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SPK (simultaneous pancreas and kidney) transplants

Transplants | Last Active: May 16 8:41pm | Replies (77)

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@marvinjsturing

Short history: Ten years ago, I was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic. Five years ago I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In my Whipple procedure, the surgeon removed most of my pancreas. The pancreas was not reattached to my digestive system and I became a Type I diabetic. A rare reaction to the chemo gave me a disease that damaged my kidneys. For the last 4 years, I have had Stage 4/5 CKD. Last August, I asked Mayo Rochester about a pancreas/kidney transplant. The doctor told me that because of my size (6 feet 3 inches/230 pounds) that a transplanted pancreas would not produce enough insulin to cover my needs and I would still have to give myself insulin shots. He also said that internal scarring from my Whipple would make the pancreas transplant very difficult. Still working on a kidney transplant.

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Replies to "Short history: Ten years ago, I was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic. Five years ago..."

Honestly this baffled me. I am 5’5 and 220 lbs and I am listed for SPK. And they put the new pancreas in away from the old one, at least in my hospital. The old one would not be touched.

@marvinjsturing I’m reviewing this discussion from start to present. You had a very full and daunting plate: diabetes, CKD and pancreatic cancer. How are you now?