I was experiencing shortness of breath and my sides ached when walking around, nothing specific. I had an ultrasound which showed a large tumour which was confirmed by MRI. I had surgery at my local hospital to remove a tumour the size of a football and my diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) was confirmed.
Around 18 months later, after tumours had started to reappear, I went to Froedtert and Dr Samuel Pappas carried out a full cytoreduction and HIPEC¹. When Dr Pappas left Froedtert for another position, my case was turned over to Dr Turaga. Both wonderful doctors. There isn’t a history of cancer in my family and I certainly hadn’t heard of PMP or appendix cancer before. I was lucky that I had my friends and family as my primary support. I had a ‘go, get it‘ attitude. This whole thing was hardest on my children. They were worried about their primary support person (emotionally and financially) possibly not surviving.
As someone who has survived for over six years, I want to assure others that it is possible to recover and lead a fulfilling life after a diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). While my recovery was challenging, I fortunately didn’t experience many of the common complications associated with PMP. My advice to others is to seek out a specialist as soon as possible, as it may prevent the need for multiple surgeries. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude throughout the journey. I highly recommend a website that provides a comprehensive summary of information on PMP, which can be a valuable resource for individuals and their loved ones.
–Carol
HIPEC
HIPEC – Heated IntraPEritoneal Chemotherapy: heated chemotherapy, delivered directly into the abdomen, after complete cytoreduction.
In case you missed it...
Receiving a diagnosis
My original symptom was an ‘irritated‘ bladder — it is difficult to describe but the closest I can come up with it that it felt like it was vibrating all the time. In March 2010, after several months of bladder discomfort and many trips to my GP, I was referred to the genito-urinary clinic at my local University hospital with suspected bladder prolapse. Eventually, this lead to a diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).
I didn’t have endometriosis, I had PMP
My story began a few months after I got married. My first symptom was the sudden onset of intense pain while I was at work one day. After a few hours, the pain subsided but I decided to make an appointment with my family doctor a few days later.
Putting on your happy face every day to those you love, trying not to worry them, has been exhausting
It is not in my nature to reveal all of the everyday trials and tribulations to every person I meet. I do believe that this has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and to try and remain calm, cool and collected in the face of such an obstacle, has been exhausting, to say the least.
Almost four years after my first HIPEC, I’m going for my second the end of March. Survived my first, the second should be a piece of cake, right?!? I thank God everyday for the miracles that doctors can accomplish. PMP isn’t fun, but it’s survivable and I plan on enjoying life after!
Good Luck Leanne!
Prayers are with you. You got this.