Lucky 13: Celebrating 13 Years of Survivorship
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 1/28/2019
February 2nd, 2019 will mark 13 years since my life-saving surgery done by the late Dr. David Sugarbaker. 13 years was not even something I thought I could achieve all those years ago when I was told I had just 15 months to live. Over the last 13 years, I have had so much to be thankful and grateful for. All I have to do is look at my daughter, who was just a tiny, serious baby when I was diagnosed, and now she is taller than I am – a fact she is all too happy to point out at every moment possible! 13 years of scanxiety, 13 years of advocacy, and 13 years of living for today.
Dealing With a Cancer Diagnosis or Treatment During the Holidays
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 12/20/2018
The holidays can be magical and stressful, make you thankful or hate everything. But when you add in a cancer diagnosis, treatment, or a hospital stay, or any illness to the season, you end up dealing with so much more. The season comes with some pretty high expectations and along with that, equal disappointment. I learned LONG ago to tamper expectations and try not to get carried away, but it isn’t always that easy.
A Matter of Fact: Making the Asbestos Debate Mainstream
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 9/18/2018
Every once in a while, you get an email that makes you yell out loud. I received one of those emails a few weeks ago, and I literally screamed when I read it.
Remembering Dr. David Sugarbaker, Renowned Mesothelioma Expert
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 8/30/2018
The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance is saddened to learn of the passing of renowned mesothelioma expert, Dr. David Sugarbaker. Dr. Sugarbaker accomplished a lot in his lifetime, dedicating his career to finding a cure for pleural mesothelioma.
Attending the 2018 Minneapolis Mesothelioma Symposium
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 7/19/2018
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation recently held its regional symposium in Minneapolis, and I was thrilled to only drive 10 miles to the hotel it was being held, since I live in a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Every other year, the Meso Foundation takes its “show on the road” for smaller, more intimate gatherings to spotlight regional medical facilities and healthcare professionals. As most everyone knows, we happen to have the world-renowned Mayo Clinic just minutes south of the Twin Cities.
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Asbestos Is No Laughing Matter
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 5/7/2018
Whenever I meet someone new, whether through my volunteer work or advocacy work in Washington D.C., they are almost always surprised that asbestos is not banned, and is still being imported and used today. I’ve learned that many people just assumed that it was banned back in the 1980s when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced legislation that would ban nearly all uses of the toxin. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that law was overturned just a few years later, so asbestos is still legal to use today in certain products.
Reflecting on September’s Mesothelioma Awareness Events and My Biannual Checkup
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 10/24/2017
September always proves to be a busy month for me, and this year was certainly no different! As much as I try to pace myself, it always seems as though all the things happen at once. September is usually busy for one important reason: Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
How Cutting Funds to the EPA Could Affect Mesothelioma Survivors
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 5/8/2017
Through my years blogging for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, I have had some pretty amazing opportunities to get my story out there through blogs, opinion pieces, and most recently an interview and video with Greenpeace. Why Greenpeace you might ask? What does an organization better known for saving the whales have to do with mesothelioma and asbestos?
Lung Leavin’ Day 2017: Celebrating 11 Years of Mesothelioma Survival
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 2/3/2017
My husband and I have been throwing our Lung Leavin’ Day Celebration ever since 2007.
The first year it was just the two of us, in subzero weather, with our plates, by a pitifully small bonfire. But we did it, we wrote our fears in sharpie and smashed the plates. You know what? It felt AMAZING!!!
Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis During the Holidays
- Author: Heather Von St. James
- Date: 12/15/2016
I love decorating my Christmas tree. I love pulling out all the ornaments year after year, and finding the perfect spot for each one. Like many people, the ornaments hold memories: some good, others funny, and one in particular is the most bittersweet.
