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.
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How shall I tell my children that I have appendix cancer?
Looking back, I think we were trying to protect our children from the reality of the disease. Initially, when we discussed my diagnosis, we used terms like death, dying, chemo and cancer. We thought we spun this into a very positive approach, but our “method” may have given our children a confusing and unrealistic message about survival instead.
I was shocked by my pseudomyxoma peritonei diagnosis
Being diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei (or PMP) came as a huge shock. It was discovered accidentally as my usual yearly bloods showed abnormalities.
My pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) was picked up on an ultrasound scan
CT scans showing the cyst getting bigger with each scan and a final scan showing fluid in my pelvis, the doctors thought I had a burst cyst. An MRI scan showed the fluid still there after 2 months where it should have been absorbed by then should it have been a cyst. The Christie Hospital in Manchester where straight away doctors diagnosed it as pseudomyxoma peritonei.