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Whipple procedure: What is the recovery like?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Dec 12, 2022 | Replies (75)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much for responding back. This is really helpful. My husband is 50. We have been going to Mayo in Rochester and he will have his procedure there tomorrow. He was able to complete his chemo with relatively little side effects and very little nausea so we feel really blessed in that regard. Was there a cause for the nausea and vomiting your husband went through or is that part of the course of healing? We have about a two hour drive back home from Rochester - is is better to stay a day or two before heading home? I should have reached out a long time ago - but it has been a hectic year. My mother had been suffering from Alzheimer's prior to passing in August. My daughter has been suffering from anxiety and it has become much worse because of he dad's cancer diagnosis and, of course, covid-19. I am overwhelmed as a caregiver in supporting each of them and mourning my mom. I worry that I am not doing enough or asking the right questions. Any advice you can offer as we move through the surgery and healing would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Replies to "Thank you so much for responding back. This is really helpful. My husband is 50. We..."
@juliew945, all the best for you and your husband tomorrow. You've got this. Keep writing and asking questions. We'll be by your side virtually.
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@juliew945 who is your husband’s surgeon? Dr Truty was my husband’s. Some things to think about when deciding whether to go straight home upon discharge would be how difficult or easy his hospital stay has been, whether they suggest you stay which happened to a friend of mine, what time of day he gets discharged and how comfortable you feel as caregiver with all the meds. I was glad we stayed because once we got to the hotel room and I went to flush his feeding tube I discovered the syringe they had given me didn’t fit his feeding tube. It was easy enough for me to walk back across the street to the hospital and get the correct one. Once he got to the hotel and laid down, I also went back to the hospital pharmacy and picked up all the meds they had prescribed for him. That took awhile but at least I knew the pharmacy there would have everything. Your drive home is only two hours so you have more flexibility. Our drive took all day so I knew getting the discharge paperwork done and getting home all in the same day would be too much for both of us. As for the nausea and vomiting, it takes awhile for the GI system to “wake up” after surgery, especially Whipple, and my husband had the same problem after his cardiac bypass. Walking is the best thing he can do to get all systems going. They’ll start your husband out slow after surgery with sips of water and then clear liquids, etc etc. They give you a menu and you’ll be able to call dietary to order for him (if they are allowing visitors) if he doesn’t feel up to doing it himself. Just go slow before adding easy to digest soft foods and then see how it goes. Small, frequent meals is best for quite some time. My husband “lived“ on scrambled eggs and toast for awhile. Others say mashed potatoes appeal. We also used liquid supplements, my husband liked Carnation Instant Breakfast better than Ensure, etc. He will no doubt be ordered routine meds to aid with digestion, my husband just needed to take them longer than had originally been prescribed. You’ve got your plate full, don’t hesitate to ask me anything that might be on your mind. I’m so sorry you are dealing with your mom’s passing and, of course, concern for your daughter. I have some understanding of anxiety and I have my mother in isolation in a nursing home—so I get it. Again, I’m here if I can help in any way, even just to listen.