Whipple Op - questions

melyum · New User Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

Hello all

this is my first post... I have a tumor on the amplulla and I'm scheduled for Whipple surgery next month - they think the tumor is benign at this stage, but it's grown up into the bile duct so they won't know the full situation until surgery.

I'm wondering .... do they cut the breast bone or ribs for the surgery ? Also - my surgeon want to re attach my pancreas to my stomach - has anyone else had this done with success ?

Is the feeding through the neck vein a horrible experience ? Does it hurt ?

Thanking you in advance - Mel xx

wannaknow · Senior User Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 145

melyum:
Wishing You the best in your upcoming surgery & recovery

As a former caregiver, I'll attempt to answer a question or two/

Operation - No need to cut your ribs or breast bone - the incision(s) (depending on method) will be much lower.

Here is link to pancreas info - strongly suggest you search a bunch on the internet to get up to gain all the info you can - helps with questions to Doctors and might lower anxiety.

http://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/BasicOverview1.php?area=ba

Feeding thru neck - not sure where that one is coming from - if they decide to put you on IV nutrition right after the surgery - does not automatically have to be the neck - I do not remember hearing (or seeing it) that at all on the board here - did the surgeon mention that?

melyum · New User Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

Thank you so much for your reply Wannaknow and the link - I will go there straight away...

Yes the surgeon said I'd be fed via a tube in my neck ... which sounds very unapealing to me for some reason...

Thank you again.

Warmest regards -Mel xxx

wannaknow · Senior User Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 145

melyum:
I just googled Feeding Tubes and still did not see any that used the neck.

I would do your own google / internet search on that topic (and every other one in your journey) and then "challenge" the doctor on why the neck is being used, other options, how long, etc.

My Mom had a central venous catheter implanted under the skin in her upper chest (can also be placed in neck & arm) for Chemo treatments at one point.

know it can get hectic with all the decisions, terms and with the weight of the impending operation. Try to break into small pieces - take lots of breaks with any sort of favorite distractions - recruit some help & delegate where you can.

All the Best

melyum · New User Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

Thank you again ! Well - that just shows how stressed I am - it didn't even occur to me to do a google search !

Good advice - I'll try and do more fun things ....

Appreciate your replies to me - very much.

Mel xx

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

mom has had an iv picc line and was fed after her colon surgurie-untill her organs worked properly again and to make sure nutirnts were being absorbed-Im sure it works the same way. moms had that in her neck once and her right and left arm already- she clamed the proceedure isnt too long and things werent as bad as she imagined-They will probably give you a glucose solution and vitamins added its a slow drip- and you may be able to do it at home. Its also not as complicated as it first appears. believe me . Its a wonderfull thing in a way-will keep you going untill your body can take over-they called it TPN Total parental nutrition. There is also a PN too look it up and you will see its not complicated.
Dont let the long line they show scare you-goes in and out easily. hang in there.

melyum · New User Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

Oh that is VERY comforting to hear ! Thanks Sheila.

One less thing to worry about !

Mel xxx

Redwine · New User Joined: 27 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

My father went through the Whipple procedure and I will not wish this on anyone. He fell ill in July 09', diagnosed in September 09', Whipple in November 09', died December 27 09'. I wish he had lived his last few weeks at home instead of being in agony at the hospital and alone when he died.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

Melyum- its not soo much the proceedure its the way ones body is able to cope and heal and adjust. unfortunately things happen-but thats the way things are in every walk of life -good trusted doctor, individual faiths, attitude family or friend support determination-health of ones body age etc all play a part in recoverery of anything. There are alot of positives and negatives in life and they tend to balance one another-hang in there and keep us posted!
in my thoughts and prayers Smile

melyum · New User Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks Sheila - that's very encouraging !

I'm booked for Monday ... I will report of course... and hopefully be able to help others once I'm out the other side...

I'm fighting off a cold just now - so hopefully that will go - I just couldn't bare to put off the op ... it would do my head in ... just want to get on with it.

Many thanks again - Mel x

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