To whipple or not to whipple? What is quality of life like after?

@bilas Hopefully he is feeling better and the results provide some explanation? How are you holding up? It can't be easy?

Jamie collapsed in the bathroom. He was basically nonresponse. I called 911. Doctor ordered a CAT and MRI. He had an EEG and EKG as well. Thank you so much for your concern,

@bilas I am sorry to hear that. That's horrible. I wish there was something more that I can do to help? What landed him back in the hospital?

Jamie is back in the hospital. Running tests. I don't think we can take him to Sloan at this time

@bilas I hope things go well at the Sloan Kettering appointment. When is it? I know that Penn Medicine is in Philadelphia. Just for personal knowledge, where is the nearest Sloan Kettering in the Philadelphia area?

@djr1206 My son Jamie is 49. He is handicapped as well. He did have the Whipple at Penn Medicine Hospital. He does take Creon to calm his stomach down. We are taking Jamie to Sloan Kettering for another opinion.

@bilas How did the last appointment go?

My 55 yo husband underwent Whipple (non pyloric preserving) November 2025 for stage 1 PDAC in the head of his pancreas. He was fairly healthy as well. 12 hr surgery and some post op complications but was discharged after 10 days. Recovery has went well but lost 30 lbs. he jokingly said it was all the “guts” they removed. He returned to work after 6 weeks light duty and full duty after 8 weeks. Eating recovery took time and he used Creon, by February 2026 he was able to taper off Creon. He has been fortunate that his blood sugar has been controlled. He is maintaining his weight and has no serious symptoms except Neuropathy from chemo. Whipple is no joke and everyone’s experience will be their own but there is also a very good chance of good results. Like you shared it is a matter of weighing the risk. Find a Surgeon and healthcare facility that does Whipple regularly over 15-20/year. Wishing you the best outcome.

I had a similar diagnosis. A cyst on my pancreas. Not cancerous at the time, but the size and location of the cyst was determined to be pre-cancerous. In 2021, I was 69 at the time, in relatively good health. Active. I decided to move forward with the mini-Whipple surgery. With the mini-Whipple, no removal of any of the stomach. I'm not going to lie, the Whipple is no joke. An incision in my mid section, approximately 10 inches long. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Recovery was slow. Eating was a challenge for a while. However, I am glad I had the surgery to circumvent the possibility of developing pancreatic cancer. 2 years after the sugery I was diagnosed Type3C diabetes. I have to take Creon and insulin with every meal. Another set of challenges to manage, but still not pancreatic cancer. You are young, at 56, no one can tell you what to do, they can only tell you of their experiences. Good luck and better health with your decision.

@bilas On the 27th of July I am taking Jamie to Sloan Kettering for another opinion.