Husband had Whipple surgery and chemo: He's uncomfortable

<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>

<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>

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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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I had 12 Folfirinox treatments and then 15 r=
adiation treatments with oral chemo twice a day. I started chemo in May and i=
t lasted until mid-October, then October 31st started radiation and was luck=
y enough to stay at the Hope Lodge right in Rocester (a free cancer house) f=
or three weeks while I did radiation. I finish November 18th. I flew to Cali=
fornia to celebrate Thanksgiving and an early Christmas with my son and flew=
back to MN in time to have my surgery with Dr. Truty (Kendall=E2=80=99s par=
tner) on December 6th. I was in the hospital for 8 days with no ICU. I woke w=
ith an epidural and one drain plus a feeding tube which I never needed. I ex=
perienced very little pain and eating, even in the hospital, was no problem.=
Once home it was slow going but the nurse from Truty=E2=80=99s office calle=
d and said I was trying to run a marathon instead of learning to walk. Once I=
understood what she meant, I realized how well I felt each week from the pr=
evious week instead of looking at only day by day. I never used my feeding t=
ube so they took it out on my  week visit. I flew to Florida for the wi=
nter on January 20th after the =E2=80=9Cgo ahead=E2=80=9D by Truty=E2=80=99s=
office. I have not had any problems with eating although I am still 18 poun=
ds lighter, at 5=E2=80=994=E2=80=9D i went from 132 to 114-117. Since then I=
bought new clothes as pants and shorts fell off my hips, but I am loving li=
fe and my last two scans have been NED and my CA19-9 is down to 3. I play pi=
ckleball 5-6 days a week for 2 hours. I am in Vegas with my family and walki=
ng 17,000 to 21,000 steps a day with my Grandsons. They might be killing me b=
ut I love the fact I can do it at 72. Dr. Truty is not trained in robotic as=
is Kendall, so I did not have robotic and I would prefer open anyway. I wok=
e up to a glued incision which looked healed after the first day and never b=
othered me after at all. It is still a bit numb but no problems. I hope all t=
his rambling helps alleviate any fears you might have. I realize we are all d=
ifferent in how we react and heal, but that is my story. Mayo is a miraculou=
s place and Truty and Kendall are amazing surgeons dedicated to PC. I wish y=
ou the best of luck with your journey.=E2=80=9C=
Yesterday is a memory, today is a gift, tomorrow is a dream=E2=80=9D.=E2=80=9CI am not going to die before I am dead=E2=80=9D.=
Sent from Denna=E2=80=99s iPadOn Jul 12, 2023, at 9:54 AM, Mayo Clinic Connect=
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