1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Whipple procedure and follow up chemo

Posted by dakotarunner @dakotarunner, Apr 4, 2019

I had the Whipple procedure done at Mayo 2/8/19 and got out of hospital on 2/19. Had to go back to my local hospital a week later for dehydration pain and nausea, and was there for a week. Just had follow up at Mayo 4/1, and the surgical crew thought I was doing well. I can eat, and have to limit myself at meals, as I tend to want to eat too much.I lost 40 pounds, and still feel super weak and get fatigued easily. Mayo oncology want me to start chemo at 2 months out, and I have an appointment with a local oncolog4/10. My question is am I smart to be looking at chemo when I feel so worn out. I see chemo recommendation for starting at 8 to 12 weeks after surgery. Also, am wondering what chemo course to take. Mayo liked the Flofirinox treatment.. I was tabbed at Stage II after the Whipple. They did the normal resection, but also resection a section of my transverse colon that appeared to be cancerous.
the overall diagnosis was Pancreatic cancer. I would appreciate any input. Thank you in advance

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 30, 2022
In reply to @vparr1 "Hello, I had the whipple 1/14/2022. I did okay with it but have to take the..." + (show)
@vparr1

Hello, I had the whipple 1/14/2022. I did okay with it but have to take the creon..also puzzling over how to really use it without over or under use. My cancer on the bile duct along w the bile duct, gall bladder part of small intestine/some pancreas all removed and reseccioned. Unfortunately, have the systemic mircro positive cells in the body. No Metastisis; clean margin getting out despite 8 of the 15 lymph nodes positive... all out and clear.
Started chemo 5/4/22 without the pump as I didn't have the port, but second infusion w/ 46 hr pump 5/18. I was much sicker after that infusion... 8 days (first one I was fine after 3 days); I'm struggling with the eating issues and feeling so sick (seasick feeling) despite the nausea pills. Im 75 and live alone. Will have to hire some help. I can't imagine how this will go if it's cumulative for 10 more treatments. Please comment if you have ideas, tips, and ways to continue I haven't thought of. thanks Vera Parr in DE

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Hi Vera,
In addition to the helpful tips from @bb21 you may also appreciate the comments in these related discussions:
- What are other survivors doing about pancreatic enzymes replacement? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-enzyme-replacement/
- Struggling to eat with pancreatic cancer: How do you manage? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eating-with-pancreatic-cancer/

REPLY
philv | @philv | Dec 8, 2022

I had the whipple then started chemo a little more then a month after.
Chemo is ruff and draining. Fatigue ect are my biggest side effect.
It's ruff but necessary.
Best of luck.

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1 reply
pendesk8 | @pendesk8 | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @philv "I had the whipple then started chemo a little more then a month after. Chemo is..." + (show)
@philv

I had the whipple then started chemo a little more then a month after.
Chemo is ruff and draining. Fatigue ect are my biggest side effect.
It's ruff but necessary.
Best of luck.

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I am looking for someone that does the whipple by Laprascopy.They say its a much easier recovery.How long do you have to take the chemo?

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2 replies
philv | @philv | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @pendesk8 "I am looking for someone that does the whipple by Laprascopy.They say its a much easier..." + (show)
@pendesk8

I am looking for someone that does the whipple by Laprascopy.They say its a much easier recovery.How long do you have to take the chemo?

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Chemo for 12 rounds, every other week

REPLY
granite | @granite | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @pendesk8 "I am looking for someone that does the whipple by Laprascopy.They say its a much easier..." + (show)
@pendesk8

I am looking for someone that does the whipple by Laprascopy.They say its a much easier recovery.How long do you have to take the chemo?

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Are you willing to come to Boston? Dr Thomas Clancy is fabulous for laparoscopic surgery at Brigham and Dana Farber. 80 annually for at least a decade. Great follow up.

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2 replies
pendesk8 | @pendesk8 | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @granite "Are you willing to come to Boston? Dr Thomas Clancy is fabulous for laparoscopic surgery at..." + (show)
@granite

Are you willing to come to Boston? Dr Thomas Clancy is fabulous for laparoscopic surgery at Brigham and Dana Farber. 80 annually for at least a decade. Great follow up.

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I will if I can't find any like that here.They said to look for someone that does a lot of them.

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1 reply
pendesk8 | @pendesk8 | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @granite "Are you willing to come to Boston? Dr Thomas Clancy is fabulous for laparoscopic surgery at..." + (show)
@granite

Are you willing to come to Boston? Dr Thomas Clancy is fabulous for laparoscopic surgery at Brigham and Dana Farber. 80 annually for at least a decade. Great follow up.

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Im also going to check the cancer treatment center of America in Philly.

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1 reply
granite | @granite | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @pendesk8 "Im also going to check the cancer treatment center of America in Philly." + (show)
@pendesk8

Im also going to check the cancer treatment center of America in Philly.

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As someone wrote, don’t overthink this choice. It is more important to have the surgery in any format by an experienced pancreatic surgeon and at a major hospital with a great team as there are often complications no matter which type you choose.

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patti303 | @patti303 | Dec 10, 2022
In reply to @pendesk8 "I will if I can't find any like that here.They said to look for someone that..." + (show)
@pendesk8

I will if I can't find any like that here.They said to look for someone that does a lot of them.

Jump to this post

PanCAN.org provides a list a of pancreatic surgery centers in your desired location with the number of surgeries they do a year and the surgeon's names. You want to choose a place and surgeon with the most experience as they also have trained teams to assist. Helpful in making a decision. Give them a call.

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mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Dec 11, 2022

I would recommend, strongly, that one should try to find a center performing Whipples laparoscopically. From my research this procedure is far less invasive with statistically better outcomes relating to infection and recovery.

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