Sussex Model To 'Race For Life' Following 'Mother Of All Surgeries'

A former Sussex model from Horsham will be taking part in this year's Race For Life following an operation that involved removing eight of her organs.

When Faye Louise was given the news that she had cancer, aged 38, she began planning her funeral.

“In my mind, there was only one outcome. I’d lost my mum to bowel cancer 18 months earlier. I thought history would repeat itself so I kept looking at funeral plans. I told my partner Will I probably wouldn’t make 50, or even 45,” said Faye.

But, because of treatment, Faye is now cancer free and is starting to rebuild her life. And, grateful for the second chance she’s been given, she is launching Cancer Research UK’s 2024 Race for Life season and calling on others to join her. 

Faye, from Horsham, knows how vital it is to raise funds for life-saving research. Money raised at Race for Life will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancers.

That’s why it will be an 'emotional moment' when she sounds the horn to start the event and crosses the finish line at Race for Life in Stanmer Park, Brighton on June 30th.   

Faye had been fit and well up until Spring 2023 when she began to have pains and bloating which she put down to period problems. Her GP asked if she had ever experienced appendicitis and Faye told her she hadn’t. The GP referred her for an ultrasound which revealed an ovarian cyst filled with fluid.

She was referred to Crawley Hospital for a CT scan and while waiting for the results of that, she suffered further pain and light-headedness but was given strong pain-killers.

When the results of the CT scan came through, they confirmed she had a large 17cm cyst on the left ovary and she would need a laparotomy – a surgical incision in the abdominal cavity - as surgeons didn’t want to risk rupturing the cyst with keyhole surgery. They also said they could see some swelling in the appendix, so while they operated, they would also remove her appendix.

“I went in for the operation on the cyst, thinking I’d be home and done! Little did I know what was coming,” said Faye. “The next day changed my life forever. On August 8th, I heard the dreaded C word.

“The surgeon explained they had taken the cyst out and it was full of fluid but was just a normal cyst. But she said she had to leave the appendix in.

“And then she said ‘I’m really sorry Faye - we found a cancer.’ I was so shocked. The walls felt they was closing in on me. I asked what kind of cancer as I expected to hear bowel like my mum had.

“The doctors said they found a tumour in my appendix. They were shocked too as they never expected it all. They said they had left it in to prevent it rupturing and leaking cells into other organs. I asked if I was going to die.

“They explained I had an appendix tumour and small deposits on the outside of my small bowel. She said I’d had the tumour a while and it was extremely slow growing. While the cancer was pretty much contained, there was the risk of it breaking through my appendix wall and turning into pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). So, they kept my appendix in as its safer for me this way and causes no risk to life at the moment.”

Faye, who works as a flight dispatcher at Gatwick Airport, returned home but it was an agonising five week wait before she got the results.

Unfortunately, in that time, the tumour ruptured, spreading cancer cells around her body and she was diagnosed with the very rare and potentially fatal pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Faye needed an operation colloquially known as ‘the mother of all surgeries, which involved removing eight of her organs.

She is now cancer free although there is always the chance the disease will return. She has been recovering at home with Will and Neville, her golden retriever, and has just returned to work.

Faye had also had a modelling career but had to give that up.

“The scar I have makes it impossible to continue modelling. I’ve also had to learn to walk again. I’ve basically had to re-set my life. But it’s also made me passionate about spreading the word about this the signs and symptoms of this type of cancer and cancer in younger people. And highlight the need to fund more life-saving treatments in years to come.

“But I am running again and I’m going to take on the 10k option at Race for Life. I really want to support Cancer Research UK and would love it if other people joined me there on the day. Cancer is a huge problem and they need support from all of us.”

People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part in Race for Life in Brighton and at other events around Sussex, including Worthing, Horsham, Crawley, Eastbourne and Hastings. Mums, dads, sons, daughters, grandparents and friends can choose from a 5k or 10k, or in the afternoon take part in Pretty Muddy - a 5k mud-splattered obstacle course.  There are also Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids options at Brighton and Crawley.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is a series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. 

Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Sussex, said:

“We’re really grateful to Faye for her support and know her story will make an impact on people who hear it.  

“No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime.** Race for Life has the power not only to transform lives, but to save them. We’re proud that Race for Life has already helped double survival rates in the UK.   

“We’d love for people from all over Sussex to join us at Race for Life. There is an event for everyone and we mean everyone - walk, jog, run or take on the course however it suits you. It’s a chance to feel the power of moving together with fellow Race for Lifers and enjoy that moment you cross the finish line.  

“Whether people are living with cancer, are taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with the disease, or are in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone.”  

To enter, visit raceforlife.org     

Sussex Race for Life events 2024:

Brighton, Stanmer Park

June 29 – Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids.

June 30 - 3k, 5k, 10k.

Worthing seafront/Steyne Gardens

June 16 – 3k, 5k

Eastbourne, Sports Park

May 26 – 3k, 5k, 10k.

Crawley, Tilgate Park

July 20 – 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Pretty Muddy Kids

Horsham, Horsham Park

June 2 – 3k, 5k

Hastings, Alexandra Park

June 9 – 3k, 5k, 10k

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About pseudomyxoma peritonei

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a very rare type of cancer. It usually begins in your appendix as a small growth, called a polyp. This is different to polyps that cause bowel cancer and is called a Low Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm (LAMN).

This polyp eventually spreads through the wall of the appendix or wherever else it starts. It then spreads cancerous cells to the abdominal cavity lining (the peritoneum). These cancerous cells produce mucus. The mucus collects in the abdomen as a jelly like fluid called mucin. PMP is sometimes called ‘Jelly Belly’.

Doctors often call PMP a borderline malignant condition. Malignant means cancerous. Cancers usually spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic and blood system. PMP doesn’t behave like this and it doesn’t spread to other parts of the body. But it does grow and spread inside the tummy (abdomen).