HI,
I had a Whipple operation a year ago including a total pancreactetomy. My diabetes has been very brittle, and I have felt totally out of control.mive been given very contradictory advice by diabetes nurses. The diabetes Doctor I saw tried every different insulin on the market.
From day 1 I asked to go on the DAPHNE course, and was initially told "There isn't one." Then told by another diabetes nurse that she could tell me everything I needed to know, but our 10 minute consultation each week was taken up with going through my weeks log book, and changing doses. Eventually the diabetes doctor suggested that I might benefit by doing the DAPHNE, at which point I said "Hallelujah ". However, he then told me that in my area there was an 18 month waiting list.
Ringing around I managed to find a course in another area where the waiting list was six months. I completed the course three weeks ago, and feel so much more confident, and in control. I think it is disgraceful that anyone should have to wait, and fight for so long to be able to do this very important course.
My BG levels are still erratic, but no where near as bad as they were before the course, I too take Creons before I eat. By the time I've taken my BG, injected, taken the creons, and written everything down in my log book my dinner is usually cold, but at least I am able to eat fairly normally again.
Before my operation the surgeon, and medics all told me what major, and grueling surgery it was going to be. Nobody warned me about how hard the diabetes would be.
However, I suppose I have to count myself lucky, as six months down the line I would have had pancreatic cancer had it not been found so soon.
I do long for a day when I have energy, and can feel 'normal'. Maybe 2016 will be a better year.