My Husband Is 48 And Had Whipple Surgery On 1-29-08

My husband was diagnosed with Ampullary Cancer on 1-4-08 and had the whipple procedure done at IU Medical Center by Dr. Thomas Howard.  The surgery was a success but the three lymph nodes they pulled returned positive for cancer and John is in Stage 4, he has an open wound do to infection and so chemo/radiation is on hold until the wound heals.  It would be great to hear from others on what they are doing for therapy.  As I am sure most of you hear with this prognosis is a 40% chance of a 5 year life span.  We have an 8 year old and John has three boys from a previous marriage 17, 19 and 25,  This has hit us like a ton of bricks and any information would be great on what others have experienced in chemo/radiation that has some encouraging outcome.

Thanks, Kristi 

 

We can undersatnd how you must be feeling.  My wife also underwent whipple in Pakistan and are always thankful to God for giving her health.

Please do consider alternate therapies also.  It is believed that body should be more alkaline than acidic and a simple urine test will tell you. 

All the best. Never give-up.

Regards,
Fiaz

 

On 2/19/2008 eggbert wrote:

My husband was diagnosed with Ampullary Cancer on 1-4-08 and had the whipple procedure done at IU Medical Center by Dr. Thomas Howard.  The surgery was a success but the three lymph nodes they pulled returned positive for cancer and John is in Stage 4, he has an open wound do to infection and so chemo/radiation is on hold until the wound heals.  It would be great to hear from others on what they are doing for therapy.  As I am sure most of you hear with this prognosis is a 40% chance of a 5 year life span.  We have an 8 year old and John has three boys from a previous marriage 17, 19 and 25,  This has hit us like a ton of bricks and any information would be great on what others have experienced in chemo/radiation that has some encouraging outcome.

Thanks, Kristi 

 

 

Kristi;

 I think Fiaz is giving you great advice about alternative or complementary therapies.  My husband had a partial whipple and 2 nodes were cancerous--however he has undergone 5 months of chemo here in New York and his tumor markers have fallen nicely.  I believe in the power of love and in taking control of the disease.  We are currently researching other forms of wellness to keep him healthy when chemotherapy is finished.  There is a classic book that I am currently reading called "Love, Medicine and Miracles" by Bernie Siegel, M.D..  Please read it.  You will be encouraged.  Your husband has many things to live for.

 Best to you,

Lisa

 

On 2/19/2008 eggbert wrote:

My husband was diagnosed with Ampullary Cancer on 1-4-08 and had the whipple procedure done at IU Medical Center by Dr. Thomas Howard.  The surgery was a success but the three lymph nodes they pulled returned positive for cancer and John is in Stage 4, he has an open wound do to infection and so chemo/radiation is on hold until the wound heals.  It would be great to hear from others on what they are doing for therapy.  As I am sure most of you hear with this prognosis is a 40% chance of a 5 year life span.  We have an 8 year old and John has three boys from a previous marriage 17, 19 and 25,  This has hit us like a ton of bricks and any information would be great on what others have experienced in chemo/radiation that has some encouraging outcome.

Thanks, Kristi 

 

 

Kristi,

I am by no means an expert on Pancreatic cancer, but I wanted to give you a hopeful message.  An elder at our church had a whipple at just a community hospital, and he has been cancer free for a number of years now.  He looked very bad after the surgery, but now, probably at least 5 years or so beyond the surgery, he looks very healthy.

Ginger

 

 Fiaz,

Thank you for responding and I plan on checking it all out to make sure what is best for John and his health.  I plan to research the alternative therapies while John is recovering from surgery.  Thanks again!!

Kristi

Ginger,

Thank you for the hopeful message...I so needed this.  We are looking to God for comfort, but when I get to read about others going through this and how they are doing. 

Thanks, Kristi 

 

Lisa,

I have written down the book and I plan on buying it, thanks so much for caring and sharing this information with me!

 

Kristi

Kristi, I would love to keep in touch if you want to keep me posted on your husband's progress.  I will put him on my prayer list.  I do believe that is why our church elder was healed.  He believes in the Power of prayer. My email address is --Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--if you want to "talk" more.          Ginger

Ginger,

I didn't get your email address as this sight is protected and will not allow me to see the address.  I would love to talk more and to keep you posted about John's progress.  I am not sure how to do this unless we did private message.  Do you know?  Yes, there is nothing like the power of prayer and I totally believe John can be healed of his Stage 4 cancer and I am looking to God each day for strength as I know He is in control.

Kristi 

 

 

Kristi, My husband is 53 and had his Whipple at the University of Kansas Med Center on January 15. He was diagnosed in December and is stage 3. We, too, are dealing with wound issues, some nectroic tissue had to be removed last week so he has two open areas that have to be tended (one about three to four inches long and the other is about two inches long) but he's doing OK with that. When you mentioned that chemo would have to be delayed due to your husband's wound, it reminded me of what our oncologist said when we met him for the first time last Friday. I was very concerned that chemoradiation would be delayed due to the open wounds (one of them is quite deep) and he said it was not necessary to wait, that yes, a lot of people do receommend delaying chemo if there are wounds but he does not believe that the patient who is otherwise healthy will be damaged by starting therapy with these kinds of wounds. He actually said he thought that philosophy was crap--and at that moment I knew I was going to like this guy. We just have to follow the same precautions we are now--avoid large crowds (as if he'll want to go hang at the mall anyway!) and use lots of hand sanitizer. You may wat to press your oncologist a little bit to see if he might relent and allow your husband to go ahead and start treatment sooner rather than later.