whipple procedure

I had the whipple procedure done 13 years ago and fianlly read about it 5 years ago.  And just now having the courage to revisit what happened.  My family thought it was best that I not be told the severity of the surgery as I would have probably said no.  I was only 39 and my pain was so great I was taking 10 -15 Vicodin's every day and by the time I conceded to the surgery I was bleeding from the face.  Post surgery pain was even worse.  I was only in the hospital for a couple of weeks and when discharged I began walking around the pool, then a 1/2 block and back and so forth.  My house is located on a circle and my goal of walking the distance was acheived within a month.  

I did not realize the mortality rate was so low until I did some internet investigation.  I sat and wept as I read,  astounded to know that I was doing so well.  For the first couple of years my surgeon would call and check on me.  I thought, what a nice doctor not realizing  that he probably was calling to see if I was still alive.  I am now 52  and became aware of my impending diabetes within the past five years rapidly going from Type 2 to Type 1.  I don't know what possessed me to revisit this part of my life but I am glad to see that a message board has developed and I am able to give testimony that survival and quality of life exists after the Whipple. 

For anyone who is touched by this procedure and would like emotional or physical help within the Houston, TX area, please don't hesitate to contact me.

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Thank you for this. My husband has been diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Tumor on the pancreas and offered the Whipple. We are devastated, mostly read only negative effects of this operation. He is still deciding on whether to have it done or not. He has always been a very healthy, athletic person and within one horrible month now has to face this ordeal. My prayers are with you

I have had the whipple procedure on Sept 10th 2009 and I seem to be doing well.  I am having muscle spasms while healing.  It scared me when it first happened but I seem to get used to it. I can not find anything about this. Can you help me about this?

On 10/10/2009 netek wrote:

Thank you for this. My husband has been diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Tumor on the pancreas and offered the Whipple. We are devastated, mostly read only negative effects of this operation. He is still deciding on whether to have it done or not. He has always been a very healthy, athletic person and within one horrible month now has to face this ordeal. My prayers are with you

Hi I had a neuroendocrine tumor in the head of my pancreas. I had the Whipple procedure on 2/12/09. The surgery was difficult, but worth it to have the tumor removed. I was in the hospital for 12 days. The recovery was not easy, but I returned to work at my job as a Medical Assistant six weeks after the surgery. At first, I got really tired very easily, but now, 8 months post Whipple, I am doing great. I had a follow up CT scan in August and it was clear. My tumor turned out to be benign and my lymph nodes were all clear. I did not have to have any chemotherapy or radiation. I realize that I am one of the lucky ones...If there's anything I can do to help you with your situation, please let me know. God bless... Vicki

On 10/9/2009 treyK wrote:

I had the whipple procedure done 13 years ago and fianlly read about it 5 years ago.  And just now having the courage to revisit what happened.  My family thought it was best that I not be told the severity of the surgery as I would have probably said no.  I was only 39 and my pain was so great I was taking 10 -15 Vicodin's every day and by the time I conceded to the surgery I was bleeding from the face.  Post surgery pain was even worse.  I was only in the hospital for a couple of weeks and when discharged I began walking around the pool, then a 1/2 block and back and so forth.  My house is located on a circle and my goal of walking the distance was acheived within a month.  

I did not realize the mortality rate was so low until I did some internet investigation.  I sat and wept as I read,  astounded to know that I was doing so well.  For the first couple of years my surgeon would call and check on me.  I thought, what a nice doctor not realizing  that he probably was calling to see if I was still alive.  I am now 52  and became aware of my impending diabetes within the past five years rapidly going from Type 2 to Type 1.  I don't know what possessed me to revisit this part of my life but I am glad to see that a message board has developed and I am able to give testimony that survival and quality of life exists after the Whipple. 

For anyone who is touched by this procedure and would like emotional or physical help within the Houston, TX area, please don't hesitate to contact me.

--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-- " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html-- " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html-- " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

       

It's good to know that you are doing well 13 years post Whipple. I am 8 months post Whipple and feel that I am doing well also. I am a 57 year old female, work full time and lead a pretty active life. I have had some digestive issues, but have been taking Creon (food enzymes) and they have helped. I have lost and kept off 56 pounds. I eat pretty much whatever I want--but nothing spicy. At first I had to take insulin to regulate my blood sugars, but now I am officially off all insulin. The doctors believe that my pancreas is healing itself. Amen to that. Thanks for sharing your success story. I hope that in 13 years, I'm still doing as well as you! God Bless you... Vicki

 

On 10/10/2009 netek wrote:

Thank you for this. My husband has been diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Tumor on the pancreas and offered the Whipple. We are devastated, mostly read only negative effects of this operation. He is still deciding on whether to have it done or not. He has always been a very healthy, athletic person and within one horrible month now has to face this ordeal. My prayers are with you

 

vicki

nice to hear from you.  from my understanding it is best to go to a hospital that performs the whipple regularly and a surgeon who has performed the surgery on a regular basis as well.  i was fortunate to have had my done within the texas medical center (methodist hospital) and by a surgeon who had done the procedure numerous times.  this is imperative for success.  smaller hospitals can not supply the necessary equipment and the trained professionals. knowing what i know now i would insist on going to john hopkins as i now understand that they are the premier whipple facility.  please also remember if you do decide or need to go far from your home that your husband will not be comfortable to travel for a minimum of 2 weeks and more likely 6.  i wish you both the best and my prayers are with you.   trey k. 

Thank you all so much for your very kind messages/replies.You are all in my prayers

Check out cancertutor.com and click pancreatic cancer on your left. They have a lot of information regarding alternative treatments which should help you in making a decision of what to do.