On 10/16/2007
kathyh wrote:
My sis had the whipple surgery 6/07 she is 59 y/o she had pancreatitis first then went for the surgery.Its been 4 months and she is still very weak very depressed and not eating a whole lot! She will be seeing an oncologist in two weeks. can someone tell me how to help her feel better and stronger???Im worried about the chemo.She seems soooo weak!
Kathyh
Just want to share the fact, I too, had a whipple. I was told it was a serious surg . I was the same as your sis. It took me a couple months to turn around. Of course I had a couple post operative complications that didn't help matters. It certainly is depressing and no matter what , it seems one just cannot force themselves to eat when the desire isn't there nor can much food be put in without discomfort. What turned me around was ME. I felt on the brink of going completely out of my mind and I sat there on the edge of my bed and had a talk with myself. From that point on ... I made steady progress. I am now finished with chemo and radiation. Believe it or not .. those 2 therapies were no where near as bad as that post operative period. I really hardly knew I was going thru chemo or radiation.
Today I am in the 'surveillance' mode ... post treatment tests were good and will go back in 4 months for recheck. I am enjoying myself and thankful for each day I feel good.
I wish the best to your sis and you and your family.