1. < Pancreatic Cancer

What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

Posted by blw77 @blw77, Jun 6, 2022

Can anyone give me information on how their recovery was after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy? After 2 years of MRIs every 6 months and watching an MNC slowly but steadily grow, my doctor said that I should have this procedure. I'm 45 and typically a fairly healthy and active female. I'm trying to figure out how much time I'll need to be off of work or if I can manage to squeeze in in during the summer yet while I'm off.

Thank you for any information you have!

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martinisaacs23 | @martinisaacs23 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "I had a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy on Jan 5, 2023. You have to take it..." + (show)
@frygirl777

I had a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy on Jan 5, 2023. You have to take it easy the first 6-8 weeks meaning no lifting & eat a low fat with small meals. Drink lots of water. Get lots of rest. Low intensity exercise like walking helps the healing process. I had no complications other than middle back pain that started about a month after. Surgeon said it was likely my nerves and inflammation. I started wearing Lifewave X39 & Aeon stem cell activation patches on the area & pain totally diminished within about a week. I have been wearing them ever since & there has been no recurrence of the pain at all. They speed wound healing also. I’m 100% now. No blood sugar issues however I eat no sugar due to cancer growing & thriving from sugar.

Jump to this post

I am facing the same operation imminently. Do you know why it can't be done by laparoscopy ?

REPLY
1 reply
humble57 | @humble57 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "I had a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy on Jan 5, 2023. You have to take it..." + (show)
@frygirl777

I had a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy on Jan 5, 2023. You have to take it easy the first 6-8 weeks meaning no lifting & eat a low fat with small meals. Drink lots of water. Get lots of rest. Low intensity exercise like walking helps the healing process. I had no complications other than middle back pain that started about a month after. Surgeon said it was likely my nerves and inflammation. I started wearing Lifewave X39 & Aeon stem cell activation patches on the area & pain totally diminished within about a week. I have been wearing them ever since & there has been no recurrence of the pain at all. They speed wound healing also. I’m 100% now. No blood sugar issues however I eat no sugar due to cancer growing & thriving from sugar.

Jump to this post

Hi Frygirl777,
I'm glad you are a 100% after your Surgery. I was recently diagnosed, and surgery is recommended as part of my forthcoming treatment, but Chemo is recommended first for shrinkage. I'm having anxiety.

REPLY
2 replies
frygirl777 | @frygirl777 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @humble57 "Hi Frygirl777, I'm glad you are a 100% after your Surgery. I was recently diagnosed, and..." + (show)
@humble57

Hi Frygirl777,
I'm glad you are a 100% after your Surgery. I was recently diagnosed, and surgery is recommended as part of my forthcoming treatment, but Chemo is recommended first for shrinkage. I'm having anxiety.

Jump to this post

You will honestly be fine. It likely was best to do chemo first so they get it all during surgery. In my case they did not & I had to do 5 back to back radiation treatments. Radiation made me so nauseous for 2 weeks after. The radiation was way worse than the surgery. I wonder some days if I will ever feel normal again. Chemo was supposed to start this week but I am still too sick plus now they think I might have a blood clot around my port leading into my port. If it’s not one thing, it’s another, it seems.

Did they advise to do more chemo after your surgery?

REPLY
1 reply
frygirl777 | @frygirl777 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @humble57 "Hi Frygirl777, I'm glad you are a 100% after your Surgery. I was recently diagnosed, and..." + (show)
@humble57

Hi Frygirl777,
I'm glad you are a 100% after your Surgery. I was recently diagnosed, and surgery is recommended as part of my forthcoming treatment, but Chemo is recommended first for shrinkage. I'm having anxiety.

Jump to this post

…don’t discount your anxiety. It’s impossible not to have anxiety. This for sure is a terrifying diagnosis! I too have major anxiety. Didn’t know what the tightness in my chest was but as it turns out, it is likely anxiety.

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frygirl777 | @frygirl777 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @martinisaacs23 "I am facing the same operation imminently. Do you know why it can't be done by..." + (show)
@martinisaacs23

I am facing the same operation imminently. Do you know why it can't be done by laparoscopy ?

Jump to this post

I think their reasoning was that they needed a larger opening to have a better view & it made it easier to pull the pancreas with the tumor through as well as the spleen. I had robotic surgery so 4-5 small incisions & one 4 inch incision down lower.

REPLY
1 reply
humble57 | @humble57 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "You will honestly be fine. It likely was best to do chemo first so they get..." + (show)
@frygirl777

You will honestly be fine. It likely was best to do chemo first so they get it all during surgery. In my case they did not & I had to do 5 back to back radiation treatments. Radiation made me so nauseous for 2 weeks after. The radiation was way worse than the surgery. I wonder some days if I will ever feel normal again. Chemo was supposed to start this week but I am still too sick plus now they think I might have a blood clot around my port leading into my port. If it’s not one thing, it’s another, it seems.

Did they advise to do more chemo after your surgery?

Jump to this post

I picked up my Chemo Meds yesterday and have to wait for the Oncology Navigator to check my blood levels or white cells to see if I'm strong enough to start the treatment

REPLY
1 reply
martinisaacs23 | @martinisaacs23 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "I think their reasoning was that they needed a larger opening to have a better view..." + (show)
@frygirl777

I think their reasoning was that they needed a larger opening to have a better view & it made it easier to pull the pancreas with the tumor through as well as the spleen. I had robotic surgery so 4-5 small incisions & one 4 inch incision down lower.

Jump to this post

Thank you fly girl. Where did you have yours done ? I didn't know it could be done robotically . Yours then was less invasive than a laparotomy ?

I hope you are well and sincerely thank you x

REPLY
1 reply
frygirl777 | @frygirl777 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @humble57 "I picked up my Chemo Meds yesterday and have to wait for the Oncology Navigator to..." + (show)
@humble57

I picked up my Chemo Meds yesterday and have to wait for the Oncology Navigator to check my blood levels or white cells to see if I'm strong enough to start the treatment

Jump to this post

I wish you nothing but the best! Healing energy coming your way!

REPLY
1 reply
frygirl777 | @frygirl777 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @martinisaacs23 "Thank you fly girl. Where did you have yours done ? I didn't know it could..." + (show)
@martinisaacs23

Thank you fly girl. Where did you have yours done ? I didn't know it could be done robotically . Yours then was less invasive than a laparotomy ?

I hope you are well and sincerely thank you x

Jump to this post

You’re welcome! I’m in Southern California & had my surgery at Loma Linda University Hospital. I am about to start chemo on 4/10. Still recovering from a 5 day radiation regimen. That was brutal! Extreme fatigue & nausea. I couldn’t eat for a week.

REPLY
1 reply
frygirl777 | @frygirl777 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @frygirl777 "You’re welcome! I’m in Southern California & had my surgery at Loma Linda University Hospital. I..." + (show)
@frygirl777

You’re welcome! I’m in Southern California & had my surgery at Loma Linda University Hospital. I am about to start chemo on 4/10. Still recovering from a 5 day radiation regimen. That was brutal! Extreme fatigue & nausea. I couldn’t eat for a week.

Jump to this post

I wish you well also! We all need a miracle!

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