Stories
Meet our inspiring survivors
Courage in the face of cancer and of treatment is a common thread running through all our stories, even though they’re all very different. Read how appendix cancer and pseudomyxoma survivors have fought through stormy times and misdiagnoses, and yet somehow found an inner strength. Overcoming fear and uncertainty to face treatment requires immense courage and perseverance.
You are not alone in this journey. Many others have walked this path before you and found inner resources they never knew they had. By sharing their stories of misdiagnoses, difficult symptoms and times of struggle, these survivors hope to give you hope and empower you with the knowledge that healing is possible. Your own story – of resilience, determination and healing – has the potential to inspire and uplift others just beginning this difficult journey. If you would like to share, to help those newly diagnosed, please click here.
I will support Pseudomyxoma Survivor in any way I can
“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.”
My overnight hospital stay eventually turned out to be 17 nights!
I was informed that I had pseudomyxoma perintonei (the nurse had to write it down for me) and they were referring me to The Christie specialist cancer hospital in Manchester.
Only 3 or 4 people per year are diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei
Late in 2020, I went to A&E with stomach pains. I had a CT scan which showed a mass in my pelvic cavity the size of a grapefruit.
I was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei
I had a ten-hour operation in 2015 for bowel and bladder cancer. Three years later, I was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).
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.
Don’t let a cancer diagnosis mean waiting and delaying become habits
Following a major operation in September to remove my left ovary, a cyst, my appendix and litres of mucinous jelly from my abdomen, in November I received the horrible news that I definitely had cancer. We didn’t know which cancer, whether it was mucinous ovarian cancer or pseudomyxoma peritonei (or PMP). I was told we could wait several months for a final diagnosis.
In sickness and in health
On the 4th May 1974, we married in the beautiful Christchurch Priory which was then Hampshire and is now Dorset, to have and to hold from this day forward. I didn’t realise how important the words in our vows “in sickness and in health” were at the time.
I feel so lucky for family love and care
In 2021, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, I had cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital.
I found out I had an appendix tumour during my c-section
Oh, there’s an issue with your appendix. We’ll need to get another surgeon across to remove your appendix. There seems to be a tumour-like growth on your appendix and there is mucous leaking around your abdomen.”
A grant from Pseudomyxoma Survivor helped me
I am so grateful for the grant from Pseudomyxoma Survivor which I received. It has helped me financially during such a difficult time.
I’m now on ‘watch and wait’ following a diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei
For me, it all started with blood in my urine and an increase in the size of my stomach. In retrospect, I could feel the mucin moving when I walked. Now I’m on ‘watch and wait’.
I had abdominal pain and a small hard lump to the left
When I had abdominal pain and a small hard lump to the left, thought to be IBS playing up and that I needed to get it under control. It wasn’t that simple.
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.
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.
Dead Man to Iron Man
As I came to terms with the news, I understood that it would be important for me to get as fit as I could to face such an invasive operation ominously dubbed the “The Mother of all Surgeries” or MOAS.
Stacey’s Local Landmarks Challenge
I don’t like running. I never have! I find it quite dull, BUT, give me some motivation and a challenge and I’ll do it!
Annie and Jim’s Local Landmarks Half Marathon
Two and a half years ago, neither Annie or Jim had heard of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). In November 2017, Jim was diagnosed with a high-grade appendix tumour that was the first stage of the disease.
I thought I had a hernia
John went into hospital for a hernia operation. Afterwards, he was told that it wasn’t a hernia but a ‘small, bloody mass’. The pathology came back as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).
The patient stories shared on this website are personal accounts of individuals who have been affected by pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), appendix cancer, or related rare peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM). These stories are not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every person’s medical situation is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. The stories shared on this website should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, and readers should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or questions. The views and opinions expressed in the patient stories are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pseudomyxoma Survivor or its members.