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.
We hope that we can help you by sharing stories both from pseudomyxoma peritonei and appendix cancer survivors. If you would like to share yours, to help those newly diagnosed, please click here.
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 GP suggested an ultrasound because my kidney numbers were slightly down.
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’.
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).
I’ve gone from 0km to 10km in just over 6 months!
In 2015, I had cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for pseudomxyoma peritonei. To thank Pseudomyxoma Survivor for all the support I was given and all the friends I have made through the charity, I’m doing the Southend 10K to raise funds for the charity. I would have been so alone and desperate without the charity and I cannot thank you enough x
We thought it was nothing more than an ovarian cyst
My journey started in October 2013 (I was 53 years old), when I had an ultrasound to determine if I had gallstones or an issue with my gallbladder. The results showed a small cyst and mild fluid in my lower right abdomen area. It was decided that we would monitor the cyst and fluid and have an MRI in one year. We thought it was nothing more than an ovarian cyst. I never thought it would lead to a diagnosis of Mucinous Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma.
Both the appendix cancer survivors’ stories and the pseudomyxoma peritonei survivors’ stories contained in these pages contain the views and opinions of the individuals who have written them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pseudomyxoma Survivor. The stories represent the experiences of the individual and should in no way be used as a guideline for your own experiences and treatment options. We are all individuals, everyone is different. We recommend that you take advice from your doctors for specific information.