Survivors Stories

 Diagnosed in Feb 2008 after approx 15 of misdiagnosis and originally given just 3 months to live.  After doing her own research on the internet she found that there were treatment options available on the NHS and subsequently had her first 12 hour surgery by Mr Brendan Moran and his team at Basingstoke UK in June 08.  Unfortunately her cancer returned and she had a further 11 hours surgery in June 09, followed by 6 months of IV chemo capcitabine and oxylaplatin.  Following her experience and noticing a distinct lack of patient lead information and support, Dawn became the CEO and Founder of this charity Pseudomyxoma Survivor and co-ordinates this  website along with the much valued PMP Appendix Cancer Support Group on Facebook which aims to provide emotional and practical support and advise for all fellow PMP survivors and their families.  Dawn has acheived both national and global recognition for her tireless fundraising and awareness raising efforts and has been guest speaker at several conferences both in the UK and most recently Toronto, Canada.

Diagnosed with PMP in Sept of 2010 (during cholecystectomy), had cytoreductive surgery with Hipec in Oct of 2010, by Dr Bing Yi @ St Francis Hospital in Greenville, SC, surgery was covered by Blue Choice Health Plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina).

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chadmatthews

Diagnosed with PMP Dec of 2008 (after routine ultrasound for ovarian cyst). She had cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC (which entailed removal of tumour, appendix, gall bladder, spleen, full hysterectomy, removal of omentum, peritoneum, with bowel resection) in Feb of 2009 @ the Christie Hospital in Manchester, England. UK patients receive the treatment free of charge via NHS (National Health Service) so no need for insurance coverage.

Diagnosed 11/5/2010 Mucinous Adenocarcinoma (well differeniated) with carcinomatosis. Received systemic chemo ... FOLFOX plus Avastin (5 cycles) ... FOLFIRI plus Avastin (6 cycles) ... E...rbitux plus Avastin (1 cycle) ... cancer contined to grow. Scheduled for CRS/HIPEC on 7/1/2011 Dr. George Salti (University of Illinois @ Chicago) Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL Insurance: Blue Cross/Blue Shield Illinois (Blue Advantage HMO) - Elmcare Managed Care (3 days for approval) **NEVER HAD A SYMPTOM** found large tumor on appendix/cecum through CT scan incidental to a 16.9 CEA level. CRS included: appendix, cecum, 1/2 colon, part of liver, part of pancreas, omentum, peritoneum, 1/3 of stomach, gallbladder, belly button (umbilicus) and loads and loads of mucin. Cytoreduction Score of 1. Small visible tumor remains. A CT in October 2011 shows new growth of tumor. The options at this time are to begin chemotherapy or undergo surgery ... Keith has opted to give chemotherapy a try since we feel it is too soon to undergo another lengthy operation at this time. Please follow his story at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/keithsurges.

Diagnosed with PMP in Oct of 2010 @ her 20 week prenatal ultrasound. She had cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC in Feb of 2011, by Dr Moran and Dr Cecil in Basingstoke, England. Her surgery was covered by NHS (National Health service)

Lauren continues to do well following her treatment and enjoys quality time with her little boy and family.

PMP was discovered during a proctocoloectomy for what was thought to be an uncotrollable flare-up of Ulcerative Colitis - turned into surgery to remove everth...ing the mucin had touched (May 25th 2001), Heated chemo surgery 10 days later; My surgeries were at Ashford Hospital, Adelaide; surgeon Prof Peter Hewett; pathology, Appendiceal Mucosa Cystadenoma presenting as Pseudomyxoma Peritonei ... for more details see my blog; http://www.keeshamist-pmp.blogspot.com/