Hi. 41f here. Diagnosed stage 3 malignant pancreatic neuroendecrine tumor with nodal positivity (found positive in 3/15 lymph nodes) in November 2024. Had a modified whipple procedure (my gallbladder was left in) in December 2024. Was found because I had gone to ER complaining of pain in my upper abdomen and fatigue in Oct. Pancreatic levels were slightly elevated, but not enough so to be considered pancreatitis. Was sent home on a clear liquid diet for 3 days and told to schedule a follow up with my primary. I'm a workaholic so didn't schedule a follow up (not realizing how serious this was). Wound up back in the ER jaundiced a month later where they discovered a mass in my pancreas. Ended up being a functioning neuroendecrine tumor 2.5cm x 2.6cm on the head of the pancreas abutting the portal vein. Didn't really understand the surgery I was having until after it was done. Chemo was never even discussed as an option for neoadjuvant therapy or at all. I still haven't seen the reports from my surgery and don't know a lot of the numbers and things I'm seeing others discuss here. The first month after my surgery I was miserable and in excruciating pain with bowel movements. I still have a lot of issues with bowel movements in general. Spent 3 days in ICU after the procedure and 6 more days in the PCU after that. Was sent home (still in a ton of pain and struggling to do basic activities). 3 days later returned because I started vomiting really bad.... everything I had eaten since I'd been released was coming back up undigested. Ended up being some gastroparesis due to inflammation and swelling around the surgical sites. Got on Reglan to help with that. Moved to be closer to family and am finally getting care established in the area where I live. Was doing okay for a couple months, taking Creon with food and protonix daily, but have recently been experiencing a persistent pain under my lower right rib cage that gets worse and better at times but is always there. Seems to radiate to my lower back and up to my shoulder blade and neck when it's at it's worst. Even stops me dead in my tracks if I'm walking or forces me to pull over if driving. Bloodwork all looks good and CT with contrast looks good. Have an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled for the 10th and an appointment to establish care with am oncologist on the 15th... am wondering if chemo is an option this long after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. I'm constantly worried the cancer is back. I also had some bumps on my face, neck, scalp, and arms last time I had cancer that went away entirely less than a week after surgery. Those bumps are back, but I felt silly bringing them up to my PCP to have her nurse tell me they're probably sweat bumps.... I don't want to seem paranoid or like a hypochondriac, but I know my body and have this overwhelming sense that something is wrong and we just haven't found it yet