Guest Post: Heather's Story

I'm going to introduce you to Heather Von St. James. She is a cancer survivor and is on a mission to bring awareness to the dangers of Asbestos. Heather is 43 years old and a mother to a "quirky" little 7 year old, Lily, her only child and her whole world. When Lily was just 3.5 months old, Heather was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Mesothelioma which kills 90 - 95% of those who have it. In her words, "as I'm sure you can imagine, the first thing that came to my mind when I was diagnosed was my baby girl and how I wasn't going to be able to watch her grow up". 

Heather has turned her pain into purpose and is partnering with bloggers across North America to bring awareness to this 100% preventable type of cancer. Asbestos is in many walls and attics and products in North America and until September of 2012 (that's TWO months ago), the government of Canada was funding the manufacturing of a type of asbestos because to ban it would have a "negative impact on the prosperity" of the mining communities (especially in Quebec). 

As you might know, John and I were recently looking into home buying, and the issue of asbestos, particularly in vermiculite (insulation) was a huge concern for us. Homes are often old and contain this poisonous, killing substance - and it's so important to be aware of the location and potential dangers around us. In (very) short, asbestos fibers will stick to the inside of your lungs and never let go, so this is one issue to be aware of. It's in a wide variety of products and it's good to know where it might be found.

(A little addendum:)
"All forms of asbestos cause cancer and we must take action to protect Canadian families from exposure. Motion M-381 creates a registry of homes and buildings that contain asbestos. It will receive a vote in Parliament on December 5. Every day, take action by contacting an MP and ask them to support M-381. Learn more at www.cancer.ca/takeaction"

Heather would like to share with you what it feels like to be told that you have cancer from a 100% preventable cause.

Here is her story:

Heather with her family

“You have cancer.” These are the three words that no one wants to hear in any circumstance. I remember my life vividly when I heard those words. It was at a time when everything should have been at its best. I had just had a baby three and a half months prior to the diagnosis. It was a joyous time. Then, I heard the words, and my heart sunk. I had been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure earlier in my life. I was devastated.


“Asbestos? Wait a minute, isn’t that banned?” I heard that line over and over again. “Where were you exposed?” I also heard this line numerous times. Everyone looks shocked when they hear that asbestos is not banned, especially since it is so deadly.  Asbestos was lurking on my father’s work clothes, on his jacket, and in his car when he came home from work. He did mainly drywall taping, sanding, and mudding. The microscopic asbestos fibers lodged into my lungs, and decades later, I was diagnosed.

Because I was exposed so early in my life, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma as a 36 year old, which is not typical. Most mesothelioma patients are older, male, and trade workers. I thought mesothelioma only affected trades people such as plumbers, electricians, and mechanics. I also heard about how heating specialists and mechanics were exposed to asbestos. I thought, “How could this happen to me?” Then, I heard about the wives who were sick also from asbestos exposure due to doing their husband’s laundry. The asbestos fibers were airborne when the dust was shaken off the clothes.

I am one of the first of the new generation of mesothelioma victims. Surprisingly, more young people are being diagnosed with the disease because of the early exposure as children. Young children were exposed when they would leap into their father’s arms after a long day at work while their father still had his asbestos covered clothes on. Daddy’s girls were also exposed when they borrowed their dads’ jackets to go and feed the rabbit because they did not want theirs to get dirty outside. These children had simply wanted to hang out with their dads and ended up getting exposed to asbestos unknowingly.

I am heavily involved in the mesothelioma community. The more I interact with others affected by mesothelioma, the more young patients I meet. These men and women are in their late twenties and early thirties. These young people should be marrying, having babies and starting new jobs. Instead, they are concentrating on overcoming mesothelioma. The good news is that there are more advances made in the treatment of the disease. Now, people of all ages are surviving.

Indeed, it is devastating to hear that you have cancer. Mesothelioma brings despair, but support groups help us to hang onto hope. We learn to support each other, cry together and celebrate victories. Without awareness, nothing changes. If I offer hope to someone who has just been diagnosed with cancer or remove the fear of a person with mesothelioma, I feel that I have done the right thing.

You can follow Heather's journey at her blog.

Heather & Lily 2012