Lets raise some money for my amazing hospital
Stacey Broadmeadow is raising money for THE CHRISTIE CHARITY
Participants: Victoria Chrisham
Story
What....?
I am on a mission to raise money for The Christie, to say thank you!
I am taking part in two amazing events in 2019. They will be 6 - 9 months after having life changing surgery and chemotherapy! My two events are:
1) The Tower Run - a 798 step / 46 floor challenge - running up the tallest building in Manchester, the Beetham Tower. 24th February
2) Running the Great Manchester Run - 10k. 19th May
I've always been quite active... but i have never ran in a sporting event before! I could barely run for a couple of minutes.... so these are two massive challenges for me!
Why....?
In 2018, something happened that will change my life forever. I was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP for short) - which is a very rare form of cancer affecting around two people per million each year!
It appears I was living with PMP for several years, unknown. PMP starts within the appendix, I had a tumour that grew over the years and then eventually burst. This then caused ‘jelly like’ mucin to spread around my peritoneum, attaching itself to several of my organs. It wasn’t until I visited the GP about a persistent dull pain and some out of the ordinary spotting that my PMP journey then began. I went to see the GP in February and by May I was referred to The Christie.
I am extremely grateful to have had my treatment and my continued post operative care at The Christie. As Pseudomyxoma Peritonei is very rare, there are only two designated UK specialist treatment centres - The Christie is one of them! People travel from all over the UK to receive specialised treatment for the disease.
The Christie hospital is full of hard working, dedicated and wonderful staff. The passion for patients is evident. I was put under the care of Professor O’Dwyer and her team. After an initial meeting with her and Rebecca Halstead, I knew that I would be in 'good hands' and that The Christie was a special place.
I have had two operations at The Christie hospital and both times I have received a high level of care from ALL staff who work there.
In June I had my first operation, which was to remove my appendix and some mucin. This was then tested and it was evident that I had PMP.
In August, I had cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. I had my gall bladder, spleen, omentum, both ovaries and both fallopian tube removed. I also had specific liver surface ablation and wiping / ablation of mucin throughout the area. I woke up from the operation and had a NG tube in my nose / chest, a central line in my neck which was providing liquid nutrients & pain relief / medicine, two canulars in my arm, a stomach drain, a catheter, an oxygen tube and an epidural (which didn’t do much for me!).
The operation took ten hours to complete and I spent two days in intensive care.
After four days of extreme pain, nausea and several scans, I was told I had a complication after the operation, which the team at The Christie were very quick to solve! I had a bile leak which was causing me to have a variety of problems and meant I had toxic waste gathering inside my peritoneum.
I was transferred to Wythenshaw hospital for four days and I had an ERCP procedure. During the procedure a stent was put in place to resolve the leak. This was all arranged with speed and care by Professor O’Dwyer and her team. I am eternally grateful for the way this was handled and the care I received.
Without The Christie, I wouldn't be here today to tell my story. I am extremely passionate to start my fundraising for this amazing place, which will always have a special place in my heart.
I am on a mission to raise money for The Christie, to say thank you!
I am taking part in two amazing events in 2019. They will be 6 - 9 months after having life changing surgery and chemotherapy! My two events are:
1) The Tower Run - a 798 step / 46 floor challenge - running up the tallest building in Manchester, the Beetham Tower. 24th February
2) Running the Great Manchester Run - 10k. 19th May
I've always been quite active... but i have never ran in a sporting event before! I could barely run for a couple of minutes.... so these are two massive challenges for me!
Why....?
In 2018, something happened that will change my life forever. I was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP for short) - which is a very rare form of cancer affecting around two people per million each year!
It appears I was living with PMP for several years, unknown. PMP starts within the appendix, I had a tumour that grew over the years and then eventually burst. This then caused ‘jelly like’ mucin to spread around my peritoneum, attaching itself to several of my organs. It wasn’t until I visited the GP about a persistent dull pain and some out of the ordinary spotting that my PMP journey then began. I went to see the GP in February and by May I was referred to The Christie.
I am extremely grateful to have had my treatment and my continued post operative care at The Christie. As Pseudomyxoma Peritonei is very rare, there are only two designated UK specialist treatment centres - The Christie is one of them! People travel from all over the UK to receive specialised treatment for the disease.
The Christie hospital is full of hard working, dedicated and wonderful staff. The passion for patients is evident. I was put under the care of Professor O’Dwyer and her team. After an initial meeting with her and Rebecca Halstead, I knew that I would be in 'good hands' and that The Christie was a special place.
I have had two operations at The Christie hospital and both times I have received a high level of care from ALL staff who work there.
In June I had my first operation, which was to remove my appendix and some mucin. This was then tested and it was evident that I had PMP.
In August, I had cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. I had my gall bladder, spleen, omentum, both ovaries and both fallopian tube removed. I also had specific liver surface ablation and wiping / ablation of mucin throughout the area. I woke up from the operation and had a NG tube in my nose / chest, a central line in my neck which was providing liquid nutrients & pain relief / medicine, two canulars in my arm, a stomach drain, a catheter, an oxygen tube and an epidural (which didn’t do much for me!).
The operation took ten hours to complete and I spent two days in intensive care.
After four days of extreme pain, nausea and several scans, I was told I had a complication after the operation, which the team at The Christie were very quick to solve! I had a bile leak which was causing me to have a variety of problems and meant I had toxic waste gathering inside my peritoneum.
I was transferred to Wythenshaw hospital for four days and I had an ERCP procedure. During the procedure a stent was put in place to resolve the leak. This was all arranged with speed and care by Professor O’Dwyer and her team. I am eternally grateful for the way this was handled and the care I received.
Without The Christie, I wouldn't be here today to tell my story. I am extremely passionate to start my fundraising for this amazing place, which will always have a special place in my heart.