Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

@tomrennie day 3 post opp. Im hanging in as well as I can. Again so difficult to see a loved one endure what cancer throws. Ty so much for checking in . Whipple was 6 hrs . No further resection of large Artery or veins for they were clear from the tomor. Excuse my medical terms for I lack in understanding most of what I read in his follow up. So a successful removal of the tumor. All margins clear. ( Which I've learned means no cancer) Being honest he's In rough shape. Yet I feel this is positive news about how things went smoothly. He sat in a chair yesterday for an hour. Been having struggles of which I'm preying resolve in time. Think walking will of course help with some things. Maybe today. My inability to secure a cup of coffee is key to keeping it together 🙃 It's my goal for this morning. Again ty all for the support.

@tomrennie Understood. Thanks.

@casey1959 none of it is easy. But you are both doing all you can. You are there for him which is the absolute best thing. It is going to be a complicated recovery, hang in there you both will navigate through. Prayers for the best outcome and strength for you both.

@casey1959 Focus on the positive. Progress is being made. It might come slowly at first, but it sounds like good things are happening. It would be even better progress, if you ever got that cup of coffee!

@yellie what a comforting read...ty! Struggles today. Irregular heart beat..BP up & down. Sweating. Meds given & after hours all evened out. So many things can be attributed to what in my mind shouldn't be ..yet I'm learning every day. Wish we all had a handbook . For me this group is ours. Ty all.

@tomrennie I feel some of the smallest things are so big. A nurse went out of her way to bring me coffee. I sat & looked up at the sky outside my husband's room. Just feeling thankful.

@casey1959 Same! I have learned so much about something I had very little understanding of. Just know you are not alone and hope to lighten in some small way what you are both experiencing. The first week for my Husband post Whipple was the most scary for me. Even as a nurse this was so different than any thing expected. He also had BP, heart rate issues, so much drainage, swelling and ended up with a pulmonary embolism. Somehow he made it through. I get the feeling of fear and the gravity of all that is happening and how little control we have in the circumstances we’re in. Despite everything you both will get through this and back home recovering before you realize, one step at a time. Grateful for this forum that helps us all connect.

@flowergarden26, I add my welcome. How did the first round of chemotherapy go?

@casey1959 Some of the nicest people that I have ever met provided me with care. Little things like a cup of coffee, a fresh hot blanket when I am freezing, comforting me when I am terrified, telling me it's ok after I vomited on them, and many other things. I feel very fortunate.

@casey1959
Here I sit in my lovely sunroom overlooking the lake we live on. Hubby on computer. Both of us acting normal like in 2 weeks he’s NOT going to meet the dreaded Mr. Whipple. But he is.
Your thread has brought me back down to reality. There is so much I have to do to get ready, I think?!?
And there you are in ——? watching the love of your life struggle to regain his foothold in this life. I cannot imagine! And yet…

My fella has had no cancer diagnosis yet even after 3 biopsies and EUS’s. But he has the growth on the head of his pancreas, so they’re going in and pulling out all the parts and stomping them flat.
I have so many questions for you or anyone who has gone through this..
What did you for him do to get ready
What did you do for you?
How do you spend the time while he is in the hospital?