Whipples good idea or not?

Hi Tilly

My husband had the Whipple operation so I hope I can help.

The surgeon told him that recovery would take 8 to 10 weeks. He was in HDU for three nights and in hospital for another nine nights. He was driving within a month of the surgery and was fit again and back to more or less normal within six weeks.

The cancer did come back in my husband’s case. Sadly, in the majority of cases it does. But in some cases it doesn’t so if your husband is fit enough for surgery then I would say go for it.

My husband and I never discussed it as such but even though the cancer came back I think he thought it was worth it.

What I have learned over the past three years is that PC is a random beast and you cannot predict much. But the Whipple is the only cure.

I hope this helps.

Squeaky

I had my Whipples last April and absolutely it was worth it. Frankly, if I hadn’t had it, I’d be dead so no question about it. Even though te tumour was completely removed and I had no cancer anywhere else and my lymph nodes were clear, I still did six months of adjuvant chemo. Of course, there are never any guarantees that the cancer won’t come back whatever you do but I wanted to give myself every chance.

i was lucky in that my op went quickly and smoothly, I had no complications and I was out of hospital after five days. I recovered quickly and well but everyone is different. I was a fit, healthy 52 year old at op date which probably helped. Fifteen months on I’m back to virtually normal, working and getting on with life. I can eat whatever I want. OK, I still tire easily but that’s a small price to pay. I have no regrets at all.

Hi Tilly 

I was thinking that we hadn’t heard from you for a while and was wondering how you and your husband were getting on. Hope things are still going well xx

Hi Tilly,

I had my whipple this January just gone. I would say it is so worth it as it saved my life! 

I was in HDU / ITU for one night and then moved onto the 'normal' ward the day after my op (so less than 24 hours after!) I then left hospital one week after. 

As far as recovery time, my consultant said I could drive at 5 weeks and I went back to work part time at 7 weeks then full time at 8 weeks. Amazing really and the time does fly by! Now 7 months on I feel back to normal. 

I am on surveillance for 5 years to check my cancer doesn't come back. My hospital offered exercises classes the weeks up to my operation to get me as fit as poss - not sure if the hospital your husband is at does? Maybe worth asking. I was at the Leicester General. They like you to be as fit as you can before the op.

My specialist nurse told me everyone is different after this op. Being positive is massive help. I had age on my side which would of helped. I am only 24! 

Hope this helps!

Rosie x

Hi

my hubby had a whipple in January 18. He is now healed and back to fitness. Although he has had 6 months chemo. Also, he had a scan last week, oncologist said they found a nodule which wasn’t there last scan. (We are worried sick). Another scan in 4 months to find out if it’s got bigger- which may mean cancer.  I wish you look with your decisions. That’s all it ever seems to be

Hi

my hubby also had whipple this year. His last scan shows a nodule on his lung. We are praying it’s not cancerous. 3 month scan will tell

Thanks, Kate, we are still here, just recovering from a 3 week holiday to Malta and Sorrento. My husbands family came to join us in Malta, along with his brother and family members from Australia, so we have had a fantastic time!!!!!!

John still very tired, which is ok, he went down to London to see his daughter this weekend........ it was very busy with lots of people rushing about was his conclusion!!

Still unsure about the Whipple op, so its an ongoing saga.

Love to all xx

Thanks, KiwiWolf, John is a little older than you, and although he has lost a lot of weight from the cancer, could do with being fitter. We are still not sure about going ahead, so will keep thinking about it. 

Thanks for your support 

Tilly xx

Thanks, Rosie, you have done so well, and at such a young age! We score high on the being positive stakes, but nearer 60 on the age!!! I am so pleased for you that things have gone well,

We are still thinking about it, so we will wait and see.

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Tilly xx

Thanks, Muvver, I hope that all is going well with your husband. Thank you for sharing your husbands experience, 

All best wishes, Tilly xx