Our trip to Minnesota..

Our flight to MN went very well. We left Birmingham June 21 at 7:50 and landed in MN around 10:30. My first appt. was at 2:30 with Dr. Freeman (GI doctor). He was running way behind so we were at his office from 1:30-5:30. We really like him! He came in and sat down with Scott, my mom, dad and I for an hour. He read through my chart and we discussed my previous procedures at UAB and my medical history. He said that my pancreas was VERY diseased! He said when an EUS shows a 7/9 that is extremely diseased. Dr. Freeman said he wished I had an EUS before all of my ERCP's so he could compare the past to now. That would help him to see if my pancreas has gotten worse over the past two years or if its about the same. We have no way of knowing now without a previous EUS, but he said regardless its really bad.
Dr. Freeman believes that due to my age, having NO other medical problems and not being on narcotics I am a perfect candidate for the transplant. He said I was almost too perfect and he wished he could use me on a research study. However, due since I am pregnant he wants me to focus on the baby for the next 7 months and see how I feel then. If the pain is still the same he wants me to come back to MN for the transplant. It is the only treatment option I have. It is such a scary feeling knowing there is only one thing left they can try. I have just got to believe that miracles do happen and pray about what to do. The transplant will take away my pacnreas pain, but will make me a diabetic and there is no definite percentage that I will ever be able to come off the insulin. Some individuals have and some have not... it will all depend on how well my body accepts the islet cell transplant. I'll post about my appt with Dr. Sutherland (transplant surgeon) soon. Thanks for all the prayers this week. I really appreciate them!