Whipple or no Whipple?

@johnny1955 actually the pancreas did not work.

@casey1959 My 73 year old wife has locally advanced pancreatic cancer and opted not to have the Whipple after getting the opinions of 3 surgeons. My wife's tumor is wrapped around the SMV and SMA arteries. Dr. Truty of Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN (https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/truty-mark-j-m-d-m-s/bio-20055639), told her that her surgery would be "way beyond a Whipple". Dr. Truty is nationally known for doing "tricky" Whipple's. He was very forthcoming on what the surgery might do to my wife's quality of life if she elected to have it done. He told her she wouldn't feel as good as she did when we met. He also told us that neither chemo nor radiation would shrink the tumor off of the arteries. Dr. Truty was totally honest and we are very glad we went to see him. Before going to Mayo, my wife had 11 rounds of folfirinox (which shrunk the tumor a significant amount) and after visiting with Dr. Truty had radiation done at Dana Farber in Boston since they have an MRI guided radiation machine (Linac?) which allowed for intensive doses over 5 days. So far, knock on wood, no evidence of spread! You're facing a very tough decision and I wish you good luck in that and in combatting the cancer!

@gsf look up Dr Nissen at cedar Sinai in California.. he performs whipple with vascular reconstruction… we will be getting his opinion and was recommended to us from someone whose family member had this procedure done

I guess I just jump into this forum. Still in discovery stage. My 85-yr. Old healthy husband through a weird set of circumstances, found out he has a solid mass 2.6 cm at the neck of his pancreas situated next to portal vein. First biopsy and brushing were at a local hospital, and they came back non-malignant.
We’re going to UVA in Charlottesville, VA for new biopsy, etc. the care here is already 100% better! They’re saying 90% sure it’s cancer. We have a world-renowned gastroenterologist performing the biopsy, and theyve already set up appt. w/oncologist to determine purse of chemotherapy.
What I love about this team is that they treat my husband as a human in need of medical attention, or like an invisible old man!
We need lots of prayers. We know we have a long row to hoe.
Thanks for letting me share. I really need this outlet.
J

Prayers it’s a clean scan🙏🏻🙏🏻
Husband had the biopsy Monday. Pathologist said initial look of the pancreas mass is suspicious and is probably cancer. Full report in another few days.
How do they determine what “stage” one is in?

Again, prayers there is no further involvement in your husband’s cscan.

@casey1959 When is the appointment?

@johnny1955 today I got results of my recent PT scan. The pancreatic cancer has returned. Apparently chemo won't do anything except prolong the inevitable so I may not try it. Anybody else with this diagnosis. By the way, I am 87 years old.

@tomrennie at Scan now. 1:52 3/4. I'm stressed yet 🙏

@casey1959 Scanziety is the worst isn't it? Please let us know how it goes. I have my scan and associated scanziety tomorrow.