Mesothelioma Survivor a Symbol of Hope

A Minnesota woman is sharing her story of survival, providing hope to thousands of mesothelioma sufferers.

The traditional survival time for mesothelioma patients after diagnosis is 12 to 18 months. November will mark three years—36 months—since Heather Von St. James received a positive diagnosis.

“I claim cured,” she said.

Her doctor, David Sugarbaker, is a little more cautious in his assessment. “What I can say is that right now in this present moment she is disease-free,” he said.

Radical treatment

In February 2006, Von St. James underwent a radical surgery: Doctors removed her left lung, part of her diaphragm, a rib, several lymph nodes and the lining around her heart. Three months later she began chemotherapy once every three weeks for twelve weeks.  That was the last of Von St. James’ treatment.

“I am the poster child for hope after meso,” she said.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure

Von St. James ‘ father worked as a construction laborer for Ainsworth-Benning. She believes she developed mesothelioma as a result of secondhand asbestos exposure, which doctors are seeing more and more of these days.

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 2,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and takes two to five decades to manifest symptoms.

(Source: Star Tribune)

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