Time for my experience and help

Hi Carlos,

I’m glad to hear that you were able to speak to your mums doctor and that he was able to prescribe some different pain killers. Hopefully these will work better than the last ones and help your mum some more. And if she can also get some sleep and not be in so much pain then hopefully that will also help her mood and her recovery.

Best wishes to you both.

Gavin

Hi Carlos,

Sorry it’s a little late but welcome to the board. It looks like you have already discovered how supportive and knoweldgeable everyone on here is. People are so kind and helpful, there will always be someone to answer a question or ask advice from…..

My Dad had a failed liver resection in June 2009, he wasn’t as fortunate as your Mum, his cancer had spread so far in to his liver that it was not compatible with life and he died 9 days after surgery without ever coming round from his anaesthetic…

Wishing you and your Mum strength and good wishes as you face the journey ahead.

Katie

Good luck with your mum’s continued improvement, Carlos. Tell her we’re thinking of her (& of you, too!!)

Dear Carlos,

We are so glad that you found this group! The people here are wonderful and caring, and have so much knowledge and experience.

I had a five-hour surgery for a Klatskin tumor in 2004, and it took me about six weeks to really recover completely. (I was 46 then, younger than your mother.) It’s a very serious operation, and it takes time for the body to recover and start to function again.

Your mother’s surgery was only two weeks ago, so it’s normal that she’s experiencing pain and feels weak. I agree that you really need to get stronger painkillers for her. Her body can’t heal when she’s in pain. Also, it’s really good if she can stand up and walk around just a little, as often as she can, and try to walk a little more every day. That really helped me a lot. And she should eat very small amounts (even just a few bites) many times a day.

And tell her that she WILL feel better, much sooner than she thinks. I have had four big surgeries, and the time right afterwards is always so hard because you think you will always feel like that– weak, tired, and in pain. But our bodies are amazing, and she will feel better every day.

Best wishes to you and your mother!

Kristin

PS Your English is GREAT! (I’m an English teacher.)

Hi Carlos,

Like Gavin, my mom can not have surgery. However when she was first diagnosed she experienced pancreatitis after one of her procedures. It caused extreme pain and took her several weeks in hospital to recover. She did use a sleeping pill to get through the worst days and nights.

She was very depressed when she came home for almost two weeks. I think the combination of being diagnosed with cancer, being in extreme pain for weeks and not sleeping well left her with no reserves. I am happy to say that she did turn the corner and while her prognosis is not great, she is her sweet self again.

I am sending you positive energy from Canada.

Sharon

You are so right Carlos. You have to be strong enough and know that your decision is the right one. We just heard from a friend who used the same surgeon Teddy had for his Whipple. The surgeon knew we were friends and he told them the story of when he opened Teddy up 4 years ago for the 8 hour Whipple surgery> He said he opened him, turned to his Resident physician and said, What would you do?” The resident said “I would close him up, he is 73 and will never survive this.” About 2 hours in to the surgery he again asked the Resident, “what would you do now?” The resident said I would still close him up and let him just be, what ever time he has left.” Our surgeon said, “Oh yeah? Watch me.” So much depends on the luck of the draw when it comes to any doctor. You and us have just been very lucky! I do believe if you can get that pain under control, mom will improve a bit faster.