Grace Pitzer's Breast Cancer Journey

Celebrating Eight Years

It has now been over eight years since my breast cancer diagnosis, surgeries, chemo and radiation. My checkups have been clean, and I am now on a yearly schedule. I continue to take Tamoxifen, to get rid of estrogen, and have annual bone density scans.

We have been living at Mary’s Woods, a CCRC (Continuing Care Residence Community) in Lake Oswego since January 2021. It is a beautiful setting of over 40 acres, all within walking distance of the Willamette River.

There is so much to do here and so many friends, that I have little time to think about how I am doing, which is great. I get to the gym (a five-minute walk) several times a week and play ping pong even more frequently with my friend Suzie who lives down the hall.

In April I traveled to Hawaii for a week in Honolulu with my friends Suzie and Sharon, also from down the hall. We had perfect weather and a delightful time. This included a tour of half the island and a hike up Diamond Head. I climbed to more than half the way to the top.

In May I had my cataracts removed, and now I can see much better, although I still use readers some of the time. I’m enjoying the brighter colors and I don’t have to wear glasses, but do most of the time.

Here at Mary’s Woods we had the summer games again; two weeks of enjoying playing and seeing so many folks out enjoying the lovely weather. I putted, played bocce ball, croquet and shuffle board.

I continue being involved with Delta Kappa Gamma. I am the state webmaster, help with my chapter, Beta Beta, and am on the board and webmaster for the Beta Beta Education Foundation. This gives me a second set of friends, and duties – like hosting zoom meetings.

In November I spent two nights in Cannon Beach with three friends from my floor and a sibling (Suzie, Yvonne, and Sharon and her sister.) We had lovely weather and enjoyed walking on the beach and did a little shopping. It was a lovely time.

Paul has been continuing to do his best to deal with Parkinson’s Disease. He goes to exercise classes six days a week, quite faithfully. All but one of those classes are in the swimming pool, which he enjoys.

As the year winds down, we are very thankful for having moved to Mary’s Woods where we enjoy many friends and a full calendar of events.

All for now! Grace