whipple

202 articles

Illustration of Whipple anatomy

If your tumor is in the head of the pancreas and has not spread, you may qualify for a Whipple procedure. What can you expect from this complex surgery?

Survivor Stories
December 18, 2019 • 6 Min

Blessed to Be Here and Healthy

Jacqueline Sims-Mayes is blessed to be a pancreatic cancer survivor. Her faith helped her through a difficult recovery from Whipple surgery.

Survivor Stories
June 24, 2021 • 3 Min

Carefully Choosing My Doctor

Doris Bowdoin researched to find the best doctor for her pancreatic cancer. Now she advocates for others through the Witches of St. Andrews.

Survivor Stories
December 23, 2021 • 6 Min

Learning to Recognize the Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Recognizing the symptoms of pancreatic cancer is key to early detection. Laura Metzger’s story illustrates the importance of detecting pancreatic cancer early.

Survivor Stories
March 29, 2023 • 4 Min

A Second Opinion Felt Right

Bonnie Dahl considered treatment for stage I pancreatic cancer near home but felt a second opinion and a bigger cancer center were important.

Survivor Stories
April 19, 2023 • 4 Min

Two-Year Survivor and Going Strong

Susan Hoopengarner coordinated her care between a local hospital and a major cancer center for chemotherapy and a Whipple procedure.

Survivor Stories
June 27, 2023 • 6 Min

A Fighting Spirit

Resilience best describes Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr., a long-term survivor of lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, and a heart emergency.

Survivor Stories
August 30, 2023 • 4 Min

Lots and Lots of Research Leads to a Better Outcome

Dan Grunfeld put his experience as a chemist to good use as he researched pancreatic cancer treatments to find a clinical trial.

Survivor Stories
January 24, 2024 • 4 Min

Don’t Give Up

Joe Pearson responded so well to chemotherapy that even with a stage III tumor near a blood vessel he was able to have Whipple surgery.

Survivor Stories
August 6, 2024 • 4 Min

Lucky to Find It Early

When Jeneen Genna did not feel well her doctor searched until they found pancreatic cancer. The BRCA2 mutation has her in a clinical trial.

Patient Voices
October 5, 2020 • 5 Min

Sometimes Life Hits You in the Head

Pancreatic cancer survivor William Ramshaw shares his advice about managing life after diagnosis and during treatment for other patients.

Survivor Stories
March 18, 2020 • 9 Min

Picking a Clinical Trial for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

When Robert Weker was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he believed a clinical trial was his best chance of reducing the tumor enough for a Whipple.

Survivor Stories
June 16, 2020 • 9 Min

Facing My Biggest Danger: Pancreatic Cancer

After Gary Carmichael finally found the source of his digestive troubles, he had a Whipple procedure to remove his pancreatic cancer.

Survivor Stories
August 9, 2019 • 7 Min

After Surviving Pancreatic Cancer, a Moral Obligation to Share

Tom Dinwiddie knew he needed surgery to survive stage IV neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer; he got a new protocol of treatment before surgery.

Survivor Stories
August 17, 2022 • 6 Min

Going Outside Standard Protocol Changed Everything

Sharon Rockmaker was determined to have a Whipple procedure despite having stage IV pancreatic cancer, and she finally did.

Survivor Stories
August 27, 2021 • 4 Min

A Life-Saving, Life-Changing Diagnosis

Randi C. Ervin’s primary care doctor suspected she had something more than prediabetes. Testing showed pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.