1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (whipple) with vascular reconstruction?

Posted by pat125 @pat125, Dec 10, 2023

Surgery to remove the head of the pancreas and reconstruction of the vascular system?
I would love to hear your experience please.
Thanks for your help.
Sending you blessings.

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stageivsurvivor | @stageivsurvivor | Dec 11, 2023

I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the portal vein being resected. The surgery was without complications and I returned to work after an 8 week convalescence. Some patients may require taking a pancrealipase short or long-term as the pancreatic head is where the majority of acinar cells are found. This is the cell type responsible for producing and secreting the digestive enzymes.

REPLY
4 replies
Kate | @katereese0820 | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @stageivsurvivor "I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the..." + (show)
@stageivsurvivor

I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the portal vein being resected. The surgery was without complications and I returned to work after an 8 week convalescence. Some patients may require taking a pancrealipase short or long-term as the pancreatic head is where the majority of acinar cells are found. This is the cell type responsible for producing and secreting the digestive enzymes.

Jump to this post

My husband has been diagnosed with pancreatic Cancer with the tumor located at the head of the pancreas. He is going to start chemotherapy shortly to shrink the tumor.
I am so happy to hear that you had successful surgery.
Thank you for sharing.
K

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1 reply
lilliejane2 | @lilliejane2 | Dec 12, 2023

Yes, I had a whipple surgery in Jan 2022.
They removed head of pancreas, part of stomach, part of small intestine and part of duodenum. Would have removed gallbladder but I had already had that done. My recovery was really about 6 weeks. I got out walking as soon as possible and that helped with a speedy recovery. I had to follow the surgery with 6 months of chemo.
Best wishes to you for
continued good health..
Surviving and thriving!!

REPLY
2 replies
jessie59 | @jessie59 | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @lilliejane2 "Yes, I had a whipple surgery in Jan 2022. They removed head of pancreas, part of..." + (show)
@lilliejane2

Yes, I had a whipple surgery in Jan 2022.
They removed head of pancreas, part of stomach, part of small intestine and part of duodenum. Would have removed gallbladder but I had already had that done. My recovery was really about 6 weeks. I got out walking as soon as possible and that helped with a speedy recovery. I had to follow the surgery with 6 months of chemo.
Best wishes to you for
continued good health..
Surviving and thriving!!

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Hi lillie - Do you have chemo after your whipple surgery? I had a similar surgery for removal of a cancer gastrino NET at the head of pancreas. However no follow up of chemo as the team felt it would not be effective.

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mikewdby | @mikewdby | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @stageivsurvivor "I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the..." + (show)
@stageivsurvivor

I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the portal vein being resected. The surgery was without complications and I returned to work after an 8 week convalescence. Some patients may require taking a pancrealipase short or long-term as the pancreatic head is where the majority of acinar cells are found. This is the cell type responsible for producing and secreting the digestive enzymes.

Jump to this post

Where did you have your Surgery and where are you being treated?

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stageivsurvivor | @stageivsurvivor | Dec 12, 2023

My Whipple surgery was performed at Weill Cornell Medical Center/NY Presbyterian Hospital. I advocated for aggressive chemotherapy because of the advanced stage and they responded to my request of doing more than the standard of care cycles. It more than likely played a significant role in the cancer never having reoccurred in 11.5 years.

REPLY
1 reply
lilliejane2 | @lilliejane2 | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @lilliejane2 "Yes, I had a whipple surgery in Jan 2022. They removed head of pancreas, part of..." + (show)
@lilliejane2

Yes, I had a whipple surgery in Jan 2022.
They removed head of pancreas, part of stomach, part of small intestine and part of duodenum. Would have removed gallbladder but I had already had that done. My recovery was really about 6 weeks. I got out walking as soon as possible and that helped with a speedy recovery. I had to follow the surgery with 6 months of chemo.
Best wishes to you for
continued good health..
Surviving and thriving!!

Jump to this post

Yes, had chemo for 6 months after surgery,
Even though the surgery was successful. I was cancer free for 2months, and now experiencing a resurgence. But the chemo is going well and I am very optimistic.

REPLY
1 reply
pat125 | @pat125 | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @stageivsurvivor "I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the..." + (show)
@stageivsurvivor

I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the portal vein being resected. The surgery was without complications and I returned to work after an 8 week convalescence. Some patients may require taking a pancrealipase short or long-term as the pancreatic head is where the majority of acinar cells are found. This is the cell type responsible for producing and secreting the digestive enzymes.

Jump to this post

Thanks! You give me hope!🙏

REPLY
pat125 | @pat125 | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @lilliejane2 "Yes, had chemo for 6 months after surgery, Even though the surgery was successful. I was..." + (show)
@lilliejane2

Yes, had chemo for 6 months after surgery,
Even though the surgery was successful. I was cancer free for 2months, and now experiencing a resurgence. But the chemo is going well and I am very optimistic.

Jump to this post

Wishing you a very quick recovery Lillie Jane!
Please keep me posted!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!🎄🙏

REPLY
pat125 | @pat125 | Dec 12, 2023
In reply to @stageivsurvivor "My Whipple surgery was performed at Weill Cornell Medical Center/NY Presbyterian Hospital. I advocated for aggressive..." + (show)
@stageivsurvivor

My Whipple surgery was performed at Weill Cornell Medical Center/NY Presbyterian Hospital. I advocated for aggressive chemotherapy because of the advanced stage and they responded to my request of doing more than the standard of care cycles. It more than likely played a significant role in the cancer never having reoccurred in 11.5 years.

Jump to this post

So happy for you!
Wishing you a very quick recovery!
Merry Christmas!🎄

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