A woman who had eight organs removed has shared her triumph after finishing a charity race and raising thousands for charity.
Faye Louise, from West Sussex, was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) – a rare and potentially fatal form of cancer – after visiting her GP for abdominal pains, which she originally put down to period cramps.
An ultrasound found a 17cm ovarian cyst growing in the 39-year-old’s stomach and doctors later discovered a large tumour on her appendix.
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She’s since undergone multiple surgeries to remove her spleen, gallbladder, appendix, part of her small intestine, part of her liver and pelvis, and the greater and lesser omentum.
But the flight dispatcher and model – who has 38,700 followers on Instagram – says she won’t let this stop her from helping others.
“Eight months after losing eight organs to this cancer – and after eight months of pain, tears, fear and rest – it really felt like I had stuck my two fingers up [to cancer], and nothing can stop me now!” Faye Louise told What’s The Jam.
“I felt so happy and it really has shown me we can do anything we want in life if we really push through.
“I decided to sign up for the Race for Life after undergoing my last surgery.
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“[I wanted] to have a goal to aim for and to also give something back and hope to really inspire and show others that cancer doesn’t have to define who we are.
“We [survivors] can still aim for the top and succeed.
“Booking my place felt great as I was working towards something in my recovery which was very long.”
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Faye Louise completed the Brighton 10km run in two hours and eight minutes, leaving her feeling ecstatic and wanting to take part in more.
She also raised £2,179 for Cancer Research UK and was given an award on the main stage for being the top solo fundraising star.
Leading up to the race, the model was nervous but focused her energies on training.
She said: “I walked with my dog and partner and managed 4-5km each time.
“I also worked out on my exercise bike but that was it.”
Having had so many organs removed, Faye Louise also worried about her body on the run-up to the big day.
Her partner Will, 30, was by her side to support her.
She said: “As the days of the 10k got closer I did question ‘Can I really do this? Will my body let me? Will it tell me stop?’
“I had a really dry mouth on race day.
“It was tough.
“The hill at the start was a challenge and really did puff me out and I thought ‘Oh my god I still have 9k to go’ and that hill to climb once more.
“My partner Will was by my side as he’s been my caregiver.
“I also had some friends come from London to watch.
“It was a really fantastic day.
“I just wanted so much to conquer this and I did.
“I am now working with CRUK with more ideas for fundraising I was lucky enough to visit a research lab this week.
“I will keep going out there helping others and showing people cancer is not always the end go out live them dreams and reach for the stars.
“We are more than just a cancer diagnosis.
“We can go on and achieve great things.
“We will never be beaten!”
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