Doing Great
We are home in sunny, warm Florida (LOL), but in all fairness, the people in Minnesota were great, and for that reason, we hated to leave. We made it home after a tiring, long trip. We lost an hour coming east.
Today we went to the Endocrinologist. This is the last step in the three month follow up period. Lots of blood work was done and we got terrific news all around. Where do I start? First a reminder that in Minnesota, doctor Beilman lowered the long-acting insulin 2 units at night to 6 units. He was really happy with Sue’s progress. Well, the Endocrinologist here is also excited and happy at Sue’s progress as well. Everything is based on glucose readings over the past 3 or 4 weeks. Remember, the target numbers are between 80 and 120 and not to go below 70 or over 180. Most of the readings have been between 70 and 120. There have been a few lows in the 60’s and a couple in the 50’s. These low readings, while a bit dangerous if not addressed, are the strongest indicators that the transplanted Islet cells are working and getting stronger. They are producing insulin as they are supposed to. Doing this means Sue needs less Lantus. The doctors in Minnesota told Sue in the beginning that she had great numbers in the tests done in June and we see that they are right. For those who read this and are considering the TP-IAT, listen to the doctors. From the start and all the way through, Sue did this and with all the prayers, everything has been very successful. See the living proof (below)! If the numbers are not right don’t despair. Success is measured not only in being insulin dependent free, but rather the improvement and quality of the life and having the ability to be pain-free from what that evil organ can do. Today the doctor lowered Sue’s night time dose of Lantus 2 more units to 4. Also, the reports from all the blood work are in and everything except the hemoglobin is just short of perfect. The hemoglobin is slowly improving. Oh, and the platelets, they are in the upper 600’s. 400 is where it needs to be. In about two and a half months she will have an ultrasound done to check the status of the blood clots but with the blood thinners, they are expected to resolve.
Things are going overwhelmingly well. I am so proud of Sue because of her determination and willpower to make this work and we are both eternally grateful to the doctors and for all the prayers. It takes a lot of things to make this work and for good things to happen. Look, the smile says it all!
“WOW! I did it!”
The next update will be in a couple of months after the ultrasound unless there is something out of the ordinary to share.
