My Journey with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

On September 15th, 2024, I was admitted to the hospital with severe stomach pain. After undergoing a CT scan, I was informed that my appendix had burst and I needed emergency surgery to remove it and clear the resulting infection.

The operation took place on September 22nd. The next day, I received unexpected news—during the surgery, the doctors discovered something unusual. After a long and anxious wait, I was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP), a rare form of cancer that affects only about 2 in a million people. Because of its rarity, only two specialised centres in the UK—Basingstoke and Manchester—were equipped to treat it.

Finding reliable information about PMP was incredibly difficult. I felt overwhelmed and uncertain about what lay ahead. Fortunately, I was connected with someone from Pseudomyxoma Survivor, a support organization dedicated to helping people with this rare disease. That’s when I met Tim.

Tim was incredible. He provided me with all the information I needed to prepare for what’s often referred to as “the mother of all surgeries.” His guidance eased my fears, reduced my stress, and gave me someone who truly understood what I was going through. Having someone to talk to who had walked the same path made all the difference.

Pseudomyxoma Survivor does so much more than offer emotional support. They help raise awareness of the disease, help cover travel and accommodation costs for patients and their families, and fund vital research into better treatments and potential cures.

Their support has been a lifeline, and I’m incredibly grateful for the work they do—not just for me, but for everyone affected by this rare and challenging disease.

The charity's goals are to raise awareness of this disease, to directly support patients and their carers, and to fund research initiatives to better understand this rare cancer and so develop new and improved treatment options

The experiences/strain on myself and the family although tough, have been made much easier thanks to the support of The Bristol Port Company and my colleagues. With this in mind, I wanted to raise funds towards Pseudomyxoma Survivor Charity by hosting a works charity football match to raise vital funds towards this incredible organization who support those affected by this rare form of cancer.

Every donation, big or small, will help provide emotional support, financial assistance, and fund life-saving research.