Hi all,

Firstly apologies for the lengthy first post.

I had an ERCP last week at a London hospital (referred for after an inpatient stay at local hospital recently for pancreatitis due to a gallstone getting lodged in the bile duct/pancreatic duct area) I was groggy when I came round from the sedation and had no one with me when the doctor came to update me on what had been done/found.

From what I remember him saying and what is on the discharge notes, I’ve had 2 stents inserted, one in the CBD and one in the pancreatic duct. They used a balloon to remove a pancreatic stone, and they found a mass/abnormal growth which was causing the blockages to the ducts. Biopsies and brushing were taken.

He said that it’s not suitable for endoscopic removal and I would need a whipple surgery (without explaining what that is) and a CT Scan as well. He said he was very sorry to tell me this news.  I was then left a little while and sent on my merry way with no real idea of what happens next.

The following 2 days I was in terrible pain, particularly across my back (shoulder blade area) and my stomach. Not sure if just post procedure pain (I know I was laying on my front for the procedure and a couple of times pushed myself up presumably because I was uncomfortable)  I’m day 4 post procedure and still uncomfortable but not as bad as I was.

However I have no idea what happens next? Obviously I’ve googled everything and understand that cancer is on the cards as a possibility , even though it wasn’t specifically mentioned. I’m the kind of person that needs information and to feel informed but am currently feeling completely in the dark as to next steps.

Has anyone else had similar experience to me that would be happy to share what I can expect? I feel in limbo and don’t even know who to contact to find any more info out from. I would be so grateful, for me knowledge is power and I feel so out of control at the moment (I do understand every persons situation is unique however)

Thanks for reading all this and any info given