Note from Kate:
We met with the surgeon yesterday and he is very pleased with the pancreas transplant results thus far. All my test levels have been in a normal range. He did point out that the pancreas is not up to full function yet because it is still getting settled after the stress of the transplant. Just what I need - a primo dona organ!
Once I came off the steroid high after being released from the hospital, I now find I am exhausted all the time. Sleeping frequently.
And of course I would not be me if I weren't frustrated. It is very difficult for me to be dependent on others for help. I can go to the basement to do the laundry, but I can't carry the baskets up to fold it. The other day I was going to have a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. It was a new jar of PB and I couldn't get it open. The bread was good! If this is all I have to complain about, aren't I blessed.
Your prayers, cards, and calls have been wonderful. - I am ready to go back to bed!
LV
Kate & Fran
Saturday, October 23, 2010
19 Oct 2010 - New Fungus Found
Note from Kate:
The Dr called today to say that the transplant center received notice from UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) that the heart and liver recipients of my donor have developed a fungus infection. So I will start a regime of some medication to ward off that potential risk.
The Dr called today to say that the transplant center received notice from UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) that the heart and liver recipients of my donor have developed a fungus infection. So I will start a regime of some medication to ward off that potential risk.
18 October 2010 - Kate - Pancreas - 2 Week Posting
Dear All,
Today was 2 weeks from the pancreas transplant and my numbers continue to be in a safe range, At today's Dr visit when I inquired why I am more tired now then when I first got home, the Dr indicated that when I first got home I was on a high from all the steroids they had pumped into me while in the hospital.
Now the reality of 2 transplant surgeries within a 6 month time frame is setting in. The only number the Dr is concerned with is my anemia. He was going to give me an infusion of iron today but said some people have a pretty bad reaction and didn't want to risk that at this time. So when I got home I purchased liver and iron pills. If the iron level is a bit higher when I go in on Friday, they will give me a shot to try to get the level to improve.
It is also amazing how the drug that protects the kidney from rejection is toxic to the pancreas. They are continually adjusting the dose to find the right balance.
Today the Dr told me to stop testing my BS so often - I was only testing 4 times a day. He said I should only test 2 times a day. After all these years, it seems alien not to be testing at least 4 times.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and positive thoughts. They keep us going.
Love
Kate
Today was 2 weeks from the pancreas transplant and my numbers continue to be in a safe range, At today's Dr visit when I inquired why I am more tired now then when I first got home, the Dr indicated that when I first got home I was on a high from all the steroids they had pumped into me while in the hospital.
Now the reality of 2 transplant surgeries within a 6 month time frame is setting in. The only number the Dr is concerned with is my anemia. He was going to give me an infusion of iron today but said some people have a pretty bad reaction and didn't want to risk that at this time. So when I got home I purchased liver and iron pills. If the iron level is a bit higher when I go in on Friday, they will give me a shot to try to get the level to improve.
It is also amazing how the drug that protects the kidney from rejection is toxic to the pancreas. They are continually adjusting the dose to find the right balance.
Today the Dr told me to stop testing my BS so often - I was only testing 4 times a day. He said I should only test 2 times a day. After all these years, it seems alien not to be testing at least 4 times.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and positive thoughts. They keep us going.
Love
Kate
Monday, October 11, 2010
Pancreas Transplant - 11 October 2010
Kate posted a note on Facebook that the pancreas transplant has been much easier than the kidney transplant.
It has been that way for me also.
It has been that way for me also.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Update from Kate - 10 October 2010
Kate is home from her pancreas transplant and sent the following message this morning:
Dear Family and Friends,
A huge thank you is sent from us to you for all your support this past week. Your prayers and best wishes have lifted us once again.
Sunday October 3 we got the phone call a pancreas was available and that I would get a follow up phone call later in the evening once the cross match testing with the donor's blood was completed.
We had the chance to attended our usual 5:30pm Life Teen mass and asked Fr. Jim to keep our transplant intention in his heart as he celebrated the mass.
We got the next phone call at 10:30pm Sunday Oct 3 to come in for the next waiting stage. Once the transplant coordinator told me October 4 was the Feast of St. Francis, I knew in my heart we were golden. My own living St. Francis has been on this roller coaster journey for 27 of the past 42 years - never missing a beat!
Somewhere around 6-7am Monday Oct 4 I was taken into the operating room.
So unlike my kidney surgery which had complications, it was so wonderful to open my eyes at some point in recovery room and be able to breathe on my own. Your prayers were working.
