Cancer Patient Strengthens Self Via Workouts

HOUSTON - Pamela Massey wasn't always one of those “workout women,” although she knew deep down she should be.

"You know, eat well, eat healthy, exercise, and do all those kind of healthy things."

But she threw herself into the Curves workout after life threw her a curve ball.

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which has a very low survival rate.

"I started exercising as I started my first round of chemo."

And eventually her doctors noticed something.

Despite the poison pouring into her system, Pamela Massey was gaining strength and endurance.

"As I exercised more, even though I was having chemo, I got stronger."

Her trainer, Curves franchise owner Fabiana Morris, is used to hearing all kinds of excuses. But not from Pamela Massey.

"She really was consistent," says Morris, "and she would come in no matter what, so that was really inspiring to me to see that. It kind of changed the way I really think about people that are going through cancer. "

Massey had surgery in November and doctors told her to give up the gym during recovery.

And she noticed something the old Pamela might have found funny: she actually missed it.

"I'm on my 11th week out of the surgery now, and I'm just starting to get back to exercising again."

Massey underwent a CAT scan on Wednesday to check out her progress.

She says things are looking good.

It's true cancer got her into exercise, but that's no reason to keep it around!

"I knew that I wanted to get more physically fit but I don't know that I would have been as motivated to do it."

Massey is about to begin another four months of chemotherapy.

And she continues to work out. Like a boxer facing a formidable foe, she wants to be ready.