Rebecca Hind: UK woman forced to have thirteen organs removed amid devastating terminal cancer battle
A UK woman has shared the devastating moment she discovered her body was riddled with cancer after initially believing she just had food poisoning.
Rebecca Hind started feeling sick after an office Christmas party in 2018 but thought nothing of it until the illness persisted for eight weeks.
The 39-year-old took herself to the doctors and after a CT scan and multiple biopsies she was diagnosed with a rare cancer that affects only one in a million people.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“By the time they found it, I was pretty much riddled with it,” Ms Hind told The Telegraph.
“It was heartbreaking. But I’ve just got to try to get on with life, and deal with whatever comes my way.”
The cancer is called pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) and is the same type of cancer that killed Audrey Hepburn.
The cancer usually starts in the appendix and spreads through the abdomen via cancerous cells that release a jelly-like substance.
After the diagnosis, Ms Hind had to undergo two surgeries which resulted in thirteen of her organs being removed, including her appendix, gallbladder, spleen, large bowel, womb, uterus, ovaries and cervix.
Heartbreakingly the surgeries and eight gruelling chemotherapy rounds weren’t enough to eradicate the disease and in 2020 Ms Hind was told the cancer is terminal.
She now takes 60 tablets a day and can only consume an electrolyte fluid and food supplements.
Despite the challenges life has thrown at her, Ms Hind refuses to let the terminal cancer stop her from living life to the fullest.
“I turn 40 this year and I want to say yes to everything. I’ve been surfing, in a hot air balloon and dog sledding so far,” she said.
“The message I want to get across is when you have a stoma or an incurable diagnosis, things will be incredibly difficult. My daily life is a rollercoaster.
“But with the right attitude, you can still achieve a lot and more importantly, enjoy whatever time you have.”
In September, Ms Hind will take part in a bike event which aims to challenge peoples’ perspective of stage four cancer.
The event will also help raise vital funds for cancer charities.
Originally published on PerthNow
