Results from 180 day visit

I got my lab results back from my last visit to U. of Minn. for my 180 day check up. 

Here is a summary.

My A1c is 6.0  Down from 6.4

Fasting C-peptide is 1.17 2 hr post prandial C-peptide is 3.92

Cholesterol is 217 which is higher than last testing, but my HDL is 106 which makes that ok.

My rapamune (Sirolimus) level is within range.

My WBC count is 2.3

My absolute neutrophils count was 0.9 which is below the acceptable threshold, so I was given a shot of neupogen.  It is back  to acceptable now.

I had a kidney function test in which I was given an injection of Iohexal and with numerous blood draws it was determined how well my kidneys were able to filter it out of my blood stream.  The numbers don't mean much to me, but I understand that I passed the test.  I also had a 24 hr urine test that measured other facets of kidney function and I did well on that too.

So, all in all a good check up.  I wasn't surprised because my glucose logs and general health tell the same story, but it is still nice to see it verified. 

I have been exposed to some germy people lately.  My daughter is quite sick now, but, so far so good.

6 Months post islet cell transplant

Today is the 6 month anniversary of my transplant.  It continues to be a very exciting and rewarding experience both realistically and theoretically.  I still have a hard time believing that I can feel so good and that I have such an opportunity to be part of such a monumental experiment.

I had my 180 day visit last week in Minneapolis.  Despite the cold, it was a fun trip.  What made it fun was that I had  the opportunity to meet two other islet cell recipients.  A man who had his transplant in November and a woman who had hers in December.  They both happened to be there for checkups on the same day as me.  We spent almost an hour together comparing our experiences.  Both of them are on the same protocol as me (same drugs), and are having the same positive results.  Neither is off of insulin completely yet, but are at about the same level as I was at their stage.  We had very similar experiences.  We were all diagnosed in our early 20s, and were all  frustrated by our limitations.  We all seem to be tolerating the immunosuppressants well, although both my and the woman's white counts were under the lower limits of the protocol.  We both had an injection of neupogen to raise our white cells.  I didn't feel any different either before or after and I haven't been sick, so it wasn't a big concern for me.  

It was so nice to be able to share our experiences.  I now know three transplant patients from U. of Minn. and a few others that I have met on line.  I also get some good questions from people who read my blog or participate in discussions on the Tu Diabetes website.

Schulze address

I had my 180 day visit to  Minneapolis on monday.  More about that when I get all  of my lab results.

I was  able to get the address for the Schulze family foundation.  I feel strongly about writing them a thank you letter for their donation.  I was able to see and congratulate both Dr. Hering and Dr. Bellin during my visit.  They are both please and excited about the possibilities that this amount of money will provide.

Here  is the address.  I  hope that anyone who is excited about islet cell transplants and other approaches to  a cure  for  diabetes will send a note.

RM Schulze Family Foundation

8500 Normandale Lake Blvd.  Ste. 1750

Minneapolis, MN  55437

Very generous donation to U.of Minn. transplant program

This month, the Richard M. Schulze family has made a 40 million dollar donation to the Diabetes Institute of Immunology and Transplantation.  This is at the University of Minnesota and where I had my transplant.

To read more, click here.  There is a nice picture of Dr. Hering, my doctor, receiving the check.

I googled Mr. Schulze and learned that he is the founder of Best Buy.  He lives near Minneapolis and has made other donations in the area.  How refreshing in this time of such intense mistrust of CEOs and of the very wealthy in general, to find that there are those that use their power  for the greater good of humanity.  This is capitalism at its best.

I am of course prejudiced, but I think it is just great.  I know first hand that islet transplantation is at least a part of the cure.  This kind of help going to a program with this track record and this foresight could just be the push that is needed to get the rest of the way there.  I am intending on writing a thank you letter to the Schulze family.  I am still working on getting an address that I think will make it to the right place.  When I find it I will publish it here.

Day 150

It has been 150 days since my transplant now.  I feel like everything is still on course.  

It has been 90 days since I have taken any insulin.  I still feel for both my pump and my glucose monitor in my pockets at times, but other than that, everything feels very natural.  I still think about what my blood sugar is practically 24/7.  I'm not sure if that is because old habits die hard, or because I still need to check it 7 times per day for the study protocol.  Probably a little bit of both.

Of course, the difference is that now my numbers are mostly normal.  I still have some that are higher than I would like (150-180) after meals.  These do stress me, but help to remind me that I am still a diabetic.  The bad numbers also give me a stronger motivation to watch what I eat.  It would in no way be worth it to enjoy a piece of chocolate cake (my previous favorite) and then watch my next reading be over 200.

I also seem to be tolerating the drugs well.  A few mouth sores are the worst part of it and they are minor.  My stomach seems to be making some strange and different noises, but nothing painful.  And, more importantly, no illnesses or infections.