Why You REALLY REALLY Need to Read Jen Smith’s 2nd Book: What You Might Not Know–My Life as a Stage IV Cancer Patient

You should read this book–not because I had the honor of helping Jen Smith write this book but because each of us should seek to understand and support all peoples suffering from advanced cancer–the kind that can’t be cured.  Who, after all, is not affected by metastatic cancer?  Who does not have a relative, a friend, or a coworker who has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer?  And who hasn’t desperately wanted to know more about metastatic cancer to either help ourselves and/or those we love. 

Jen Smith, author of What You Might Not Know:  My Life as a Stage IV Cancer Patient, lives with a murderer. The killer has ruthlessly taken many of her friends, and forever leaves her wondering if she’ll be next. Her fear for her life is trumped only by her overwhelming concern for her beautiful young son whom she still can’t imagine leaving behind. But she has no choice. Jen has Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer.

In this book, Jen follows up on the triumphs in Learning to Live Legendary with a candid look at life with advanced cancer. She pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to live day-to-day with a terminal diagnosis. You’ll share her fear, her heartbreak, her uncertainty — even her guilt. You’ll even feel the impact of Jen’s disease on her friends and family, as they articulate their own reactions to metastatic cancer. From mothering to grieving to simply freaking out, Jen and her loved ones provide a raw and unflinching look at What You Might Not Know.

Advanced Praise for What You Might Not Know: My Life as a Stage IV Cancer Patient

Jen’s encouragement to fully experience the human condition and to live while dying is inspiring.

—Hollye Jacobs, RN, MS, MSW, Breast Cancer Survivor, Advocate, & Writer                                              

Jen Smith is one of those AMAZING people who cares SO MUCH about sharing her story – the good and the bad – to help and empower others in the fight!!  She always keeps a positive attitude, and she is a TRUE INSPIRATION to everyone out there touched by cancer!  Our team loves her – DEARLY!!!!

–Jonny Imerman, Founder, Imerman Angels

We need more women like Jen Smith to educate us about the realities of living with metastatic breast cancer at a young age.

–Jody Schoger, Breast Cancer Survivor, Advocate, and Writer

Exiled to Cancerland, Jen Smith is a brave and reliable guide through tough, heartbreaking terrain.

–Joanna Chapman, Author of Divine Secrets to the Ta-Ta Sisterhood:  Pledging the Pink Sorority                                         

Ordering information

Request a personalized, autographed copy, send $19 ($15 book + $4 shipping) to:
Jen Smith
PO Box 7812
Champaign, IL 61826

Or pay through paypal.  Send $19 to jen@livinglegendary.org

Order on iBookstore ($9.99): https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/what-you-might-not-know/id646600706?mt=11



Order on Kindle ($9.99): http://www.amazon.com/What-You-Might-Know-ebook/dp/B00COSHS0Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1371346647&sr=8-3&keywords=jennifer+smith

Order on Nook ($9.99): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-you-might-not-know-jennifer-smith/1115380469?ean=9781304020857

Guest Blogger, Cameron Von St. James, on What Cancer Can Teach Us During the Holidays

Cells Gone Wild most recent Guest Blogger, Cameron Von St. James, recently contacted me to see if he could write an article about his wife’s diagnosis of malignant pleural mesotheliom, which came during the holiday season 6 years ago.  This is what cancer taught him and his family; this is what his story can teach all of us during the holidays.  

A time to gather round with my loved ones, celebrate, be thankful, and enjoy friends and family: the holidays were always something I always looked forward to every year. I never looked forward to the holiday as much as I did in 2005, however. My wife and I welcomed our only child that year. In August, Lily was born and we were so excited to be new parents. Heather and I spoke of the holidays often that year, talking about the new traditions we wanted to create with Lily and the old traditions that we wanted to keep for her. It was such an exciting time for us.

In the midst of all our excitement, something came along the stripped all of our happiness away in an instant. Three days before Thanksgiving, Heather was diagnosed with mesothelioma. As we learned more about this rare and deadly form of cancer, I began to realize that my family’s once bright and exciting future now looked very uncertain. I was angry and afraid, and while I hoped for the best, all I could picture was the worst. I couldn’t remember why I was looking forward to the holidays or what I had to be thankful for.

We still celebrated the holidays as best we could, though. Heather’s parents flew in to celebrate with us for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Heather and I were preparing to go to Boston after the holidays were over for her treatment, and before that could happen we needed to have a much-dreaded discussion with her parents. We discussed money. Heather and I both had jobs, but the bills were coming in faster than the money and we were struggling a lot. On top of that, we would soon be down to just one income and we knew we would not be able to stay afloat. We had to talk about which of our assets we could liquidate. We had to talk about our bills, our debts, and how much money my in-laws would give us to help pay our bills. It was awful, and I was mortified and embarrassed.  It would be years before I could look back on that conversation with anything but shame.  However, I now see how mistaken I was to view it that way.

My pride did not allow me to see that I actually had a lot to be thankful for that year. I had a family who wanted to help. The left their home and came to us, offered to help us in any way possible, and was there for us when we needed them most.  They were ready and willing to make incredible sacrifices of their own in order to help us through our difficult time. That’s something to be very thankful for. This year, I’m thankful for all those people. I’m also thankful for my wife and my daughter, and I am thankful for the time we have to create more memories and enjoy one another.  After intense mesothelioma chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, along with the love and support of our caring friends and family, Heather beat her cancer and we’ve been able to celebrate seven wonderful Christmases with our daughter.  We look forward to many more to come, and hope that our story can provide some inspiration and hope to all those currently battling cancer this holiday season.

Cameron is husband to Heather Von St. James, survivor advocate for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, and father to Lily Rose. He, along with Heather and young Lily, had their world’s turned upside down when Heather was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, just 3 1/2 months after the birth of his only child. When faced with the very real possibility of raising Lily on his own, he fought alongside Heather in her battle with mesothelioma. It was his determination and refusal to compromise on doctors or treatments that led them to Boston to receive radical surgery from esteemed mesothelioma surgeon, David Sugarbaker. Heather continues to thrive 6 years later.

Through out the next few years, while being a caregiver to Heather and dad to Lily, Cameron returned to school full time to finish his degree. He worked full time, went to school full time and graduated with high honors at the top of his class in June of 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology. He was soon offered a position at US Bank as Network Analyst and continues to pursue his career.

Like Heather, Cameron is passionate about bringing awareness to mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos exposure. It is his hope that sharing his story will help others those battling cancer and their caregivers who provide them care and guidance in their journey.

Read more: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/cameron/bio.htm#ixzz2FQ08RjGB