Leaning Toward Another Surgery

June 20, 2003

In a message dated 6/20/2003 2:17:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

ajcastenell@... writes:

> I have heard so many " success stories " on this Islet Cell Transplant

> Surgery performed by Dr Sutherland and am seriously considering going

> this " last mile " .

Hi Andre, it is so nice to hear from you again but sad that you are still

suffering. I hope that Dr. Sutherland will be able to give you some encouraging

news. I will see you at the symposium. Take care. Shirley

June 20, 2003

As much as I hate the thought, I may be leaning towards one more

surgery. My wife claims I need to quit " chasing " this dream of

normalcy in my life and accept myself for the level of health I now

have accomplished. She just doesn't understand how important it is

for me to get a handle on this ilness so that I may successfully

return to work of some kind some, some day soon (I lost my previous

job due to being out on disability for 2 years). No matter how hard

she tries to be

understanding of what it's like to live with this chronic condition,

she can never really know how I feel and why I keep seeking a

solution I can live with.

I have heard so many " success stories " on this Islet Cell Transplant

Surgery performed by Dr Sutherland and am seriously considering going

this " last mile " . I'm afraid to undergo another surgery since, on my

last surgery where a Whipple Procedure was performed, I was told by

my surgeon that they had alomost lost me and how scared he was that

this might have truly been my " last surgery " . So you can see why I

am leery of undergoing, one more time, my search for the " holy grail "

as my wife so pleasantly describes my attempts at having a " normal "

life.

Andre'

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