Dec 8, 2023 — I’ve written before of Pamela Salem O’Hagan, who is loved by me and many here in our little beach town, as well as friends and film buffs around the world. Among many other notable roles, the now semi-retired English actress played Miss Moneypenny to Sean Connery’s James Bond in Never Say Never Again. She’s always taken exceptionally good care of herself, written three popular Meanings of Life cards, and these days has as her constant companion, Misty, a dear rescue about the size of the strong dog pictured.

Pam took a mysterious tumble this past Tuesday night and was rushed to the ER. She’ll remain in the hospital through the weekend for tests and to gain strength. Back in July, I wrote you about how this marvel somehow manages to be her joyful, indomitable self despite a challenging decade of broken elbow, double-mastectomy, incurable cancerous tumors in her tummy, and Parkinson’s that has painfully bended and twisted her like a still-pretty pretzel.

In case you missed it, in that story I described how, a year ago — from the car on her way home from a doctor’s appointment where they’d discussed what to do about the tumors — Pam had called. “Hello there, darling. I want to share some great, great news!” she’d said in her 0h-so-distinguished English accent. She explained that a team of world-class specialists had lined up all kinds of experimental treatments for her. “Poor things,” she said, “they were so kind and it was clearly hard for them to have to tell me that the treatments would likely be of no use to me, and then warn that the drugs and chemo and radiation and whatever else they can throw at this will not be at all pleasant either.

“They were so apologetic that I had to tell them not to worry … I assured them it was a privilege to be their guinea pig and, hopefully, what they learn from treating me will help them beat it in someone else down the line.” She laughed, “I finally had to put the discussion to rest by telling them the Parkinson’s is surely going to kill me long before these blasted tummy tumors anyway!” When I asked how she managed to stay so relentlessly positive and forward-moving, she was quick to say, “Each day, I reach out and take the hand of God to lead the way.”

After reading that Cardie Newsletter, kind Cardie Jo-Ann Saunders wrote, “Thinking about your beautiful friend, Pam, the word ‘warrior’ comes to mind because of her unbelievable attitude as she faces such daunting health issues. I can honestly say that would not be me, so I admire her beyond any words that I could ever express! I am a grief educator,” Jo-Ann explained, “and Pam speaks to my spirit. Please tell her what an inspiration she is to me — a complete stranger! — both personally and professionally, and that I am praying for her.”

To gracious Jo-Ann and all the other Pam Fans in this Cardie Community, prayers will be appreciated indeed. I’ll share with you that, having been with Pam those long hours in the ER, three of us were about to head out so she could rest. We stood to leave and her thoughtfulness somehow gave her the strength to say, “Please tell all my friends …”

I leaned over her with my phone and said, “How about we record you and send it to everyone who is anxiously awaiting an update?” Even while flat on her back, eyes tight in pain, strung like a Christmas tree with IVs, and serenaded by woman in labor wailing away down the hall, her stage voice was strikingly strong and elegant. With a smile, she said into the mic, “Dear Friends. My group of Guardian Angels! With the sound of a little baby being born in the background, I say thank you, and hallelujah to a new life. I think that’s probably all I can say because, at the moment, words fail me for a thank you.”

If you click below, you can listen for yourself, and hear how Pam keeps on, keeping on!

Dec 8, 2023 — I’ve written before of Pamela Salem O’Hagan, who is loved by me and many here in our little beach town, as well as friends and film buffs around the world. Among many other notable roles, the now semi-retired English actress played Miss Moneypenny to Sean Connery’s James Bond in Never Say Never Again. She’s always taken exceptionally good care of herself, written three popular Meanings of Life cards, and these days has as her constant companion, Misty, a dear rescue about the size of the strong dog pictured.

Pam took a mysterious tumble this past Tuesday night and was rushed to the ER. She’ll remain in the hospital through the weekend for tests and to gain strength. Back in July, I wrote you about how this marvel somehow manages to be her joyful, indomitable self despite a challenging decade of broken elbow, double-mastectomy, incurable cancerous tumors in her tummy, and Parkinson’s that has painfully bended and twisted her like a still-pretty pretzel.

In case you missed it, in that story I described how, a year ago — from the car on her way home from a doctor’s appointment where they’d discussed what to do about the tumors — Pam had called. “Hello there, darling. I want to share some great, great news!” she’d said in her 0h-so-distinguished English accent. She explained that a team of world-class specialists had lined up all kinds of experimental treatments for her. “Poor things,” she said, “they were so kind and it was clearly hard for them to have to tell me that the treatments would likely be of no use to me, and then warn that the drugs and chemo and radiation and whatever else they can throw at this will not be at all pleasant either.

“They were so apologetic that I had to tell them not to worry … I assured them it was a privilege to be their guinea pig and, hopefully, what they learn from treating me will help them beat it in someone else down the line.” She laughed, “I finally had to put the discussion to rest by telling them the Parkinson’s is surely going to kill me long before these blasted tummy tumors anyway!” When I asked how she managed to stay so relentlessly positive and forward-moving, she was quick to say, “Each day, I reach out and take the hand of God to lead the way.”

After reading that Cardie Newsletter, kind Cardie Jo-Ann Saunders wrote, “Thinking about your beautiful friend, Pam, the word ‘warrior’ comes to mind because of her unbelievable attitude as she faces such daunting health issues. I can honestly say that would not be me, so I admire her beyond any words that I could ever express! I am a grief educator,” Jo-Ann explained, “and Pam speaks to my spirit. Please tell her what an inspiration she is to me — a complete stranger! — both personally and professionally, and that I am praying for her.”

To gracious Jo-Ann and all the other Pam Fans in this Cardie Community, prayers will be appreciated indeed. I’ll share with you that, having been with Pam those long hours in the ER, three of us were about to head out so she could rest. We stood to leave and her thoughtfulness somehow gave her the strength to say, “Please tell all my friends …”

I leaned over her with my phone and said, “How about we record you and send it to everyone who is anxiously awaiting an update?” Even while flat on her back, eyes tight in pain, strung like a Christmas tree with IVs, and serenaded by woman in labor wailing away down the hall, her stage voice was strikingly strong and elegant. With a smile, she said into the mic, “Dear Friends. My group of Guardian Angels! With the sound of a little baby being born in the background, I say thank you, and hallelujah to a new life. I think that’s probably all I can say because, at the moment, words fail me for a thank you.”

If you click below, you can listen for yourself, and hear how Pam keeps on, keeping on!

Caring Cardies, if you’d like to send Pam your own well-wishes, we’ll see that Pam receives all cards and notes sent to:

Pamela Salem O’Hagan
℅ Jodee Stevens
9241 Collins Ave, #14
Miami Beach, FL 33154

Let’s do take a moment this weekend to count our blessings, darlings. The beautiful Pamela Salem O’Hagan is decidedly one of them.

Caring Cardies, if you’d like to send Pam your own well-wishes, we’ll see that Pam receives all cards and notes sent to:

Pamela Salem O’Hagan
℅ Jodee Stevens
9241 Collins Ave, #14
Miami Beach, FL 33154

Let’s do take a moment this weekend to count our blessings, darlings. The beautiful Pamela Salem O’Hagan is decidedly one of them.