In 2021, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, I had cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital. Because of the pandemic, visiting was strictly limited to one visitor for an hour a day for the duration of your stay (and it had to be the same person each time).
After a long drive to Basingstoke, my youngest daughter staying in Basingstoke hospital car park whilst my dear wife, Linda, could spend an hour with me as my designated visitor during lockdown. This was the only visit I had in three weeks. I feel so lucky for family love and care during a long recovery. Those vows “…in sickness and in health…” seem very prescient.
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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!
I felt something wasn’t right in my abdomen
I went to the doctor as I could feel a swelling and, yes, the doctor could feel it too. After taking pregnancy test under the doctor’s instruction, I was sent for an ultrasound.
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 with pseudomyxoma peritonei or PMP.
It is great to have the support of loved ones when facing a medical condition like pseudomyxoma peritonei. Having a strong network of family and friends can provide emotional and practical support, helping you to cope with the challenges of PMP and the treatments. Having people to talk to and lean on during this difficult time can make a big difference in your well-being. It is important to remember that it is okay to ask for help and that you don’t have to go through this alone. Don’t hesitate to reach out to family, friends, healthcare providers and Pseudomyxoma Survivor (!) for support.
Can anyone tell me if LAMN is always treated with cytroreductive therapy & HIPEC? Are there any patients with LAMN on long term watch & wait? Does the PMP always come back with LAMN? I had open abdominal surgery several weeks ago. The PMP was removed along with one ovary and my appendix. I am due a colonoscopy and CAT scan soon. The surgeon cannot say whether I will need more surgery or not. They say the cells are just sitting in my abdomen for now. I am being treated by a specialist unit for colorectol and appendix cancers.