When I was 14 years old I was Diagnosed with Type I Diabetes.
I kept tight control over the years of my Diabetes, as such, I have never had serious problems with my kidneys, eyesight or other problems that can effect Diabetics.
My children were born healthy (including the twins, David & Danielle), they had normal birth weights
After having Diabetes for 28 years, I started to develop 'Hypoglycemic Unawareness'. I also developed seizures due to my inability to know when my blood sugars were low.
I had many many
near-death experiences, including car accidents, almost drowning in our
swimming pool while having a seizure, I have stopped breathing while having
seizures, I have fallen down and hit my head on the corner of our end
table. (Needless to say, that corner of the end table is missing).
Those are just a few experiences over a course of years of seizures.
Our local Volunteer Paramedics knew me by name. They were at our house on a weekly basis.
At the end of
the Year 2003 I read about an experimental procedure called an 'Islet
Cell Transplant'.
The University Hospital & Clinics in Madison WI was doing Clinical
trials.
I found out during my initial consult that I qualified for the transplant!
Our insurance
refused to pay for the transplant, so with the help of
E-Bay Auction and Benefit Fund were set up.
My family was able to raise the money for the transplant with their help
and a loan from the Bank.
The surgery is relativley simple and I was home in two days and back
to work in 3!
THANK YOU!
