My mom just turned 76 & on Thanksgiving day was experiencing black stools. She was admitted to Saddleback Hospital in Laguna Ca. where they did a "scope" down her throat to see where the bleeding was coming from. A "mass" was found in her upper intestine near the pancreatic area. Saddleback immediately sent her to UCI Irvine where the Whipple surgery was to be done the next day. The surgeon was not satisfied with Saddleback's scope and performed their own where they were able to remove the mass thru her throat. (I'm told this procedure is only done at this hospital) The "mass" turned out to be a very very large pollup which was non-cancerous but they were only able to remove 95% and the 5% was left. The area that was left was scraped and a biopsy showed it to be a high grade "pre-cancer". At the time the surgeon didn't feel that the whipple surgery was necessary and that a scope every 3-6 months would be all she needed for now. They would keep an eye on it and biopsy each time. This recent checkup the surgeon strongly suggested the Whipple. He says that she can have another scope to give her more time to prepare for the surgery but he said she would eventually need to have it. The area left is pre-cancerous but he guarantees within 2 years it will turn into cancer. My mom is terrified and I am terrified. We thought this nightmare was behind us but it looks like its just the beginning. My mom is active she has no symptoms. I can't imagine her going through the recovery. After reading some of the experiences I'm having second thoughts on this surgery. Can someone please give me some advise? I'm feeling very lost and confused.