Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy

[Go green sue]

I have been monitored for 2 years for IPMT's in the pancreas. My recent scan has shown growth and changes in the tumours. So on 16th August I am having a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy - hopefully the disease hasn't spread in which case he will take the whole pancreas instead of half.

Has anyone else had a laparoscopic distal done and if so what are the post op recovery time like.

I am so scared. My mum died of pancreatic cancer at 62 and so did her dad. Although things weren't as advanced medically then. I am 60 at Christmas.

Best wishes to other members Sue

[Didge]

Hi Sue. My fella had the normal distal pancreatectomy (not keyhole) but I can tell you that he had brilliant recovery and no post op probs whatsoever so I imagine keyhole surgery would be even better. I have read somewhere that you must be sure that with keyhole pancreatectomies you must make sure your surgeon does quite a few of these but that should be a given even for normal pancreatectomies. So please make sure you are having your surgery at one of the specialist hospitals listed on this site if possible. I am happy to tell me where my fella's was done here in London if you message me privately as I am not supposed to name hospitals. Is it just the op you are scared of or whether it has progressed? I would not be worried about the surgery as it is more minor than the Whipple's surgery for the head of the pancreas and I would also rather anything to do with PC is out rather than in so see that as a positive if you can! Good luck and let us know how you get on. As I am sure you are aware you will get as much support as you want from this site!

[Didge]

Oh, I should add that my fella also had his spleen removed and half his stomach and one adrenal gland. The only post op prob he had was being unable to eat much for a couple of months after the op but that was the same before the op anyway and was understandable as he now has a smaller stomach! But that was the only post op problem. He was already diabetic and has become less diabetic since the op, possibly because he is now 4 stone lighter! He does not take creons which a lot of people here take.

[Go green sue]

Hi Didge, thanks for your positive reply. I think I am frightened of both the disease having spread and the operation itself . I have already had 9 major ops on my spine for degeneration of the spine and coped very well, but it was the way the surgeon said to my hubby it is a major operation- I didn't know what to expect but you helped so much. I have checked on here and I am having my op at one of the recommended hospitals and did ask the consultant if he had done the laparoscopic pancreatectomy many times and he said he does at least one a week, he sounded confident. You are right anything to do with P C is better out. I can't go on as I am I struggle to eat and have lost weight and now only weigh 7st 7 . I'm only 5ft 4 but used to be 10 7. I daren't go far unless I know there is a toilet near and I daren't eat out. Creon doesn't seem to help. I am already on fentanyl and morphine for my back.

How's your fella doing now? Did he have the dreaded C or did he have suspicious cystic tumours like me?

Giv him my best wishes and you sound a brill support to him.

Will keep you posted

Sue

[Go green sue]

Hi , I have my distal pancreatectomy tomorrow provided there is a HDU bed available. I am very apprehensive but will let you know how I get on.

Best wishes to everybody Sue

[RLF]

Good luck Sue!

I hope everything goes smoothly for you, keep us updated!

Rob

x

[sandraW]

Hi Sue,

My husband also had a distal pancreatectomy, but for some reason his was called a sub total pancreatectomy, done on 11th September last year, (not keyhole). They removed 2/3rds of his pancreas, his spleen, and 7 lymph nodes, they thought that they would have to remove part of his stomach but didn't need to. It was the first time he had had serious surgery, and it is very scary indeed. He was in HDU for 48hours and then back in the ward, he had his operation on the Wednesday and was home the following Wednesday evening, so he did really well. It took a little while to build up his appetite and he

did a little more everyday but got plenty of rest, within 4 weeks he was pottering in the garden. It is 49 weeks since his op and he is at the moment well, he still gets tired quite easily but we forget he is 68 now, he has had 12 courses of Chemotherapy,and managed that well too. We have just had 4 days in London with our grandson, then last week 4 days in Disney land Paris with our granddaughters, even though he was tired he managed all the walking well. PC is a dreadful scary disease but we just make the most of what time we have together and make the most of things. Good luck for tomorrow, but I am sure you will be fine, will be thinking of you take care sandrax

[Go green sue]

Hi, thanks rob for your support and thank you Sandra for telling me about your husband, it is so reassuring- I have been told I will be 48 hours in HDU and then a further 6 days on the ward. Hopefully I will do aswell as your husband. It is scary but like you love to spend time with my grandchildren and that keeps me going!!

Best wishes to you and your hubby and I will keep you posted .

Love Sue xx

[Slewis7313]

Best of luck for tomorrow Sue!

Steve

X

[Go green sue]

Thanks Steve, all your support means so much!!

Will keep you informed Sue xx

[jay]

Good luck for today Sue, thinking of you,

love Jayne

x

[Go green sue]

Hi everyone, I did try to post a message but don't think I managed it.

It is 25 days since my op and I am going home today. It was not pleasant but certainly not as bad as I expected. I unfortunately developed an abscess behind my stomach so had to have a second drain fitted and this delayed my recovery. Now my appetite is returning amazingly and I do take creon.

I still get tired but feel quite well.

Will let you know how I am when I get home.

Love and hugs to everybody struggling out there.

Sue xxxxx

[Slewis7313]

Sue, Great to hear that you are heading home and that things overall have gone well. Good luck and looking forward to your next update.

Steve

X

[Go green sue]

Thanks for your reply Steve, how are things going with you at the moment? I too have private health insurance but my specialist centre at Sheffield has been excellent so I have not had to use it.

Sincere hugs Sue

[Slewis7313]

I'm doing pretty well at the moment. Whilst I do have the luxury of access to private insurance through my employer, I cannot fault the treatment I have received from the NHS in Wales, both Primary and Secondary Care.

Hope you have a quick recovery, though with this damned thing it does take a while!

Steve

X

[sandraW]

Hi Sue, glad to hear you are feeling better, and that your appetite is improving, I am sure you will feel even better now you are back home. take care sandrax

[Bowie]

Sue, glad it's gone well and you are due home. Hope things continue to go well for you and your recovery. Fiona X

[Didge]

Hi Sue. Sorry you had a complication but hope you are enjoying being home now and that you continue to make great progress! Let us know how you get on. We are all rooting for you! x

[RoyBoy]

Hi Sue,

I have just read your whole story for the first time. You seem a brave and amazing lady. Good luck with your recovery. I take Creon and I take 120,000 ( 3 x 40 ) with dinner, and with everything I eat, except fruit. Take care x