A former model had eight organs removed after she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, but she has now returned to work.
Faye Louise underwent “the mother of all surgeries” after she was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare form of cancer that often starts in the abdomen.
It involved the removal of her appendix, ovaries, uterus, spleen, gallbladder, fallopian tubes, navel and her greater and lesser omentum – which connect the stomach and duodenum to other abdominal organs.
Part of her liver was also removed and surgeons scraped her diaphragm and pelvis.
Following the operation, Ms Louise, from Horsham, West Sussex, has returned to her job as a flight coordinator at Gatwick Airport.
“The work is very physical, but I love aviation and I'm happy to be back in this role,” she told BBC Radio Sussex.
Faye Louise with hospital staff after her surgery
In the spring of 2023, she began experiencing pain, which she initially attributed to menstrual problems, before an ultrasound revealed an ovarian cyst.
Despite surgery, she later heard “the dreaded C-word” and was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei, where a tumor had ruptured and cancer cells had spread throughout her body.
Mrs Louise then required the operation to remove eight of her organs. It was successful, although she will continue to have annual scans every November.
Faye Louise has made a full recovery and will now undergo annual scans
“Unfortunately, waiting for the results will make or break every Christmas for me. But you just have to keep going and never give up,” she said.
“Some days I have sunk to the depths of despair, but now more often than not I have more positive days.”
As well as being back to work, she has been raising money for Cancer Research UK, getting covered in 15 liters of orange goo in the garden of the Red Lyon pub in Slinfold.
She also took part in the Race for Life in Stanmer Park, Brighton, to raise money for charity.
