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Support for Every Stage of the PMP Journey
Whether you are:
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• Newly diagnosed and looking for reliable information
• Preparing for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC
• Recovering from surgery and adjusting to a new normal
• Supporting a loved one through treatment
• Facing recurrence and planning next steps
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Guided Path provides non-medical disease-specific support, education, and connection for individuals and families living with pseudomyxoma peritonei.​ Our services are provided at no cost to PMP patients and families.
When the story changes, we are here to help......
PMP - The Journey
Most stories begin with ordinary days.
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Then the plot changes .....
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A normal appointment.
A strange symptom.
A test “just to be safe.”
And then a word you’ve never heard before.
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei
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Rare.
Complex.
Life-altering.
Suddenly the story you were writing changes.
What Is PMP?
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) is a rare cancer that begins in the appendix and spreads throughout the abdominal cavity.
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It does not usually spread through the bloodstream the way many other cancers do.
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Instead, it produces a thick, mucinous substance that accumulates in the abdomen.
Over time, that buildup can affect surrounding organs and lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Because PMP is so rare - affecting approx. 1 - 2 people per million each year - many healthcare providers will never encounter it in practice.
The rarity can lead to delays in diagnosis and confusion during early stages.
But there are specialists across the country who have dedicated their careers to treating this cancer.
How Is PMP Treated?
PMP is not treated like most other cancers.
Standard chemotherapy alone is often not sufficient.
Instead, many patients undergo a highly specialized procedure called:
Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with HIPEC
This surgery is extensive. It may involve removing visible tumor deposits from the abdominal cavity and, in some cases, portions of, or entire organs.
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Immediately following tumor removal, heated chemotherapy (HIPEC - Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is circulated within the abdomen to target microscopic cancer cells.
This procedure sounds scary - and it is normal to feel intimidated during discussions about it.
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But when performed at an experienced center by a specialist trained in treating PMP, this procedure is not just aggressive - it is intentional. It is meticulous. It is designed to give patients something incredibly valuable: time.
The Emotional Journey
A rare cancer diagnosis often carries a different kind of weight.
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There are fewer support groups.
Fewer local experts.
​Fewer people who understand what you’re describing.
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You may find yourself explaining the diagnosis repeatedly.
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You may feel isolated - even when surrounded by people who care.
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And caregivers often carry their own quiet fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty.
You Are Not Alone
Though you may feel like you are all alone in your diagnosis, you are not alone.
We understand the landscape of PMP.
​We understand the travel.
​The waiting.
​The recovery.
​The fears.
​The strain on caregivers.
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We do not provide medical treatment.
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We do not replace your surgical team.
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We walk with you, through your journey, as a support system based on personal experience.
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Guided Path
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Where rare cancer meets real community
We want you to realize that you are not the only one writing this story.
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Rare does not mean alone, even if it feels that way.
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There are others who understand the vocabulary. Who remember the first appointment. Who remember the surgery. Who remember the nerves.
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There is space here for you.
Guided Path began with a diagnosis that changed everything. When I was told I had pseudomyxoma peritonei, I entered a world few people understand — a world of rare terminology, complex surgery, long travel, and uncertain timelines. I experienced the fear, the isolation, and the overwhelming need for someone who truly understood. Guided Path was built from that experience — not out of crisis, but out of clarity. It exists so that others facing PMP can find connection, guidance, and steadiness in the middle of a story they never expected to write.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with PMP...
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If you are preparing for surgery...
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If you are recovering...
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If you are facing recurrence...
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If you are a caregiver who is feeling lost...
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We are here.
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Our services are provided at no cost for PMP patients and their families.
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Contact us for more information:
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e-mail: info@guidedpathtcs.org
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phone: 423-438-3799
PMP Related Media
We are deeply grateful to Faye Louise for courageously sharing her PMP journey through The PMP Project. Hearing someone speak openly about the realities of rare cancer — the fear, the resilience, the uncertainty, and the strength — reminds us how powerful shared stories can be. For many facing PMP, simply knowing that someone else understands can bring an unexpected sense of comfort and connection. Stories have a way of reducing isolation, offering perspective, and reminding us that we are not alone in what can sometimes feel like an unfamiliar and overwhelming experience. We thank Faye for lending her voice to this rare cancer community.
We love to support our PMP community.
Here is a a book written by a PMP journeyer. Paul Smith was 43 years old when he was diagnosed with PMP. The book is good-humored and very personal to Paul's inspiring journey. Paul shares his physical and mental battles vividly in the book. If you think completing an ironman triathlon is an impossible dream, this book may change your mind.
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You can purchase a copy of Paul's book from Amazon by clicking HERE.
Guided Path TCS
Located in Mooresburg, TN.
Serving east Tennessee.
(423) 438 - 3799
Hours
Mon 9:00am - 5:00pm est
Tue 9:00am - 5:00pm est
Wed 9:00am - 5:00pm est
Thu 9:00am - 5:00pm est
Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm est
Sat appointment only
Sun closed
Contact Us
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