A close family member has just gotten the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and will have the Whipple surgery this week if all goes well. I know that there are people here in T3c that have had that surgery, and I would be grateful if you could share your experiences, and if you have advice for those of us who are relatives, that would also be very much appreciated.
What physical and mental challenges did you have pre- and post-surgery? Is T3c guaranteed after surgery?
A close family member has just gotten the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and will have the Whipple surgery this week if all goes well. I know that there are people here in T3c that have had that surgery, and I would be grateful if you could share your experiences, and if you have advice for those of us who are relatives, that would also be very much appreciated.
What physical and mental challenges did you have pre- and post-surgery? Is T3c guaranteed after surgery?
I had Whipple surgery 15 years ago( in the USA). It is a difficult surgery and recovery time varies but is often lengthy. I was fortunate that my tumor was caught early stage. It was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, the tumor was in situ or totally contained in the pancreas, and surgically removed. There was no involvement in lymph nodes or metastasis. I was not diabetic before surgery, but did develop type 3c diabetes diagnosed around 1-1/2 years after surgery.
So much depends on the stage the pancreatic cancer is found. That determines the follow up treatments.
If your relative is able to have the surgery, that is a good thing. It means the doctors believe the pancreatic cancer is curable.
The most serious challenges after the surgery are in my experience, regaining strength and more specifically getting accustomed to the new digestive system. Finding the foods that work best for you, and adjusting your life to the "new normal" that will develop over months, and years. Your relative will likely need prescription strength pancreatic enzymes (like Creon) for the rest of their life. I have taken them since six months after surgery, and the medication helped me regain and maintain a good quality of life. Eventually, I was able to eat any foods I enjoyed before surgery. It does take time though and it can be a difficult journey.
I do not know how families of the patient can prepare, other than review information from your medical team, and offer love, support and especially patience to your relative. The path they will be taking is personal and can feel lonely even when surrounded by loved ones. But the strength needed to persevere has to come from within ones self. Love and concern from family and friends can make all the difference just to know someone cares and wants to help, even though sometimes they simply can't change your situation. I think that is often the hardest part for the loved ones of the patient. I was fortunate to have a loving spouse, family and close friends who loved and supported me through my ordeal. I drew a lot of strength from that, and it kept me going in challenging times.
I hope your relative has a successful surgery, and a quick recovery. If you have more specific questions, I will be glad to try and answer.