I was diagnosed with high grade appendix cancer in 2021, and underwent CRS and HIPEC in Basingstoke. I joined the Pseudomyxoma Survivor group on Facebook and have found the information and support through this group so useful.
Because of my uncertain prognosis, I am keen to make lots of memories with my children, but now have limited income due to my inability to work as many hours as I used to. I applied for a grant, and was amazed to receive some money to help me to make some special memories with the kids. I can’t thank them enough.
This organisation is also fantastic as they put money towards groundbreaking research which aims to find a cure for PMP, so I will support this organisation in any way I can in order to pay back the support they have given to me.
– alyclaire
| *This post first appeared on our Great Nonprofits page. |
We understand, this makes a lot of sense. Having an uncertain health situation and wanting to make the most of the time you have with your kids, but also facing financial challenges due to reduced hours or inability to work – that creates a really tough set of pressures.
On the one hand, you’re absolutely right that making memories and really cherishing the time you have together is so important. Even simple things like extra family dinners, weekend trips, or creating a photo scrapbook or slideshow could become little treasures in years to come.
But on the other hand, losing significant income and having limited means puts so many restrictions on the experiences you’re able to share. Every penny probably feels crucial when health issues are also looming, so you have to balance essential expenses with trying to create experiences.
It’s not an easy road to walk by any means and we’re privileged to be able to help.
In case you missed it...
I was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei, but it wasn’t
So little is known about this cancer and I’m sharing my story in the hope that I can find someone else with the same diagnosis.
My PMP journey and why I’m doing my bit to raise awareness
I was diagnosed with PMP aged 32, after many months of stomach pains, bloating, constipation and irregular periods. After numerous trips to my GP, which led to an ultrasound and eventually a CT scan, I was told I had a nine centimetre tumour on my appendix which had burst and leaked cancerous mucin into my abdominal cavity.
I was misdiagnosed by my first surgical oncologist
The recommendations from the people in the support group are because they care. The decisions we make are literally life and death.