Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Hello: If it would help you, I can certainly share it with you. I have been thinking about writing more about it for quite a while. My recovery from the Whipple was also very slow. I was so weak and could not eat much. I can share with you what I did and/or how I coped, if would help.

The best to you for Monday. Ask them to do a CA19-9 blood assay which they use as a marker for Pancreatic Cancer. Whatever your diagnosis, face it with positive mindset and readiness to do whatever you need to do to get better. Let us know your diagnosis and use us all as sounding board. Get a support system ready to help you, family, friends. It is so so helpful. I have had wonderful friends backing me on my journey and it helps to keep me positive. My family is always there.

I had a great experience, if any surgery is great. My surgeon had done open surgery as he liked to really see what was going on and he had me in recovery in less than 4 hours. I had a spinal block that allowed me to walk more comfortably the next morning and was sent home in 5 days since I met all the requirements for release. Did great for 2 weeks and then major intestinal cramping and gas as things healed. This lasted for a good 4 weeks and on my revisit with my surgeon, he assured me this was normal and it would get better and it did so in the next week or so. I ate a lot of peanut butter and saltine crackers, a couple at a time, to get protein without a lot in the gut. I also drink high protein, 30 grams, once or twice a day. Fighting metastasis to the liver right now and fighting is good for the soul. I do everything I can to enjoy life with family and friends. Keep a positive outlook,, talk frankly with your medical team and move forward. My Nurse Pract. suggested that use Galviscon for cramping and gas and it helps me a lot. Drink lots of water (which I am bad about doing) and eat what you can. Talk with this group. I am sure that others have good suggestions as well. Take care and smile, even when it hurts.

Thank you!
If anyone else can give insight, J would appreciate it!

Hi @artgirl2
It would be a blessing for me to hear your story. I have been slowly struggling through recovery from the Whipple the past month, which had me in hospital for 21 days due to unexpected complications. It helps to know others have survived and even thrived after this when it seems so difficult at the moment.

Yes, that is correct.

I can imagine how concerned you are Fogel. The symptoms of pancreatitis are similar to pancreatic cancer. I will be thinking of you on Monday. Will you return to let us know what you learn?

Artgirl, it is so important to hear stories like yours. Fifteen year survivor of pancreatic cancer is amazing in itself. But did I understand correctly that you’ve also had 2 types of breast cancer? Did you have breast cancer after your pancreatic cancer diagnosis?

Hi, I have been in & out of the hospital the entire year for weeks with acute Pancreatitis. As of now, zero appetite, list 30 lbs in 7 weeks, sever upper abdomen pain that radiates to back, diarrhea every day.
My recent catscan shows abnormal lymp nodes, bilirubin in urine, endopathy. But no jaundice. Im afraid it’s Pancreatic cancer. I have an appointment on Dec 13. What does anyone think I am dealing with. I had my gallbladder out yrs ago & never smoked or drank

God bless !!! How wonderful 15 years. You truly were given a second chance at life.