Whipple surgery

I have just received Dr. advice to have Whipple immediately. MRI shows neoplasms indicating adenocarcinoma. I am 72 years old and in fairly good health. My query and dilemma is that I might want to pass on Whipple and try to enjoy my next 60 /90 days to the fullest with my family. And understanding that the cancer could spread rapidly and kill me within 4-5 months after --even with chemo treatment.

The statistics indicate that maybe 6-10% of the patients don't make it off the table--and 2 year survival rates are also disappointing. Often the recovery is problematic and you might end up doing chemo and dying a painful death anyway. So,----can anyone help me thru this logic(or craziness) and give it valid consideration--or should I just surrender to the doctors medical protocols?

Redbear

Dear Redbear,

     I think that is a question only you yourself can answer.  I have had four abdominal surgeries to correct my pancreatic issue.  I am 45 and have been fighting the battle for seven years now.  To date I still have five tumors but I think of them as just part of me now.  I think I will always have the cancer in one form or another.  It's just part of my daily routine.  I still take meds but Im doing really well.  The whipple is a difficult surgery to recover from.  It took me a good six months but it did the trick for me.  But I recovered slowly.  Recovery is a state of mind.  They told me I may die on the table too, but as you can see I am doing just fine.  Don't get me wrong.  It's not an easy surgery.  Best of luck with whatever you decide.  The part that keeps me going is my strong family and friends.  They are better than any medicine. 

Toodles

Dog Lover

 

 

THIS IS TRUELY ONLY A QUESTION YOU CAN ANSWER YOURSELF MY GRANDMA JUST HAD THE WHIPPLE IN NOVEMBER SHE FELT GREAT AFTER THE RECOVERY IT TOOK HER 2 MONTHS TO RECOVER THEN SHE DID THE CHEMO AND RADIATION. JUST RECENTLY SHE HAS  STARTED TO FEEL BAD AGAIN SHE IS 75 YEARS OLD ALSO I DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE BUT IN CLEVELAND OHIO THERE IS A GREAT DOCTOR NAMED DR.SCHULACK AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HE DID MY GRANDMAS SURGERY AND IS VERY HONEST IF HE FEELS IT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

 

On 7/1/2007 Dog Lover wrote:

Dear Redbear,

     I think that is a question only you yourself can answer.  I have had four abdominal surgeries to correct my pancreatic issue.  I am 45 and have been fighting the battle for seven years now.  To date I still have five tumors but I think of them as just part of me now.  I think I will always have the cancer in one form or another.  It's just part of my daily routine.  I still take meds but Im doing really well.  The whipple is a difficult surgery to recover from.  It took me a good six months but it did the trick for me.  But I recovered slowly.  Recovery is a state of mind.  They told me I may die on the table too, but as you can see I am doing just fine.  Don't get me wrong.  It's not an easy surgery.  Best of luck with whatever you decide.  The part that keeps me going is my strong family and friends.  They are better than any medicine. 

Toodles

Dog Lover

 

Thxs for your feedback---your 7 year struggle shows real strength. Did you have "stage 1" PC and the Whipple was less than adequate--or --is the disease so unpredictable that even the surgeons are baffled?

It seems to me that many of the recipients of the Whipple are really "Stage 2" and hence further problems arise months later..   ---thank you again for your interest --your example will be one I will save and refer to as I go forward.

Redbear

 

 

On 7/1/2007 Concernedfamilymember wrote:

THIS IS TRUELY ONLY A QUESTION YOU CAN ANSWER YOURSELF MY GRANDMA JUST HAD THE WHIPPLE IN NOVEMBER SHE FELT GREAT AFTER THE RECOVERY IT TOOK HER 2 MONTHS TO RECOVER THEN SHE DID THE CHEMO AND RADIATION. JUST RECENTLY SHE HAS  STARTED TO FEEL BAD AGAIN SHE IS 75 YEARS OLD ALSO I DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE BUT IN CLEVELAND OHIO THERE IS A GREAT DOCTOR NAMED DR.SCHULACK AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HE DID MY GRANDMAS SURGERY AND IS VERY HONEST IF HE FEELS IT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

Thank you for your words about your Grandma. She must have been very strong to recover so fast after the Whipple. Do you think the chemo is helping her or is it causing her to lose strength? It is not easy for a 75 year old to withstand chemo side effects. Did your Grandma have "Stage 1" PC?  And did the doctor tell you in advance that chemo would be necessary--or did the chemo decision arise after the Whipple was completed?

I'm praying with you that this setback is only temporary. You both show great strength.

