Whipple Surgery

Thank you Gary sharing your experience. So happy to hear it was not as bad as I have read. I hope and pray I can have the same experience with this as you did. Thank you for lifting my spirits. I have surgery on Thursday and am getting some what nervous. You response has put a little more ease to my mind. God Bless you and I pray you have a speeding recovery

 Melinda

Happy Belated 4th of July Melinda-

I am a 40 year old male and had the whipple procedure done on April 28th 2009 at UIC in Chicago.  I didn't do much research as to how the recovery would be in fear that I would scare myself during the anticipation.  I remember it well, in fact I don't think I will ever forget it.  The first few days were pretty intense, just take the drugs and sleep it off.  If you find yourself in a "bad" mind set the first few days, just tell yourself,"it will get better". BEFORE you go in, find a memory, a ZEN moment, a paradise during your life that brought your such joy and hold onto that memory when you feel the pain, basically try to get your mind in a better place.   I was in ICU (standard) for three days then to a regular room.  I was up walking 10 to 15 steps the first day after surgery, by day three I was doing one lap around the wing 3 x a day.  I was out of the hospital on day six.  Probably premature, but I am not the type of person who can just sit there.  

Here is a MIRACLE for you... After the eight hour surgery, and removing part of the head of the pancreas, part of the duodinum, stomach and 17 of the nastiest looking lymph nodes the surgeon had seen.  The surgeon said during surgery he just shook his head because of the size and color of the lymph nodes that I would have one hell of a fight on my hands with cancer.  The pathology reports came back two weeks later and there was not one trace of cancer, nothing notta zip.  Everyone is amazed and even had the samples sent out for a third testing.  I  am not a religious person but had many praying for me so the only thing I can say is it was a miracle.  In my diagnosis with a needle biopsy they found A typical cells and from the MRI the size of the mass on the pancreas was 1.5 cc.  they said I was stage 2 Adenocarcinoma.  At this point, 9 weeks after surgery, I am considered cancer free and do not even have to do chemo or radiation.  

Play it by ear on visitors.  I literally did not want anyone near me for the first few days.  

 IMPORTANT- You will go through an emotional roller coaster with this surgery.  I was so sad and emotional the first few days (and still) but getting better.  It is normal and just go with them.  Get it out, let it out, you will have plenty of time to deal with it....Also, I joined a web page called Carepages.com.  It is free and you and a family member can put updates on it.  This was a tremendous help to my family as they did not have to call everyone (friends, cousins, etc): everyone got an email that there was an update on my status.  Plus I had my lap top in the hospital so it was great to read the responses everyone leaves to the updates.

Sorry this is long, but so is the surgery.  As my father said to me before I had surgery, "It is in God's hands.  What we don't understand or can't deal with, HE will take on for us".  I gave it to God and was blessed with a miracle.  Stay strong, find your Zen place and good luck.  Please update us --I will be praying for you-

 

Dear Naper,

I have just finished reading your message.  Congrats on doing so well with your Whipple surgery.  I'm sure you know you are one of the lucky ones, given the fact that you were even able to have the surgery.  About 80-85% of pc patients are inoperable at diagnosis.

I am surprised to hear that you are not having follow-up chemo and radiation, which are the standard of care.  I urge you to go to one of the institutions that are known for their treatment of pc and get a 2nd opinion; Johns Hopkins, M. D. Anderson in Houston or Dr. Robert Fine @ Columbia in NYC.  Pancreatic cancer is insidious and is well-known for recurrence, even after Whipple surgery.  I'm sure UIC is a very good hospital, but I'm just as sure that they know little about pc when compared to the hospitals I've mentioned.  (I live in Chicago.) 

You might wish to visit the Johns Hopkins Online Pancreatic Cancer Support Board; there are both patients and caregivers there who have tons of knowledge.  They are supportive and always willing to help.  Pose the question of how many Whipple patients have had adjuvant chemo and radiation and see what answers you receive.  I would hate to see you go through the Whipple only to suffer a recurrence due to lack of follow-up chemo and radiation.

Good luck.

Joan L

 

 

 

WOW what a inspiring story. I have surgery in 2 days and this has lifted my spirits. I do believe it's all in Gods hands and my surgeon is wonderful. I have all the faith in him I need. He is very loving and caring person. Thank you again for the positve outcome. What a wonderful story miracles do happen Amen

Melinda

Gary,

I had the Whipple June 3.  I craved tacos and started eating them again within two weeks after surgery.  Go get your whopper, but I would get the whopper junior as my appetite is very small.

