hello, thanks so very much your kind response to this message. you have put my mind at ease so much. I really appreciate the gift of your time and your candor.
kindest regards,
candye
On 3/26/2008 AliveInOldeTown wrote:
Candye,
I had Whipple surgery in 2002. One thing I can tell you is there are lots of people on the surgical team and they watch you very closely both during and after the surgery. The anestheologist monitors you constantly. You will be in intensive care for at least a couple of days following surgery, again under close watchful care.
I understand how scary it is to face this surgery, but I hope you will follow the Doctor's recommendations. I have seen lots of people looking for an alternative cures or treatments, and there are lots of people out there that have different opinions, but one thing I know for sure is that if there was an herbal remedy, the doctors would be using it. Really, the only curative path is surgery.
Your age is an advantage. It should make it easier for you to recover more quickly. The doctors have probably told you about weight loss. It almost always happens with Whipple surgery. I was able to drive and return to work about 10 weeks following surgery. I don't think I would have been up for long distance travel for a year or so. I was 50 at time of surgery and other than finding I had PC, was strong, no other serious health issues.
I don't know a lot about your type of tumor. I think the general idea is that it is completely curable if caught in time. You may want to look up info. on Steve Jobs of Apple Computers. He had the same type tumor as you and he actually tried alternative treatment for several months (special diet etc.). It didn't work for him, and he ended up having the Whipple surgery. His take now is it saved his life and he is cancer free.
Best wishes to you. Hope all turns out good for you.