First, I was 83 years old at the time of the robotic Whipple, lots of work on ducts, removal of gall bladder, designated Stage 2B cancer on pancreas. I stayed in the hospital 8 nights--and had my "gray socks" so I could walk by myself in the hospital halls. MOST IMPORTANT: have 24-hour help at home (qualified spouse, paid help, etc.) or go to home of someone who is qualified to care for you. I went to my daughter's home which was closer to the hospital; she and her husband gave up their main-floor bedroom and granddaughters (over 20 yrs old) were available to help. I had a ton of pills (in retrospect I should have refused most of them) and they kept tract of them all, fixed nutritious meals, provided a toilet seat with arms, helped me in the walk-in shower with seat, cleared all 4 of my drains daily and kept track of the fluid, etc. No way could I have managed with my (then) 87 yr old husband with early onset dementia although I could walk and eat. It was a constant battle with diarrhea vs constipation. I think I was there about 2 weeks as my home was in the mountains and an hour drive to the hospital.
At one point my face swelled up; I checked it in my phone camera. I was terrified; used my call button and a granddaughter appeared by the bed. Looked like allergy though I never had that happen before, so they gave me a Benadryl and prepared to take me to emergency or call an ambulance. Fortunately the swelling immediately started to go down. Was it a protein bar? Was it all the meds? Still don't know, but it was great the family was there and able to handle an emergency.
Probably TMI here; I do get carried away. I agree with all the other hints you have received; this is a wonderful website. Courage, Carrie