Pancreatic Cancer and Whipple Surgery - Cancer: Pancreatic & Liver Message Board

summerlove · 08-07-2005, 11:59 PM

My mom has been diagnosed with pancreatice cancer. At first it sounded hopeless, but she was referred to a surgeon and he considers her a candidate for Whipple surgery. The surgery will take 8-12 hours and she will be hospitalized for 2 weeks!

We have been told all about the surgery and possible complications, but it would be nice to hear from any survivors out there. Anyone???

Some prayers for her would be nice too.

Thanks
Summerlove

happyelf · 08-08-2005, 09:59 AM

Summerlove-
I'll pray for your mother and your family. I'm so sorry you have to go thru this. Two weeks in the hospital is tough on everyone, but she'll be in good hands, and then hopefully home for good. When is her surgery?
I'm sure the docs have recited all the stats to you-try not to dwell on them too much--b/c they are just numbers. Your mother is not a number-and everyone is different.
I don't know of anyone who had the Whipple surgery--but I wanted to lend you some positive support. I have two friends w/pancreatic cancer...one was advanced stages when they found it--he lived almost 2 yrs w/no treatment, and the other was a co-workers husband...he is 5 1/2 yrs from his diagnosis and treatment--doing fairly well.
Hope this helps some...Take care of yourself.

summerlove · 08-18-2005, 10:16 PM

Mom had the Whipple Surgery yesterday. It was a 12 hour operation. The doctor said they got ALL the cancer! She is in ICU and I called late this afternoon and actually talked to her! She sounded great...her voice was a little hoarse from the breathing tube she had in surgery, but her mind is sharp as always. I'm so happy. I will be seeing her tomorrow. We are truly blessed. Thanks for all the prayers...and please keep praying for her as she heals.

happyelf · 08-19-2005, 03:25 PM

congrats on the surgery--will pray for a speedy and full recovery for your mother...
H/E

summerlove · 08-20-2005, 01:03 AM

Thanks for the prayers. She is not out of the woods yet. Should get the results of biopsies of lymph nodes next week. She'll probably have to have some chemo.

Surgery was Wednesday. Visited her today (Friday) and she looks and sounds great. She's in ICU, but she doesn't look like she belongs there. Her mind is sharp which surprises me after being under anesthesia for 12 hours! She was chatting up a storm just like she did before her illness. She's a tough old bird!!!*_*

My dad is a mess though...poor guy has had a rough time dealing with this.

Still looking for anyone out there that has had Whipple surgery.

Thanks
Summer