Bex H 'Tour de 4' 90km Bike Event for Pseudomyxoma Survivor

In 2019, at 34 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare and high grade mucinous cancer called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP). Like many PMP patients, by the time that it was found, my appendix (where it originates) had burst seeding cancer cells around my peritoneal cavity causing collections of mucin some of which had hardened around abdominal organs and restricted their ability to work.

Chemotherapy and extensive surgery ensued both at The Christie Hospital and in Basingstoke to remove as much of the cancer as possible as well as 10+ affected organs however the cancer returned soon after. Needless to say, life changed dramatically as the surgery left me with an ileostomy and reliant on 50-60 tablets a day.

In 2022, an incredibly exciting opportunity to take part in a clinical trial of a targeted drug therapy popped up and was thought to be effective however it was short-lived as my body could not tolerate it. I'd now essentially run out of treatment options.

In September, I'm going to take part in Chris Hoy's 'Tour de 4', a bike event which aims to challenge peoples' perspective of Stage 4 cancer as well as raise vital funds for cancer charities. As a Stage 4 patient with a penchant for biking I couldn't turn this down and not being one for half measures I'm aiming to complete the full 90km route!!

This is going to be a particularly big challenge for me as last summer, a large tumour in my pelvis caused a bowel obstruction which landed me in hospital for 6 weeks to have another major operation not with the intension of curing me but 'to get me out of trouble' as I couldn't eat or drink properly. Once again, I'm starting to develop my fitness from scratch and I haven't been on my bike properly for a year!

I'm reaching out to anyone that would like to support me in my quest to raise money for Pseudomyxoma Survivor, a small non-profit organisation run by patients and care-givers to assist those affected by PMP. They have been by my side since my diagnosis providing access to a community of other patients, invaluable advice, online workshops as well as emotional and financial support allowing family to stay nearby when I have been in hospital. Pseudomyxoma Survivor also fund vital research projects which may provide further treatment options that help to cure people of this brutal and unforgiving disease.

Your donations will be very gratefully received.

Bex xx

12.05.25 Update:

Training is going really well despite sustaining a stress fracture in my foot a few months ago. Chemotherapy and menopause has decreased my bone density so I'm prone to fractures.

Unfortunately, a tumour in my upper abdomen has broken through my abdominal wall and muscle. Luckily, my incredible medical team at the Christie in Manchester are not too worried about it and I can continue riding as much as I like :)

16.05.25 £60 added by me from the sale of plants purchased by Morland villagers ❤️