When Heather Von St. James dropped by my blog and asked me to email her,I had an idea it was about a guest post.But I didn't know how inspiring her story was until I turned to Google to get a glimpse of who she is.Read her story of courage and survival and be inspired to live and beat the odds.
Loving Life by Heather Von St.James
No one ever forgets a day when his or her world is turned upside down -- a day when everything changes. That is true for me. I will never forget the day my daughter was born. I will also never forget the day three and a half months later when I was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The date was November 21, 2005. My health was on a steady decline. My daughter was steadily getting bigger and I had a lot of thinking to do. I had to choose to prepare for my demise or fight for my life. I found the strength within me to choose the latter and fight for a chance to raise Lily.
One of the partners in my fight was a man named Dr. David Sugarbaker. I was sent to see him at Boston Brigham and Women's hospital. Around that time, I started researching my illness. The outlook was grim. If I managed to live more than another five years, I would be one of only two percent of malignant pleural mesothelioma sufferers who make it that far. Something inside me knew I could be one of them, so I adopted a new outlook on life. I would be fiercely determined and taking absolutely nothing for granted.
To say the next year was easy would be a bald-faced lie. Mesothelioma treatment is extremely difficult to endure. I had my entire left lung removed and underwent months of chemotherapy and radiation. I had to rely on the kindness of family and friends to help me raise my daughter while I dealt with my illness and tried to spend as much time with Lily as possible. Her first birthday was a momentous occasion. Lily was one and I was nearing the end of my treatment. A few months later, I had my last treatment appointment.
I have learned quite a bit since the day I was diagnosed. Being a mother, fighting cancer and surviving cancer have all contributed to my new outlook. I cannot afford to under-appreciate anything in my life. I would do myself a disservice by ignoring what is important or taking it for granted. That is why everything from natural beauty to every breath my child takes has become something for me to soak up. This is what gives us the strength to survive.
My family and I are not the only people dealing with this terrible disease. I encountered many people like us along the way. Some of those people sadly lost their battles. They, along with those who remain, inspire me to bring awareness to our struggles. I hope to turn mesothelioma into something more than a commercial. I want others to see the face of mesothelioma -- these people -- and carve a place in their hearts for them as I have.
Sure, this has been a difficult road to traverse. Nonetheless, I carefully fight away any negativity and strive to take advantage of everything life throws at me.
Loving Life by Heather Von St.James
No one ever forgets a day when his or her world is turned upside down -- a day when everything changes. That is true for me. I will never forget the day my daughter was born. I will also never forget the day three and a half months later when I was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The date was November 21, 2005. My health was on a steady decline. My daughter was steadily getting bigger and I had a lot of thinking to do. I had to choose to prepare for my demise or fight for my life. I found the strength within me to choose the latter and fight for a chance to raise Lily.
One of the partners in my fight was a man named Dr. David Sugarbaker. I was sent to see him at Boston Brigham and Women's hospital. Around that time, I started researching my illness. The outlook was grim. If I managed to live more than another five years, I would be one of only two percent of malignant pleural mesothelioma sufferers who make it that far. Something inside me knew I could be one of them, so I adopted a new outlook on life. I would be fiercely determined and taking absolutely nothing for granted.
To say the next year was easy would be a bald-faced lie. Mesothelioma treatment is extremely difficult to endure. I had my entire left lung removed and underwent months of chemotherapy and radiation. I had to rely on the kindness of family and friends to help me raise my daughter while I dealt with my illness and tried to spend as much time with Lily as possible. Her first birthday was a momentous occasion. Lily was one and I was nearing the end of my treatment. A few months later, I had my last treatment appointment.
I have learned quite a bit since the day I was diagnosed. Being a mother, fighting cancer and surviving cancer have all contributed to my new outlook. I cannot afford to under-appreciate anything in my life. I would do myself a disservice by ignoring what is important or taking it for granted. That is why everything from natural beauty to every breath my child takes has become something for me to soak up. This is what gives us the strength to survive.
My family and I are not the only people dealing with this terrible disease. I encountered many people like us along the way. Some of those people sadly lost their battles. They, along with those who remain, inspire me to bring awareness to our struggles. I hope to turn mesothelioma into something more than a commercial. I want others to see the face of mesothelioma -- these people -- and carve a place in their hearts for them as I have.
Sure, this has been a difficult road to traverse. Nonetheless, I carefully fight away any negativity and strive to take advantage of everything life throws at me.
To know more about Heather and her inspiring story, please visit her blog HERE
