A Brigham Young University Student Journal
With the warm weather this spring, a great way to have some fun with your family is to make homemade ice cream together. This activity can be done at any age, but it’s also a little messy, so the best place to do it is …
*This article contains spoilers for the musical “Into the Woods.” Since I’ve joined the Stance crew, I’ve become hyperaware of family relationships in everything I read and watch. So it’s no surprise that I had family on the brain when I watched the movie version …
“I thought it was all post-partum symptoms,” Heather said about her cancer signs. Three months after giving birth to her daughter, Lily, Heather Von St. James was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a relatively rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Heather’s exposure came from the coating of asbestos dust on her father’s work coat. Particles settled in the lining of her lungs, called the pleura, causing a tumor to grow. She experienced extreme fatigue, coughing, and shortness of breath, and she was losing weight rapidly—five to seven pounds a week.
“I didn’t know any different since Lily was my first baby. But when I passed out on the sofa one morning after bringing laundry up from the basement, I knew it was more.”
“It was a very scary time,” Heather admitted. Mesothelioma doesn’t manifest itself until years after exposure, so most patients don’t live more than 15 months after diagnosis. Heather’s first fear was “that I would die and leave my husband and baby. Other fears and concerns were all the financial ones. Would we lose our home? Everything we had worked so hard for? None of it mattered if we could find a way to save my life.”
Despite the exhaustion and the worries, Heather found pockets of hope throughout that time. Her specialist in Boston, Dr. David Sugarbaker, said he would do everything he could for her. “Dr. Sugarbaker gave us the hope that we so desperately needed in facing this disease,” she said.
Another small blessing: “No hair loss! I was pretty happy about that one,” Heather exclaimed.
Other blessings came from her family, who acted as her support system throughout that time. Before her diagnosis, Heather’s parents, brother, and sister-in-law came to stay with her. And when she and Cam made the decision to go to Boston, where she was given chemotherapy, radiation, and an extra pleural pneumonectomy, they left Lily with Heather’s parents.
After surgery, Heather went home to her parents and Lily while Cam worked in Minnesota. Living apart from Cam was hard for both of them, but the support from her family helped everyone.
“It was just what we had to do to get through,” Heather explained. “We knew that. Knowing Lily was going to have consistent care and love by my parents was exactly the peace of mind I needed to make it through surgery. Then, going to live with them after and have the help with Lily was such a weight lifted. It was a huge part of my recovery.”
Even Lily played her part. “All I had to do was look at my daughter,” Heather said. “That sweet little face with those big eyes was all the motivation I needed to keep going in my darkest times. When I wanted to throw in the towel, I would cry out to God, and He carried me through by showing me my daughter.”
To those who know someone struggling with mesothelioma, Heather councils: “There is so much out there that dashes the hopes of people, so being a support and an information gatherer is a great help. Offer to clean, grocery shop, watch kids, or just be with the patient. Be careful of what you say. Think before you ask personal questions, especially about finances. A great way to help is to organize a benefit. I can’t stress how much that helped us with expenses. Praying is always a good thing too. And one last thing . . . stay positive.”
Now, ten years later, Heather is a healthy survivor and an active patient advocate in the mesothelioma community. Her voice reaches out to those looking for answers and encouragement. Mesothelioma brings uncertainty and fear, but Heather’s message offers hope to patients and their families. “If one person is inspired and gets hope and help from my story, I’m happy.”
To learn more about Heather’s story with mesothelioma, please visit her blog at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.
—Sarah Perkins, Senior Editor, Stance
Wondering what to do this Friday night? A great way to have fun with your family this week is to play a game called skittle bowling. The logistics are simple: go to your favorite bowling alley and pay for a game (usually around $4 per …
This is my go-to dessert for any occasion because it is scrumptious and so easy! It is an adaptation of a Nestle Toll House recipe that basically puts the most delicious chocolate chip cookie you have ever tasted into the form of a pie. It …
Over the year and a half that I have been married, I have struggled to find my husband the perfect gift. It has taken me a while to figure out the art of giving a great gift.
Recently, I think I figured it out. I got him tickets to a basketball game. He is a giant U of A fan, and because we live up in Utah currently, I got him tickets to the University of Utah vs. University of Arizona basketball game. His eagerness and anticipation for this game was remarkable to me because I don’t know a thing when it comes to basketball. 
We went a couple weekends ago, and man oh man. The smack talking, the cheering, the dancing, and the intensity were SO worth it—especially to have an incredibly grateful and happy husband at the end of it. It felt so good to have given him a gift that he loved, even if it wasn’t necessarily what I loved to do.
So how do you pick the perfect gift? I’ve compiled a few different questions to ask yourself that will help solve your gift picking woes.