Unlike my kidney surgery where they had to keep me and extra 2 days, today - October 9, I came home 2 days a head of schedule.
I am back to the protocal of tight restrictions with the outside world for the next 30 days. After the setbacks I experience with infection and ending up back in the hospital within days of coming home after the kidney - this time I am being more careful since now I have 2 organs at risk.
We are taking it one day at a time to see how this pancreas works. We thank God for each day it does provide my body with the insulin it needs. Many have asked about what my eating restrictions will be. My new pancreas may cover my insulin needs 100% such that I don't have to take any additional insulin. Or perhaps it will only cover part if my insulin needs similar to person's that have type 2 diabetes.
My biggest prayer and reason for taking the risks associated with the transplant and living on prednisone for the rest of my life is to be relieved the the hypoglycemic unawareness episodes (blacking out with no warning) I was having very frequently. Each day without one is a gift from God!
We thank you for your continued support in prayer, best wishes and phone calls.
--
Kate
I saw Kate today and she looked wonderful. She was up and had cooked breakfast and was planning on going out for a walk. Amazing!!
Norm
Dear Family and Friends,
A huge thank you is sent from us to you for all your support this past week. Your prayers and best wishes have lifted us once again.
Sunday October 3 we got the phone call a pancreas was available and that I would get a follow up phone call later in the evening once the cross match testing with the donor's blood was completed.
We had the chance to attended our usual 5:30pm Life Teen mass and asked Fr. Jim to keep our transplant intention in his heart as he celebrated the mass.
We got the next phone call at 10:30pm Sunday Oct 3 to come in for the next waiting stage. Once the transplant coordinator told me October 4 was the Feast of St. Francis, I knew in my heart we were golden. My own living St. Francis has been on this roller coaster journey for 27 of the past 42 years - never missing a beat!
Somewhere around 6-7am Monday Oct 4 I was taken into the operating room.
So unlike my kidney surgery which had complications, it was so wonderful to open my eyes at some point in recovery room and be able to breathe on my own. Your prayers were working.
Unlike my kidney surgery where they had to keep me and extra 2 days, today - October 9, I came home 2 days a head of schedule.
I am back to the protocal of tight restrictions with the outside world for the next 30 days. After the setbacks I experience with infection and ending up back in the hospital within days of coming home after the kidney - this time I am being more careful since now I have 2 organs at risk.
We are taking it one day at a time to see how this pancreas works. We thank God for each day it does provide my body with the insulin it needs. Many have asked about what my eating restrictions will be. My new pancreas may cover my insulin needs 100% such that I don't have to take any additional insulin. Or perhaps it will only cover part if my insulin needs similar to person's that have type 2 diabetes.
My biggest prayer and reason for taking the risks associated with the transplant and living on prednisone for the rest of my life is to be relieved the the hypoglycemic unawareness episodes (blacking out with no warning) I was having very frequently. Each day without one is a gift from God!
We thank you for your continued support in prayer, best wishes and phone calls.
--
Kate
I saw Kate today and she looked wonderful. She was up and had cooked breakfast and was planning on going out for a walk. Amazing!!
Norm
Monday, October 4, 2010
Note from Kate's Husband, Fran - 4 Oct 7:15am
Hi Everyone,
I am sending this message to you a waiting room at NY Presbyterian Hospital. Kate was just sent into the surgery room in preparation for her surgery to receive a pancreas!!!! I was told the surgery runs in the 4 from hour range, and I believe they were hoping to start the surgery around 8 a.m. Kate and I received the phone call to be ready around 3 p.m. on Sunday, then got the go ahead to come to the hospital around 10:45 p.m. Please keep Kate and the surgeons in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the family of the young man who passed and is donating his organs. I will update you as I receive more information
Love you all
Fran
I am sending this message to you a waiting room at NY Presbyterian Hospital. Kate was just sent into the surgery room in preparation for her surgery to receive a pancreas!!!! I was told the surgery runs in the 4 from hour range, and I believe they were hoping to start the surgery around 8 a.m. Kate and I received the phone call to be ready around 3 p.m. on Sunday, then got the go ahead to come to the hospital around 10:45 p.m. Please keep Kate and the surgeons in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the family of the young man who passed and is donating his organs. I will update you as I receive more information
Love you all
Fran
Pancreas Transplant - 4 October 2010 - 7:00am
I received a call from Kate's husband about 30 minutes ago that she was being brought into the operating room for a pancreas transplant. Please say a prayer for her. I will do an update when I hear more news. Norm
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