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Warning-sign checks

Surgery for pancreatic cancer: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, heavy bleeding or a suddenly swollen and painful leg.

    These are emergency symptoms rather than routine recovery concerns.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your surgical team promptly for fever, increasing wound redness, pus, worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting or inability to drink.

    Also call about new jaundice, rapidly increasing drain fluid, persistent diarrhoea, greasy stools or unexplained weight loss.

    Seek prompt advice for repeated readings outside your target range or symptoms of very low blood sugar.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    For routine questions about appetite, enzymes, wound care, activity or follow-up appointments, contact the team during normal clinic hours.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss

The article also says

If you use insulin, follow the blood sugar plan provided at discharge.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Surgery for pancreatic cancer. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.