Redbear

 

A few months ago my father was facing the same dilemma.  He is 68 and was not sure and was very afraid to do the Whipple surgery which was recommened by all doctors.  He had bile duct cancer.  I believe he really wanted to do the surgery, but was just very scared to the point of not doing it.  With family support, he decided to do the surgery.  It turned out that his cancer was very small and did not spread and they didn't even have to take any of his stomach out.  He is recovering very well.  No major problems and it looks like they got all of the cancer and he does not need any chemo or radiation. 

 The doctors really felt that he was a great candidate because they were hopeful that his cancer was very small and that he could be cured.  If the doctors were just going to extend his life a few years and the cancer was possibly larger, I don't think my father would have done the surgery.  That was just his feelings on it.

 Good luck to you.  I wish you the best.

 

On 7/4/2007 Seven22 wrote:

A few months ago my father was facing the same dilemma.  He is 68 and was not sure and was very afraid to do the Whipple surgery which was recommened by all doctors.  He had bile duct cancer.  I believe he really wanted to do the surgery, but was just very scared to the point of not doing it.  With family support, he decided to do the surgery.  It turned out that his cancer was very small and did not spread and they didn't even have to take any of his stomach out.  He is recovering very well.  No major problems and it looks like they got all of the cancer and he does not need any chemo or radiation. 

 The doctors really felt that he was a great candidate because they were hopeful that his cancer was very small and that he could be cured.  If the doctors were just going to extend his life a few years and the cancer was possibly larger, I don't think my father would have done the surgery.  That was just his feelings on it.

 Good luck to you.  I wish you the best.

WOW ! What a wonderful story that I can show to my children--as they too will be helping me to make the decision. Thank you for giving me this positive result

Redbear

 

I am a long term survivor thanks to a whipple procedure.  I would not be here today without it.  I know it is your decision and respect that.  My choice all over again would be to go for the surgery if they say you are a candidate for it.  It is a dificult procedure and took me a while to recover and I am still recovering from it.  There are many issues: The scope of the surgery,scaring,eating habits and what you will tolerate,etc.  I never had chemo and had my surgery in 1989...it kind of blurs all together and may have been 1990 but what's a few months.  If you need encouragement: go for it.  There is so much more to do!  You can write me if you want and I will be happy to talk with you.  I wish you the best in any event.  If you have a choice, choose life and family.  L

My PC was discovered on 12-3-2005 and I had the Whipple on 12-16-2005. I had Ampullary of the Vater,  Stage 2. They removed the normal parts along with 1/3 of the Pancreas and the procedure took 8 hours with a nine day hospital stay. They felt they got it all.  Recovery was very hard with three hospital stays after but after two months I had a complete turnaround and have not looked back. I am coming up on 19 months and my last checkup in March revealed no cancer. I did not rquire any Chemo.  Sure your boby is not the same as before the procedure but the Whipple was the correct choice for me. Bless all of you. I owe my recovery to the Lord.

Dear Redbear,

Like the other responses, Only You and Your Family can make the ultimate decision.  The biggest question should be how early was the cancer detected?  I am 58 years old now; my pancreatic cancer was discovered in May of 2003.  I had a Whipple Procedure at St Lukes Hospital in Houston, Tx.  My surgeon, Gretchen Zimmerman, is a Teaching surgeon there and one of few doctors that perform Whipple.  She was marvelous.  My surgery was 8.5 hours; and my Recovery, in hospital was 3 weeks.  I did develop some nasty infections, and ended up back in the hospital for another 3 weeks, I think these are pretty standard with this type of surgery.  So, After the first 2 months, I was sent home for recovery.  It was tough; but not unbearable.  I started Chemo And Radiation, the Chemo was hard on my body due to its weakened state; and I was hospitalized again for dehydration and Low Red Cell count.  I am now chronic anemic; and require B12 injections monthly.  However, this is 2007 !  I have had 3 pet scans and numerous MRI, Cat Scans, Blood Chemistry etc; and still "kickin".  My treatment left me with some Insulin problems; but I am Not taking injections "yet".. I also have some disgestive issues; but none that are overwhelming.  I do take pancreatic enzymes with each meal.  Other than all that, I am still Working Full time, I am a software implementation consultant.  I travel with my work and personally almost monthly.  I am Thankful the God above for the miracle of Life.  I have been able to "remarry" a wonderful man (I was widowed when diagnosed) and I enjoy my 2 children and 4 grandchildren. 

I Wish you all the Luck and would be happy to speak with you or your caregivers about my recovery.

Granna in Texas