The Whipple Procedure
November 12th 2008 11:58
After my diagnosis, I was sent to St Louis to see a specialist. The day I arrived I met with a Dr who knew exactly what was wrong and how they would fix it. I was sent for yet another CT scan and then sent home. After arriving home I received a call from the Dr.’s nurse she had said that the Dr wanted my surgery to be done as soon as possible. He would not be able to do the surgery, he would be out of town. She explained that he had a Dr that he trusted completely and wanted me to come back and meet with him. We made another 300 mile trip back to St Louis to meet with another Dr. when we met him we knew that he was the one we wanted to do my surgery. He was very confident and knew exactly what would happen or what could happen. He explained in detail what we could expect during and after the surgery. If you have never read about the Whipple Procedure I recommend you do a search and read about it. During the procedure I had my gallbladder removed, part of my bowl, intestine and the head of my pancreas. A vein graph was also done, so a section of a vein was taken from my leg. I was lucky though most have to have part of the stomach removed. I did not have to have that done, thank goodness! The day before the surgery I went into the hospital and was admitted. I had to drink the worst tasting stuff I had ever drank. Sleeping that night was not an option, when you have had to sign paperwork that explains the risks again and you have to sing that you understand you could die. That is a hard thing to deal with and to sleep when you know the next day is the day. My parents and husband came to see me that morning before I was taken to surgery. My sisters were trying to make it before I went in and I could not tell you if they did. Shortly after seeing my husband and parents I was taken to the surgery holding area. In this area they start your IV’s, you meet with the person who will be administering the Anesthesia. I was introduced to the other Dr.’s who would be assisting. I had a Dr who would assist with the Bowl, another would help with the Vein graph, and yet another would do that intestine. My Dr would remove the head of the pancreas and remove my gallbladder. From what I have been told I was in surgery for Hours, I still am not sure how many hours. When I woke up the pain was so horrible, my pain pump had not been hooked up. I had had no pain medicine sense I came out of the O.R. I remember when my husband came close to me, I yelled at him not to touch me. When he realized I had nothing for pain he called the nurse and they had not realized it was not hooked up. Needless to say I had pain medicine after that.
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Comment by The Women-No Man's Land.
The Women- No Man's LAND.