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What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Dec 22, 2023 | Replies (169)Comment receiving replies
@breezygirl i Also had a distal pancreadectomy for tumor in tail of pancreas, which included spleen removal.
This surgery did require a few weeks of “relaxing” but by no means was I bedridden. Just sore when yawning or laughing for awhile. The surgery normally does not take very long with an experienced surgeon that does it laperoscopically. Lots of immunizations afterwards. Not only have I never had Covid, but I haven’t even contracted a cold since the surgery in December, 2022. Last month i travelled to Portugal for a little vacation. shoulder to shoulder often !
my health, even after 14 rounds of Fulfurinox, was good. so my case is different than your husband's. Just be sure the surgery is done by Lap with a surgeon very experienced with the DaVinci machine they use! a pancreas/liver/hepobiliary specialist.
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@gamaryanne Encouraged to read about your recovery and the fact that you have been able to travel to Portugal. Must have felt great. Congratulations. I had a laproscopic/robotic distal panreadectomy and splenectomy at MGH in Boston on May 17. Was discharged 48 hours after surgery and recuperation has been relatively easy. I was up and about every day and increased walking up to 3 miles by the end of week two. I just started the first of 8 cycles of chemo (oxaliplatin, irinotecan and 5Fu) So far no side effects. However I undersatnd that side effects may accumulate over the course of treatment. Although I know that every patient is different, any advise you have to offer would be appreciated. At the conclusion of chemo I'll be doing 28 days of radiation. Looking forward to a time when we can make up that trip to Amstredam planned for early May that was abruptly cancelled due to my diagnosis. Thanks in advance, Steve
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Thank you-that information is so helpful! Our surgeon cannot do it laparoscopically and has to do an open surgery apparently. He explained why it has to be open but it is kind of a blur since this was a shock to hear. I will ask again. I appreciate a response.