Hi everyone
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Stacy, *all* surgeons do the frozen sections biopsy. It’s the only kind of biopsy that can be done quickly in the middle of a surgery. My point was, you want an experienced, skilled pathologist doing it. Let’s hope your FIL gets a good one on Monday!
Best wishes,
EliNo OY on the new job could be what the Doctor ordered! Change of pace everything new. Congratulations and good luck. I hear you on the Ostrich famiily. We have never been ones to do that and personally for us it worked best to talk about everything. No surprises. Curious, has the Doctor discussed in front of them what is happening and all about CC? Have a relaxing weekend, you deserve it.
Hi all,
Thank you for all your kind replies. The nurse from the surgeon’s office did call back and tell me that they are going to do the frozen pathology. That’s exactly the type that you all told me not to have done. I told my mother in law this and she just shrugged it off. So I’m removing myself from the situation for the weekend. They are the type of people to stick their heads in the sand and I am the opposite. So for the time being I am resting and praying. To add to the stress I start a new job on Wednesday. Oy.
Eli…..thanks for pointing this out. Like you I have learned that specialists vary with their approach in regards to removal of the pylorus. Patients might want to ask their surgeons as to why he/she supports one procedure over the other.
Hugs and love,
MarionAnderson-I am sorry about your frustration. I just wanted to tell you to feel free to call (618-567-3247) if your FIL would like to talk, sometimes talking to someone who has been there helps. I have 2 Dr. Chapman success stories on my FB page (Catherine Sims Dunnagan) that he might like to read.
I am glad you did contact Barnes and Dr. Chapman we are so lucky to have them in our back yard, you at least have a plan B!!
We will keep your FIL and family in our prayers.
CathyMarion,
The classic Whipple resection removes all the organs you mentioned, plus it also removes pylorus (the bottom part of the stomach).
Some surgeons perform a newer version of Whipple that preserves the pylorus. The jury is still out which version is better.
My wife had the classic Whipple, i.e. her pylorus was removed. Our surgeon said that clinical trials of the pylorus-preserving Whipple failed to demonstrate any tangible benefits in terms of recovery, quality of life, etc. He thinks the classic Whipple is better from oncology point of view… less chance that cancer cells are left behind in the pylorus.
Eli
Stacy,
There are lots of important questions you can ask your surgeon. But… if you are going to see him the morning of the surgery, I say leave the poor guy alone.
Let him focus on the task at hand.About your FIL. Fully agree with Marion and Lainy. There’s only so much you can do.
Good luck on Monday and please keep us posted.
Best wishes,
EliDear Andersonsj, I would feel the same way as you do. Your FIL is probably scared but this journey is frustrating enough without having a ‘patient’ who can’t see what is best for him/her. I am still sending all the best in every way for Monday and yes, Marion, you remember Teddy well, that is exactly what they did during his Whipple.
Anderson, when you say you are done you remind me of the Surgeon who did Teddy’s Whipple. We were all sitting in the waiting room his kids, my kids, Grandkids and after the 8 hour surgery the Dr. Henry walks in and says, “Stick me with a fork, I am done!”anderson….I agree. You can only do so much; your FIL has the ultimate say and is exerting his control over the situation. In re: to questions you may want to ask the physician: does the resection include the removal of the proximal duodenum (first portion of the small intestine), head of the pancreas, common bile duct, and gallbladder. This is what I believe, entails a complete Whipple operation.
Good luck on Monday and please, continue to get some rest. The days to come will be rather stressful as is.
Hugs and love,
MarionI am past my breaking point. I showed my FIL the videos from Barnes for Dr. Chapman for the therapy he’s doing with the CC. My FIL said to call his surgeon that he has the Whipple scheduled with to see how many of the procedures he had done. The nurse tells me she has no idea. It’s too hard to track. So they tell me to call Dr. Chapman. I call and speak with his wonderful receptionist and make the appointment just like they told me to. Then they call me back and tell me we’re just going to stick with the original plan. If things go badly then we’ll go see Dr. Chapman. They spoke with a doctor friend of theirs and he told them they’ll do the same thing at Barnes. I’m done. 😡
I just wanted to say I hope everything goes well for your father-in-law.
He is so lucky to have such a caring daughter-in-law. Come and visit us whenever you need to. We will be here to help. Take care and best wishes.-Pam
I wasn’t with them when they went to the consult with the surgeon. I do know they are going to do the Whipple surgery. That’s about all the details I have at this point. I plan to play 20 questions with him when I see him Monday morning. My kind nurse practitioner who is an angel sent from above gave me good meds and I have been able to rest and nap. I feel like a new woman. Any specific questions I should ask?
anderson….this disease has a way of throwing us off balance; sleepless, worrisome nights appear to be a side effect. Please, get some rest.
I am wondering: has the physician explained the proposed surgery in detail?
Hugs and love,
MarionWow. I am completely blown away by the amount of support and encouragement I have received from you all. I’m truly humbled. My in-laws moved to northern Minnesota back in 2000 and my brother in law had not been back to visit us here in Mt Carmel since then. He actually showed up yesterday to surprise them. I think that will do wonders for my father in law’s disposition. Cathy-I am completely blown away that you were so close. Unbelievable. I do believe after the surgery and we find out what exactly we are facing I will suggest they go to Barnes. I will drive them myself if I have to.
The only thing that concerns me is that the surgeon has advised that it is a 3 hour surgery. I’m getting a lot longer time frames from you guys that have experienced this first hand. They have said that he would spend a few days in intensive care and another week in the hospital beyond that. Anyways the oncologist is already on board and she said she would stop by and visit him while he was in the hospital.
I have had to go to the doctor myself to get meds to help me sleep. I guess the stress of the situation is affecting me more than I thought. I’d went 2 weeks with sleeping 2-3 hours a night. So here we go. We’re going to spend the weekend watching our local semi-pro hockey team play and play cards and laugh. I really hope things go well. I can’t imagine life without this wonderful man.
Hi Stacy,
Welcome to the site. So sorry that you had to find us all and I am sorry alos to hear about your father in law as well. But I am glad that you have joined us all as you have come to the best place for support and help, and you will get tons of both from everyone here.
I can’t hep you personally about surgery as my dad never had surgery, it wasn’t an option for him. But I just wanted to join in with the others in welcoming you here. My dad had many of the same symptoms that your father in law had and they are very common indeed.
We all know that feeling of being scared I guess and I certainly was as well when we got my dads diagnosis. Everyone around here will be able to relate to what you are feeling right now and you are not alone, we are all here for you. I hope that you will keep coming back here, ask any questions that you have and we will do our best to help you. We know what you are going through and we care.
My best wishes to you and your family,
Gavin
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