Whipple Procedure

Hi, My name is Judie,and it is eight weeks after having the Whipple Surgery.
I had a tumor growing up into my bile duct.
It all started with a gall blatter attack. After numerous tests Doctors found the tumor. At this time Doctors said it must come out. That's when I first heard of the Whipple.
One month later I was admitted to the Mass. General Hospital in Boston. That day I had surgery.
Although I survived the surgery and the tumor was benign, it was a long seven hour surgery.
(for my family)
I don't remember much of the first three days, and for the remaining five days all I could consume was fluids.
There is also a risk of diabetes after the pancrease is removed. One blood test after the other, while in the hospital.
I left the hospital on the eighth day without diabetes.
Recuperating was tiresume. Tired all the time.
Eight small meals a day. And they must be small.
Today I am feeling good, no aches or pain, although I don't remember having any pain following the surgery.
Well there it is, and it was an EXPERENCE!

Congrats on your great results! I hope your recovery continues to go as smoothly as it's been going! :-D

judie,my mom had a whipple for duodenal cancer at mass general also with andrew warshaw on nov 8 2006. she is 70. the surgery was successful other than it did sneak into 1 node out of 22. chemo is recommended but she is still too weak to get it yet. ? it's been 10 weeks, how long does it take to feel human again? she's getting really down and discouraged. we've been told it would take a long time to recover. how long is  long?

Hi, My name is Nancy and I am 50 years old.  I also had a Whipple procedure in May of 2006.  My pancreatic mass  came back as benign although I did have an uncle on my fathers' side of the family that did die from having pancreatic cancer.  So, I suppose being predisposed to developing that could be a possiblity.  The surgeon told me to expect to have gastric/bowel related problems for up to a year or so.  I am eating  a regular diet but do have problems now with malabsorption as my protein levels are low.  I have lost about 50 lbs (I was weighing >250), I am experiencing what they call dumping synrome-gastric emptying issues.  So needless to say I am in the bathroom OFTEN during the day with loose stools and cramping which can be over whelming at times.  I know that everyone heals differently.  How frustrating this has been  because you want to see some progression and some sense of "wellness" and also have some control of your life and not be so worried about being close to a restroom.  If anyone has any feedback ...please feel free to reply.. Thanks