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The top of the paper read “Carcinoma of the Appendix”

After my ruptured appendix was removed, the surgeon said the operation “took a little longer, it was messy in there.” For the follow-up, he called me in earlier to give me the bad news.

Why you should see a PMP specialist

I can’t say it enough… are you dealing with a PMP specialist? If not, I would say you must.

They are the ones that have seen this stuff and the weird things it does. They can give better ideas as to what to do.
In my case, waiting seemed the best option at the time but with the specialist’s input, I chose to go ahead and now, even with the debt, the new body norms and everything, I am sooooo glad I followed his advice! He would have told me to watch and wait if in his experience there was a low risk. And I would have done it.

You have to do research to find the right medical team that is experienced in treating PMP

I didn’t have any related symptoms before my diagnosis. I went to the urologist for some UTI treatment. The doctor (my hero) ordered a CT scan. That was the beginning of my journey. PMP is so rare and the right treatment is so important. You have to do research just to find the right medical team that is experienced in treating PMP. My wife and family, of course, were there for me.

I had shortness of breath and my sides ached

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.

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Just two small grapes

Doctors asked “Have you had anything to eat today?”. And my answer was always the same: “Just two small grapes”.

Misdiagnosed with ovarian cancer

On November 30, 2009 Megan went to Northside Hospital, Cherokee, with severe abdominal pain. After hours of testing and exams, she was admitted to do further testing. Megan’s abdomen was swollen to the point that the doctors, had they already not tested for pregnancy, said that she looked to be about five to six months pregnant.

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.

Jennifer tells us about Jim’s diagnosis

Jim's surgeon's secretary (for his appendectomy) called him and told him they needed to make another appointment because they "had found something". Thank G-d I decided to go to that appointment! The surgeon came in and told Jim, "You have appendix cancer and I don't...

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