I am super-late in posting this, but I wanted to share some photos from Heather Von St. James and family’s annual Lung Leavin’ Day celebration. Those of you who have followed Heather’s story here on myMeso know that this is the day that commemorates Heather’s decision to undergo an extrapleural pneumonectomy to remove her mesothelioma tumor.

Prior to the surgery, which removed Heather’s lung and part of her diaphragm, along with the cancer, her family gathered for the first Lung Leavin’ Day. They wrote their fears on plates and smashed them in the fire – a symbolic conquering! Today, Heather celebrates four years cancer free! The 4th Annual Lung Leavin’ Day Celebration was held Feb. 6, and Heather reports that more than 60 people joined her for the festivities. What a wonderful blessing to see Heather healthy and happy, surrounded by friends and loved ones!

Those of us who could not be there in person were there in spirit. Even our good friend Debbie Brewer celebrated “across the pond” in the U.K. I substituted a paper plate and the fireplace for china and a bonfire, but the sentiment was the same nonetheless. We love you Heather, and look forward to many more Lung Leavin’ Days in the future!

Pictured below is a photo of the fire, surrounded by broken plate shards.

Heather lit a candle in tribute to those who have lost their battle with mesothelioma, as well as in honor of those who are still fighting the battle. The names of the meso warriors were posted.

I promised an update on Lung Leavin Day 2009, and here it is! Not really a story as much as some photos to share, courtesy of the day’s creator herself, Heather Von St. James (and her sister, Danna, who devised the name).

As you all know, Heather is a mesothelioma survivor. Diagnosed just over three years ago, she decided to undergo surgery at the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. The surgery involved removal of Heather’s tumor, pleura, part of her diaphragm, and her left lung.

The date of the surgery fell coincidentally on Groundhog Day, prompting an instant slew of jokes from the patient herself – she asked her doctor if her tumor saw its shadow would she have six more weeks of recovery? – and her sister, who renamed the day Lung Leavin Day, which stuck.

February 7 was set for the Third Annual Lung Leavin Day celebration, as family and friends gathered at Heather’s home in Minnesota to celebrate life and let go of their fears. They wrote their worries on plates and smashed them into the fire, and took a moment to cherish friends and family.

Hooray for Heather!!

Regular readers of this site will no doubt remember the incredible story of Heather Von St. James that we shared not long ago. Heather was diagnosed with mesothelima just over three years ago, at the young age of 36, shortly after having a baby, daughter Lily Rose.

Stunned by the diagnosis and it’s bleak prognosis, Heather decided to undergo a radical surgery pioneered by Dr. David J. Sugarbaker at the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass. The procedure involved removing the tumor, pleura, part of her diaphragm, and her left lung.

The surgery was scheduled for Feb. 2, Groundhog Day, but Heather’s sister Danna promply dubbed the day “Lung Leavin’ Day.”

Heather’s surgery was a success, and she holds fast to the belief that she is cured. On the first anniversary of the surgery, she decided to have a party to celebrate life and hope. And the Lung Leavin’ Day annual celebration was born!

Heather, along with family and friends, commemorates the day with a huge bonfire. They write their fears on plates with a Sharpie marker and smash the plates into the fire in a symbolic releasing of those concerns.

The event has grown from a few close family members to include more than 40 people this year, on Saturday, Feb. 7, date of the Third Annual Lung Leavin’ Day.

Even if you can’t travel to Heather’s home in Minnesota to join the party, she encourages families battling meso and fellow survivors to use the day as an opportunity to celebrate life and to face the future with courage and optimism.

“I would love it if people all over celebrated with us,” she says. “They can do something as simple as raising a toast to health or dancing around a fire and plate breaking! Whatever you want to put in!”

The official celebration begins at 6 p.m. Central Time. I’m planning to definitely raise a glass and think of everyone I’ve met here through this web site, and all those I haven’t yet but who are struggling in their own fight against mesothelioma. There is so much hope, there are so many wonderful stories of success in this fight.

I know that together we can beat this cancer!

Lung Leavin’ Day! WOOT!