Bye bye insulin!

Hello all! I am out in MN this week for my 6 month post-op testing. I saw the endocrinologist today and I am officially off all insulin!!! 6 months ago, I never would have guessed that this would happen when I was told that I had a low islet yield. I had a 7% chance that I would not need insulin, but I know my success is because of all the prayers I continue to receive, so thank you all who have done this for me. Dr. Bellin praised me for keeping my blood sugars so well controlled and I said, "Well, I sure didn't want to go through all that for nothing!" Giving myself insulin really was never a big deal (and certainly nothing compared to pancreas pain!), but it still makes me so happy to be insulin-free.

Nobody here can figure out what's going on with my joint pain, although everyone noticed how swollen my hands and feet are. Next step is a rheumatologist, which has proven more difficult than I anticipated. They won't see a patient without a referral, and it's tough to light fires under my Tucson doctors' butts sometimes...

Dr. Dunn was wonderful to see, of course. It's been really nice to say hi to everyone who have had such a huge impact on my life. Anyway, some of my vitamin levels came back low, so Dr. Dunn ordered some additional bloodwork today. I may need to start getting vitamin B-12 injections, which I hear really makes a difference in energy levels. She also wants me to start taking probiotics, which should help clear up the bacteria in my GI tract that is probably a big contributor to my nausea. I also asked her about the results of my latest CT which showed that my colon has migrated up into my armpit. I wondered if that could be rubbing up against raw nerves and causing some of my pain. She thinks that's possible, but a lot of it is probably from adhesions in there. She also felt a small hernia that she would like to fix when I come back for my 1 year checkup. At that point, she can also remove some of those adhesions and revise my scar, which has a lot of adhesions/scar tissue.

I'm sure there's more, but my brain is at max capacity right now. Erin and I are heading back home tomorrow. She has been so wonderful this whole trip, taking such good care of me. I am so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends taking care of me, driving me around to doctor's appointments and helping with the kids. I really can't thank you all enough, but do know that I deeply appreciate everything you do!