Kara S Draper

Becoming a Whipple Warrior Kara S Draper

Becoming a Whipple Warrior is one woman's story of survival. This is a first-hand account of Kara Draper's experience with one of the most complex surgeries out there - the Whipple, also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy. This complex surgery, most often performed as a treatment for pancreatic cancer, removed the gallbladder, bile duct, head of the pancreas, bottom of the stomach, and first part of the small intestines. It is intense! The perspective shared in Becoming a Whipple Warrior will be especially helpful for patients, caregivers, friends, and even medical professionals. From diagnosis through surgery and recovery, and finally onto thriving in life, Kara shares the intimate details of her experience to prepare others, share information, give perspective, and provide helpful resources. What to prepare for before the surgery? What helped for the hospital stay? What were the best items for recovery at home?This book was born out of frustration on not being able to find any first-hand accounts longer than a few paragraphs or much information at all about what recovery was really like. Kara opens her life and shares the day-to-day experience and how she made it to a place of thriving.