Is your friend OBSESSED with Modern Family? Friends? The Office? Is it on Netflix? Do they have Netflix? If not, think about getting them the DVD of a season. They’ll love it! Or you can always get them some awesome gear that they can flaunt and also probably make them laugh or smile when they see it.
This definitely worked to my advantage a couple weeks ago. Tickets to a game are always fun, but can also be pricey. If you can’t do that, try some nosebleed seats or some sports merchandise.
This isn’t always the most thoughtful gift, but sometimes it is definitely appreciated and they could use it more than that BYU cup. Are they newly married? In college? Struggling financially? They could absolutely use those bucks right now.
Some people prefer to have something for their kid or their pet before themselves. A new chew toy? Doggie bed? Or how about some easy lunches for the kids or some coupons for free babysitting. This just might save your wallet some money, too.
Sometimes, people want something more sentimental, more thought out and made from the heart. Have any talents with knitting, sewing or crocheting? A hat or scarf could make someone’s day. Or how about a collage of pictures or a book of your relationship with that person? My mom once turned my blog into a book and it meant the world to me! It had pictures and loads of memories for me to enjoy.
Think about it. Do they have a cracked windshield they just can’t afford to get fixed? They keep talking about how they need a new pair of black shoes for work? Can you fix things? Offer to fix their leaky sink, dishwasher or change out their light bulbs. Simple acts like these can make someone’s life so much easier.
I think that food is always a good thing to pair with anything. Do they like sweets? Chocolate? Candy bars? Stick some of that with you gift and you’re good to go. Or give them a gift card to their favorite restaurant- they’ll be happy that they can splurge without breaking the bank. If you’re feeling extra thoughtful, try making them their favorite foods. That can go a long way for someone.
I hope these questions can help you pick the perfect gift! For more posts like these, follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter! Please like and share!
Emmaline Frost, Stance
Questions courtesy of allwomenstalk.com.
The Sloshen in the Ocean, written by Chelsea Jamison and illustrated by Spencer Bugg, is a delightful children’s book that was accepted by Stance for our Fall 2014 issue. Unfortunately, it was not able to be placed in the printed version of the journal. However, …
Hello Friends! We have just published our most recent journal (Fall 2014) on the website Issuu, where you can view it, as well as previous issues. For a sneak peek into what is inside, see the Letter from the Editor below and happy reading! Letter …
Babies with three parents may be born in the United Kingdom as early as 2016, after recent legislation was passed approving three-person IVF (in vitro fertilization). The legislation allows for women with mitochondrial disease, inherited and incurable, to give birth to children without the risk of them inheriting the disease.
The procedure may be done two ways, essentially combining small amounts of DNA from a donor woman with the egg and sperm from the parents. Scientists say that the term “three parent baby” is a bit of a misnomer, as the child would only have one-tenth of one percent of the DNA from the donor.
The procedure is controversial and raises concerns about the ethics of changing DNA. There is danger of a precedent being set for the further manipulation of DNA to create “designer babies.” However, given the limited application of the law and the minimal impact it has on the actual traits of the child, such concerns seem far-fetched for the present.
Yet, the trajectory of the research certainly raises questions about the role of humanity and science in the creation of life. These questions are further complicated by a religious mindset, and particularly by a Mormon theological view. Such behavior may not be actually tampering with ‘life,’ as there is no official doctrine pertaining to when the spirit enters the body.
Some questions to consider as you evaluate your own opinions on the subject:
I don’t have the answers, but if we can safely alter DNA to allow thousands of children every year to live without constant, incurable pain and suffering, that seems like the right thing to do.
Further Reading/Notes
“It is a fact that a child has life before birth. However, there is no direct revelation on when the spirit enters the body.” (Church Handbook of Instruction 2: Administering the Church 21.3.10)
“Members should not feel obligated to extend mortal life by means that are unreasonable.” (21.3.8)
“The donation of organs and tissues is a selfless act that often results in great benefit to individuals with medical conditions. The decision to will or donate one’s own body organs or tissue for medical purposes, or the decision to authorize the transplant of organs or tissue from a deceased family member, is made by the individual or the deceased member’s family.
A decision to receive a donated organ should be made after receiving competent medical counsel and confirmation through prayer.” (21.3.7)
“The Church strongly discourages in vitro fertilization using semen from anyone but the husband or an egg from anyone but the wife. However, this is a personal matter that ultimately must be left to the judgment of the husband and wife. Responsibility for the decision rests solely upon them.” (21.4.7)
—Conor Hilton, Stance
Good morning, Stance readers! Looking for ways to update your bedroom. Why not try making your own nightstand? Keep reading below for 10 ideas about DIY nightstands. 1. Square Table 2. Crate 3. Stacked Luggage 4. Hanging Nightstand OR 5. Restoration Hardware Look 6. Cinderblock …