When the UCLA cardiologist said no to a kidney-pancreas transplant (but yes to a kidney transplant), he said that the risk of blood clots during surgery far outweighs the inconvenience of having to take insulin shots. Wow, this shows how little understanding even doctors have of what diabetes entails.
Last night's medical emergency would never occur if I had a functioning pancreas. Neither would the effects of sky-high blood sugar, like kidney disease, blindness, amputation, etc. I want a new pancreas because I don't want any more paramedic visits, hospitalizations for diabetic complications. Sure, it would also be fantastic to never check my blood sugar again, to never wear an insulin pump or take shots, to travel anywhere and at any time at a moment's notice without having to concern myself about keeping my insulin cool and how many syringes or infusion sets I need to pack.
But that is water over the bridge. I was given a "no" to a pancreas, so I have to accept that. A kidney is certainly better than nothing.
Mystical experiences, yearnings, politics, little dramas, poetry, kidney dialysis, insulin-dependent diabetes, and opportunities for gratitude.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Followers
About Me
- Heidi's heart
- Southern California, United States
- Perhaps my friend Mark summed me up best when he called me "a mystical grammarian." I am quite a mix--otherworldly, ethereal and in touch with "the beyond," yet prone to being very precise and logical, when need be. Romantic in the big-canvas meaning of the word, I see the world as an adventure, as a love poem, as a realm of beauty and wonder.
Blog Archive
- ▼ 2010 (176)
- ► 2009 (169)
2 comments:
Having gone through the horrific complications due to blood clots that almost killed Ron post transplant I know what the doctor is talking about BUT...
...one thing that I became very aware of is that "specialists" are so very specialized that it's often to the exclusion of a whole body view which can be dangerous to a patient so I get what you're saying.
You will get a pancreas, I'm knowing this is truth. They said no to kidney because of the heart and look where you are now.
They will say yes to the pancreas too - first you'll get a new kidney and you will do so well that the light for the pancreas will turn green.
And then you can go surfing again!
Thanks, Susie. I always appreciate your positive sentiments. Just spoke with someone who is convinced that under "Obamacare," the new health bill, that there will be no dialysis. Thanks for counteracting the negative cloud this person put on my thinking.
Post a Comment