Hi all. I'm a 53 year old female. I have never told my story, but think its about time I looked for a support system outside my family and friends. In Dec of 2005 my family doctor suggested I have an abdominal ultra sound due to stomach problems (I've always had some sort of tummy problems, so it wasn't unusual for us to figure if we needed to change meds or what). As it turned out, they found a small mass in my pancreas. I went to see my gastro Dr. and he immediately sent me to Georgetown University Hospital. We spent from January to June 2006 doing every test imaginable. PET scan showed negative for cancer. Two MRCP biopsy taking 7 pieces of the mass all showed negative, endoscopic ultrasound, octreotide scan. They never found cancer in this 2 cm mass. My surgeon first decided to cancel the Whipple surgery we had planned. He couldn't 'justify' putting me thru that with no positive tests. Luckily, his gut feeling took over. I had an inflammation in a duct, he decided to do the surgery. I had the Whipple on June 22 2006. Once the mass came out, it was cancerous. Thank God for my doctors. I was 51 at the time.
I was in the hospital for about 9 days. I was home for about a week and had an infection problem and had to go back into the hospital and clean out the same incision. I had chemo for six months. I live alone but my mother, daughter and fiance stayed with me off and on the first few weeks after surgery.
The main problem I've had since the surgery is diarrhea. Having bowel movements up tio 15 times a day. I average 6. I have lost 40 pounds, but truthfully, wouldn' t mind using about 20 more haha. It is a tough way to do it though. I am on muscle relaxers for stomach spasms, immodium (8 a day), enzymes, but cannot get the diarrhea cleared up. I had C-Diff (bad bacteria in intestines) and have been treated for that twice. But it hasn't changed the diarrhea.
I have ct scans every 3 months. So far, everything looks good. I'm sure there are things I need to say and will keep an eye here. I am curious if anyone has had diarrhea for this long (it does keep me homebound at times of course for obvious reasons) I haven't found any foods that trigger it. Sometimes I won't eat at all, and still run into the same problem.
I'm writing because I feel somewhat alone, my family is so afraid and there are some things we can't tell them, our fears I guess. But its looking better every day. I'm pushing for the 5 years! LOL......
I DO recommend Whipple. My surgeon said it is the worst surgery you can have short of a transplant. But it was worth every bandage and tear. I also had to have a hernia operation July of 2007, from the whipple but it was just another step.
God bless all my doctors. Other than the diarrhea I'm doing well. (A little hairloss on the top, hate that part!) but, I think that would have happened as I got older anyway.
Sorry for the lengthy note, but l've been holding this for 2 years now and needed to share. I've been very lucky and blessed. I also believe that God played the major role. I was on so many prayer lists he couldn't ignore me :>
I hope this has helped someone and I'll try and stay in touch here. Thanks! Brenda