Trying to process I had a cancer still inside of me was very difficult.
I was awaiting for Basingstoke to call me and thankfully I didn't wait very long. The call came in and I was told that Mr. Tzavankis would like discuss a plan of treatment on September the 18th at 11am. After this call I felt a little relived. The ball was now rolling. I would learn my fate.
In the weeks leading up to this appointment, I met a lady named Lynsey online from New York. She had reached out to me after seeing a post where I went public. She was my first glimmer of hope that people have had this cancer and surgery, and survived it. No matter how many times I asked her a question, she was always happy to answer me and even share details of the surgery which is dubbed MOAS (MOTHER OF ALL SURGERY) .
After connecting with Lynsey, I then met another lady online called Karen here in the UK who had been diagnosed very late with pseudomyxoma (PMP) but had the same operation. She was thriving 11 years on NED (no evidence of disease)! Meeting these women lifted me up and gave that glimmer of hope we all endlessly search for when you're told "you have cancer".
While I waited to see Basingstoke, I tried to live the best I could but everyime we went out as a family I wanted to take alot of photos to give my partner memories in case I never made it. That's all you think really. To take these photos and snap as many photos with my dog and partner so he has memories before I do, just as I wish I took a lot more when I spent time with mum. That's always been a regret I've had. I didn't want the same for my partner. So, we went out to an event at a local farm sunflower fields and took some nice family photos. We spent time at the beach, and seeing him and the dog play together felt sad sometimes for me. I mostly sat there thinking to myself: this cancer will take me away from my boys and I soon won't see life.
I also went to see Kylie Minogue at Leicester for the first time in my life, after being a fan since the 1980s. It made me think of the joy of life. The little and big things. This was the first day I didn't think of cancer or even that it was inside of me still this day. It lifted me up so much it was just what I needed and seeing a cancer survivor on stage just felt amazing and that I can be possible to beat it and feel free again.
The next day, September 18th, was when I was about to head to Baskingstoke to see my assigned consultant and find out what exactly I was dealing with. To find out my Fate...
Faye Louise from West Sussex, England was diagnosed with a rare type of Appendix Cancer after having cramps from what she thought was her menstral cycle. Faye has been Fighting Pretty through her experience and shares story to provide hope and strength to all women diagnosed with cancer. As a model, flight dispatcher and fierce fighter, Faye is truly a bright light in this world.
To learn more and continue to be inspired by Faye, follower her on Instagram at: @faye.louiseuk