Cancer became a part of my life on March 05, 2005 while I was living in Scottsdale, AZ. I was diagnosed and treated for Appendix cancer. I received two surgeries and six months of elective chemotherapy treatments. At that time my doctors assured me that a recurrence was highly unlikely. I felt like I had dodged a bullet! I viewed life differently after that fateful day. My priorities were forever altered. Most evident was the fact that my personal relationships became paramount. Little did I know that the life lessons that cancer taught me that year were just the tip of the iceberg.

I enjoyed four years of healthy living after my treatment ended. Then it began. My stomach was protruding, I had sharp abdominal pains and my belly button seemed to have popped out. I denied the symptoms long enough; it was time to see a doctor. So, in August 2009 to the emergency room in Scottsdale. I was placed in a hospital room until the doctors could evaluate my condition. Shortly thereafter, I heard the term PMP for the first time. The Doctors informed me that there was nothing they could do for me. They told me that I had about a year to live and recommended hospice care. As countless thoughts washed over me, I realized that I never knew real fear until that moment. Then, somehow, I had to tell my family and friends the horrible news. The walls seemed to be closing in on me. How was I going to be able to handle all of this? I wasn't ready to just give up and die. There had to be another option, no matter what these doctors were saying. So I started searching.

With the help of family and friends, I was able to find a small handful of doctors around the country who handled this disease, none of which were in Arizona. After contacting a few doctors, I was finally able to talk with Dr. Andrew Lowy and his staff at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center in San Diego, California. They informed me of the steps I needed to take to determine if I was eligible to become one of his patients. I had to take the chance.I immediately quit my job of twelve years and asked my friends to pack a few bags for me and went straight from the hospital in Scottsdale to the airport. I began with very limited funds and no insurance. I soon met with Dr. Lowy and his staff for a blood workup, a cat scan and a laparoscopy. Fortunately, Dr. Lowy took my case. He recommended three to six months of chemotherapy to soften the tumors. A procedure called Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC, also known as “the Mother Of All Surgeries” (MOAS), was our ultimate goal. It was a relief to have an option other than hospice and imminent death. But before any of this could happen, I needed to get insurance. Being simultaneously patient and persistent seemed contradictory, but that is exactly what I needed to do.

Due to my previous cancer, Social Security Disability Insurance was the only option I had and time was not on my side. Three months, fifteen separate meetings and many gray hairs later, I finally hit a home run. It was nothing short of a miracle to receive that insurance! Chemo began two days later. My treatments lasted six months. Finally, on May 13th, 2010 I had the surgery. Unfortunately, they could not remove all of tumors so he HIPEC procedure could not be performed, I still had cancer. My quest was on to find my new normal. So much had changed over the past year, but I beat the odds. I started focusing on getting my body in shape and within a few months I had signed on to do something I had never done, a triathlon. During my training, I was contacted by the marketing department at UCSD Medical Center, they asked if I would do a patient testimonial video. They wanted to share my story with other cancer patients. In Oct my friends and I competed in and finished the Mission Bay Triathlon. Four short months later on Jan 18, 2012, I had my second MOAS. As I recover from this surgery, I often reflect back to those earlier times with a sense of awe. A journey filled with intense emotion, indescribable highs and soul crushing lows. The support of my family and friends were the main source of strength for me back then and it continues to be that way today. I am now undergoing intense chemotherapy treatments twice a day and I am feeling pretty strong. I want to thank all of you for you generosity and support. Without it, I would be unable to continue this battle. Thank you and I love you all so much!

Matty

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