@grampskids
I just had a distal pancreatectomy (my spleen was removed a long time ago) on Oct 17. It was intended to be a robotic surgery but was switched to "open" as there were complications getting to the pancreas easily. It was a 6-7 hr surgery. It is now 25 days after surgery. My surgeon says I'm doing well but to expect another 2-3 weeks of recovery before feeling more "normal". (I also share the birth year of 1951...) My belly is quite tender, my lower back hurts a lot, and sleep doesn't come easy. But I can take care of myself (personal hygiene), drive, walk my dog (tho not as far or as fast as she would like), cook (tho food isn't very appetizing right now), can now carefully bend over if I drop something, etc. They removed 65-70 % of my pancreas and got the cancerous mass in it's entirety, but, of course, still a 40 % chance of it coming back. I have been directed to start chemo (Gem-Abrax) in 2 months, but I am very reluctant. I'm told the chemo will only reduce the chance of recurrence from 40 % to 25-30 %...not sure how I feel about this. Good luck on the 28th! Stay positive...