Hi everyone
KM recently wrote to us to explain that her husband is being considered for surgery on a small pre cancerous cyst on the tip of his pancreas. KM is worried about this - her husband is 73 and she’s not sure it (surgery) is the best options. If the cyst is pre-cancerous, then maybe it is best left alone. KM has asked if anyone else has had similar experiences and if so, would they mind posting them - it might be very helpful to her in making a final decision whether or not to proceed with surgery.
Regards
Jenny
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Pingback by Deciding on surgery for pancreatitis | Pancreatitis and Diet Support | Health News — February 19, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
Hello,
I am not sure this will help KM but decided sending it was better than not so she can decide. I was told that I had a growth on the tip of pancreas after a CT scan. Up until then I was experiencing a great deal of pain around the right side of my stomach So intense was the pain that riding in a car or sitting at my desk was almost impossible and I was willing to do anything to alleviate it. I had the surgery and the doctor performed a whipple procedure to re-attach the ducks to my small intestine. Well after the surgery that pain went away but a new pain developed on the left side and now am being told it is either fluid collection or scar tissue. I guess I traded one pain for another. But working a full day at my desk or taking sort rides in the car are much better. The surgery was performed 7/09 and I was out of work for 75 days going back on a light schedule and started working full days in December of 09. If KM discovered the growth early she might want to consider the surgery because I was told that this growth had been developing my whole life because the duck was never connected properly since birth. Originally I was told I had diabetes and kind of ignored that because of the amount of surger I used to consume but after addressing that more seriously is when the pain developed. Since the surgery my insulin amount has decreased by 30% but I am also being told that my pancreas is shoot because of a build up of calcium inside the pancreas and have to take enzymes before every meal, I have gained back 30 pounds also. 9/08 I weighed 215 lbs. by 1/09 I was down to 150 lbs. and before the surgery 130 lbs. I feel that an earlier diagnosis might have kept my pancreas working but who knows. Sorry if I have been long winded I just wanted to share as mush as possible because I wish I would have known about this web sight before my procedure, thank you.
Comment by Greg — February 28, 2010 @ 12:22 am
Hi all,
Just found this site, and like you Greg, I wish I had found it before my fiancé had his whipple procedure in May of 2006. If we knew then what we know now I think we would have had chemo first before the surgery to try and shrink and kill it first and then have surgery if it didn’t work. It’s been a rough 4 years of digestive trouble due to the surgery, but it beats the alternative. He lives on enzymes and just recently he went to a liquid and soft food diet and I think that was the answer to all his pain and digestive problems was food. If he don’t eat the wrong things he does fine. He was at 230 when he got sick. He is at 150 now, just trying to get him some nutrition has been a battle. His pc was at stage II when they got it so he was lucky. Greg if I may ask, how many enzymes and what strength do you take per day? He takes 2 or 3 with meals of pancrelipase 10 and 1 with snacks. I just wonder if that is good enough. But KM the surgery and chemo saved his life. Good luck on your decision.
Comment by Kim — March 18, 2010 @ 4:54 am
Hello Kim,
I take Viokase 16 pancrelipase, USP each tablet contains Lipase 16,000USP units, Protease 60,000USPunits, Amylase 60,000 usp units. Now here is the weird part, the first Dr. told me to take 30 pills a day and the second Dr. told me just to take “some” before meals. Well I don’t eat a breakfast so I just take 8 every morning with coffee but snack at my desk all morning. take another 8 before lunch and then another 8 before dinner. I also drink a home made protein shake when I get home from work everyday and on weekends. I eat normal foods for a diabetic staying away from starches but plenty of meat and vegetables. I have put on 30 pounds and am still going up. I think your fiance must have been further along than me because chemo was not given to me as an option but with the medical profession today who knows. my pain is still subsiding and I am VERY tired late afternoon so much so that I take a 2 hour nap everyday. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask. I hope this helps.
Good Luck,
Greg
Comment by Greg — March 19, 2010 @ 9:01 am