What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

They were not able to get a good biopsy of my tumor so it was not possible to determine whether it was adenocarcinoma or a neuroendocrine tumor. The surgeon felt that it was the later based on the MRI and suggested removal. The pathology post surgery indicated that it was stage 3 adenocarcinoma. Therefore, I had chemo and chemo/radiation after surgery. Dr Hong is also my radiation oncologist. The chemo/radiation is designed to kill any remaining cancer cells left at the surgical site as well as lymph nodes and blood vessels. My CA19-9 has been under 10 since starting chemo and both a CT Scan and MRI at the conclusion of my 12th chemo cycle are clean. Dr Hong told me that I could opt out of radiation. However, the data indicates that adding the chemo/radiation improves long term survival rates. After going through 6 months of folfirinox I figured I’m all in at this point and would like to see a cure. I trust Dr Hong. I assume that you had chemo and radiation prior to surgery? That is the recommended protocol but unfortunately in my case because they could not get a good biopsy I had surgery first. Hope that provides clarification. Also hope that you’re doing well. All the best for the Holidays and New Year.

I’m currently doing radiation for 28 days at Mass Hospital in Boston. My medical team of surgeon Dr. Fernandez radation doctor Dr. Hong had said they had great success with having radiation prior to surgery. I was wondering who you saw at Mass General and why they opted to do radiation after surgery. Hope you’re doing well.

@gamaryanne Encouraged to read about your recovery and the fact that you have been able to travel to Portugal. Must have felt great. Congratulations. I had a laproscopic/robotic distal panreadectomy and splenectomy at MGH in Boston on May 17. Was discharged 48 hours after surgery and recuperation has been relatively easy. I was up and about every day and increased walking up to 3 miles by the end of week two. I just started the first of 8 cycles of chemo (oxaliplatin, irinotecan and 5Fu) So far no side effects. However I undersatnd that side effects may accumulate over the course of treatment. Although I know that every patient is different, any advise you have to offer would be appreciated. At the conclusion of chemo I'll be doing 28 days of radiation. Looking forward to a time when we can make up that trip to Amstredam planned for early May that was abruptly cancelled due to my diagnosis. Thanks in advance, Steve

Thank you for sharing your experience……I am hopeful that this nightmare is nearing a resolution…..I too have lost over 40 lbs and am pretty weak. Will be getting Drain check today……have had goood flow for past week and no fever……a big improvement……..and I seem to be able to eat more frequently and consume more at each meal.

Great n good news. What are the recommended diet? Is probiotic good too ?

The best you can do for him is make sure he is healthy as possible going into the surgery. Eating greens, protein (!) and vegetable. Multi vitamin at least. Walking, swimming, or whatever every day! And, most important, find thriving survivor stories. They are out there in many places.

Lastly, remember there is a Great Physician that works through our doctors. Give Him the glory and your trust. It will be okay
If he is already healthy he shouldn’t need you home more than 2 weeks after hospital release. He will be sore but not incapacitated!

Thank you for sharing your experience……I am hopeful that this nightmare is nearing a resolution…..I too have lost over 40 lbs and am pretty weak. Will be getting Drain check today……have had goood flow for past week and no fever……a big improvement……..and I seem to be able to eat more frequently and consume more at each meal.

Infection was about 2-2.5 weeks after surgery. It took over a month to clear up and the drains remained for almost three months. Very long process and going in to IR every other week for drain repositioning wasn’t fun either. And then after they removed one of my drains the hole closed and became a huge abscess on the outside of my body that then needed to be lanced, drained, and left me with a hole to pack. Yuck. I also lost 40 pounds and had to force myself to drink shakes, smoothies, anything I could handle. Then my drain was collecting stomach contents and they finally removed it. Nightmare! Oh and after all that starts chemo! This is a beast. But I recovered from all the surgical stuff at a little over the three month mark. after the last drain was removed I felt much better and healing went well from then on. You will get through this but it sucks. Sorry you’re part of the PC club. 🙁