In June 2021, me and my partner Paul were taking a walk at the beautiful Ladybower, with a friends dog called Poppy, in the Peak District. Paul started to experience abdominal pains during the walk, and was admitted to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, shortly afterwards.

He had a CT scan with suspected Appendicitis, but was then diagnosed with an incredibly rare and complex appendiceal cancer. It usually begins in your appendix as a small growth, called a mucocele and is called a Low Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm (LAMN).

This mucocele eventually spreads through the wall of your appendix. It then spreads cancerous cells to the abdominal cavity lining (the peritoneum). These cancerous cells produce mucus. The mucus collects in the abdomen as a jelly like fluid called mucin.

This cancer has 3 defined stages

- Stage 1 is called LAMN 1 where the mucocele is contained within the appendix and can be removed with the intact appendix (given the appendix doesn't rupture).

- Stage 2 is called LAMN 2 where the mucocele and appendix ruptured spreading the malignant mucin cells around the peritoneal cavity

- Stage 3 is called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP). The cancer cells generally spread by following the peritoneal fluid flow. They attach to the peritoneum at particular sites and organs. Here they produce mucus which collects inside the abdomen and eventually causes symptoms. Without treatment, it will take over the peritoneal cavity.

Fast forward to early Feb 2023, after a routine check up, we were told Paul had remained at Stage 1 LAMN of this cancer. All of his scans and histology was clear. He was told he was clear of this rare cancer, and only needed to attend for a check up at Christie Foundation, in a few years time for routine surveillance, which was great news!

Very abruptly 2 weeks ago in July 2023, a blood test flagged up something was wrong, a CT scan was requested to follow up this blood test, which sadly came back abnormal. Paul has been informed he is now in the Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) stage, which is not curable but treatable. The PMP has spread to various locations within his peritoneal cavity.

Given there are so few patients worldwide with this rare cancer, Paul currently appears to be the only patient on record in the UK, who has made the jump from the LAMN 1 to the PMP stage so quickly. It's still unclear how or why this has happened which is now being investigated. Of course this news has come as a huge shock but we feel blessed that the 'The Christie NHS Foundation Trust' in Manchester, has world leading specialists in this condition, and are treating Paul incredibly quickly to slow down the spread of the Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP).

Paul is now due to have a 10 hour plus major surgery in August 2023. It's called cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). He is due to start Pre Op's, Pre hab, a few investigative procedures and then the cytoreductive surgery will commence.

Paul is preparing mentally and physically for this intensive surgery. His surgeon needs to be able to remove the disease without affecting any of his vital organs. The cytoreductive surgery involves the surgeon removing any tissue affected by PMP and then having heated chemotherapy drugs put directly into the abdomen during the surgery (HIPEC).

We have set up this fundraiser to ask for help to get through the next few months due to self employment businesses having to close down so abruptly. Things are happening so fast, there will be an overlap of when Paul can access and be in receipt of benefits which could take up to 16 weeks, which is time he doesn't currently have to cover his financial needs.

Paul needs urgent support for funds to cover:

House Bills

House Rent

Food and Living Costs

Dog Food

Dog Care during his treatment

Fuel costs to and from 'The Christie NHS Foundation Trust' in Manchester.

Accommodation Costs near 'The Christie NHS Foundation Trust' in Manchester.

It's so hard to ask for such help, but I know anything you can donate would ease the pressure off Paul, so that he can focus on his treatment and surgery in the coming weeks and months. It's going to be a big mountain to climb, but I know he can do it because he is such a strong willed person, and with our help, love and support as well.

We thank you in advance for any assistance you can share.

Lot's of love - Paul, Gee and Ember (the dog).