Coping with diagnosis

I have recently been diagnosed with appendix cancer and PMP. Had ruptured appendix removed and full hysterectomy. Have been placed on watch and wait for now, further scan in 6 months. I'm trying to get my head round this and wondering do you get to a point where you don't feel terrified all the time? 

  • Hello SMUDGE77, 

    I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. It must be a really stressful time for you at the moment and it can feel as if it has all hit you suddenly really hard. You've been through a lot with the ruptured appendix and the full hysterectomy and now having to be on watch and wait must be rather unsettling so it is normal to be feeling so anxious at the moment but I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and I hope that others with the same type of cancer will see your post and share their story with you. I hope you won't mind but I have added information about your cancer type in the title of your thread. This will help others who have been diagnosed with the same type of cancer spot your thread more easily. 

    There is information on our website on pseudomyxoma peritonei on this page - it does mention here on the section about active surveillance for PMP that you "might find it hard to cope with this and struggle with feeling as though no action is being taken" but your specialist will be monitoring everything very closely and it's good that you will have another scan in six months. I can completely understand though why this would make you feel terrified and if you feel this is affecting your life, do talk to your GP about how this has made you feel I am sure they will have some good advice for you to help you cope with this difficult situation. 

    Our nurses are also available on this free number 0808 800 4040 so don't hesitate to give them a call - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope that you will meet others here who have been diagnosed with PMP and been placed on watch and wait. One name springs to my mind, [@Cavecrawler]‍ who hasn't been on the forum for a while but you can read his About Me and his past posts here where you will also find a link to his blog on PMP. 

    Wishing you the very best - keep us updated if you can on how things develop for you and I hope that your next scan will go well. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator 

  • Hello SMUDGE77

    I was wondering how your treatment was going

    I got diagnosed with PMP in December 2021, I had surgery in February 2022 where they removed.my appendix and tried to remove the cancer cells that were there, unfortunately they weren't able to remove.all.the cancer, and ive had chemo for the last 6 months, they discussed my treatment in the last MDT and come to the conclusion that a further surgery is not possible, they are looking at getting a second opinion from another hospital, and possibly further chemotherapy starting end of January