Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and eventful times in a woman’s life. Mine was a normal pregnancy, each movement and kick marking the development of my little bundle of joy. My little daughter, Lily, was born via C-section on August 4, 2005 and I couldn’t contain my excitement as I counted her ten little fingers and toes. Throughout this pregnancy, as in everything else in my life, my “village” surrounded me– my husband, his family, my parents, and many dear friends who shared the joy of Lily’s entrance into the world. As we witnessed this new chapter in life, it all seemed perfect – there was so much to look forward to.
I would have loved to spend more time at home with Lily, but when she was about a month old I went back to work. I wasn’t feeling physically up to par, though – I had not even an ounce of energy. I was completely fatigued and breathless. At first, I blew it off as a case of a new mom’s “baby blues,” but in time it became clear that something was wrong. I visited my doctor for a physical and a series of tests revealed a diagnosis much worse than the stress and depression of an exhausted new mother.
On November 21, 2005, the news came and it was devastating: malignant pleural mesothelioma. Cancer. The word no one wants to hear. Turns out I had contact with asbestos as a child, 30 years ago. That exposure to asbestos disturbed the lining of one of my lungs, causing mesothelioma. There I was, with a 3 1/2 month old baby girl, slapped with the reality of this diagnosis during the most joyous time of my life.
If bad can go to worse, I was given no more than 15 months to live unless I began treatment immediately. What choice did I have? I had a new baby and a loving husband to think of in this new and happy chapter of our lives. I couldn’t imagine them having to go on without me. I knew I had to do whatever it took to beat the monster threatening my family and my village of loved ones. Given the severity of this cancer, we knew I had to get the best mesothelioma treatment available.
My family stepped up, agreeing to care for Lily in my child home state of South Dakota so I could get the best help possible. Because one of the best mesothelioma doctors was in the Boston area, my husband and I went there to seek his help. On February 2, 2006, I underwent an extrapleural pneumonectomy, which is a removal of the affected lung and all the surrounding tissues. I spent 18 days of recovery in the hospital before moving on to the next steps in treatment: radiation and chemotherapy.
Throughout my treatment and recovery, my village grew. In Boston, we met other families dealing with similar problems. They leaned on us and we leaned on them during the whole process. The support helped so much. Back in my childhood home in South Dakota, my parents gained a village of their own related to raising Lily. Girls I’d babysat were now grown with families of their own, and they offered to watch Lily while my parents were at work. Their support means more to me than words can express.
Motherhood is a joyous and stressful 24/7 task, but I embraced it with open arms. I never dreamed that at the same time I would be battling to save my life from the curse of mesothelioma. The fight paid off, though, and I did fully recover. I’m now cancer free, but the battle was a tough one. While I struggled through treatments, my parents were raising Lily through all the moments a mom cherishes most – moments I could only experience through photographs in the hospital. These moments fueled my determination to win this battle against cancer.
Along with the visions of my beautiful baby girl, my “village” of family and friends gave me strength to reach for the stars. I knew I needed to rid my body of this cancer to be here for the ones I loved– the ones who loved me and gave me support through it all. Even when facing cancer, giving in is surrendering. Life is precious. Your “village” deserves your best efforts in return for the love and support they gave during such a terrible time. Never take life– or anything in your life– for granted.
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Heather Von St James is a 43-year-old wife and mother. Upon her diagnosis of mesothelioma, she vowed to be a source of hope for other patients who found themselves with the same diagnosis. Now, over 6 years later, her story has been helping people all over the globe. She continues her advocacy and awareness work by blogging, speaking and sharing her message of hope and healing with others.
Want to learn more about Heather’s story? Check out her story at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog.
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