whipple

205 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
August 21, 2018 • 6 Min

I Have So Much to Live For

Mary Gillam knew that she had to fight after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis. She traveled to where she would get the best treatment and a clinical trial.

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.

Survivor Stories
June 1, 2023 • 4 Min

No One Fights Alone

Because of her grandfather, Rhonda Havig knew she had a family history of pancreatic cancer. But her own diagnosis was still a surprise.

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
September 23, 2021 • 5 Min

The Butterfly Effect and Living Every Day to My Fullest

Because Helene Avraham-Katz has the BRCA2 mutation, certain chemotherapies work better and she is eligible for specific clinical trials.

Survivor Stories
August 26, 2016 • 3 Min

Making a Risky Choice

Judith Zitiello’s pancreatic cancer was wrapped around the hepatic artery, but she chose the laparoscopic Whipple procedure instead of chemotherapy alone.

Survivor Stories
June 14, 2022 • 5 Min

Go Live Your Life

After his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Dean Jackson took his treatment of chemotherapy, radiation, and a Whipple procedure step by step.

Survivor Stories
July 19, 2017 • 5 Min

Hope and a Chance to Fight

Irwin Greenblatt just wanted a chance, so after Whipple surgery he agreed to join a chemotherapy clinical trial. His wife Audrey tells their story.

Survivor Stories
November 7, 2019 • 3 Min

Around to Enjoy the Simple Pleasures of Life

Ken Vickers is enjoying family, friends, and riding his Harley Davidson around the country after pancreatic cancer and a Whipple procedure.

Survivor Stories
June 3, 2020 • 8 Min

A Second Opinion Changes the Pancreatic Cancer Game Plan

Gregg Wittman’s doctors diagnosed him with stage IV pancreatic cancer, but could never get a good biopsy; a second opinion figured out the reason.

Survivor Stories
May 9, 2018 • 6 Min

Listen to Your Body

When Roxanne Waling discovered she had pancreatic cancer she underwent genetic testing. She found she was a BRCA2 carrier, which influenced her post-treatment decisions about her health.

Treatments
May 29, 2020 • 5 Min

Eighteen Important Words to Know if You Have Pancreatic Cancer

When you start pancreatic cancer treatment it seems like everyone is speaking a language you don’t know. Here are 18 important words to help you along.

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
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
August 5, 2020 • 3 Min

Why ME?

Harry Sparks went for a second opinion after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and was able to have Whipple surgery.