I received a pancreas only in 2011. I had been on the transplant list for about 6 months and had 12 hours to get to the hospital. We live 10 hours away, but it was the middle of winter with an icy storm between us and the hospital in Rochester, MN. We had made contact with a charter flight that was able to meet us at the local airport and fly us to Rochester, landing just before the airport was shut down due to the storm. Then we had about 4 hours to wait before we could check into the hospital and were not allowed to wait at the hospital. We stayed across the street at the Kahler. During my hospitalization my caregiver moved into the Gift of Life Transplant House, which we have been using ever since when it is available to us. If we had not lived close enough, the Transplant House would have been available for us to wait until a pancreas became available. The first year was horrendous, as other issues that had been hidden by long-term diabetes came to light. I was hospitalized 9 times in the first 12 months, lost my independence and ended up in a wheelchair. I could not drive, cook or clean my house and had to depend on other people to take care of everything. Fortunately things began coming together and I am now back to driving and only using a wheelchair for long distances or where there is no seating available. I am now stable and my goal is to stay so for as long as possible. At the time of my pancreas transplant I was informed that I would probably need a kidney transplant in 3 years. Sure enough, at my 3rd annual exam I was referred to the renal department to be assessed and followed regarding a kidney transplant. Thank God for that! We discovered that oxilates were the primary cause of the damage to my kidneys. I began a low oxalate diet and have since been able to improve my kidney function enough to be removed from the transplant list. We also discovered that I cannot assimilate fats and I have also added a low fat diet to my treatment plan. Despite the rough first year, this has been a wonderful experience for me. I have discovered underlying issues that are now being treated and am greatly improved. I no longer take insulin or need to check my blood sugars 4-6 times a day, and my blood sugars are stable with an a1c of around 4.7.

@2011panc Welcome to Connect. I'm happy that you found us. Thank you for sharing your amazing and dramatic story of your arrival during the storm. I'm happy that you are doing well after that rollercoaster first year. I am short on time right now, but I had to welcome you, a fellow transplant recipient - and from Mayo Rochester, too!
I'll be back in touch soon.
In the mean time check out the Living Life after your Transplant discussion for some helpful hints. I'll bet you have some that you could add, too.
Rosemary liver/kidney 2009

Hi @2011panc. I'd like to add my welcome too. Here is the link to the discussion Rosemary refers to
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-life-after-your-transplant/
It would be great to have you add to that discussion.

You are amazing!! What a struggle you have been through yet you are pushing forward and remain positive. This will be the perfect platform for you to inspire others!! Congratulations on your perseverance, courage, and love of life!! Happy Thanksgiving:))

Thank you all for your welcome and kind remarks. Also thank you for the referral to the Living after Transplant discussion. I don't really hear about the mental, emotional and spiritual challenges recipients (or caregivers) face, so I am hoping for continued support in these areas from this group.

@2011panc I am happy that you have found us. We transplant recipients and our caregivers) do have to stick together and to support each other! You have just given me an idea for a new transplant discussion! I hope you will join me there! Rosemary

@2011panc, How did you find our Connect discussion? Rosemary

I had been searching online, but I only found technical and caregiver support groups. I asked at my last annual exams if they were aware of any talk/discussion groups for recipients and they sent me this link.