Many thanks I will have a look now.

You are so welcome.. 

Hello and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear that your husband needed to have surgery for pancreatic cancer and that he is still in pain. 

I realise that how your husband is now is worrying, but it is still early days after being discharged from hospital following a big operation. It could take more weeks and possibly months for him to recover. 

His pain hopefully has improved to some degree but because he is still in pain it does look like he needs to have this assessed and sorted out. You could contact the hospital team about this, in particular the specialist cancer nurse (if your husband has one) and leave a message explaining how your husband is. If you are unable to contact the hospital team you could contact his GP on his behalf and ask if his pain relief medication can be re-assessed.  

Gastric symptoms such as bloating can be really distressing. Moving will help this and some people benefit from taking some peppermint oil in some warm water. 

After having a Whipple's operation some people need to take enzymes to help the digestion of food. I do not know if your husband needs to take these (around 1 in 3 Whipple's patients do need enzymes). I think if he did needed to take them you would have been told before he left hospital.  If you are unsure about this do ask his specialist team. 

Carry on with smaller, more regular meals. Gaining weight will take time, possibly many months. It starts with people maintaining weight and not loosing any. We have information on our website about diet after pancreatic surgery, you can see it here. It might also help to keep a food diary, so that you can note down how foods are tolerated, it can help to understand what works and what does not.  

Hopefully your husband will have an appointment with his specialist team soon. This is a good opportunity to talk about any concerns you have. Also if you are concerned about him do get in touch with them (as described above) sooner or talk with his GP. 

I hope this has helped. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care,

Caroline