I’m back! This is Joe, Susan’s husband. I returned to Minneapolis after two and a half looong weeks to bring Sue back home to Florida. I have talked with her every day and just like you all, I am amazed at how well she is doing. Sue, with the guidance of her doctors, made the decision to remain here in the twin cities area for the full 5 weeks. She probably could have pushed going home sooner because she is doing so well, but that would have meant traveling sooner after her surgery than what might have been good, and I see that this was wise. During this time Sue has done better at getting her blood sugars in that range of 80 to 120 and that did require close monitoring by the doctors. Perhaps doable from Florida but not with the confidence she needed to make sure she was truly ready for that long journey home. Just so you know it talks almost a full day of travel with about 4 and a half hours in the air to make to and from Minneapolis. In addition, Sue’s platelets have dropped to 600. Normal is 400 and below. What this means in the trip home will be much safer and easier on Sue because she/we won’t have to be concerned about the risk of blood clots while sitting for a long time cooped up in a plane. Sue has only one restriction now and that is no lifting more than 10 pounds. And, that will continue for another month to make sure her abdomen heals well. Lifting heavy things poses the risk of an internal hernia or muscle tares at the operating sites. So again, as hard as it was for her because of how much she loves out granddaughter, the full time helps to reduce that risk as well, each day. It will be hard when she gets home not to pick up our granddaughter and the nervousness of her hurting Sue when she climbs up to sit with her was reduced too by listening to the doctors and staying in the area the 5 weeks she needed. All in all, we are sure a great thing in the long run.
Well, Sue is all set to come home. She/we had a great time in Minneapolis if you want to consider having a TP-IAT fun, but what we can see right now the days ahead look so promising. Thank you all for your prayers and please keep them coming as she watches those Islet cells come back to life and produce insulin again.
A short note about the ladies she met with a couple of weeks ago and talked to about this procedure. One lady had the procedure and is doing fairly well. Each person’s experience will be different, but the hope is that everyone will be pain-free and with good luck not a diabetic after some time. The other lady who was concerned she might not qualify was told she did and will have her procedure in a couple of weeks. She is so happy she could have been a part of their experience and as it turned out was a positive one for them as they struggled with deep concerns anyone would have when undergoing a MAJOR surgery.
What’s next?
Sue will be home Sunday. She will continue doing everything she can to follow doctor’s orders so that might mean lots of rest if she does not return a call or message right away.
No Pics.
