Guest guest Posted October 12, 2003 Report Share Posted October 12, 2003 Hi my name is . I haven't written in quite a while. I am still sick with pancreatitis and SOD. I am going to the U of Minnesota to have a consult with Dr. Sutherland. My doc. here thinks I may be a candidate for an Islet transplant and to have my pancreas removed. I would appreciate letters from anyone who may have had this done and how are you feeling now? I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired!! I know I'm now the only one. I have been on liquid for about 5 weeks now occasionally I try to eat only toget REALLY SICK! The nausea is so extreme this time. My doc. finally put me on Zofran. Everything else makes me to sleepy. I don't mind sleeping all the time however I have 5 kids! Whew thinking about that makes me sleepy! Well any way I welcome any info anyone may have. Also there is and organization called wings of mercy that also flys people for free. I am hoping to use them for my appoint. in Nov. Thanx and God Bless, from Grand Rapids. ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2003 Report Share Posted October 12, 2003 Hi there, I just wanted to chime in and say that I had a total pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant done just this past May 15. That puts me at about 5 months since the surgery. Previous to the surgery I had spiralling attacks of acute pancreatitis. It had gotten to the point of being in the hospital approximately every 3 weeks for a week stay. There was no identifiable cause of my attacks though I did have SOD that was correct via sphincterotomy via ERCP. That gave me a about 9 months or so without attacks. I had my surgery done the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where there are 3 surgeons who perform this procedure. My surgeon was Dr. Ahmad. The surgery was a success and I had no major complications at all. I recovered consistently ahead of schedule. I was back to work within 12 weeks, but that was pushing it too hard. I had a lot of energy issues when I went back to work. I made a life choice to let my job go (I wasn't happy there anyway) and I have made much more improvement. I am not a perfect success, I am now diabetic. My islet cells are working but I fear some may have died for whatever reason. I require 2 shots of NPH insulin and I adjust my blood sugar levels with a sliding scale of regular. This works well and I am able to keep things reasonably well controlled. To be free of the pain, and the constant hospitalizations, the horrible throwing up, and the inability to eat food is worth it. The surgery is intense, long, and not without significant risks. My surgery took 12 and a half hours. I then spent a good day in the SICU before moving to a private room. I was in the hospital 9 days. I never attempt to sell the surgery to anyone, just because I made it out the other side doesn't mean someone else will. I can just say that this surgery has allowed me to gradually reclaim my life. There are many on this list who have the surgery with Dr. Sutherland so they can fill you in on how it goes with him. I will answer any question I can with complete honesty. Blessings and health, Bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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