Thank you to Bert

[Guest guest]

Hello again, Bert!

Thank you for your reply to my post. My surgeon has explained all

the risks, both of the surgery itself and the fact that there can be

no absolute guarantee of being pain-free afterwards. I would expect

to be in hospital for a number of weeks depending on my recovery. I

know one person who was in for 4 weeks and one for 5. He did not

try to push me to make a decision. My gastroenterologist (not the

panc specialist/surgeon) had already told me that there can still be

pain later. The surgeon did tell me that some of those on high pain

meds still need them, although less, afterwards.

I am 57 and had my first bad pain attack at the age of 5! Mine is

hereditary pancreatitis and I understand from both my gastro

and the surgeon AND all the info on this site that there is a 40%

age-related risk of cancer with hereditary pancreatitis. That does

concentrate the mind a little! The risk seems to be because it is so

long-standing......52 years in my case!!!

The worst thing is that both of them have left it to me to make the

decision; they haven't tried to force me at all. The gastro was

careful to tell me to weigh everything up and the surgeon was

totally professional and balanced as well.

My pain attacks are making it increasingly difficult to work and

live normally. I could retire now anyway, of course (not that I want

to...I love my job), but that's not the point. I don't really want

to face a life of severe pain and increasingly strong pain-killers,

with a very high cancer risk and the risk of acute pancreatitis

(which I have never had but could have as the disease progresses) if

there is even a reasonable chance of a pain-free (or less pain)

existence with more peace of mind.

My surgeon is one of the very top panc specialists and has a

particular interest in hereditary pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer

etc. He told me that at this hospital they generally do not remove

anything except the panc itself. He is known for developing this

particular approach. (I presume it may not always be possible.)I

have never had any other surgeries in that area. No surgery other

than TP would be useful now anyway as I have extensive

calcifications all through the pancreas.

Not an easy decision for me!

With thanks again and very best wishes for your excellent health,

Bert. I admire you for having gone through the surgery and come out

the other side!

Fliss (Felicity Brown)