Every few months I had pain in my left side and then it would disappear. After visiting the doctors several times, I was given a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The next time I had pain, four months after my original visit to the GP, it was so bad my husband took me to hospital. I was admitted and after a scan, they said it was pseudomyxoma peritonei or PMP.
But it wasn’t.
I was referred to The Christie Hospital in Manchester where after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, the histology report revealed I have benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma. I went home two weeks after surgery and didn’t have any further chemotherapy. Although I’ve recovered from the operation, I suffer a great deal with pain from scar tissue pain, and rib and back pain too. Looking at my scarred body was, for me, the greatest adjustment after surgery.
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.
~ B
Other survivors stories you might like to read
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.
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.
I also had cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC with two more lots of peritoneal chemotherapy while I was in intensive care after the surgery at Basingstoke. I started reading your story thinking “that’s exactly the same as me” and then saw you had the same diagnosis – multicystic mesothelioma. My operation was in November 2017, I have issues with my bowels and stomach but am fine apart from that. Happy to chat further if you want to share notes.
Hi Kate!
I was diagnosed with PMP last year 10-21-20. I am recovering from that huge surgery, but I fell good. My only concern is that it will come back. I hope is doesn’t.
I have stomach issues sometimes, I feel that I can not digest my food and I can’t eat acids foods nothing sour. I think I am producing too much acids in my stomach. The doctor prescribed Omeprazole.
I hope you are doing week keep in touch👏