Ariel’s Story: Surviving Stage 4 Appendix Cancer and Finding Wholeness Again
August is Appendix Cancer Awareness Month
When you hear the words appendix cancer, you might be surprised to learn it even exists. It’s rare—so rare that many doctors misdiagnose it at first. For Ariel Mierendorf, a fitness professional, small business owner, and single mom to a spirited 4-year-old, the journey began with something easy to dismiss: occasional sharp pains during gas or bowel movements.
At first, she brushed it off as hormonal bloating or menstrual discomfort. But when the pain persisted, she mentioned it at a routine OB appointment. That decision likely saved her life. An ultrasound revealed a large mass obscuring one ovary, and within days, she was at Arizona Oncology in Phoenix, facing the possibility of ovarian cancer.
A Rare and Aggressive Diagnosis
The mass was the size of a grapefruit, pressing into Ariel’s intestines and causing those sharp pains. Surgery was unavoidable. Doctors performed a radical hysterectomy, removing her appendix and the tumor. What they found was alarming: cancer coating her abdominal organs like a layer of spray paint.
A week later, pathology confirmed the diagnosis—Stage 4 high-grade appendix cancer, signet ring cell type, one of the most aggressive forms.
For many appendix cancer patients, the cancer initially appears ovarian because tumors often grow toward the hormone-rich environment of the ovaries. This misdirection can delay proper treatment, which is why awareness and early detection are critical.
Enduring Chemotherapy
Ariel’s treatment plan began with 25 rounds of chemotherapy over the course of a year—first with FOLFOX, then FOLFIRI, often combined with Avastin to cut off tumor blood supply. The side effects were relentless:
Severe fatigue
Painful muscle cramping and “first-bite syndrome” (sharp jaw pain with the first bite of food)
Nausea
Nosebleeds and mouth dryness
“It’s like the worst hangover you’ve ever had, times ten—minus any of the fun the night before,” Ariel recalls.
Exploring Surgical Options
Appendix cancer treatment often includes HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy), nicknamed “the mother of all surgeries.” But a laparoscopic evaluation showed Ariel’s cancer was too widespread for HIPEC to be effective.
Instead, she joined a clinical trial for PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy), a less invasive surgery delivering aerosolized chemotherapy directly into the abdomen. She became one of the first patients in the U.S. to undergo the procedure.
After two rounds of PIPAC, something remarkable happened—all her biopsies came back negative for cancer.
Life After Western Medicine
With no proof of active cancer, Ariel made the decision—alongside her doctors—to stop chemo. She transitioned to holistic and integrative care, including natural protocols rooted in Chinese medicine, emphasizing herbal supplements, nutrition, movement, and emotional healing.
She continues to face health challenges, such as bowel obstructions from scar tissue, but she lives with renewed energy and a deep commitment to whole-person wellness.
Loss, Gratitude, and Motherhood
One of the hardest parts of Ariel’s journey wasn’t just the cancer—it was the loss of her fertility. As a single mother, she had to stop breastfeeding her son abruptly after surgery, and she will never carry another child.
“You don’t realize how much of your identity, your power, is tied to the ability to create life,” she says. “But my son knows he was my only egg, my only one—and that makes him incredibly special.”
This perspective, though born of grief, has deepened her gratitude for motherhood. “Gratitude,” she says, “is the best weapon against grief.”
Her Message During Appendix Cancer Awareness Month
August is a time to bring attention to this little-known but deadly disease. Ariel’s story is a reminder to:
Listen to your body—even small, strange symptoms matter.
Advocate for yourself—push for answers, second opinions, and specialists.
Accept help—receiving is as important as giving in the healing process.
“Sometimes your job is to give,” Ariel says. “Sometimes it’s to receive. Pay attention to which one you’re called to do, and do it fully. That’s a huge part of the healing journey.”
Why Awareness Matters
Appendix cancer often hides behind vague symptoms and is easily mistaken for other conditions. Increased awareness leads to earlier diagnosis, better access to specialists, and more research funding for rare cancer treatments.
This August, share Ariel’s story. You might help someone recognize the signs—and save a life.
About the Patient Story
The Patient Story shares authentic patient experiences with compassion and scientific rigor. Starting with cancer and expanding to other conditions, the platform combines patient narratives with medically vetted information on symptoms, clinical trials, insurance, and support—presented in a human-centered way.
For more information on how HuMOLYTE can support your gut health during chemotherapy, visit our product page or consult your health care provider.
This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
