April 2, 2024, 25 Years married to this guy!!!
Through all of the ups and downs, we are still madly in love and committed to each other more than ever. Love you to the moon and back Cams!!! I remember in 2013 receiving a text from Cameron informing me of Heather’s Story.
Heather Von St. James | Cancer Quick Facts
First Posted on September 10, 2013, by Ken
Heather Von St. James (born January 5, 1969) is an American cancer survivor, cancer research advocate, and blogger. Von St. James serves as a mesothelioma research funding advocate and conference speaker for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.[1][2]
Von St. James When my daughter was three months old, I was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in 2005 at the age of 36. I was just getting into the swing of things of being a new mom when this illness struck. It started with rapid weight loss, but I was breastfeeding exclusively, which burns a lot of calories, so we chalked it up to that.
I had only gained five pounds through the whole pregnancy, but my doctor was not concerned because I was a little on the heavy side. Then the fatigue started. I was so tired all the time. I had no appetite, and could not get enough sleep, but all these symptoms could be attributed to postpartum issues.
The fatigue got steadily worse. I became anemic, then it felt like a truck parked on my chest. I had difficulty breathing.
In February 2006, Von St. James underwent extensive thoracic surgery, known as extrapleural pneumonectomy, with adjuvant intraoperative heated chemotherapy under the care of thoracic surgeon Dr. David J. Sugarbaker at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
She was declared cancer-free later that year.
Von St. James’ recovery from the disease is clinically unique because malignant mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer typically diagnosed in older patients that, even with treatment, has a 6 to 9 month median survival rate.[4] Mesothelioma, commonly caused by exposure to asbestos, typically only manifests after a 10-50 year period following exposure.[5]
Von St. James’ was thinking back to her younger years looking for a cause and instantly thought about the years she spent with her father at his construction site. At these sites, her father would be covered in dust from dry-wall mud that contained asbestos. After finding the cause and getting the diagnosis she was told she only had 15 months to live, yet she is now cancer-free. [6]
Heather Von St. James is a 19-year mesothelioma survivor who writes and reviews content for Heather Von St. James | Survivor, Author and Reviewer @Mesothelioma.com. She brings unique perspectives on mesothelioma, asbestos and survivorship to all her work.
Heather was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma at age 36, shortly after delivering her first and only child.Getting Treatment for Mesothelioma
Living in Minnesota My doctor told me I wouldn’t live past 15 months without treatment. He said chemotherapy and radiation may get me 5 years. He described an experimental procedure at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
If successful, this treatment could give me 10 years to live.
My husband Cam immediately said, “Get us to Boston.”
Days later, I was on my way to meet with Dr. David Sugarbaker,
A leading expert in pleural mesothelioma. He developed a treatment plan for me that included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments — and the man who prescribed them — saved my life. Remembering a Pioneer Dr. David Sugarbaker | Mesothelioma.com
Given a Death Sentence of 15 months to live, but Heather and her husband Cameron fought to defy that. She sought treatment from renowned mesothelioma expert Dr. David Sugarbaker. Heather received an array of treatments, starting with extra pleural pneumonectomy. The surgery left her with only one lung. But this aggressive treatment plan made her a mesothelioma survivor. She now uses her voice to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos and mesothelioma.
“I met more and more patients and families and saw the devastation caused by this disease. I wanted more than ever to give people hope and to inspire them. As my health returned, so did the fire.”
Heather speaks at conferences, makes guest appearances on podcasts and does television interviews. She also shares her story and honest takes on survivorship through her personal social media accounts. She even holds a certification for rare disease advocacy.
Heather uses her energy and resources to support those affected by mesothelioma and tries to prevent future cases. In addition to her content work, Heather also speaks directly with patients and loved ones who visit this site. She hopes her knowledge and experience can provide some level of reassurance to others facing a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Selected Publications
Baylor College of Medicine. Surviving Mesothelioma, One Appointment at a Time.
June 2017.Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. With Hope, The Odds Don’t Matter – Heather Von St. James.
Darisipudi S and Fanichel M. From a 15-Month Prognosis to 17 Years of Survivorship: Heather Von St. James’ Mesothelioma Story.
Cure. November 2022.EHS Today. Heather Von St. James: Why I Fight.
May 2017. Union of Concerned Scientists. Heather von St James: The Asbestos Industry and Mesothelioma.
April 2018. Women’s Voices for the Earth. Heather Von St. James.
References
- ^ “2012 Symposium Video Presentations”. 2012 International Mesothelioma Symposium. Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ Reinstein, Linda (10 August 2012). “Heather Von St. James, Mesothelioma Warrior, ADAO Conference Interview”. Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ Pheifer, Pat (27 August 2008). “A rare survival story in a brush with a rare and deadly cancer”. Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ “Malignant Mesothelioma”. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ Berkowitz, Ben (11 May 2012). “Special Report: The long, lethal shadow of asbestos”. Reuters. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
External links
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