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. This scan showed a hot spot and four days later, the surgeon removed my app
endix and the cancer diagnosis was given. I am a rough and tough retired NYPD lieutenant. This diagnosis was such a shock and life-changing. I guess no one ever expects to hear the ‘C’ word but when you do it changes your life forever. I was a mess. I’m getting better now but I know I have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
After the appendectomy in my local hospital, my daughter and sister and my wife started their research to find a doctor who was knowledgeable about pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). That search found Dr Pingpank of the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. We flew to Pittsburgh in early December 2016 to meet the doctor and have a consult. The doctor had studied with Dr Sugarbaker, who was one of the doctors that created cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC* as the treatment for PMP. The mother of all surgeries was scheduled for January 20th, 2017. To say the surgery was rough is an understatement. It was challenging. HIPEC was done during the 10-hour surgery. Resection and gallbladder removal and debulking. No other chemo was ordered.
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. Now I am searching for a way to get on with life including by joining the support group. It’s great to hear that I’m not the only one who feels the way I do. You always feel so isolated and the group and the stories of other survivors really helps.
I’m getting stronger every day physically. I put on a few pounds and the feeling of tightness in my abdomen has subsided. I did have a few infections in the suture line and needed same-day surgery to take care of it. Otherwise, I resumed exercising and feeling a lot better.
– Marty
*HIPEC – Hyperthermic (heated) intraperitoneal chemotherapy
In case you missed it...
I didn’t have endometriosis, I had PMP
My story began a few months after I got married. My first symptom was the sudden onset of intense pain while I was at work one day. After a few hours, the pain subsided but I decided to make an appointment with my family doctor a few days later.
I was devastated at first as I am a single parent
Before I was diagnosed, I suffered from abdominal pain and tiredness. I felt full quickly after only eating small amounts. I saw various doctors who gave me a diagnosis between appendix, ovaries and bowel but no firm diagnosis.
My Olympic Victory
Four years ago, I had to give up my ticket to watch the London Olympics to go to a hospital appointment and be told I had PMP and had only ‘a few months’ if Basingstoke could not offer me CRS and HIPEC. Now I’m in Rio!