Primary Peritoneal Cancer, it's ok

It's hard to begin, but because when I was diagnosed with PPC and a complete hysterectomy was recommended- I read here, a lot! And it helped me, I didn't know what to think, so overwhelming, but I'm doing good, and thought I'd share for others looking for information on their journeys.

My journey began, wow, really with a hernia, and no insurance, when the ACA was available I started seeing doctors. The hernia was giant (I thought it was fat, I was really heavy). So my Primary sent me to a gastroenterologist and I asked about gastric sleeve, he said once I had hernia surgery people will think I had gastro surgery but first I had to lose 50#. So yeah, buhbye

A year later I felt worse. Then Aug 3 the pain was worse, but I had had gallstones a year ago and thought this must be it... lucky for me I made it to the ER, even luckier an intern for a well respect gastrointestinal surgeon was on call. I had a strangulated hernia. Surgery lasted a long time and 8 days in hospital. I needed to heal and have the giant hernia repair

So, November 28 back to hospital more surgery to take the intestines that fell through the hernia. A mesh put in to hold it. Now my ovaries had a cyst but it was decided it could wait (I did have scans, tests etc). But when pathology reports came back. Cancer

I didn't know I had an omentum. Let alone a Peritoneal So on to an oncological gynecologist. One of the best for "rare" cancers according to many. Surgery was scheduled. to be honest. I didn't really care to research Peritoneal Cancer then. I knew I was in good hands, had a good support system, and needed to heal. They sent the cells/stuff to tumor boards. Then on to Stanfords Tumor board. Again, I didn't know there was tumor boards

I had robotic surgery with the gastrointestinal surgeon getting things started to have little impact on the mesh. The cyst was benign, the cells were Peritoneal Cancer. I know it's related to ovarian cancer, and I've embraced my "sisters". Googling Primary Peritoneal Cancer, it's scary

I'm very lucky mine was caught early. I see my oncologist on the every 3 month schedule. Routine. Right now, I don't need chemo therapy, just keep checking. It's hard to know what to tell people, what questions to ask. I'm glad my DH is so supportive. I didn't know the name/type of cancer, but he did, he wrote things down so when I was ready, I could ask. That helped me

So I'm glad to read so many articles and links in one place. And the forums from real people going through their journeys