About 9 months before, I experienced a total knee replacement and figured, if I could endure that pain, I would be able to handle a W. Obviously, I didn’t have a clue.

The W. was crazy difficult. In the scheme of things, I probably did worse than most.

There were three weeks at Mayo, including 2 transfers to ICU, then 5 subsequent admissions, totaling about 8 weeks in the hospital in the first 9 months.

I lost about 80 pounds, had numerous injections, infections, tubes, drains, pains and complications.

The final assault on my body was a feeding tube through the nose. It was tough and even tougher when I would breathe or swallow.

But its instillation rested my gut and upon its removal (after 12 weeks), I began to make consistent improvements in my well-being.

It was only then my body began to heal with proper nutrition.

And, I was weak, having lost a tremendous amount of muscle mass and could walk only a few steps.

And I had bathroom issues–just like most everyone who has THAT surgery.

Those difficult days are a long, dark tunnel.

Initially, my light and focus in that tunnel was the act of remembering the good days, great times and a happy place in my mind.

However, when one exits the tunnel with a broken body, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and to give up again.

My PCP was wonderful and would work with me, counsel me and wasn’t afraid to aggressively treat me and refer me to palliative care, which was an exceedingly valuable benefit.

I have no idea how many visits to Physical Therapy I had, both at home and at the Clinic.

Nor can I guess how many times I saw a dietitian.  

Finally I realized, I had to become the World Expert on MY Body.

I needed to own that responsibility and pursued it and the repair of this vessel with dogged determination.

For me, it was helpful to have a goal.

I choose Surfing.

It seemed natural. I was a boy from Detroit in the 60s, grew up with beaches, The Beach Boys and of course Bikinis.

I conquered the bathroom experiences and don’t remember the last time I experienced constipation or diarrhea. This was primarily accomplished by drastically reducing fat from my diet–to about 40 gms per day and only very rarely consuming beef and then only in very small amounts.

I exercised rigorously, doing squats, push ups, balancing on one foot, weights and even Zumba.

A couple of months ago, I began taking surfing lessons on Waikiki. Every now and then, I would even get up on a wave–for a few seconds.

I came home and then returned back to Hawaii.

More lessons and now, I am almost a crummy surfer.

….and it’s glorious.

Several days ago, I saw the question, “Have you Changed because of your Whipple?”

I have, and for the better.

I am not the same person, but I am a better person.

More patient, More forgiving and more confident.

I have learned, talk is cheap when time crawls on its hands and knees–but I stood up and now I can Surf!!!

The 2 pictures are taken almost exactly 2 years apart, to the day!