Fourteen years! I still cant really believe that Ive made it this long.<\/p>\n
When I was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, they told me I would be lucky to make it 15 months, let alone 5 years. And here I am, about to mark the 14th anniversary of my mesothelioma diagnosis.<\/p>\n
November is still a tough month for me. It is like the cells in my body remember what was happening all those years ago. Every November, I feel a little out of sorts, a little tender and a little wary.<\/p>\n
This year, I am trying something different, something to reclaim the month for me, not the cancer. Ive decided to really embrace what November is about: Thanksgiving. Im not talking a turkey dinner here. Im talking real thanks for all Ive been given, and I have much to be thankful for.<\/p>\n
Here is the short list:<\/p>\n
This is just a short list of a much longer gratitude journal Ive been keeping since the start of November.<\/p>\n
I was never supposed to make it this long. And the fact that Im still here is something Im continually thankful for.<\/p>\n
Sometimes ok, more often than not I get caught up in the day-to-day stuff that is just life. I woke up late, my daughter is sick, the refrigerator breaks down right before Thanksgiving and isnt repairable so we need to buy a new oneyou get the idea.<\/p>\n
But then I stop and remember, Im here to witness and be a part of this life in all its messy glory. Through the good AND the bad, that is what Im grateful for. It is a daily conscious decision to think that way. It is what helps me through the hard times. Im even thankful for those.<\/p>\n
As I look forward to 14 years of not only surviving cancer, but thriving, I am setting some goals to achieve in 2020. I am starting my own Cancer Coaching practice. I want to teach others to live despite dire circumstances.<\/p>\n
I am going to publish my autobiography because I believe that my story of hope is a universal one that people want to hear. I want to write more, partner with movers and shakers more, and I want to make more people aware of this cancer and give more people hope. I want Lung Leavin Day to raise even more money for research and I cant wait to see what else my 14 years of thriving brings.<\/p>\n
I am so very blessed to not only be here, but to be able to do what I love and help others. That is something that will just grow more in the coming years.<\/p>\n
Most of all, Im so grateful for all the support from the mesothelioma and cancer community that has been behind me since I started this. Together we are better, and because of that, 14 years strong is going to be just fabulous!<\/p>\n
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Read more: <\/p>\n
Heather Von St. James Celebrates 14 Years of Survivorship - Mesothelioma.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fourteen years! I still cant really believe that Ive made it this long. Continue reading