Hello.
I too, was dx with ampullary cancer (at age 56.) You can be encouraged that it is the "lottery" of cancers if you have to have a cancer in the first place. I was dx in Nov 2006 and had my Whipple in Dec. With radiation , I took Xeloda daily Mon-Fri with weekends off as I did not receive radiation on the weekends. The literature mentioned that "week off" thing but apparently the treatment for ampullary cancer is different. (Remember if you have questions, ask your oncologists or their nurse practioners. They are the experts. On this site, there are similarities but we are all different and treatments may vary for some.) My chemo was gemcitibine or Gemzar.
I had to have one drainage tube in for 6 months due to an infection and I am still sore there at times but otherwise back to normal. I have had 2 cancer free checkups since concluding my therapy.
I do have an incisional hernia that will eventually need to be repaired. This is not really surprising considering the serious surgery involved with a Whipple. I am a nurse and I sure underestimated the seriousness. I felt that the surg and recovery was the worst of it. Radiation and Chemo were a breeze overall.
I would be glad to keep in touch and support you in any way I can.
Best Wishes!
--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-- Diana... survivor!!