Mounds View
Here we are in Minnesota at the Mounds View home where we stayed for Sue’s original surgery back in August. The hardest thing to deal with is this arctic weather coming from WARM sunny Florida. I am very happy about a couple of things and despite this cold weather, so many people are very sympathetic to our being here during the extreme and unusually cold snap here even for this time of year. That helped but when we tell them we are going back to Florida on Sunday then we get envy. I suppose that there is a price to pay for coming here in September and experiencing the good weather and that would be this weather now. The ground is white and I am told it will remain that way until April. Thank You Lord for Florida, lol.
Ok so we arrived on Wednesday and got to the house at about 7pm and it was indeed dark. The house was just like being home and I will say this if it is possible to get a home over a hotel you should consider it no matter where you travel. Being in a place that gives you those comforts has helped Sue because it is one less stress point to deal with. On Thursday we went to the clinic and Sue had a gallon of blood removed for testing. Well, it might have well been a gallon considering it was over a dozen tubes for the two days. After the first set of blood tests came the Boost test. Sue had to drink two containers of Boost in 5 minutes and then have blood drawn an hour and then two hours later. We are so anxious to see how this test turns out because that will tell us how well the transplanted Islet cells are doing. We are already fairly confident they are doing great because of the sugar levels but this will make it somewhat more official. Now we wait for all the results probably available Monday.
Today, we went to the clinic to see Doctor Beilman and to have the port removed. Sue was really excited and happy to have the port removed, a minor surgical procedure because that was her last tie to the pancreatitis events. Since the pancreas was removed there is NO pain and WOW what a great thing that has been for her. So we met with Doctor Beilman just before the procedure. Again we were beside ourselves at how down to earth he is. He came in sat down and listened to Sue as she told him how happy she was and how well she was feeling (except for her fall experience and the gastritis). He reviewed some of her medical data from her glucose readings and was amazed at how well she was doing. We talked about the progress and some of the events since she left in October and he lowered her Lantus two units at night. Doctor Beilman reassured Sue that the blood clots are not serious because they are treating them with the blood thinners and after three months an ultrasound to see if they are gone, done in Florida, should be all that needs to be done and put that to rest. The gastritis is going to be an unfortunate side effect, but right now it is gone. Regrettably, something that can reoccur without warning but hopefully not often.
I want to say something here. After the procedure was done Doctor Beilman came out to talk to me, as usual, and tell me how everything went. I gave him a gift from Sue, a coffee mug with a message on it. The mug said “Doctor Because Badass Miracle Worker is not an official job title.” He was very humbled and appreciative. The gift was not so much about all the success but more about how much we both appreciate the personable side he has. Making sure every question gets answered for the patient as well as the family, making sure there is warm and heartfelt bedside manners that convert into immense confidence and trust that makes a very difficult situation and deep concern just a little bit easier to take and spending all the time he needs to to make sure Sue is well and has everything she needs. Talking with the expert on a person to person level really does make things better as that confidence also removes stress knowing there is someone who knows what’s happening and is there to help if you need it. Now here is something we never expected. During that conversation Doctor Beilman mentioned how much he cares about his patients and of course appreciates all the thanks we give but he also said what he is able to do is something he is grateful for too. To share those gifts he was given he is happy to do and to be proud of the skills he developed has been an honor for him especially as he shares this with others in this special way. I am humbled to know him.
For Sue, there is pain from the procedure today but this is one that will go away, yay! Hopefully a restful evening and a good day tomorrow will make the trip home a breeze and this part of the adventure another great success.
There was a bonus to this trip. Sue got to meet with one of the other patients of the TP-IAT who she was supporting and who had her TP-IAT just three weeks ago. WOW to see her progress was inspiring also. The two had a great opportunity to support each other, catch up and talk about how things were going. To those of us who have not had this major operation, it is definitely something we cannot truly comprehend in all its intricacies. So two patients talking and comparing common experiences is a priceless experience in so many ways that boosts both and expands progress. Today Sue found out that her friend will be going home just before Christmas to be with her family. Remarkable without a doubt and while the prayers for Sue are so much needed and so greatly appreciated they are spilling over to others who she is helping as well. How fitting for Gods work!
Thank you all and here are some pics.
the Arctic!
Sue and the proud Doctor! (No she did not kick him…)
Thee Cup!
Sue sharing her news of the day and enjoying a coffee after waiting all day for the port to be removed.
