Bert, , TP, ICT, Diabetes

[Guest guest]

Hello!

I hope you are feeling much better, , and that Bert is

continuing to do well.

I said I'd post what my surgeon told me to-day. Here goes!

Obviously, I'm only reporting what was said, in an hour and a half,

to one patient.....me!....in my particular circumstances.

(1) ICT

He spoke at length about specific trials in British hospitals and,

of course, is fully aware of the American ones. He said that results

have often been disappointing, with transplanted islets dying after

a short or longer time and a high percentage of patients ending up

insulin-dependent. The cells can die quite some time after the

transplant, or very soon. With transplanted islets cells

from cadavers (for diabetics with kidney failure), two donors are

needed. For autotransplants to be successful, a high number of

islets need to be harvested. This is often not possible. In my case,

the procedure is not appropriate. I have end-stage CP, with atrophy

and extensive calcification throughout the pancreas. He expects me

to be fully diabetic in the near future. Islet cells could not be

harvested.

(2)Brittle Diabetes following TP

Of the patients on whom they have carried out out TPs, a couple are

definitely brittle, a few have needed help but most are just fine.

(The nursing sister working with him told me after my meeting with

him that the patients she saw at his clinic with him, following TPs,

are generally fine with their diabetes. Insulin pumps can help a lot

in the occasional difficult case.) Over the last six years, since

this doctor was appointed, they have done about 40 TPs. I don't know

how many he did in previous hospitals but I know that TPs were

definitely done at Liverpool even before the current renowned

pancreatic team came together and began the EUROPAC study.

(3) He showed me a copy of his paper, published earlier this year in

the British Journal of Surgery and went through much of it with me.

It's called :

" Duodenum-and spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy for end-stage

chronic pancreatitis. "

N.akis, P. Ganeh, S Connor, M. Raraty, R. Sutton, and J.P.

Neoptolemos.

My surgeon is Professor Neoptolemos who heads the pancreatic team at

the Department of Surgery, University of Liverpool. (You can only

access a tiny abstract of the paper on the net so it's not really

worth it.)

So there we are! I still have my decision to make. I can only say

that I have never had such a helpful and thorough medical interview

with any doctor in any specialism. We covered lots of topics which I

haven't mentioned and he answered every question really

thoroughly.In the recent past, since I was first referred to him by

my gastro, he has also quickly e-mailed replies to every question I

have e-mailed to him. I can't complain of lack of care and

information!

The sister was also superb; knowledgeable, supportive and very kind.

For example, she told me that she understood very well what a

difficult disease this was to live with......and she meant it! I

love her!

Best wishes and kindest thoughts to you both and to all who post on

the board.

Fliss