I was diagnosed with tumor on the head of my pancreas 2/25. Stage 1, not sure of size in cm. Had 5 rounds of chemo, Folfirinox, then Whipple 6/10/25. I was 71, in good shape before all this started, going to the gym 3xwk, and walking my dogs 4-5/days/wk.
Whipple is major, but I would say doable, and I knew I would go for it, a shock when I found out I wasn't as healthy as I thought, having cancer.
The first month after surgery involved some laying around, taking it slow and doing everything my doctors recommended. Now 12 weeks after surgery I have no pain and have started back at the gym. I have found a personal trainer to be invaluable! Chemo - I have 4 more rounds to go - is still kicking my butt, just that I don’t have much energy, along with some other side effects from the Whipple - having my digestive system rewired essentially - and taking the pancreatic enzyme replacement drugs to help with digestion. May have to take these forever. Bowel habits have changed but hope to get these straightened out so I am absorbing nutrients and will have more energy. It’s a work in progress. Very grateful to be here! I won’t be giving up any time soon!