"A rare cancer can be a very lonely journey but the Christie Hospital Manchester was there for me."

Following surgery in Edinburgh I was diagnosed with an appendix tumour. These types of appendix tumours if left untreated can spread to the abdominal cavity and may result in a rare cancer known as pseudomyxoma peritonei (known as PMP). I was fortunate to be referred to the Peritoneal Oncology Team at the Christie Hospital In Manchester one of only two centres in the UK which specialise in treating these rare tumours.

Being faced with a rare cancer left me feeling dazed, confused and very alone. I had so many unanswered questions. However, from my initial consultation at the Christie all my concerns were addressed thoroughly and with clarity. I had surgery to remove the tumour at the Christie in June 2021. I will always be grateful for the expertise and skill on my amazing surgeon Prof. Omer Aziz and for the excellent care I received from the entire Peritoneal Oncology team. Thankfully I made a good recovery and my recent follow up check showed no signs of the disease recurring.

Following my recovery I wanted to undertake a fundraising challenge in aid of the Christie Hospital Peritoneal Oncology team. However, having never been to a gym in all of my 67 years I knew this was going to challenge me. My local gym Xcite Linlithgow prepared a training plan for me which helped to improve my level of fitness over a number of weeks. I now feel ready to undertake my challenge, and, have set a date of 29th August 2022 at the Xcite Gym, Linlithgow. I will attempt to complete of 50 lengths of the pool, a 5 kilometre bike ride in the gym and 5 kilometres on the treadmill. 

Any cancer journey can be a very lonely experience, but, with a rare cancer that feeling of loneliness can be profound. The Christie Team cared for me and showed me I was not alone, and, they continue to do this for many other patients. I am undertaking this challenge to raise funds for the vital work being done by the Christie Peritoneal Oncology team in the field of appendix cancers and PMP, and, to raise awareness of these types of tumours. Your support for this work would be very much appreciated.

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