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Whipple or no Whipple?

Posted by casey1959 @casey1959, Feb 22 12:20pm

I know we're all different in what we decide is best for us. Just need some comfort knowing my husband might decide to not go further by having the Whipple procedure. I respect his decision if that's what will be. Has anyone decided on not having the procedure. Ty

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Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | 3 hours ago
In reply to @johnny1955 "@johnny1955 now my cancer as returned. My diagnosed is 3-6 months with or without chemo. I..." + (show)
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@johnny1955 now my cancer as returned. My diagnosed is 3-6 months with or without chemo. I was told that chemo will not kill the pancreatic cancer. So now I am on hospice. Anyone going through hospice? What are the stages? So far had to up the oxycodone. More tired and more pain. What will be the last steps?

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@johnny1955 Sorry to hear about that. I personally don't know the last steps. How are you managing at this point?

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Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | 2 hours ago
In reply to @jerrya "I’ve posted before, but I can’t find it. Here’s our current situation. Husband, 85 he’s,Ty, works..." + (show)
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I’ve posted before, but I can’t find it. Here’s our current situation.
Husband, 85 he’s,Ty, works out w/trainer, etc has had 3 EUS w/biopsies. None show cancer, just atypical cells. However Pancreas tail is atrophied, and his pancreatic duct is 3 times normal. Dr. At UVA wants to do a Whipple. I don’t know what to think. Any thoughts?
Thanks to all of you!
Jerry

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@jerrya My thoughts are that I have more questions. Here is kind of what I am thinking. So the cells were described as atypical and nothing else? Where are those atypical cells? The Whipple is typically used to address issues in the head of the pancreas yet your husband has an atrophied tail? I am just trying to make sense of things with you. I feel like I am missing something or don't understand something. What are your thoughts?

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katieliz | @katieliz | 1 hour ago
In reply to @eabisme "@monterrey1997 find a surgeon who does 100+ whipples a year. Its a tricky surgery. I had..." + (show)
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@monterrey1997
find a surgeon who does 100+ whipples a year. Its a tricky surgery.
I had read that advice and fortunately live near the Johns Hopkins hospital-world class surgeons AND team.
Only 25% of PC patients are even eligible for it, and it's the best hope for recovery. I'm 7+ years cancer free now
—probably for many reasons, starting with the surgery.

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@eabisme Seven years cancer free, that is wonderful! Can I ask what stage your cancer was? And besides the surgery, what other factors do you feel have helped you along the way?
I am cancer free now (was assessed stage 1B 15 months ago, had the Whipple 6/25, 12 rounds of Folfirinox last year) and now focusing daily on gratitude and positivity, exercise, etc, hoping to stay cancer free for as long as possible, or for forever! Right now I am in great health, enjoying every day, new grandmother (as of 2 months ago), and will have my debut book published before too long (book publishing journey is looooong - 😄). I am 72.

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