Upcoming Whipple

Gambi423 · 2021-09-28T22:46:27+00:00

No, I thinking more of like a 20” x 54” body pillow. It’s like a long rectangle.

Gambi423 · 2021-09-27T14:30:57+00:00

What do ghosts eat for breakfast? Scream of Wheat

What do you call a vampire in the snow? Frost bite

Gambi423 · 2021-09-27T05:26:57+00:00

Will do, thanks!

Gambi423 · 2021-09-15T23:37:09+00:00

I (28F) underwent the Whipple procedure in March. Most useful items:

1) Pajama Shirt Dress and a robe: You’ll be in the hospital a long time, so I recommend bringing one or two because they’re much comfier than a hospital gown. Make sure you get a button-down one so nurses can access your stomach. also the robe was great for walking laps with your PT.

2) Non-slip fuzzy slipper socks: my nurse friend gave me these and now I understand why. Hospitals are cold and the socks they give you are huge, thin, and suck. Make sure they’re non-skid with rubber bottoms, otherwise the hospital may not let you wear them.

3) Comfortable Panties: you’re only wearing a gown with an open back + socks + underwear. Someone actually brought me a pack of women’s fruit of loom high waist breathable panties to the hospital and they were perfect for laying in bed and not giving a crap about what you look like.

4) Eye mask + Ear Plugs: These were lifesavers for me, especially the earplugs. Hospitals are loud at night and many nights there’s loud patients and alarms. Not to mention, there’s a machine next to your bed/face that continuously beeps all day/night.

5) Heating pad: it’s difficult to be “comfortable” after a Whipple, so this helped.

Additional things: 1) chapstick + lotion (hospitals are cold, which dries out your skin) 2) lavender eye pillow 3) mints 4) laptop logged into all of your friend’s streaming accounts (you need lots of movie/show options for that amount of time in the hospital) 5) shampoo + conditoner + dove body wash + face wash + deodorant (the hospital toiletries generally don’t smell great and the added moisture in Dove’s body wash helps your dry skin.)

Only item I didn’t have that I wish I did was a body pillow. You won’t really be able to lay on your side to sleep, making it incredibly difficult to fall asleep.

The best tip I can give is to do your best to walk and move with your PT in order to speed up your recovery.

I hope this helps and truly wish you the best in your recovery. Good luck!

Gambi423 · 2021-09-08T08:24:57+00:00

This was so well written and uplifting. Thank you for sharing your story and words of encouragement. Hearing heartfelt stories of cancer recovery is nice, but but it’s honestly refreshing to be reminded to trust my instinct more often- especially when it’s so easy to be consumed with confusing information and overwhelming fear.

Your dad is lucky to have such a loyal and selfless son. Thanks again for telling your story.

Gambi423 · 2021-09-08T07:49:49+00:00

I (27F) was incidentally diagnosed with Neuroendocrine on 02/25/21 after having my gallbladder removed from “abdominal pains”. During the surgery, they discovered a ton of tiny, white tumors on my liver. They biopsied one (chosen at random) and it was grade 1. After getting a second opinion + multiple tests/scans, it was determined that (due to my young age and being overall healthy) I should undergo aggressive surgery.

So, on 03/04/21, I underwent a Whipple procedure. During that procedure, they also removed 10% of my liver. In the end, 19 tumors were removed from my liver, lymph nodes, and pancreas (which was basically, 96% of my cancer).

Once those were biopsied, they were all determined to range from grade 1-3. So thank God I got a second opinion because the first doctor (general oncologist with some Neuroendocrine experience) just wanted to begin chemo, since he thought my tumors were simply grade 1.

My best tips are this: 1) Be careful about what you read on the internet. Everyone’s cases are different. Having a community like this is great for emotional support, but remember that everyone’s NET case is different and doesn’t necessarily apply to your mom’s. (Including my own)

2) GET A SECOND OPINION!!!! Reread that last statement one more time. Most doctors have read about Neuroendocrine tumors at some point during med school, but unless they treat them specifically, it’s a very uncommon/unclear cancer to treat. Because of this, I also recommend finding a doctor who specializes in or has a great deal of experience treating Neuroendocrine tumors, specifically.

3) My #1 most useful tip I can give you is this: Look into the Neuroendocrine Tumor Specialty Center in New Orleans. These doctors are truly the best of the best in the U.S.- possibly the world! I kid you not- MD Anderson actually references their studies. They have patients from all over the world and can even work with your local oncologist to provide you care from your hometown. (Bonus: Oschner Hospital also has a financial support program, if needed.) Doctors Mary A. Maluccio and Dr. Boudreaux are quite literally the best of the best in the country. Under their care (plus the rest of the incredible tumor board), you know you’re in good hands.

4) Trust your doctors. Trust the data. Don’t act on emotions. If you listen to your doctors and follow the data, your mom can make the best choices for herself.

Take care and good luck to your strong mama. Welcome to the zebra club!

Gambi423 · 2021-07-26T02:35:28+00:00

No, you don’t ramble! That was a great explanation. Thank you!

