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Diagnosed Sept 23, 2008 with Ovarian Cancer during exploratory surgery. Had full hysterectomy, ommentum and appendix removed plus liver scraped. Several days later was told I don't have Ovarian cancer but a very rare "colon" type cancer. Later to be diagnosed with PMP by Dr. Sugarbaker and Dr Loggie. I have had 6 total abdominal surgeries all within 2 yrs. Had chemo first six months of diagnosis than 1 yr of experimental trial. Had HIPEC 6 months and am now on another phase 1 trial. I seem to be "stable" at this time with no visible growth but am still battling to keep the tumors I have at bay. Dr Brian Loggie is my current specialist

In late 2005 I began experiencing severe bladder pain, which turned out to be caused by a large tumour pressing on the outside of my bladder. I underwent surgery in March 2006 at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough – which is not a specialist PMP hospital, so I didn’t have MOAS. The tumour was removed, along with half my bladder and a large chunk of my omentum. On analysis, the tumour was discovered to be a urachal mucinous adenocarcinoma, which is a rare sub-variety of PMP. I was then referred to Mr Cecil at Basingstoke Hospital for follow-up care – just regular CT scans and blood tests. The scans and blood tests I had at Basingstoke during the next four years showed that I was all-clear, but then a new tumour appeared in February 2010. Further scans and a laparoscopy in October 2010 indicated that the new tumour was slow-growing and that it should probably be left alone as it is situated in a difficult-to-get-at position right above my small bowel. At present it does not cause me discomfort or pain, and I continue to enjoy a full active life – so it’s a watch-and-wait situation. My full story is here: http://www.camsoftpartners.co.uk/pmpsurvivor.htm

I had my appendix removed Aug 2008 and was given a clean bill of health.  A year later the nightmare began.  From Aug 2009 during the five months before MOAS I had various intrusive tests and was misdiagnosed with IBS, Muscular pain, Ovarian cysts. On the 1st February 2010 ( after initially being told I had ovarian cancer)  the MOAS with HIPEC  was carried out  at Basingstoke Hospital UK by the wonderful Mr T Cecil/Mr Moran and their team.  My surgery was 13 1/2 hours long and at the time all visable disease was removed.  I had an ilestomy which was reversed in August 2010.

In March 2011 my first scan showed a spec near the ileostomy join which was thought to be scar tissue so another scan was scheduled six months later. Sadly, the scan showed recurrence in various places within the abdomen.  Chemo has been recommended for me to try.

Although I had a stormy time in hospital after MOAS and still have bowel issues, I'm still standing and ready to fight the fight!.

After many months of feeling something wasn’t right with my abdomen I went to my doctor just before Christmas 2006, I could feel a swelling in my abdomen, and yes the doctor could feel it too. After taking pregnancy test under the doctors instruction I was sent for an ultrasound where they found a huge cyst on an ovary. My next appointment was for a ca-125 blood test and to see a gynaecologist.

On the 23rd Jan 07 I got a telephone call from the gynaecologist saying my ca-125 test came back elevated and i would be admitted to hospital on Sunday 28th January ready for surgery on 29th.

Monday came and I was ready for my op, 3 hours later back I came expecting to be told "the operation went well we have removed the cyst" This was not the case, I had to have an hysterectomy and my appendix removed because there was something else wrong. "You have mucus in your abdomen, but don’t worry its not cancer but we will send you to Christies in Manchester where they deal with this type of thing"

I was discharged from hospital on 02/02/07 knowing there was something inside me but not what. Thinking I hadn't got cancer and a Macmillan nurse visiting me did make me question what I had been told at the hospital. But I tried to not let it play on my mind.

A week after a letter came from Christies saying I needed to have a CT scan before they can see me, in the letter was the information I needed, a diagnosis, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP). At last a name! I could look it up on the internet. The first thing I found out was that it is cancer and a very rare one too, only one in a million people get it.

I received my CT scan and the results are at Christies, they had a meeting on the 19th March 2007 to discuss my case. I then went up a week later to find out the outcome.

After many tests I underwent an operation on 10th September 2007. The op went very well, they removed my spleen, gallbladder, omentum, a small amount of colon and all the mucin. They also did a hot chemo wash to make sure they got every last bit. After 2 weeks in hospital I was discharged and continued to recover in the comfort of my own home. I continue to have follow ups at the Christies with blood test, CT scans and consultations from the specialist. All was progressing well with results coming back all clear, the anxiety and anticipation of having the check ups have never changed.

In January 2009 I took a turn for the worse suffering intestinal blockage which meant enduring further surgery to eliminate the problem. The cause of the blockage was due to adhesions from previous operations. I was on the road to recovery again but had been advised that it may not be a long term fix, due to the previous operations it was pretty certain that I would suffer from side effects of the adhesions in the future also.

I still have the all clear from the cancer but unfortunately due to the continual pain from the adhesions the reminder of everything that I have gone through is there every day. I am thankful to all the doctors, nurses, family, friends and fellow PMPers for all their help and support.