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What is your Recovery Advice for a Distal Pancreatectomy?
Hello. I have a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in the tail of my pancreas. My surgeon at the Mayo Clinic has scheduled a distal pancreatectomy (and possibly splenectomy) on Jan 6th. Therefore, I was trying to hear other people’s experiences who have had a distal pancreatectomy? How was recovery, pain, and eating after the surgery? Also, please tell me the stuff you wish you knew beforehand so I can be prepared as possible! Thank you
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@bunky2078 thank you for the follow up! Did you do chemo after or did you do it before surgery as well? My mom will do chemo after. We were at first wondering if she should have chemo first but she’s having surgery in less than 2 weeks after we found the initial tumor in her scan so we feel lucky we can do it so soon and if all goes well hopefully she will start chemo in 5-6 weeks.
did they find that your tumor was consistent with the scans or did they find anything new during surgery?
My mom is very active now but she does have a lung and heart condition so hoping this won’t put too much of a strain on her body but we will get her walking as soon as we can.
@cazalia I did chemo after surgery. I had a chemo port placed first and then chemo started about 6 weeks after surgery. My care was at MSKCC and for me there was nothing new found during surgery. My hospital had me walking (slowly) the next day. Personally, I found the surgery easier on my body than the chemo. I had 12 rounds of Folfirinox. Best to you and mom. 💜 Happy to answer any questions you have. PS…I also sent you a private message.