Whipple procedure

My Dad had the Whipple done on July 17, 2007, he was awake and talking the next day but in great pain. They put him back in surgery to check for leaks and found one and stapled it and added another dreain tube, they added a vac the other day. The doctor put him on a ventilator so that he could put him on a stronger pain med and help him to handle it. He went into septic shock that night and we almost lost him. He has been in the icu ever since and his progress has been very slow. Yesterday they put the ventilator through a traciotomy instead of down his mouth and he was more aware of his surroundings and is very discouraged. To complicate matters, his mother was operated on the same day as Dad was and went into septic shock at the other hospital at the same time he did. Unfortunately we lost her that day. Dad does not know about it yet and I am terrified how he will react to the news.

My understanding of the Whipple is limited but from what little I have read it seems to be standard procedure to put in 3 or 4 drains and to remove the gall baldder. In my Dad's case, only one drain was put in, his gall bladder was not removed (they are going to put a drain directly into it today). It will only be after they put the drain tube into the gall bladder directly that he will have a 4th drain.The surgeon told us after his procedure that the tissue of his pancreas was the softest he had ever encountered and I question his decision to leave the gall bladder, leaking its enzymes all over an organ that was already in questionable shape. Further, one drain seems to have been a ridicuously low number to leave in place after all I have read about the nature of this operation.

Dad is diabetic, overweight and already struggles with a slow heart rate and low blood pressure, I do not understand why every precaution was not employed in this case. 

I hope by the time you read this message you Dad is doing fine.  I am truly sorry about your Mom.

 I am now 45 years old, and I had the whipple 3 years ago.  They had found a 'spot' (I hate that word) on my duodnem which grew onto my pancreas.  My duednem was removed along with 25% percent of my pancreas.  During the surgery they removed 15 nodes.  One of them had the decease on it.  I did 6 months of chemo.  In October it will be three years.  Although I had another medical issue last year (scar tissue from the whipple) and needed another surgery this time last year, I am doing great.  I feel good.  I have outstanding doctors, and have all the faith in the world in them.

Through all of this, I did have a scare.  They thought it spread to my liver.  They saw spots (UGH)...but I've had a biopsy and it is not cancer.  Thank you, God!!!. 

It has been a rough road.  The worst of it is emotional.  Everytime I have a test - I freak out and get so nervous.  But so far, so good.

 I wish you well.  And to all who read this, Be Well!

TN

It is great to hear your story. It is so encouraging for us that are going through these uncertain times. My husband had the whipple procedure 2 years ago. He gets a scan every three months and just as you we are terrified everytime. I have a question re: the scar tissue. What symptoms did you have to indicate that there was scar tissue that required surgery? He has had some pain on the left side and sometimes in the stomach area. His last scan was clean so his gastro Doctor did an endoscopy and small bowel study to try to determine the cause of the pain. Nothing showed up as a problem-she indicated that the pain was most likely scar tissue. When he gets the pain he take a small dose of darvocet and within 45 minutes to an hour the pain is gone, however it is now happening more frequent which has us very concerned.  We have a scan scheduled for monday... I would appreciate any info re:your symptoms. Thanks

I hope by the time you read this message you Dad is doing fine.  I am truly sorry about your Mom.

 I am now 45 years old, and I had the whipple 3 years ago.  They had found a 'spot' (I hate that word) on my duodnem which grew onto my pancreas.  My duednem was removed along with 25% percent of my pancreas.  During the surgery they removed 15 nodes.  One of them had the decease on it.  I did 6 months of chemo.  In October it will be three years.  Although I had another medical issue last year (scar tissue from the whipple) and needed another surgery this time last year, I am doing great.  I feel good.  I have outstanding doctors, and have all the faith in the world in them.

Through all of this, I did have a scare.  They thought it spread to my liver.  They saw spots (UGH)...but I've had a biopsy and it is not cancer.  Thank you, God!!!. 

It has been a rough road.  The worst of it is emotional.  Everytime I have a test - I freak out and get so nervous.  But so far, so good.

 I wish you well.  And to all who read this, Be Well!

TN

Hi there....

 My symptoms were nausaua (sp).  I would be naucous for 24-30 hours sometimes and could not eat and drink anything.  What was happening was when I ate, instead of the food taking its normal course, it was being detoured (because of the blockage) and just lying is an area that food isn't supposed to be.  Excuse my explanation in lay man's terms.  So what would happen is that I would be nauceous.  It layed there until it was ready to resurface (if you know what I mean).  Once I got sick, I was fine until it happened again.  I lost a tremendous amount of weight.  An upper GI revealed the blockage.  When I checked into the hospital for the surgery my doctor couldn't understand how I was standing erect.  My protein levels were low and my potassium levels were dangerously low.  Once I had the surgery I was fine, and continue to be.  Thank God!.

I still have soreness in the area of my whipple (October will be 3 years).  I particularly feel it when I exercise.  Expecially when I do my "abs" work. 

Best of luck to your husband.  And to you as well.  I think sometimes it is harder for those who love you rather than the patient.  Hang in there.  He will be fine - Im sure.

Terry