Notepad Corner

This is a guest post from Heather Von St James, a committed mother and wife, a survivor of the deadly disease Mesothelioma. On August 4, 2005, my husband and I welcomed our daughter into the world. After an uncomplicated pregnancy, she arrived to a village of supporters as our family and friends surrounded us with best wishes. At the time, I co-owned a successful salon with multiple stores and employees. Several weeks after my daughter’s birth, I learned I would be transferred to another location with a lighter workload. I did not want to move salons and did not anticipate being away from my new child. I soon began experiencing physical changes typical to new moms. I felt tired and breathless with no energy most days. I also lost an average of six pounds every week, which is not normal. My doctor analyzed blood work and a chest x-ray before diagnosing fluid on my left lung. After more tests, scans and biopsies, the doctor changed the diagnosis to malignant pleural me