Since my tumor was located on the head of my pancreas, a Whipple procedure was needed to remove it.

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Whipple's formal name is pancreaticoduodenectomy. (Go ahead, say it three times fast.)

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During most Whipple surgeries, the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and the bile duct are removed.

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Whipple surgeries are commonly performed on pancreatic cancer patients whose cancer is localized, but it is also sometimes performed on people struggling with pancreatitis, bile duct cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and other pancreatic trauma.

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Unfortunately, the Whipple is an incredibly delicate and complicated surgery. I have been told that only performing a heart transplant is more difficult than a Whipple.

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What I do know for certain: It was not easy and recovery was the most taxing, frustrating, and hard roads I've ever been down.

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But as thousands can attest, there is life afterward!