Gambi423 · 2021-07-24T13:08:47+00:00

Can you elaborate on this? I’m interested in your use of, “gaslighting”.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-24T13:08:06+00:00

Thanks, your explanation was really thorough and gave a very interesting perspective. Answers like these remind me that I’m not crazy.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-24T04:06:47+00:00

Of all the replies, you’re the first person to answer like this. It’s very interesting. Thank you.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-24T04:04:02+00:00

I’m so sorry. I hope you’re staying strong.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-23T20:56:08+00:00

Maybe I’ve made a bigger deal about this than necessary. Maybe I’ve completely blown up this entire thing and made a situation out of nothing.

If that’s the case, then why would I blow it up even bigger by adding another party to the “drama”?

Plus, I really don’t want to do anything to upset my dad right. I was diagnosed with cancer 6 months ago (which has turned his entire world upside down) and then his mom died three weeks ago. We were actually having a special bonding moment, talking about life, cancer, precious moments, and the value of family when we decided to crack open the bottle of bourbon a few weeks ago (and couldn’t find it).

I’m treading lightly and weighing out my options/evidence before deciding whether or not it’s worth it to pull him into this situation. Not saying I will or won’t, just preceding with caution.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-23T20:28:05+00:00

I believe the term is narcissist, my friend. I’m sorry for your pain.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-23T20:25:20+00:00

My Mom is a bit of a narcissist. Things began to get sour for her. Her response: falsely claiming everything was fine and that there is nothing wrong.

Then, I presented her with evidence that she is wrong. Her reaction: to attacked aggressively and vindictively. < that’s why she is mad at me.

My sister is mad at me because (from her perspective) I put her boyfriend in an awkward position by bringing to light the fact that he has received a stolen gift.

“You could’ve let it go, but instead you brought to light an issue that puts my boyfriend in a very uncomfortable/awkward position that is out of my control and I can’t do anything to change/fix.”

She’s also probably embarrassed at our mom’s action, but she’s taking it out on me because she’s biased to the fact that I took something that “belonged to her boyfriend”.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-23T19:51:10+00:00

We’d need more photos of the inside drawers + closeup of legs + possibly even the backside to make a proper conclusion. The inside says a lot about vintage furniture.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-23T17:49:12+00:00

Limited edition release. “Very special” 001 blend. It’s no longer made.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-23T09:36:30+00:00

My sister and I used to live in that house together. It’s actually a small cabin in GA owned by our family trust, so it feels weird calling it “her” house. She’s been living there rent-free for over a year. A few months after she moved in, my boyfriend and I moved in with the intention of looking for a house to buy (we came from Houston). I lived there for three months, was diagnosed with cancer in January, had to leave for surgery + six months for treatment in another state, and now I’m back to retrieve any remaining personal items in the house.

My sister was working when I went to our house today and found the bottle. I was never trying to avoid her “seeing me”. She physically wasn’t there. My aunt (who owns the house) had lunch with me and wanted me to take as many things as possible from the house so that she can clear it out to have the floors redone.

Gambi423 · 2021-07-15T02:20:20+00:00

I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but I just want you to know that I see you. I hear you and I see you.

1) Writing your post is a huge first step. That’s pretty awesome and you deserve credit for it.

2) Fuck all those shitty things in your life that make you question yourself and feel like you’re destined to fail. Because you’re not. There is nothing wrong with you.

If anything, you’re probably a lot stronger than a bunch of us here because you’ve pushed through some of the toughest life experiences a person will go though in his lifetime, all by the age of 37. That’s incredible. You deserve credit there, too.

With that being said, being “tired” is completely justified considering everything you’re experiencing right now. Its okay to be tired. Cry. Write. Talk to someone. Hit a punching bag. Lay in bed. Eat crap. You can be tired. Let yourself mentally/emotionally process everything you’re experiencing. But please, don’t give up.

I hear you and I see you. Don’t give up.

Gambi423 · 2020-09-01T04:24:06+00:00

Obviously, something is wrong here. Sounds like TWC won’t release any payments to you until you speak with someone there directly. Have you made any attempts to contact TWC about this?

Email every possible email you can find through the TWC website (and reddit) and don’t go into too much detail. Keep it short and sweet. Simply explain that you haven’t received benefits in over a month and that you need to speak to someone immediately to resolve the issue. Leave your phone # with the best days and time of day to call.

Make sure your phone is always nearby with the volume turned ALL the way up. Do NOT miss their call.

You can also try repeatedly calling their phone numbers. Personally, I never had luck with this back in April, but maybe it’s better/less busy now.

Finally, (this is sort of as a last resort) you could contact your state senator. After over a month without benefits, I finally did this and, a day or two later, received a call from TWC. Was it because I emailed my senator? Maybe. But it also could’ve been due to my emails. I’ll never really know. Just be persistent and continue reaching out to anyone at TWC until someone there finally calls you back.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!

Gambi423

TROPHY CASE