Whipple or no Whipple?

Posted by casey1959 @casey1959, Feb 22 12:20pm

I know we're all different in what we decide is best for us. Just need some comfort knowing my husband might decide to not go further by having the Whipple procedure. I respect his decision if that's what will be. Has anyone decided on not having the procedure. Ty

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Apr 7 8:18am

In reply to @jerryc131 "@tomrennie Thank you!" + (show)

@jerryc131 This provides some insight. I also read about 10% of Whipple procedures are done for non cancerous reasons.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/whipple-procedure/about/pac-20385054

jerryc131 | @jerryc131 | Apr 7 5:36pm

We met with the surgeon today. His position is that pancreatic cancer spreads faster than most other cancers, and, if cancer, it could close the resectable window sooner than later.
I think we’re ok with that. Interestingly, he said husband could go home as soon 4 days. He said he has performed thousands in his career.

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Apr 7 5:54pm

In reply to @jerryc131 "We met with the surgeon today. His position is that pancreatic cancer spreads faster than most..." + (show)

@jerryc131 That all seems logical to me. If he has done that many, he must primarily do pancreatic cancer patients correct? Is he with a high volume Comprehensive Cancer Center?

sivie | @sivie | Apr 8 3:28pm

I have had a pancreatic cyst biopsy says non malignant but fluid had high number!
All my cancer markers are negative they are just following me with Cat scans had two last year will be ok for another year since this one was unchanged and
Radiologist called it negative!

casey1959 | @casey1959 | Apr 8 5:07pm

In reply to @sivie "I have had a pancreatic cyst biopsy says non malignant but fluid had high number! All..." + (show)

@sivie You must be so relieved. Preying things stay positive for you.

rfherald | @rfherald | Apr 8 5:34pm

I am going without the Whipple. I have had 30+ infusions of chemo - which wasn't fun, but dealing with a recovery pathe from the whipple I think would be worst. Seach throug this site searching for "Whipple" and see what others have experienced. I cant remember the percentage of patients who make it 5 years is not large. I have made it three years and still feel good. my oncologist told me the average time from diagnosis to death was two years.

Good luck. it's a tough decision. I was 78 when it was discovered and age is another factor to consider.

sivie | @sivie | 16 hours ago

In reply to @casey1959 "@sivie You must be so relieved. Preying things stay positive for you." + (show)

@casey1959 thanks

dtkach37 | @dtkach37 | 2 hours ago

I had an abdominal ultrasound last October that was looking at a cyst on my kidney and learned I had a 6cm NET on my pancreas and a 1.2 cm mass on my ampula. I was having no stomach issues and only sciatica issues which started all the scanning and it was considered an 'incidental finding", I learned the prognosis for NET's is much better than normal pancreatic cancer but the process to remove it was still a whipple procedure. Even though I survived quadruple bypass in 2012, the Whipple procedure is more extensive and at age 66 scared me a lot. After careful research, some sleepless nights and a lot of prayers, I decided getting it out now before it grew further and complicated my life. I also believe surgery earlier is better as the tumor is smaller and I'm younger. I had the procedure on Feb 11th and after 10 weeks I am very glad I did. I was in the hospital for 7 days and honestly they were not great days but things improved almost every day. I've lost 22 lbs to date but stopped losing weight at week 8. I am slowly starting to eat a regular diet through trial and error and doing PT to strengthen my stomach muscles and believe by 4 months I will be 90% of my normal self in both diet and activity level. I am sure it was the right decision.