My 10-year-old son has recently been to pioneer week where he goes to his new secondary school for a week to experience life there. He was asked to write about someone who inspires them. He just told me that he wrote about me and how well I dealt with my operation and chemotherapy afterwards.
He doesn’t talk much about what we went through but when he does he surprises me how much it really affected him. He was only eight. Be brave, everyone, no matter what stage you are at with this dreadful disease.
In case you missed it...
I had no outward sign that this mass was inside my abdomen
Following an abnormal smear, I was referred to my local gynaecological oncology centre where an ultrasound scan revealed a complex mass believed to be ovarian in nature.
The doctor suspected that I had kidney stones
I was 59 years old when I was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) and it took me eight months to get a diagnosis. My scan showed a “fog” or liquid around my liver and my spleen.
An ultrasound showed cystic masses in both ovaries
My initial symptom was a tiny pain (feel like pins and needles) from my lower abdomen, it only last a couple of seconds, it came and went. I was a healthy, active mum filled with energy and a busy lifestyle.
My wife Susmita Roy also diagnosed pseudomyxoma peritonei low grade. Earlier doctor told benign after surgery and removal of reproductive organs. Wait and watch, doing ct & marker tests on recurring go for cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. She undergone this on 16 March 2018, now after ICU going to Room for next few days before discharge, looking for post-surgery treatment, care to get over recovery and complete cure. Jayant Roy Mumbai India, advice awaited.
We have no idea about how extensive the impact felt by families (& friends) is, especially for the young, when a close member has endured this MOAS operation. It must be so traumatic for them too. Being brave ..and resilient is hard. Your son is justifiably proud of you & how wonderful that he does open up to you – this is an important message to all who are going through this terrible experience.