Skip to main content

Aug 17, 2024 update.

 Originally posted to social media Aug 17, 2024.

"9 month Whippleversary, living Day by Day. Things have been going surprisingly good, I had no idea things would go like this. Eating 7 or 8 small meals / snacks a day, blood work looks good, but need to put on 10 or 12lbs. Energy is fluctuating, and strength is still low. Sense of humor is healthy, positive attitude is strong, and desire for adventures is increasing. 😜

Only taking 2 prescriptions, Viokace ( Pancreatic Enzymes) and Pantoprazole (Proton Pump Inhibitor) , reduces stomach acid so the acid doesn't damage the updated digestive tract. No daily pain or nasuea medication. 👍

Slowly feeling like I am getting my life back and adjusting to the "new normal". At times I forget what happened the last 9 months, and get a slap in the face reminder when I over do things. I still struggle with some tenderness, numbness, and  occasional sharp pain around the old fistula site. They tell me this area is still healing and recovering.🙏

I have no idea how the future will turn out. Best to live the life you want, live in the now, and enjoy every thing you get to experience.
Feeling thankful for how things are going right now, and need to pay back the Universe for my good fortune."


 






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The number of polyps / adenomas increase after Whipple Surgery, and start of taking a Proton Pump Inhibitor(PPI) why?

   UPDATED Jan 8 2026 The number of polyps / adenoma, in my remaining colon, rectum and stomach, has increased since after my Whipple Surgery , and I started taking a Proton Pump Inhibitor. The Whipple re-configures the digestive tract, and creates a new connection between the stomach and the small intestine (jejunum). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are prescribed to patients after a Whipple to prevent ulcers and bleeding in the upper digestive tract . Do Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) cause an  increase the numbers of polyps with   Familial Adenomatous Polyposis , FAP ? There is a study,  Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science, that seems to suggest that using a Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) for over 12 months is a significant risk factor for developing advanced colon polyps. As of June 17, 2025 there are now several small  Fundic Gland Polyps in my stomach, this is the 1st time I can remember or seen any word of these, and not sure if this because ...
Post a Comment
Read more

2 year Whipple Aniversery and Update.

 It's hard to believe but 2 years has passed since my Whipple ( Nov 17, 2023). I am loving my new post Whipple life, and wasn't sure I would be able to say that. The first 5 months after the Whipple were really rough , I was in hospital for all of it other than the 21 days at a friends place struggling with drains, leaks/fistula and pain. Around the 6 month anniversary things started to improve, the fistula/leaks had healed,  and the feeding tube was removed. Life was slowly starting to return to the new normal. I turned 62 in August and can't believe the things I have been able to do this past year. I returned to part time work as mountain bike guide and coach with Alberta66 MTB . Spent more time on the bike with friends ( biked 3200 km with 64000m of elevation gain), got to see most of my Happy Places . I Volunteered with Friends of Kananaskis and West Bragg Trails , helping with trail maintenance and as a trail host ( to date over 300 hrs this year). The tra...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ferritin and Iron levels.

 UPDATED Dec 12, 2025 Happy to report that what I have done over the past 12 months has helped my Ferritin and Iron levels stay stable and a slight increase. Part of the on going follow up after my Whipple Surgery is having blood work done at 3 and 6 month intervals. Blood work done in Nov 2024, a year post Whipple, showed my iron levels to be in the normal range, but the Ferritin levels had started to drop. Both my primary Doctor and dietitian recommend me increasing my daily iron intake to see if that would help raise my Ferritin level . The duodenum is removed during the Whipple, and it plays a crucial role in iron absorption , so removing of this section of the small bowel reduces the body's ability to absorb iron. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body's cells and It's found in many cells, especially in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow . A low ferritin level after the Whipple is common and is often due to impaired iron absorption caused by the remova...
Post a Comment
Read more