1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Husband had Whipple surgery and chemo: He's uncomfortable

Posted by joanalc @joanalc, Jan 31, 2023

I'm trying to be supportive, but he's to undergo chemo for 6 months, and have 5 to go. He's uncomfortable much of the time. Help!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 1, 2023
In reply to @joanalc "My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed..." + (show)
@joanalc

<p>My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed to be doing well until 2 months ago. He is in lots of pain(shoulders and knee), lacks energy, is lethargic, hasn't gained much weight, has difficulty walking due to joint pain. He also has neuropathy in his hands and feet. His last scan in July was clear; another is scheduled for Oct. I'm concerned. Any tips?</p>

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@joanalc, how are you and your husband doing? Were you able to make an appointment to see a symptom management nurse or his oncologist?

REPLY
lvtexas | @lvtexas | Sep 21, 2023
In reply to @joanalc "My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed..." + (show)
@joanalc

<p>My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed to be doing well until 2 months ago. He is in lots of pain(shoulders and knee), lacks energy, is lethargic, hasn't gained much weight, has difficulty walking due to joint pain. He also has neuropathy in his hands and feet. His last scan in July was clear; another is scheduled for Oct. I'm concerned. Any tips?</p>

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Ask for a vitamin panel; whipple affects vitamin absorption. Take supplements.

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kjc12 | @kjc12 | Sep 21, 2023
In reply to @joanalc "My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed..." + (show)
@joanalc

<p>My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed to be doing well until 2 months ago. He is in lots of pain(shoulders and knee), lacks energy, is lethargic, hasn't gained much weight, has difficulty walking due to joint pain. He also has neuropathy in his hands and feet. His last scan in July was clear; another is scheduled for Oct. I'm concerned. Any tips?</p>

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Don’t hesitate to contact your Oncologist and let them know right away. They will lead you in the right direction/testing for your husband. Please let us know how he is doing. Will keep him in my prayers.

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c2pricorn66 | @c2pricorn66 | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @joanalc "My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed..." + (show)
@joanalc

<p>My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed to be doing well until 2 months ago. He is in lots of pain(shoulders and knee), lacks energy, is lethargic, hasn't gained much weight, has difficulty walking due to joint pain. He also has neuropathy in his hands and feet. His last scan in July was clear; another is scheduled for Oct. I'm concerned. Any tips?</p>

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Hi I would take him back to the hospital to be admitted and thorough review. Make sure you step up and take the lead. 🤗

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joanalc | @joanalc | Sep 19, 2023

<p>My husband had Whipple surgery in Nov 2022, followed by 6 months of chemo. He seemed to be doing well until 2 months ago. He is in lots of pain(shoulders and knee), lacks energy, is lethargic, hasn't gained much weight, has difficulty walking due to joint pain. He also has neuropathy in his hands and feet. His last scan in July was clear; another is scheduled for Oct. I'm concerned. Any tips?</p>

REPLY
4 replies
nvan22 | @nvan22 | Jul 14, 2023
In reply to @wjk "I earlier stated Dr. Kendall, but I meant to say Dr. Kendrick. Was your laparoscopic Whipple..." + (show)
@wjk

I earlier stated Dr. Kendall, but I meant to say Dr. Kendrick. Was your laparoscopic Whipple done robotically? Did he do a full Whipple or a modified Whipple and preserve your pylorus?

Thanks for your reply. Hearing from someone who precedes me on such a similar path (in the same clinic and with the same surgeon no less) is very helpful. Congrats on your good outcome and ongoing improvement.

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I did have a pylorus saving Whipple

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nvan22 | @nvan22 | Jul 13, 2023
In reply to @wjk "I earlier stated Dr. Kendall, but I meant to say Dr. Kendrick. Was your laparoscopic Whipple..." + (show)
@wjk

I earlier stated Dr. Kendall, but I meant to say Dr. Kendrick. Was your laparoscopic Whipple done robotically? Did he do a full Whipple or a modified Whipple and preserve your pylorus?

Thanks for your reply. Hearing from someone who precedes me on such a similar path (in the same clinic and with the same surgeon no less) is very helpful. Congrats on your good outcome and ongoing improvement.

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I also have Dr Jethwa radiation oncologist and Dr Ma was my oncologist at Mayo. Dr Jethwa was great loved him.

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nvan22 | @nvan22 | Jul 13, 2023

I thought you probably meant Dr Kendrick. I still have part of my pancreas but don’t have my duodenum so chances are I don’t have it but I don’t know. I will ask. I am not diabetic so that’s good. 🙂

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wjk | @wjk | Jul 13, 2023
In reply to @nvan22 "My results are the same Dr Kendrick was my surgeon everything was done laparoscopically 5 tiny..." + (show)
@nvan22

My results are the same Dr Kendrick was my surgeon everything was done laparoscopically 5 tiny incisions but I can barely see three of them. I am NED. Went back to Mayo for the 3 week intensive radiation vs the 5 week. In the end my tumor was dead he just peeled it off during surgery. The journey is far from over though it’s like having bariatric surgery so you learn to eat all over again and expect to lose weight. I lost 20 lbs I know people who have lost 40 lbs it’s very hard to gain the weight back. My highest CA-19 was in the 60s I believe the highest maybe it was a little higher. I am also done to very low single digits. Best of luck to you. You are in great hands!!

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I earlier stated Dr. Kendall, but I meant to say Dr. Kendrick. Was your laparoscopic Whipple done robotically? Did he do a full Whipple or a modified Whipple and preserve your pylorus?

Thanks for your reply. Hearing from someone who precedes me on such a similar path (in the same clinic and with the same surgeon no less) is very helpful. Congrats on your good outcome and ongoing improvement.

REPLY
2 replies
caughey | @caughey | Jul 13, 2023
In reply to @wjk "I'm about a year behind you. I'm a 74 year old guy, diagnosed Stage 1 Adenocarcinoma..." + (show)
@wjk

I'm about a year behind you. I'm a 74 year old guy, diagnosed Stage 1 Adenocarcinoma at head of pancreas 2 months ago, received initial Folfirinox infusion at Mayo in Rochester, followed by 2nd and 3rd infusions here in Alaska. I suspect my course of treatment (with additional 5-9 Folfirinox treatment) will be similar to yours and will be returning to Mayo for radiation (if needed) and the necessary Whipple. If you don't mind sharing some particulars.... What was your initial/highest CA19.9 level? Was your Whipple a full or modified Whipple? Was it done Endoscopically and Robotically? Who are/were your oncologists and surgeons at Mayo? Mine are Alberts and Kendall. Thanks in advance for any particulars you're willing to share. Congrats on your NED status and very low CA19.9 level. May some of us follow in your very successful footsteps. The Mayo Clinic is a wonderful place.

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You are lucky like me in that I also had a stage 1A adenocarcinoma. Had whipple 12/21 and just got my CT scan and Ca19 results back. Scan okay and Ca 19 at 14. Next check up is in 2/24. Margins clean and lymph nodes too. Elected to take no chemo but some holistic stufff that may or may not be helpful as one never nows. From what you are saying you should be in good shape with this beast and you are at a great clinic as I did my in Dallas.

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