Hi
@Shannon27 Thank you for in effect justifying my "unhelpful" comments! I feel that having had, most of my life, the ability to analyse cause and effect, it would be almost criminal not to pass on observations.
I had a kidney/pancreas transplant back in August 2013. I must stress that this came about after a very bad 19 years control and denial (1959 - 1978). I was lucky to be referred to King's College Hospital in 1978 and they read the riot act. I had proteinurea as early as 1973 and King's gave me the latest treatment at the time. By 2000 my kidney function was being monitored by Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge University) who gave me about 5 years until dialysis would be necessary. By 2012 they put me on the transplant list and almost casually asked me if I would consider a pancreas transplant at the same time. It was like being in the back row of the class and you suddenly become aware the teacher is mentioning your name. "Are you kidding?"
I thought these two consultants were gods! They had to persuade me to discuss it with my family. I had no doubt that it would work. On the seventh attempt it did! I missed starting peritoneal dialysis by 8 days. They did a whole battery of tests which were repeated in 2013, to make sure that I was fit enough at the age of nearly 55 to go ahead with such a serious operation. They psychologically prepared me very well indeed, even saying that I would think they were utter b......s when the attempt(s) failed. This was vital. since I did at one stage actually wonder whether it would come about, since the pancreas is a very delicate organ and kidneys are as "tough as tennis balls". To the best of my knowledge only one patient has been given a pancreas transplant for other reasons, namely serious needle phobia. Although I still suffer from this, clearly not to a high enough degree! In other words, transplant is normally offered when serious complications are looming and the patient can withstand it. At the time there were over 100 in this country, but I don't know what the current total is.
The obvious benefits are the freedom from testing and dose adjustment. Up till the operation I used to test my blood before I even got out of bed, just to give me an indicator of the next move. I was on an old fashioned treatment (initiated in August 1966) of a minimum of two injections a day, mixed fast and slow acting, before breakfast and supper. I was put on the Lawrence Line Weight Diet, which was carb counting. Although I don't have to, I stick pretty close to this even now. It allowed for 250 g of carbs a day! I still weigh the same as in 1981. To be able to get behind the wheel of a car and know that I only need to concentrate on the road is incredibly liberating.
There are downsides. As an organist, pianist and artist, the immuno-suppressants have caused tremors in my hands, which means that, especially soon after taking medication, playing black notes with my little fingers is impossible as is gripping paper, or controlling pen, pencil etc Sewing is out of the question! My fine motor skills are at their best in the middle of the day or night. I had a set-back in August 2018, exactly 5 years after the op, when Addenbrooke's informed me that my Amylase and Lipase levels were worryingly high, indicating probable pancreas rejection. I had six months of being zombified, but thankfully things have improved for the last 13 months. I can fully understand your interest, but would certainly not wish your life to be at such a low ebb as to make it advisory. I think knowing the possibility is there could be comforting perhaps? The best of luck in your life!