Soon afterwards, Amy learned she had appendix cancer, the same rare condition her sister-in-law had been diagnosed with, leading her to Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. As she adapted to this unexpected turn, Amy sought support through a Facebook group for appendix cancer patients. There, she discovered the rarity and complexity of her condition, often misdiagnosed as ovarian cancer among women.

At Memorial Sloan Kettering, Amy underwent a significant surgery in June 2023. Her slow-growing cancer meant she did not receive the CRS-HIPEC treatment, common for appendix cancer. Fortunately, her prognosis was better than her sister-in-law’s due to differences in pathology. Her PCI score, used to assess cancer spread in the abdomen, was a low 3, indicating minimal spread (scores range from 1-39, PSOGI).

Amy now faces regular scans every few months to monitor her condition. Her outlook on life has shifted, embracing her present rather than fearing an uncertain future. Despite being at stage 4, Amy remains positive, focusing on living without fear while cherishing smaller joys.

Amy advocates for listening to one’s body and acting promptly on health concerns, emphasizing that time is crucial with cancer diagnoses. Her experience underscores the importance of thorough research, finding emotional support, and demanding the necessary care, like physical therapy, to maintain quality of life. Her journey highlights resilience in the face of rare cancer, stressing the importance of early detection and proactive health management.