It's been more than a month since I posted something here. So sorry!
To make it up to you, I've been asked to post a Guest post here, which actually should have been posted weeks ago but....I was kinda busy, you know...kissing my new baby heheh.
Heather Von Saint James is a cancer survivor and she wishes to reach out to others out there. Here's her story:
Trials Make Life More Precious
On November 21, 2005, I received dreaded medical news; I had been officially diagnosed with malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. I thought my world was about to end. My precious baby girl, Lily, was a mere three and a half months at the time.
I was referred to Dr. David Sugarbaker, one of the leading mesothelioma doctors. I had surgery at Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Lily stayed with my parents while this occurred; the surgery was just shy of 1,900 miles away from my home. Pleural Mesothelioma statistics are foreboding; only 2% of individuals diagnosed with the form of cancer are still living on the fifth anniversary of the diagnosis. I spent the next several months in both chemotherapy and radiation; the procedures were successful and I was cancer free!
When my daughter’s first birthday came around, there was certainly a lot to celebrate; the fact that I was cancer free was celebrated just as much as her first birthday. I had beaten a malignant cancer. Friends and family came from far and near to celebrate with us.
Between my visits with Dr. Sugarbaker and reading the mesothelioma statistics, I decided that I was going to be part of the 2% who beats this deadly disease. He helped instill hope and a strong desire to come out cancer free and stay that way. At the end of my chemotherapy and radiation, I was declared officially cancer free; I vowed to stay that way.
One thing that having a deadly cancer has taught me is to enjoy life to the fullest. Even on bad days, life is still a wonderful gift. Little things, such as dogs barking, mean so much more when life is not taken for granted. I love every minute I get to enjoy with Lily, from her giggles to her playfulness. Each person I met on this journey I will never forget; each has a special place in my heart. I want to raise awareness of this deadly disease; this is for many reasons. The brave people who have had this disease and lost the family and friends who stand side by side with those fighting and the compassionate doctors are all reasons why awareness needs to be raised for this disease.
Now, even though I am cancer free, I still live life to the greatest extent each and every day. Because life is a both a gift and short, there is no time to waste on trivial things that do no not matter. Being thankful and in awe of something each and every day is truly what life is about.
On November 21, 2005, I received dreaded medical news; I had been officially diagnosed with malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. I thought my world was about to end. My precious baby girl, Lily, was a mere three and a half months at the time.
I was referred to Dr. David Sugarbaker, one of the leading mesothelioma doctors. I had surgery at Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Lily stayed with my parents while this occurred; the surgery was just shy of 1,900 miles away from my home. Pleural Mesothelioma statistics are foreboding; only 2% of individuals diagnosed with the form of cancer are still living on the fifth anniversary of the diagnosis. I spent the next several months in both chemotherapy and radiation; the procedures were successful and I was cancer free!
When my daughter’s first birthday came around, there was certainly a lot to celebrate; the fact that I was cancer free was celebrated just as much as her first birthday. I had beaten a malignant cancer. Friends and family came from far and near to celebrate with us.
Between my visits with Dr. Sugarbaker and reading the mesothelioma statistics, I decided that I was going to be part of the 2% who beats this deadly disease. He helped instill hope and a strong desire to come out cancer free and stay that way. At the end of my chemotherapy and radiation, I was declared officially cancer free; I vowed to stay that way.
One thing that having a deadly cancer has taught me is to enjoy life to the fullest. Even on bad days, life is still a wonderful gift. Little things, such as dogs barking, mean so much more when life is not taken for granted. I love every minute I get to enjoy with Lily, from her giggles to her playfulness. Each person I met on this journey I will never forget; each has a special place in my heart. I want to raise awareness of this deadly disease; this is for many reasons. The brave people who have had this disease and lost the family and friends who stand side by side with those fighting and the compassionate doctors are all reasons why awareness needs to be raised for this disease.
Now, even though I am cancer free, I still live life to the greatest extent each and every day. Because life is a both a gift and short, there is no time to waste on trivial things that do no not matter. Being thankful and in awe of something each and every day is truly what life is about.
p/s: I was surprised to find out that my stats are still high ( meaning there are still readers out there coming here..which surprises me since I've been 'silent' for so long..) but thank you anyway for the support!
