My husband was told by a local general oncologist that he needed the Whipple (just said it off the cuff, like it was nothing) although the tumor was in the tail of his pancreas.

It’s a cautionary tale and I suspect that most Drs do better. We fired him and contacted a university with a Neuroendocrine department , where only the tail of the pancreas and spleen resected on Tuesday. He is doing well.

This illness requires patience and persistence and often allows time for both.
Take care!