A Journey of Resilience, Grace, and Unconditional Love
To know Amy Moeller is to know a woman who defines what it means to live life to the fullest. In 2012, while living a vibrant, active life in San Francisco at age 38, a single doctor’s appointment changed everything. Amy was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP), a rare and complex cancer. She met that first challenge with incredible grit, undergoing two cytoreductive surgeries and HIPEC—a grueling process that included a hysterectomy and the removal of her gallbladder and spleen.
For over a decade, Amy didn’t just survive; she thrived. She reclaimed her health, eventually moved to the beautiful coastal community of Costa Mesa, and embraced a “new normal” with the kind of spirit that inspires everyone around her.
In 2023, nearly eleven years after she was first “cleared,” life threw another curveball. A routine screening led to the discovery of a recurrence. Though the news was unexpected, Amy’s response remained the same: focused, brave, and deeply grounded. She navigated a second major cytoreductive surgery and twelve rounds of FOLFOX chemotherapy with a quiet strength and an unwavering smile.
The Heartbeat of Her Healing: Weezy, Lillie, and a Devoted “Village”
If you ask Amy how she navigated these mountain-sized challenges, she’ll point to the support system that never wavered. In 2012, it was her faithful Wheaten Terrier, Weezy, who provided the steady comfort and quiet companionship needed during those first long days of recovery. By the time 2023 arrived, the pack had grown; Weezy, the seasoned veteran, was joined by Lillie, her spirited Sheepadoodle. Together, they have been the heartbeat of her healing, providing a constant source of joy and “dog therapy” through the toughest days of treatment.
But Amy’s strength was also bolstered by a powerful human “village.” Her loving family and dedicated friends have been the pillars of her journey, stays and long days in the hospitals to showing up with meals, encouragement, and a presence that made the heaviest moments feel lighter. Whether in San Francisco or Orange County, Amy has been surrounded by a community that refused to let her fight alone. This circle of care—of people who checked in, sat by her side, and cheered for every milestone—has been the true medicine behind her recovery.
Now 51 (and eagerly approaching 52 this April), Amy is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Her journey has been guided by world-class surgeons like Dr. Andrew Lowy (UCSD), Dr. Gregory Botta (UCSD) and Dr. Louis Vandermolen (USC Keck), but those medical milestones are only a small part of her story.
The real Amy is found in her love for her community, her commitment to her mental and physical well-being, and her role as a fiercely loyal friend. She has faced the toughest battles medicine can offer with a heart that remains soft and a resolve that remains unbreakable. Amy’s story isn’t just about a diagnosis—it’s about the beautiful, full, and heartfelt life she continues tobuild, one day at a time.
