What began as a bout of stomach pain that felt like food poisoning turned into a life-altering nightmare for 34-year-old Sadie Kemp, who ended up losing 13 organs due to a rare form of abdominal cancer.
Sadie first noticed the symptoms after a meal, experiencing nausea, cramps, and fatigue. Assuming it was something she ate, she tried to ride it out. But when her condition rapidly worsened, doctors launched a deeper investigation—revealing a shocking diagnosis: pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare cancer that often starts in the appendix and spreads mucus-like tumors throughout the abdomen.
By the time doctors understood the full extent of the disease, the cancer had aggressively spread, leaving only one option: a massive, high-risk operation that involved removing 13 of her internal organs, including parts of her digestive system, reproductive organs, spleen, and gallbladder.
“I never thought stomach pain could turn into something like this,” Kemp shared. “It was just a few days of feeling sick. I would never have imagined I was living with a ticking time bomb inside me.”
The surgery lasted over 20 hours and was described by surgeons as one of the most complex procedures they had performed. Sadie now faces a long recovery journey and must adapt to life with significant physical limitations, but she’s using her experience to speak out and raise awareness.
“I’m still here. That’s what matters,” she said. “But if something feels off in your body, don’t ignore it. I want others to take their health seriously, even when it seems like a minor issue.”
PMP affects only about 1 to 2 people per million each year and is often misdiagnosed due to its subtle, non-specific symptoms. Sadie’s case serves as a painful reminder that early medical attention can make all the difference.
She’s now focusing on healing and hopes her story can help save others from enduring the same silent battle.
