Whipple procedure

Ok That’s interesting because the women featured having an open surgery Whipple on Super Surgeons series 1 was from the Midlands/NW. It may be a capacity and timing issue. I believe that you can request a NHS referral, if you desire. However, Addenbrooke’s is a very good hospital.  We are battling infections at the moment.The cancer came back last year and metastatisized to the liver.6 months Chemo and the tumours were disappearing.A liver ablation was done but he had an adverse reaction and got sepsis.So since early March in and out of hospital, IVs of all types, antibiotics etc. But one must keep positive and battle on.I wish you strength and blessings. Mind over matter!

I agree that it's more a timing issue. You and your husband have been through such a lot of late that I wish you a period of stability and peace very soon x

Hi Dave just a little update. I am having my Whipple surgery on Monday 19th August so not long to wait now. Both me and my husband have been told to isolate for ten days prior to surgery to avoid Covid delaying the surgery. The surgeon, Mr Emmanuel Hugeot went into great depth about the surgery and all of the many complications so I felt that I made an informed decision in requesting that he proceed with the surgery. From meeting him and including all the pre operative tests it will be a month. I think the waiting is the worst. My husband has booked a hotel in Cambridge for two weeks but knows this may need to be extended depending upon mey progress. I was given a great big folder of information about pancreatic cancer although I have never been told that is what I have. I think my tumour is about 3 cms in size and situated at the vale of bater. I know it was initially found incidentally by endoscopy but that surgery via endoscopy is now not appropriate. It has spread to my bile duct but as yet am not jaundiced. It has been described to me as a low grade dysplasia but has the potential to be malignant and spread quite rapidly almost like having a ticking time bomb inside you the doctor explained. I know the pancreas will have to be cut and resected and am aware of the dangers of a leakage of pancreatic juices which sounds horrific but am also aware that in order to prevent this they will place drains to absorb any such leakage until it heals and drys up of its own accord. I am so grateful for you for being so honest with me upfront as it enabled me to prepare for what I felt might happen. I am having my lymph glands removed too and basically CT scans and biopsies aside the surgeon says he will not really totally be aware of what is going on until the surgery and then even after that it's a two week wait for the results from the laboratory to come back to explain the full picture and what else may need to happen. I will keep out updated and meanwhile take care of yourself and your lovely wife . Kim 

Thanks for letting me know, I hope it goes well for you. I know it was a hard decision to make, but as I said before the alternative is worse. Hopefully any complications if any will be quickly sorted and you get home in less than two weeks. During your recovery if you have any questions you think I could answer don't hesitate to ask them as we found "things" were not always easy to understand what the medical staff meant!

Dave

Thanks for your message Dave and I appreciate the offer of being able to contact you with any questions it's very kind of you to offer. Take care. Kimx

Hi Kimm

good luck with the surgery . It seems they have caught it before it has turned to cancer .. which is great news x

Hi Dave I am hoping son but as they are removing lymph nodes too it's making me wonder if it may have spread via these ?  We have thought about spending some extra time in Cambridge after hospital in case any issues arise so that they can be attended to quickly causing less anxiety as I suffer from panic attacks. I have been told about the need for drains due to the risk of a pancreatic juices leak and have found a dressing gown with inside pockets for placing them. I am hoping that the added complications that I have will not interfere overly with the long surgery. One is GERD for which I take Lansoprezsole to avoid acid coming up my throat and into my lungs which has already caused aspiration pneumonia once requiring hospitalisation. I will need therefore to continue to eat low fat foods or this could get triggered again although being propped up in bed should greatly assist. I also suffer from laryngospasm which mens that my throat closes up for no reason and I can't breathe or talk, cough badly and have a build up of saliva, this arose after my aspiration pneumonia. I am told that it's a problem when having a general anaesthetic so will ensure that the anaesthetist is well aware. I also need a great deal of either sedation or anaesthesia because I take a high does of anti depressants for panic attacks and valium to assist too therefore the dosage a normal person would need would not touch me so again will need to let both the surgeon and anaesthetist know as I would not be able to cope if I were to wake up during surgery and nobody was aware which is a phenomenon that I have heard about which really scares me. Apart from that I feel ready to get it over and done with as soon as possible. You have been an excellent support and am truly grateful to this site. Take care Dave. Kim x

Hi Kim

Sorry to hear you’re having to have the Whipple procedure but I’m sure the anaesthetist will take into account all the information you’ve given and make sure you’re well looked after.

My husband had the procedure in March - a 12 hour version - and the next day they had him sat in a chair in ICU (Attached to a spider’s web of monitors and drains of course!) to make sure fluid didn’t collect on his lungs. He was at Royal Liverpool Hospital and the surgeons and anaesthetist were amazing.

My husband had a concern about waking up during the procedure as that had happened when he was young having a tooth out - but the anaesthetic is tailored specifically to each patient now so please try not to worry about it.

Good luck and we wish you a speedy recovery

Jackie x

Hi Jackie thanks for your kind ant thoughtful post regarding my concerns for my upcoming Whipple on Monday. You've reassured me very well about the anaesthetic. I am glad to hear that everything went well for your husband in March who had similar concerns and I hope that he is improving by the day, week and month. I have met my surgeon and was very inspired by him and send you both my very best wishes. Kim x

Yes, raise your concerns with the anethetist specialist who will be monitoring you during the procedure. That is his sole job while you are under so making sure he knows of your specific problems, which he may well know of anyway, is a good idea. It is possible he maybe at consultant level himself. With regard to the drains they will be small bags taped to you and I had no problems except when one leaked once causing a mess on my pyjamas. I don't know if you are having the "robot" method of the more common big hole method which I had. The scar from that is about 18 inches long and L shaped, post op it was painless except for a once and only time it twinged so don't worry about that. It sounds like your husband has made excellent plans and will be able to support you more than my wife could because of covid rules, take advantage of that but you may find you will need lots of rest as he will. Let me know how it goes, but I doubt you will feel up to that for a while. I will always remember the two young (to me) and very good looking nurses in the post operation ICU I who looked after me for a short time they were perfect for that job.

Dave