touched thousands of people.

What people have said the most about her was that she was an inspiration. She didn't try to be though; she was just a humble farm girl. She never sought glory for herself, instead she always put others first and had a warm smile.

On Jan. 5, while Pam was getting cancer treatment she saw a man at the Sky Ridge Medical Center. It was his first time there. He was a farmer from Strasburg who had prostate cancer. She talked to him for a while, probably offering him comfort. Later, her nurse told her she should spend more time focusing on herself. That wasn't Pam.

Other accolades people said they liked about Pam were her courage, faith, strength, positive attitude, kindness and beautiful smile. Many people said she was admired and respected by people and made a difference in their lives.

In an industry where egos can get the best of people, Pam was unusual in that she was genuine and sincere. She didn't have a phony bone in her body.

She had an uncanny ability to love everyone unconditionally and was one of those rare people who was a "giver" rather than a receiver. She always made time for everyone. Whether you were the janitor or a CEO, Pam treated you the same.

Pamela also loved being a mom. Her children were the pride of her life, and her legacy of faith with hopefully live on through them. But what Pam was the most passionate about though was God. She was a life-long follower of Jesus Christ. She once said the crowning achievement in her life would be to stand before God and receive the blessing, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

As one viewer said, "she lived her faith." That she did. While many of us strive to live the ideal Christian life very few succeed, but Pam did.

Toward the end of her life she dedicated all her energy to witnessing for Christ, even as she sensed her life was coming to an end.

On her third day in the hospital, when she was most certainly in pain, although wouldn't admit it, she was in a good mood. I asked her why she was so happy and she said, "Jesus." Pam knew the secret to happiness doesn't lie on earth, but in heaven, and that God is in control of our lives. Many times she told me if we have problems we should put them in a suitcase and give them up to God. Good advice from a woman who knew.

Pam changed my life forever and the lives of many people. I was truly blessed to have known her and to be her husband. We were all blessed to be in the presence of a real angel.

The story of Pam's life wouldn't be complete without telling you some lessons that Pam learned during her life. They include:

  • Find God's blessing in everything.
  • Trust God.
  • Give glory to God.
  • God is in control and has a plan for our lives. Ask him what that plan is.
  • Put others before yourself.
  • Read the Bible daily. The solution for every problem is in the Bible.
  • Remember Romans 8:28, it was one of Pam's favorites. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Also, having found her own cancer, Pam would want all women to get to know their bodies and do self-breast examinations.

I'd like to quote some lyrics Pam liked from the group Big Daddy Weave.
    "Cause you know one day I'll fly to my mansion in the sky. And I'll have no regrets when I leave this place for good. When I say my last farewell don't forget to tell them I'm not really dead, I'm just changin' neighborhoods."

Additional Information:
  • Pam's Journal
  • Pam's family has chosen the Susan G. Komen organization for those wanting to contribute to a memorial fund. Checks can be mailed to:
    Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
    In Honor Of Pam Daale
    1835 Franklin St.
    Denver, CO 80218
    Donors will receive an acknowledgement letter and Pam's family will also be informed of who has given.
  • If you'd like to send a card to Pam's family, you can send it to the station. Our address is:
    123 Speer Blvd.
    Denver, CO 80203
  • You can also send condolences by e-mail to pamsfamily@thedenverchannel.com.


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