Jeanl

 

On 6/28/2009 bammy wrote:

I have read some of your comments on whipple surgery which I am schedule to have July 9th I have not been diagnoised 100% with cancer but, my doctor is almost certain. I am 49 yrs of age and have a lot of concerns about this surgery and treatment. Does anyone have a positive outcome after this surgey? I would love to hear it

 Thank you
Melinda

Hi Melinda,

My name is Larry and I had my Whipple almost 20 years ago.  I saw my daughter get married, I saw her have a baby, I saw all the stuff we all want to see!  Recovery is not easy and it was almost a year before I saw that I was really living life again.  Of course I was living it but 1 day, it dawned on me!  My Dr's are amazed with me everytime I see them but there are more and more like me who have survived and done wonderfully over long times!  So do what you need to do, have the surgery, as you probably already have done when you read this message, enjoy your life and your family!  You can write me anytime you want to talk a bit and I am happy if I can help anyone.

By the way, I read some of the comments here and, so you know, I never had chemo or radiation.  My Dr. Was Dr. Kreel from Mt. Sinai in NY and he WAS THE BEST and 1 of the pioneers of this surgery.

Good luck!  Enjoy life as I do!

 

On 7/9/2009 Nysurvivor wrote:

By the way, I read some of the comments here and, so you know, I never had chemo or radiation.  My Dr. Was Dr. Kreel from Mt. Sinai in NY and he WAS THE BEST and 1 of the pioneers of this surgery.

Good luck!  Enjoy life as I do!

I had a whipple in Feb 2003 and I never had chemo or radiation.  I am doing well and have gained weight, but not until I was on insulin.  My cancer did metastasize to my liver the doctor says being a low grade cancer it does not respond to radiation or chemo.  It has been pretty much dormant for over 6 years.  I do get regular MRI's to keep in check. 

 

On 6/28/2009 Shrimp wrote:

Melinda,

I am 29 and had the Whipple in Feb of this year (when I was 28), and am doing good.  The recovery is hard and painful, but you'll get through it.  My energy level is still not as high as it used to be, but I'm doing a lot better and no longer have to take naps every day.  My diet is close to what it used to be but need to take enzymes.  Did the doctors try to biopsy your tumor but it didn't work?  That's what happened to me.  But, by the look and location, they were almost positive it was cancer, which it was.  What type of cancer do they think you have?  I had neuroendocrine neoplasm, not the typical/common PC.  Where do you live and are you confident with the hospital and doctors?  How many whipple's do they perform ech year?  That really is a big deal!  I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have!  Before my surgery I looked for positive stories, and was scared when I couldn't find many.  But I promise, there is tons of positive outcomes, I'm one of them!  Hope to hear from you.

You're in my prayers!

Christine

I had the Whipple procedure in February of this year as well. I also had a neuroendocrine neoplasm. All of the pathology was benign and I did not have to have any chemotherapy or radiation. I did have to start taking food enzymes (Creon) a couple of months ago. When I started the Creon, my blood sugar began to climb into the 200's. I now have to take small doses of insulin to control the blood sugar. Other than getting really tired at the end of the day, I am feeling really well. I can eat most things. I do have a problem with nuts and I'm staying away from spicy foods at the suggestion of my doctor. I go for a follow up CTscan next month and I am optimistic that it will be clear. My doctor says that I am a "poster child" for the Whipple procedure because I am doing so well. I will soon be 57 years old and I hope to be around to watch my grandchildren grow up. My prayers are with all of you who are waging this battle. God be with you all...Vicki

Hi Christine

A postive update I am now 4 weeks after whipple what a ride. 10 days in hospital and 10 hr surgery. Thank God it was not cancer. I can not tell you how blessed and grateful I am. Everything has pretty much gone back to normal blood sugar is great and I take 1 pill a day doctors are astound on my recovery after this. I eat what I want still in small portions but, other than being a little tired I feel great. I just thank God and credit to my wonderful surgeon for what has been to me short of a miracle. To all there is hope with alot of postive and prayer whipple surgery can be concord.

 Melinda