What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

Posted by blw77 @blw77, Jun 6, 2022

Can anyone give me information on how their recovery was after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy? After 2 years of MRIs every 6 months and watching an MNC slowly but steadily grow, my doctor said that I should have this procedure. I'm 45 and typically a fairly healthy and active female. I'm trying to figure out how much time I'll need to be off of work or if I can manage to squeeze in in during the summer yet while I'm off.

Thank you for any information you have!

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martinisaacs23 | @martinisaacs23 | Mar 25, 2023

Yep it's really horrible but you're through the worst of it.
I'm waiting to see whether they will do the surgery because there were suspicions on the PET scan on the chest. If it's spread there then there's nothing they can usefully do.😟

Can I ask why they did radiation first? Where in the pancreas was your tumour and how large was it please

Bless you and hope you will be fully recovered soon x

shezza51 | @shezza51 | Mar 25, 2023

In reply to @milagro45pr "Glad could be of help. As of today day 13 post op pain very minimal. Learned..." + (show)

hi
please ask the surgeon or your gp why you are burping --new symptom is not to be ignored
Had same as you Oct 27 & i was 71. Endone caused tremors so they stopped it but was on 4 types of painkillers daily during
8 days in hospital.
Then in mid jan pain at base of wound--GP gave Emexlon for indigestion but got worse & 2 days in local hospital & 5 days on Staphylex. Had pneumovax vaccination Feb 3rd & 5 days later had 38.5 temp -a week of pain & coughing so went 200km to capital city by train to The Alfred hospital --admitted immediately as pain was post op seepage from pancreas it had formed a ball of fluids that burst and infected colon etc and had clots causing weakness in left leg.
Out in 2 days but 2 weeks on 2000mg Augmentin
Tomorrow is 5 months since op & in 2 weeks another CT/ MRI to check no fluid build up again. Lost 7+ kilograms--20lb ?
Now pain free & feeling ok
Please get ANY pain or anything different checked i could have died because I waited a week taking panadol instead of going to Dr

humble57 | @humble57 | Mar 26, 2023

In reply to @frygirl777 "I wish you nothing but the best! Healing energy coming your way!" + (show)

I' would like to send healing and strength to you for the next step in your journey. Very encouraging and thank you Fry girl

huilim | @huilim | Apr 7, 2023

In reply to @skkirby "Hi there- I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in January 2021 with..." + (show)

Hi Sherry
Did you get my last message. ?
Hui

kim1965 | @kim1965 | Apr 8, 2023

My wife was told 6 weeks before possibly returning to work. She should be able to make it as we are on week 5 and generally doing better each day. Our biggest challenge is keeping her sugars level as she has had wild swings from 45 to 380. It’s getting better with smaller changes, but constantly monitoring it.

gardenlady1116 | @gardenlady1116 | Apr 8, 2023

Is she taking insulin? Use of a DEXCOM or Libre monitor for continuous monitoring of glucoses is helpful. If she is taking insulin, the timing of insulin and matching insulin doses to carbohydrates are key to more stable glucoses.

maedanosetchan | @maedanosetchan | Apr 9, 2023

In reply to @kim1965 "My wife was told 6 weeks before possibly returning to work. She should be able to..." + (show)

Hi,

Could I ask what your wife's condition was at week 3? I am scheduled to have a Whipple surgery on 6.8. I just got invited to do a dream? assignment from July 1-9. It is an on-call interpreter job for a big golf event. Last year I did the same job. Mostly I sat all day waiting to be called. It was a very easy job. However, I do not have any idea what kind of conditions I will be. I know the reaction varies greatly for each person, but generally, will I be in so much pain, nausea, fatigue, etc., around week 3-4? I would like to know your honest opinion.

kim1965 | @kim1965 | Apr 9, 2023

@maedanosetchan
It was no where able to be able to work. I highly suggest you turn it down, you will not be able to do more than rest and light walking, my wife wasn’t able to drive till week 5. The whippel surgery is even more intensive then her surgery. You will be barely starting to eat, very light eating. Please address your health as your first priority, dream jobs will happen again, your health should be number 1 now. We are all here to help, if you need an opinion on anything else please let us know. Good luck.

martinisaacs23 | @martinisaacs23 | Apr 10, 2023

In reply to @maedanosetchan "Hi, Could I ask what your wife's condition was at week 3? I am scheduled to..." + (show)

Health comes first. I've just come out of hospital in Lindon today having had distal pancrectomy and a splenectomy.
I think the whilltle takes a little longer for you to strengthen.

Good luck for the procedure. Just be happy that it's operable

Sending hugs

maedanosetchan | @maedanosetchan | Apr 10, 2023

Thank you very much for your comments. Not to scare me or to encourage me, the doctors did not paint the gruesome details of post-surgery recovery. This assignment is just for 9 days, mostly sitting all day long, waiting on calls (I did not get to interpret the players' interviews at all last year and got paid. lol) at the beautiful Pebble Beach Golf course. I thought I might be able to do this. However, I decided not to take this assignment since I will never know what condition I will be. Thank you very much for your advice.