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Keep in touch with what is going on at Pseudomyxoma Survivor.Keep in touch with what is going on by reading our Pseudomyxoma Survivor blog, including stories from survivors of PMP and appendix cancer. You can subscribe by email too.
Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) survey
Can you help build a better understanding of patient awareness about thrombosis? New patient survey launched across Europe (including the UK).
People with cancer have a higher than normal risk of developing a blood clot – a condition known as cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). Yet it remains under-reported, seldom discussed and often misdiagnosed.
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The disease was actually growing out of my belly button!
I do an exercise class and I was having trouble keeping up and my belly was growing with no changes to my diet. In my head, I was thinking that was just signs of perimenopause and that was my new figure. Some women just have a muffin top at 44, right? I was also going to the restroom for frequent urination. I was under the care of a urologist for that at the time of my diagnosis.
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I was misdiagnosed by my first surgical oncologist
When someone new to the group posts, you very often see multiple members encourage them to seek an appendix cancer specialist. That was also the case when I found the support group after I was diagnosed in June of last year. I was actually misdiagnosed by my first surgical oncologist who thought it was ovarian cancer and told me that it was well behaved and that they would remove it and I would be fine…
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MOAS – It’s not a race
Take your time, there’s no rush, go at your own pace and don’t feel pressured to be at a certain stage, just because someone else is. You’ll get there, in your own time, be happy still to be breathing and above ground……..
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Rare Disease Day 2018
Those of us affected by pseudomyxoma peritonei and appendix cancer are amongst the millions of people affected by rare diseases around the world. As a community, we face huge challenges each and every day. Can you imagine going to multiple doctors who cannot diagnose your condition? Or being told that you aren’t a candidate for the gold standard of treatment for your disease? Or realising available treatment is too expensive? Or finding out that there are no surgeons in your country that can treat you?
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Jill’s Book Review
I was really positive about my recovery after the major operation. I took things really slowly and took good care of myself.
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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.
This Illness Sucks but I’m Embracing the Moment
Just over 18 months ago, I had a full hysterectomy because they thought I had ovarian cancer….
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MP backs group work on cancer
Susan met with Ilkley MP, John Grogan, to discuss the work of Pseudomyxoma Survivor and Cancer52. Based on current data, 46 percent of cancers diagnosed are rare and less common, yet they account for 54 percent of cancer deaths.
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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.
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Golden Wedding Celebrations
When Floss and Alan were celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary recently, they want to give something back for the support their daughter has received from the charity. Instead of gifts, they asked their friends and family to make a donation and have raised over £500 in aid of Pseudomyxoma Survivor!
Thank you, Floss and Alan and congratulations! The cake looks amazing xxx
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The Newcastle Rare Disease Showcase
Most of the talks were interesting and, despite being very specific to particular diseases, there were positive messages that could be applied across the board of rare diseases. What draws us together is the human aspect; the isolation, the struggle for recognition (especially with invisible diseases), the importance of support from loved ones and the belief that we can still be the best we can be despite a disease.
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Findacure Rare Disease Showcase, Cambridge
The charity Findacure recently organised a Rare Disease Showcase in Cambridge, and I attended as a representative of Pseudomyxoma Survivor. My only slight problem was that my badge simply said ‘Pseudomyxoma Survivor’ so I had to keep explaining that I actually represented an organisation and wasn’t there as a lone survivor of a rare disease!
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Christmas Card Competition 2017
Calling all budding artists – our Christmas Card Competition 2017 is launched!
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Even if your case is rare, do not give up…
Fertility treatment, ovarian cysts, miracles, hernias and crossed fingers.
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I was diagnosed with an inflamed appendix
Before I was diagnosed, I experienced increased abdominal size and piercing pain which was diagnosed initially with an inflamed appendix. It took about four months and another doctor for me to get the correct diagnosis at the end of January 2014.
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The Yorkshire Yaks set off!
You may have seen posts on our Facebook page from the Yorkshire Yaks and wondered about the association with Pseudomyxoma Survivor.
Adam is quite simply one of the most amazing people we know – you might have seen his story in the newspapers or on tv recently.
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When you’re faced with life and death, you choose life
I was 35 and had only just embarked on what should have been the most exciting chapter of my life so far. I was living in Australia with my girlfriend Laura, and whilst working on making the most of the hospitality and weather.
But the care-free life we were just starting to enjoy wasn’t to last, and in a devastating turn of fortunes we were faced with a choice that no one should have to consider; life or death.
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Cancer 52 Members Meeting, July 2017
Cancer52 is an alliance of 90 organisations, within the UK, working to address inequality and improve outcomes for patients with highly challenging disease, such as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). 52 percent of UK cancer deaths have been determined to be from the less common cancers (although recent statistics show a likely increase to 54%).
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Audrey the PMP Unicorn
Have we told you about Audrey the PMP Unicorn? As you know, pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare disease and unicorns are extremely rare. Audrey is travelling around the PMP community sharing pictures of her travels, raising awareness and some money in aid of Pseudomxyoma Survivor as she goes.
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Authors posting articles on our blog are patients and family caregivers who write their articles with the goal of sharing their experiences fellow patients and their families.
As survivors and carers, information here is from our perspective – we are not health care professionals. We are all individuals, everyone is different. We recommend that you take advice from your doctors for specific information.
Feeling inspired?
We hope our blog has inspired you and perhaps you have a story to share – let us know if it has. You can leave a comment on a story or you can contact us with yours.