Second Chance at a Whipple?

My father has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  For almost three years, he's been under constant treatment for acute pancreatitis.  As a non-drinker and a non-smoker who was not overweight, the doctors were befuddled.  Finally, they determined that he had what appeared to be resectable pancreatic cancer.  He is 63 and strong, with a strong marriage to my mother, a strong family and a strong faith. 

They attempted a Whipple, but could not proceed because of the tumor's proximity to a major blood vessel.  They completed a biliary diversion, and have staged the cancer at stage III.  There is no liver or lymph node involvement, and no spread into his peritoneal cavity.  We live in a large city in the south, but he is now seeking treatment at M.D. Anderson, and we are hoping to have an appointment there in the next few weeks.

I need some guidance.  Has anyone heard of a second successful attempt at a Whipple following radiation and chemo?  How difficult is it to get an appointment at M.D. Anderson?

We are prayerful and hopeful, and we are looking forward with optimism.  Any words of encouragement or guidance would be appreciated.  Thanks so much.

My mother had a whipple on Aug 11 last year. She died 5 months later from complications of the surgery. She was in the hospital, totally miserable the entire time (most of the time in ICU) She was 65 and her doctor told her she was a good candidate.

 Like your loved one, my mother had complications b/c they found out during surgery that her tumor was wrapped around a vein. Her surgeon made the call to bring in a vascular surgeon, and my mom's 4-hour surgery became a 10-hour ordeal. If there is a vein involved, the risks of the Whipple go significantly up. 9 days after surgery, she went into septic shock.

 Let me make it clear that her surgery was done by a world-renowned surgeon at a top-notch cancer hospital.

 I'm not trying to scare you but I cannot say ANYTHING positive about a whipple. It is butchery. It is so invasive, the chances of infection and the complications that can arise from your digestive system being so compromised far outweigh the "success". The irony is that my mom's surgery probably went into some statistician's "success" column (because she survived 90 days+), even though she suffered:

-2 bouts of septic shock; delirium from malnutrition; 3.5 months in ICU; 2 surgeries, an wound that was left open for 5 months; drains, tubes, months of indignity.

If I am diagnosed with pancreatic cancer tomorrow, I will not have the Whipple. Honestly, I don't know which is worse - the cancer, or what we have convinced ourselves is right in the name of treatment.

Please, please do not just talk with the surgeons. Talk with a critical care specialist and ask for long-term statistics on the doctor's previous whipple patients (what is their health like at 1 year)?

Nobody should have to go through what my mother did in the name of "treatment".

I am so very sorry to hear of your mother's pain and of your loss.  We will definitely wrigh our options before we make any further decisions.

 May God bless you during this difficult time.

I am so sorry to hear of your father's condition.  As a whipple survivor, I can tell you that even though the surgery is horrendous, it can be life saving.  I had the surgery in April and after suffering every possible complication and spending more than 7 weeks in the hospital, I am now home and recovering well.  Unfortunately the procedure doesn't turn out so well for everyone, but if the chemo and radiation have shrunk your father's tumor and the doctors feel they can make another attempt, it may be well worth making the decision to go forward with it. 

 You are all very blessed to know that the tumor hasn't spread and is contained at this point.  As a person of faith, I would encourage you and your family to continue to pray and ask God for His guidance during this time.  If He opens the doors and you feel Him in it, trust Him and move forward.  Best wishes to you and your family.  Things can get better.  Continue to trust, trust, trust and don't let fear rule your decisions.

 Karen

On 4/3/2007 Rosegirl wrote:

My mother had a whipple on Aug 11 last year. She died 5 months later from complications of the surgery. She was in the hospital, totally miserable the entire time (most of the time in ICU) She was 65 and her doctor told her she was a good candidate.

 Like your loved one, my mother had complications b/c they found out during surgery that her tumor was wrapped around a vein. Her surgeon made the call to bring in a vascular surgeon, and my mom's 4-hour surgery became a 10-hour ordeal. If there is a vein involved, the risks of the Whipple go significantly up. 9 days after surgery, she went into septic shock.

 Let me make it clear that her surgery was done by a world-renowned surgeon at a top-notch cancer hospital.

 I'm not trying to scare you but I cannot say ANYTHING positive about a whipple. It is butchery. It is so invasive, the chances of infection and the complications that can arise from your digestive system being so compromised far outweigh the "success". The irony is that my mom's surgery probably went into some statistician's "success" column (because she survived 90 days+), even though she suffered:

-2 bouts of septic shock; delirium from malnutrition; 3.5 months in ICU; 2 surgeries, an wound that was left open for 5 months; drains, tubes, months of indignity.

If I am diagnosed with pancreatic cancer tomorrow, I will not have the Whipple. Honestly, I don't know which is worse - the cancer, or what we have convinced ourselves is right in the name of treatment.

Please, please do not just talk with the surgeons. Talk with a critical care specialist and ask for long-term statistics on the doctor's previous whipple patients (what is their health like at 1 year)?

Nobody should have to go through what my mother did in the name of "treatment".

 

Hi

Firstly can we say that WE are so sorry to learn about the loss of your mum & we understand EXACTLY what you went through and still will be?

Our Mum who was 58 and now 59 had the Whipple operation on 19th September 2007 and is still suffering from post operative complications. 

Since the operation mum has only spent 5 weeks at home (bed bound) and is now back in hospital with another blood infection (which the doctors suspect is from her fistulas (another post operative complication).

Like your mum our mum is totally miserable and was also told she was a good candidate.

Mums Operation took 8 hours and fortunately the tumour on her pancreas turned out to be benign (how lucky did we think we and mum were!!)

Our mum was also subjected to another operation, as one of the staples inside her had burst, which in turn led to a bout of septicaemia, a bacterial blood infection, chest infections, fistulas & borderline heart failure. 

Mums quality of life is now zero and has age 20 years since the operation.  Mum is in a wheel chair, cannot walk without a walking stick, can only walk a few steps and has to be carried to bed.

Mum recovery is now at a critical level and we have grave concerns of her level of care she is receiving in hospital.     Over the last few weeks her condition has further worsened with Mal nourishment, thrombosis and her stoma pains from the fistulas are still severe.

Our mum is now at a stage where her ability to endure the recovery process has expired and almost entirely given up, the likely hood of her recovery is less than favorable at this time.

Like your mum our Mums surgery was also performed by a ‘top’ renowned surgeon!!!

We agree and cannot at this time say ANYTHING positive about a whippel.

The professor who preformed the surgery sends his regards to my family!!!

Please take the previous posts advice and do not just talk with the surgeons. Talk with a critical care specialist and ask for long-term statistics on the doctor's previous whipple patients (what is their health like at 1 year)