Heather Von St. James is a nine-year cancer survivor. Three months after giving birth to her daughter, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Heather was given 15 months to live. After surgery to remove her left lung, and various treatments, she has been cancer free for close to a decade! To celebrate her survival and the true meaning of life, she created a holiday to commemorate the removal of her left lung, accurately named Lungleavin’ Day.
1) What is the back-story behind Lungleavin’ Day?
Lungleavin’ Day was born out of necessity. It came about as a way to see light in a very dark time in our lives, and as way to conquer the fear that so often accompanies a cancer diagnosis. My imaginative sister coined the day I had my surgery to “Lungleavin Day” since it was the day my lung left. The surgery was in February (and its quite cold in my area at that time, so we would need some heat) so we thought bonfire. I also wanted to have some sort of release or physical demonstration as we conquer fear. That is where the breaking of plates comes into play. We gather our friends, family, fellow mesothelioma survivors and supporters, and we all write personal fears, worries and concerns on a plate in a sharpie marker, take this plate out to the bonfire, and throw that sucker into the fire and smash it to pieces!!
2) What does Lungleavin’ Day signify in your life?
I have a purpose in my life now, a mission. And if I take this tragedy and turn it around to make something good? Then it’s all worth it. Lungleavin’ Day is more than just an anniversary of getting my lung removed, it signifies HOPE, rebirth, moving forward, and conquering those fears that can impede you from achieving what you are meant to do. The night has become a night to be treasured among my circle of friends and family; a night of true celebration and a night of LIFE.
3) Facing fears is not an easy task, yet you seem so empowered by it.
There is something special about giving voice to your fears, writing them down, then smashing them in a fire, and seeing the shards of that plate, and those shards of fears in the flames that gives you courage to face up to them and not let them rule your life. Fear does not hold anyone back that night, and even the children get into it as they learn the power of conquering fear from an early age. We give them paper plates and markers. Their fears usually involve monsters and ghosts (sometimes even vegetables!) representing their early understanding of fear in life. They get to throw the plates into the fire to see them burn. No nightmares that night.
4) How can we help?
You can participate on our website, and donate your social media status to help spread awareness (#LungLeavinDay and tag the @canceralliance or @HVSJ) or you can donate to aid mesothelioma research and awareness education here: http://www.curemeso.org/fundraising/heathervsj
Thank you to Heather for sharing her story of courage with us. I would like to invite everyone to check out Heather’s blog and read a little more about this amazing lady! Don’t forget to check out the fundraising page as well.
FT&PD
Suz
WOW!! It’s only when you read a story like Heathers that you realize what we all can do for ourselves in our own lives. We have to be very great full that we are not facing a health scare and say, for me, I can exercise and I can lose this extra weight, or whatever it is that is holding us back. Good Luck Heather and God Bless.
It is a powerful story to share, and learn from for sure..
Great, inspirational story, Suzanne. Thanks.
Thanks for reading along Brenda!
What a powerful interview. I have many fears and I really like her idea of writing them down on plates and putting them into a fire. I am going to try that as fears can overpower you so much.
It was a pretty neat idea for #LungLeavinDay for sure Ann. It would be great for anyone to help rid themselves of unwanted fears to do it this way..
What an amazing story. I have a fear of heights, flying and getting put outside my comfort zone. This story kind of puts a few things in perspective and I need to start getting over a few of them.
Randa I think our fears and desires help define us, and that is a good thing. That sad Heather is a wonderful and brave lady. I am glad I could share her story..
Thanks for sharing, Lung cancers are very underfunded in cancer research yet so devastating
Sad, but true. Thanks for reading Heather’s story Kate 🙂
What an amazing story and inspiration. She glowing with health and happiness. I am blown away. Thank you for sharing her story.
Thanks for reading Erica!
I love how she turned something scary into a positive thing!
Heather is an amazing lady for sure!
you are amazing Heather ! thank you for sharing your story and empowering others!
She is really brave in facing her treatment. It’s also nice that she was able to overcome cancer and continue to live on with her life.
Tough fight on cancer! Removed left lung? What? Wow! That was a lot to go through. But you see, if the person is willing to fight for his/her life, he/she could live! Wow this is encouraging for some who’s going through something right now.
A very interesting read to end my day. I salute the courage this woman possesses that she had beaten cancer with boldness.
such a brave soul and an inspiration to everyone. one lung removed is quite outstanding
i was interested to learn the back-story behind Lungleavin’ Day and now, knowing the background of the story, I think Heather’s mission is admirable and we need to bring awareness about mesothelioma research and aid the noble project.
It is pretty impressive Vanessa..
It’s such an inspiring story!~ The courage to face everything tough, is really something we should set as an example!
Very true Kylie, very true..
What an amazing story! What an inspirational and courageous lady!x
I am very touched with this story. I admire you with your bravery and determination. I am very sure many would be very inspired by this.
She is exceptionally brave for sure Angelo..
This is a very rewarding story to hear. Thanks for sharing it. I had never heard of that cancer before, and I’m glad she’s been able to break through it as a survivor.
Thanks for reading Lauren 🙂
I have a fear of dying in any accidents and heights! What mascara are you using in the picture above?
Then write those on a plate and smash away! Sorry I am not sure what the mascara is called 🙁
Always great to hear about someone who beat the odds and survived a deadly disease. There should still be more research and public awareness about these diseases, like mesothelioma.
Totally agree with you on this one Fred..
Heather is such a beautiful person with an amazing story to share. I actually wrote a post on her and the same subject last fall. Beautiful and informative! 🙂
That is wonderful to hear that her message is going out to so many!
This is a very inspirational interview. And I love the idea of breaking the plates on the fire after writing your fears. We also have something a bit similar with that in a province here in the Philippines. You get to break and throw plates on a wall where you can see painted words that would describe what you are presently feeling. ^^
Great tradition!
WOW what a powerful interview, so inspiring and her spirit shines through. Thank you for sharing her stories and courage. What an inspiration 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed the interview with Heather. She is pretty amazing!
Enjoyed reading this interview, thank you!
Thanks for reading!
What a strong person she is to celebrate on what could have been a really tragic day!
Heather is such an inspiration! She helps tell everyone that cancer really can be beaten, and you can do more after it.
Whenever i hear that someone has a cancer, i get really anxious. My moms bloodline has cancer and it scares me that me or my kid/kids would have one. Its really scary and the thought of cancer is fatal.
Inspirational interview.such a strong lady!