Dylan Miles

In January 2024, I was diagnosed with advanced stage four appendix cancer, completely out of the blue, I didn’t have any symptoms. My life was turned upside down  in a day.

I was told by two very good medical institutions that I have too much cancer to qualify for surgery, and was offered palliative chemo. I was not wanting to do “palliative” anything. I wanted to live!

My dad did a bunch of internet research and found the Appendix Cancer Research Foundation. That was big! Through the ACPMP he found two amazing specialists in San Diego.

I did CRS-HIPEC on Halloween of 2024. I am alive!!!  A big thank you to Dr. Veerapong, and my medical teams, and the Appendix Cancer Research Foundation.  I would not be here without you.

The way I made it through the last two plus years is through community, movement,  and art.

It took a village to keep me alive and on this earth. I was lucky to have many of my friends and family help in oh so many ways.  And, there were surprises! Some folks stepped in way more than I would have thought. And some folks stepped out, at times painfully.

I insisted on continuing to exercise, even with that chemo ball hanging from me. It wasn’t easy, but kept me sane-ish. That sure doesn’t work for everyone. But I needed to do it.

I wrote every single day, between oh so many naps and nausea. It helped me stay present, and not disappear. I tried to write honestly.  I feel  passionate about open sharing of hard things – be they bodily, emotional, or spiritual. As time went on, I got more bold in my sharing.. I tried to add some humor – for me, and for my people. And sometimes funny things do happen, amidst the intense stuff.

And —  I turned my writing into a book!!! I so wanted to live long enough to hold a copy in my hand. And I did!! And now, of course, I want  to live longer.  I made it a story. With a ton of color pictures. I wanted it to be pretty, so it has plant and art pictures in it, because I love plants and art.

I’m selling it at zero profit, because I want it to be as accessible as possible, in the hopes it helps someone. I would love if my crazy journey helps someone else on their journey.

Here it is! My Not Chosen Adventure: A Medical Mystery and Love Story.

I’m still doing lots of art. It was a traumatic two years. I lost a lot. And gained a lot.  A grand both-and. And it takes me time to process all that has happened and is happening.  Here are two spoken word pieces I did this last year, one about my appendix cancer journey, and the other about my appendix rupture 12 years earlier.

I Want To Live (6 minutes, my appendix cancer journey):

Small Intestine Saved My Life (10 minutes, 12 years earlier, my very unusual appendix rupture):

I painted a picture with my port. I cried with joy when it was taken out. The nurse gave me chips ahoy cookies afterwards. I kept the wrapper – because I thought port … ahoy ….

There’s no one way to heal from appendix cancer, and for me, art is so incredibly helpful.

Take good good care of you as you are on this journey. Reach out for help. Try to keep doing things  that give you joy and meaning. This is not an easy road.

And –  I’m a big big fan of second opinions (and third opinions)  and seeing someone who has experience in appendix cancer!!