Mesothelioma Awareness Day A Survivor’s Story On Parenting Through Cancer

Mesothelioma Awareness Day 2016 Mesothelioma Awareness Day falls on September 26th. It is a day to celebrate the lives of those who have battled mesothelioma, and are still battling the disease today. It is intended to help spread awareness for the causes of mesothelioma, so that we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones, and prevent this deadly cancer.

What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that's caused by exposure to asbestos. When asbestos is disturbed and airborne, the particles become toxic. When inhaled, they can stick to the mesothelium tissue, located in the lungs, abdomen or heart. The asbestos remains in the lungs and can cause a variety of different health problems, including but not limited to mesothelioma. Other potential issues include lung cancer and asbestosis.

Mesothelioma has a very long latency period, which can range between ten and fifty years. When symptoms occur, years or even decades later, it is often times difficult to distinguish them right away from common ailments. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, tightness of chest, fever, nausea, weight loss, and fatigue. These make mesothelioma easy to misdiagnose. Unfortunately, when it is diagnosed the cancer is typically in its later stages.

The prognosis for mesothelioma is generally very poor. Those diagnosed are usually given between 12 and 24 months to live. This is dependent on a few variables including type of mesothelioma, age and health of patient and stage detected. After being diagnosed, it's common for patients to undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of the three. New emerging treatments and immunotherapies are also becoming more prevalent.

Parenting with Mesothelioma Due to it's long latency period, mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in people over age 50. That wasn't the case for Heather Von St. James. As a 36 year old, new mother Heather was handed a grim diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. She was told that she had 15 months to live. This was not acceptable for the mother of three month old, Lily. She knew that she had to overcome this cancer, and defy the odds that the doctor gave her.

It was not easy, but Heather and her husband, Cam, came up with a plan. They found a doctor and made the decision to fly to Boston to have Heather's lung removed. Lily stayed in South Dakota with Heather's family, and once Heather done recovering from her surgery she flew back to South Dakota. She could not care for Lily herself, so she remained there with her parents, while Cam went back to their home in Minnesota to work.

While in South Dakota Heather went through chemotherapy, followed by a 30-day radiation treatment. Her body and mind were worn down, and there were times that she wanted to give up. Her faith kept her going. Cam had constantly been telling her "Lily needs her mother". While Heather was in South Dakota and Cameron was in Minnesota, he was only able to see Lily for three days. "It's what we had to do in order to get by," Heather explained.

As a 10+ year survivor, Heather looks back on the trials and tribulations of parenting through cancer treatment, as well as how it changed her outlook after treatment. While it was extremely challenging, she is grateful that Lily was too young to remember those times. She doesn't remember seeing her mother sick, and recovering from treatments. She doesn't remember being away from her parents. She does, however, still have a strong bond with her grandparents, that began while they helped care for her as an infant. That is something Heather is grateful for.

When being asked about her parenting style, Heather noted, "I parent completely different than I ever thought I would. The little things don't get me." She went on to explain that now with Lily in school she is less concerned with test grades and attendance records, and more concerned with Lily's health. She also focuses on making sure Lily is able to have great experiences in life. Cancer can put things into perspective. It's taught Heather to appreciate the little things. It's also taught her to not sweat the small stuff. She carries those lessons into her parenting style.

Want to Make a Difference? Since asbestos is still not banned worldwide, it's crucial to educate ourselves on the dangers of the substance. To make a difference, spread the word! Share this message with us on Mesothelioma Awareness Day, and in the days and months that pass. Asbestos is too common, and too dangerous not to. This awful cancer that Heather and thousands of others have battled can be prevented! If you'd like to sign a petition to have asbestos banned, you can check out this list from The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).