Group Blog - Dream a little dream - life after a cure.

This is the last day for the group blog and a logical place to end the week.
I am in the position to be able to describe how the cure feels.  And its absolutely great.

I can live my life without having to worry about having my blood sugar dropping

•  for no reason
• at an inconvenient time
• without my knowledge
• even though I just ate something that should have caused it to rise
• while I'm driving

and the list goes on and on.  

I can eat when I want and not eat if I don't want to which might be the best part.

I haven't really changed my diet much and I still exercise like before my transplant, but I don't have to worry about the amount of either.  I still test my blood sugar about 6 times a day, mostly for the study, but I think I would almost that much anyway just to make sure everything is ok.

Even though I loved both my pump and my continuous monitor, I don't miss carrying them or maintaining them.  I don't have to shop for clothes with pockets.

I actually can leave the house with no food in my possession.  I never thought I would be able to do that. ever. But now I make a conscious decision not to.  Low blood sugar, even with vigorous exercise is not an issue.

My mild retinopathy is gone.

Of course, there are two downsides.

One, this may not last forever.  Its something that I acknowledge, but try not to dwell on too much.  I know of several people who are several years out and there are a few patients at U. of Minn. who are about 10 years out.  My competitive side is hoping to outdo them, but I hope it is a perpetual race.

Two, the immunosuppressives have some side effects.  I think I have had my share of them.  But I would still rather deal with them than insulin.  Right now, I have no side effects at all.  Life is very good.

I only hope that soon the cure will be available for everyone.  I believe that my experience is a proof of how close we really are.