My diagnosis of Stage 4 appendiceal cancer, a rare and aggressive form of appendix cancer came in February 2024.  This type of cancer, goblet cell adenocarcinoma, affects 1 to 2 people out of every 1 million each year! It quickly spread to other organs, and removed during my first surgery. Unfortunately, it had also spread to my abdominal cavity, known as peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC).  After enduring 6 months of chemotherapy, doctors suggested that I undergo another surgery (CRS/HIPEC) to improve my chances of survival, as chemo can only do so much. 

This treatment, called Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), is a highly effective, concentrated, heated chemotherapy delivered directly to the abdomen immediately after the surgical removal of advanced abdominal cancers. HIPEC helps eliminate any remaining cancer cells following the surgical removal of the disease. 

I met with an expert performing HIPEC, Dr. Armando Sardi of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. We discussed and agreed that this was the best and really only option for me, in the hope that it will add years to my life, and possibly cure my incurable cancer!! This is huge and exciting news for me! To have the hope of spending years with my incredible loving husband Jim, and my family and friends is almost more than I can imaging. This was NOT the expectation anyone had, especially given the grim and poor prognosis in February!! 

That is why this September, I will participate in the 15th Annual “Heat It To Beat It” event and you can be a part of it by making a donation on my fundraising page!  "Heat It To Beat It" refers to this heated chemotherapy that they use, which is essential in beating this type of cancer.

This event launched fifteen years ago to raise awareness and funds for research for a unique surgery and treatment of abdominal cancers, and is our vehicle to continue advancing medicine through research and promoting this life saving treatment.

Because I am having CRS/HIPEC surgery 5 days prior to the event, I physically won't be there this year for the walk (I'm pretty sure they won't let me out of the hospital to attend), but I will be virtually from my hospital bed!!

I hope you will consider supporting this important cause by directly making a donation, not only for me, but for others as well; as with many late stage cancers, this is our last and only hope for a chance to improve our survival rate from months to years with HIPEC!!

I truly appreciate your support! And if you are unable to donate at this time, I will gladly accept prayers and good thoughts (for my husband Jim-my rock!! as well!) 

THANK YOU!!!-and see you next year!!!!

Janice

If you wish to make a contribution by check, it should be made out to Mercy Health Foundation and mailed to the following address:

Mercy Health Foundation
Attn: Erin McDonnell
301 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202

Please be sure to include a note that the gift is for Dr. Sardi's research and is in honor of Janice Miller as a participant in the Heat it to Beat It walk.