topic Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure in Coping with a loved one's cancer

My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

Grahame51 — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:50:55 GMT

My wife is in hospital recovering from a Whipple procedure surgery on the 24th June 2023..

She was diagnosed very early and fortunately the Surgeon was able to access the pancreatic growth and remove it without interference of too many blood vessels.

It seems the Lymph glands were not all, affected, so all of these factors are a very good indicator to a better recovery than many.

I am looking for ways to support her in every way possible.

Has anyone have advice for me.

Thanks Grahame51

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

LindaG — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 09:32:16 GMT

Hi Grahame, that’s very good news about your wife. Hope she will be home soon. My wonderful husband was my carer during chemo treatment. He did so much for me. Cooking, cleaning etc. But it was his emotional support that was so good too. Just give your wife whatever she needs and maybe ask her what she wants you to do. Love to you both 🙏💕 Linda G

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

kj — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 00:32:54 GMT

Hi Grahame

As Linda writes emotional support from you,and family is important.

It may take awhile to get used to post Whipple diet for her,all the best with her treatments and recovery.

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

Grahame51 — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 12:00:28 GMT

Thanks friends for the replies,

Chris had difficulties this last week as she was initially discharged from the Townsville Mater but that did not last 24hrs as she brought up black blood?

Being 3.30am in the wee hours of the Friday morning she was taken by the ambos to Townsville University hospital. A CT scan proved there was no internal bleeding but a blocked something?

She has had a week of trying different foods and keeping them down and not sicking up and only found her appetite in the last day.

Doctors now seem happy with her eating and blood, bowel and bladder functions so we are hoping for tomorrow or Friday as a discharge day.

She will have to stay here in Townsville until next Tuesday as that's the day the consultant surgeon can see her and clear her to travel home.

I am asking the medicos to clear her to fly home as a six hour car trip down the goat track called the Bruce Highway to Mackay would not be good for someone who has just had a Whipple surgery .

I find the days very long as I visit twice a day as well as do our washing and shop for food and such,

Add replying to friends and relative enquiries there's not much left out of long day.

It has been a big steep learning curve for me.

Thanks for reading this,

Grahame

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

kj — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 23:21:27 GMT

Grahame

Whipple is a very trying surgery,I found just taking one day at a time helped ,finding what foods you can eat is trial and error ,banana smoothie in hospital sustagon with milk,also scrambled egg was ok,we all recover at a different pace,glad the dark blood wasn’t more sinister,keep an eye on the colour of bowel motions for a few weeks,a stool softener is recommended.

I can see why you want to fly your wife home,good luck with the surgeons ok with that I can’t imagine travelling on a rough track so soon after surgery,It is a learning curve with all of your thoughts,and actions,very difficult to see your loved one going through this.It will get easier as time passes for your wife.

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

Grahame51 — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 09:40:57 GMT

We will have been home 2 weeks next Wednesday. Being comfortable in her own home is a big thing towards gaining a recovery.

It was very tedious in getting Chris through her diet,if you could call it that.A sparrow could starve on the minuscule amount of food she consumes.

She has started well on Protein drinks and has progressed to mainstream diet foods but only in tiny amounts and eats 5 or 6 times a day.

She is using Creon a drug that makes enzymes

She still has a drain bag but the the residue is becoming smaller day by day.

My god the replacement bags can be pricey from the chemist, They want $130 for a box of thirty.

My daughter -the nurse- rang the oncology people at the base hospital and was supplied a with couple.

Chris is feeling strong enough to prepare a meal, throw clothes in the wash and today even drove our car. She tires quickly though, but everyday there are new milestones she achieves.

Fingers crossed that she can maintain the daily improvements.

Regards to all

Grahame

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

kj — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 23:50:31 GMT

Hi Graham

That is wonderful news well done,yes fingers crossed ,she is doing all the right things on helping her recovery by moving and doing,Creon seems to be a standard part of recovery .

As time passes she will get less fatigue. Best wishes on her recovery

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

LindaG — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 00:48:07 GMT

Hi Grahame, so wonderful to have such a good update from you about your wife. She is doing really well. I remember those things like doing the washing or cooking were such achievements to start with. It sounds like you have been through the worst of it and it will just slowly get back to almost normal. Take care🙏💕. LindaG

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

Grahame51 — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 23:33:10 GMT

Hi Folks,

Chris sees Oncology at the base hospital today which is basically an information and instruction session pre actual hemo stage.

Next week she starts chemo proper and is to be fitted with a ( pick line?). Anyway that's what is sounds like to this part deaf old bugger. Something like a glorified semi permanent canula, just a means to deliver the chemo to her body.

The Oncology people are saying the first and second sessions will be the ones that tell.

If Chris gets through these initial sessions without too much reaction it will only get better from then on, I understand. Her regimen is every fortnight for six months.

Also we have had contact with the MY Aged Care people.

Previously I saw that being for old people but reality is being slated home to me,.

I am now, old people.

In truth, I really dislike being dependent on anyone and that is the most difficult part for me.

Cheers

Grahame

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

kj — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:30:22 GMT

Good luck with the chemo,

it is hard to realise sometimes we need a hand,and after a life of independence ,that decision is difficult, but I learned that if the boot was on the other foot you would be there for others.

We all need support during illnesses and can’t be too proud to ask of others.

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

Opacity — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 10:25:45 GMT

Hi Grahame (and Chris)

I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on September 1st 2022 at age 77. Initially I was keen on having the Whipple procedure but I had to undergo chemo first, to kill the

cancer cells that had spread to the four nearest lymph glands. (I was diagnosed quite early because of jaundice caused by a duct blockage between pancreas and liver.)

But unhappily I had a devastating reaction to the chemo, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, nausea and extreme stomach cramps. After three fortnightly doses I decided not to continue. At that point, death would have been welcome. I feared that the Whipple procedure would cause more digestive distress than I could bear, so I chickened out. I then had five weeks of radiation therapy. A few weeks later, another CT scan showed the primary cancer had shrunk to 2cm and the ducts and lymph glands were clear! Three months later, my most recent CT scan showed even more shrinkage of the tumour. All my vitals and blood tests were excellent, even for a 77 year old grandmother! The only meds that I took between the scans was medical CBD oil so that was interesting!? My next scan is due on October 25 so I will keep you updated. (Sorry this is so long but I’m hoping my little successes will give your wife some extra positivity.)
I send my best wishes and heartfelt sympathy to Chris. I hope she goes from strength to strength, and I’m sure your support means the world to her. I now live with my daughter who is my carer, secretary, cook, chauffeur and shoulder to cry on. She has been absolutely remarkable and I know you will be the same for your wife. Bless you both. Please keep posting!

Re: My wife is recovering from a Whipple procedure

Grahame51 — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:21:22 GMT

HI Folks'

Chris did her first chemo session this last Wednesday and came home with a pump that stayed with her until yesterday (Friday). She had been in dread of what the side effects would be.

Her joke about her pump is " Say hello to my little friend and points it like a gun.

So far all I have noticed is her susceptibility to cold, something we had been warned about.

We were unpacking groceries and Chris picked up a leek (we love leek and potato soup) and dropped it with a howl.She said it was like half electric shock and half having her fingers stuck to dry ice. The leek had only been stored in the Woolies cool cabinet , not the freezer.

We have to wash her clothes and eating utensils separately due to the cytotoxic possibilities of the chemo chemicals. Until one of the Oncology nurses explained it,I was unaware they chemo drugs in Chris bodily fluids could cancer to carers.

We are just taking it day by day for the moment.

Kindest regards to all

Grahame51