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 cancer that often starts in the abdomen.
It involved the removal of her appendix, ovaries, uterus, spleen, gallbladder, fallopian tubes, belly button 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 dispatcher at Gatwick Airport.
“The job is very physical, but I love aviation and I’m happy that I’m back in the role,” she told BBC Radio Sussex.
Faye Louise with hospital staff after her operation
She started to have pains in spring 2023, which she at first put down to period problems, before an ultrasound found an ovarian cyst.
Despite an operation, she later “heard the dreaded C-word” and was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei, with a tumour having ruptured and spread cancer cells around her body.
Ms Louise then needed the operation that involved removing eight of her organs. It was successful, although she will continue to have yearly scans every November.
Faye Louise has made a full recovery and she will now have yearly scans
“Waiting for the results will sadly make or break every Christmas for me. But you just have to keep pushing forward and never give up,” she said.
“Some days I have been down to the depths of despair, but more often than not now, I’m having more positive days.”
As well as returning to work, she has been fundraising for Cancer Research UK, which saw her get covered with 15 litres of orange gloop 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 funds for the charity.
