Kimberly Menard
I was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes in 1972 at the young age of 13 years old. Becoming diabetic at that age had a negative psychological effect on me. When I look back, I am so appreciative and thankful to my parents for being able to deal not only with the rebel teen years, but also with trying to help me with diabetes management.
My quality of life continued to deteriorate throughout the years. Diabetes is both mentally and physically challenging. As a child, I remember that any time my blood glucose levels would be too high or low, I would have extreme feelings of guilt, truly believing these swings in glucose levels were 100 percent my fault and that I was completely to blame. My doctors in those years, reinforced my guilty feelings by saying things such as, “You need to eat better and exercise more to better control your diabetes.” Despite following my doctor’s orders I would still be out of control. I learned that diabetes management is a constant physical and psychological struggle for both the diabetic and his or her family, and it never got easier for me throughout the years.
Over the past 10 years before my transplant my body no longer recognized low blood-glucose symptoms. I suffered ongoing episodes of hypoglycemia unawareness. I felt like I was playing Russian roulette with my life, despite my best efforts. My family saved my life over and over during those years.
I was accepted for islet transplant by Dr. Oberholzer and his team but during the eight months I was waiting for the transplant I had some close calls. But, on September 14, 2005, my life changed when I received an islet cell transplant by Dr. José Oberholzer and his excellent transplant team at the University of Illinois Medical Center.
Eight days post-transplant, I became completely insulin independent for the first time in 33 years. My quality of life improved and I no longer have to be concerned about passing out due to severe hyperglycemic unawareness, because my glucose results are the same as a non-diabetic. Cuts and scratches now heal within days when it used to take months. My feet and hands are no longer cold all the time due to poor circulation. I feel 100 percent better and have boundless energy. My family can now relax because of my non-diabetic normal blood glucose results. For the first time in my life with my family I was able to take a family vacation, hiking in the Rockies!
I am very hopeful this transplant will last for the rest of my life. If it does, I know that many risks to my long-term health will be eliminated. I won’t have to worry about kidney failure, heart disease, amputation, blindness, strokes, pneumonia, nervous system disease and all manner of other problems that I know diabetics deal with everyday of their lives.
This transplant has enable me to try and fulfill one of my primary life’s goals—helping to find a cure for the millions of people suffering from Type 1 diabetes. I know that we can do it if everyone helps just a little. I hope you will do what you can.
Kim Carlson
When diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 17, I was living on my own and working to finish my senior year of high school. I thought that I had been condemned to repeat the life of my mother who had suffered for years from a liver disease that took her life at the young age of 41. Just weeks ago I myself turned 41 and I am eternally grateful for finding The Chicago Project and its group of people with the intelligence and drive to help me change my destiny. In September of 2005 I received an islet transplant and within 5 weeks I was totally off of insulin for the first time in 22 years.
The islet transplant has made such a huge impact on my life. Some of the most normal things that someone without diabetes takes for granted have now become normal to me. I can now get into a car and drive, knowing that my blood sugar will not drop dangerously low and cause me to have an accident. This also allows me to go places by myself without my family worrying that I may pass out somewhere without them there to help me. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my son was 7 years old at the time. I had just gotten out of the shower and felt very tired. I went to lie down on the bed next to my son who was watching television. My next memory was waking up to find several paramedics surrounding me. I had passed out from low blood sugar and when my son realized what was happening he ran to the neighbor’s house to tell them and they called 911. Another way that my life has changed is that I can eat a meal without taking a shot of insulin hoping that it is sufficient for the amount that I have eaten and the activity that I have done that day. Before my transplant, I was constantly working to figure out what would keep my blood sugars at a normal level and I would always feel guilty that I could not control it. I can now look forward to seeing my children grow up because my diabetes is not causing damage to my eyes and other vital organs.
My experience with The Chicago Project has been wonderful! The doctors, nurses and support staff are the greatest and I could not have wished for any better. They are available any time, day or night, and have gone out of their way to help with any of my needs. I could not have gotten to where I am now with out the caring support of any of these people and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you,
Kim Carlson
