I randomly decided to get a 'Wellman' test done (first one ever) at a private clinic and was told that the results were great for someone my age BUT that I had a positive stool sample and needed a colonoscopy.

I went to Disney World with my family knowing that I was getting the colonoscopy done on my return but tried not to think about it. Once I had it done everything turned into a blur, CT Scans followed by blood tests etc. One of my tumor markers (CEA) was elevated and shortly after I was diagnosed with a Low-grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm (LAMN), a rare and complex epithelial malignancy of the appendix, which can develop into Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) a rare type of mucinous cancer with very poor survival rates.

Initially I was told that I needed to have 30% of my colon removed and that I might need a stoma bag but one hour before the operation, they told me I would be having a smaller operation.

After the operation I was told that the tumor had been completely resected (staging pTis) and that there was no evidence of spread, even though it wasn't a small tumor (15x5x5). I didn't need any further treatment or any chemo, which was great news as these type of cancers apparently don't respond well to chemo.

At the moment I am on long term surveillance and even though recurrence to PMP is possible the chances are extremely small (3/4%).

Please please! Get those health checks done! I felt great and was doing 8km runs before and after diagnosis (until I was told to stop), because when you feel sick it is usually too late. Proactive screening and preventive health care is the best way to ensure you catch problems early, allowing for prompt treatment and better outcomes.

Feeling extremely grateful to be able to see my children grow up, which was the only thing I could think of during those torrid months. Now trying my best to raise awareness on a subject not even expert centers around the world know too much about (as one expert center doctor told me via video call).