Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

@azsunshine7 I will, thank you for sharing your experience and your own courage too! It is so helpful to know how far you have come. It gives us hope. I know it helps him to hear the shared experiences.

Hi @yellie,

Your husband is strong and courageous!

It is a lot to handle, and honestly, recovery is tougher than I ever anticipated. I never imagined I’d have to undergo a surgery as tough as the Whipple.

Before the surgery, I couldn’t even begin to picture what recovery would feel like. The pain and the struggle to move around have been some of the hardest challenges I've faced in my life. And having to take the drain home with me was just another constant pain.

They say recovery can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, so it’s definitely a long road ahead.

Please send my best to him. I hope he’s doing well and that he recovers quickly!

Take care.

His oncologist recommended ending his Neoadjuvant chemo at 9, initially he was to get 12, it was rough. Instead they recommended he get the Whipple. His surgery was 12 hours, complicated by inflammation and pancreatitis. He currently has a A type pancreatic fistula and still has his drain. He was fortunate to have an operable tumor, just had no idea what a challenge the recovery would be. He is to be reassessed by surgery in a couple weeks and get a repeat CT. He sees Oncology in February with another CT then possibly more chemo with Tumor information. It is so helpful to hear others experience and know that it is navigable and survivable.

@yellie I also completed 12 cycles of FOLFIRINOX.

@azsunshine7 all great ideas. Thank you.

@yellie welcome to Mayo connect!

So happy you joined us 💜

I had the whipple and can relate to some tough symptoms like nausea, and weight loss. I have or had stomach aches whether I eat or not, and cramps.

If you can, help him find ways to eat what he feels comfortable with. If he’s struggling to get enough protein, maybe suggest trying a protein drink to boost his nutrition. Or try a homemade smoothie. You can create simple recipes that provide extra protein and or calories to help support his health and wellness.

It’s important that his weight stabilizes.
He should probably be seeing nutritionist if he’s not already.

He might not be up for eating regular-sized meals, so having several small meals throughout the day could be a good idea.

Things should improve with time.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/significant-changes-in-food-taste/
Take care 😊

@carlos322

Thank you Carlos! I’m doing my best 💜

Hi, My Husband was diagnosed with PDAC in June 2025. Fortunately operable T1N0M0. He completed 9 rounds of Neoadjuvant Flofirinox and had a Whipple completed 2 weeks ago. He is home but he is struggling with appetite and weight loss, has lost 25 lbs so far. Doesn’t want to eat, says everything tastes poorly. He is on Creon and his dose recently was increased. Hoping to find ideas of how to help manage. Thank you.

@jadees Thank you for this insight into the role of the caregiver compared to that of patient. This helps me think differently about other emotional conflicts that have risen during this strange journey we are on.

@azsunshine7 thank you ! I hope you are doing well.