Iain
Member of our support group
I just have to say, getting home from hospital after surgery is not a competition. If you manage to get there quickly, well done you!
However, everyone is different, MOAS (mother of all surgeries)* is a very invasive procedure and recovery is an individual experience depending on certain factors.
Laparoscopic surgery is different in my opinion, it’s not as severe on the body, and the length of surgery needs to be considered. Some are lucky to be diagnosed really early, long before all that crap gets time to settle on your organs and run rampant.
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……..
– Iain
Iain’s absolutely right. Recovery from surgery, especially a major one like the cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for pseudomyxoma peritonei, is a highly individual experience that varies from person to person. It’s not a competition and there is no need to compare your recovery time to others.
Factors such as age, general health, the extent of the disease, the type of surgery, and the surgeon’s skill can all play a role in how quickly someone recovers from surgery. Recovery’s not just about physical healing, but also emotional and mental healing.
Taking your time to heal and recover at your own pace is crucial. Rushing the recovery process can lead to setbacks and complications, which could prolong the healing time. It is also essential to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard, too soon.
Each individual’s experience with pseudomyxoma peritonei is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. The most important thing is that you are still alive and have a chance to live your life to the fullest. Take the time to heal, rest when you need to, and focus on your overall well-being. Recovery is a process, and it is important to be patient and kind to yourself throughout the journey.
– Pseudomyxoma Survivor team
MOAS
"Mother of all Surgeries"
This is a nickname for the big cytoreductive surgery - full peritonectomy and HIPEC. It was thought up by the wife of an appendix cancer patient some years ago on her blog.
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Feeling proud
My 10-year-old son has recently been to pioneer week where he goes to his new secondary school for a week to experience life there. He was asked to write about someone who inspires them.
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!
What things do you wish you were told when you were diagnosed?
s
I just re-found an article and while it isn’t specifically about pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) or appendix cancer, it is very relevant to everyone diagnosed with any cancer and I remember reading it and that it helped me with where my diagnosis (and two recurrences) put me and those around me.