PATIENTS
PATIENT STORIES
Judy
Judy and Pat, her husband who came straight all the way from Japan to support her, Picture taken day 1 after islet transplant
Now, they are celebrating 2.5 Years off insulin
Congratulations! You've made it!
“After completing the study of Sernova's Cell Pouch for clinical islet transplantation and as the first transplant candidate, I can easily state how absolutely wonderful life is to be free of always thinking of how to manage my diabetes. After having T1D for 47 years with approximately 21,535 injections of various cow/pig, synthetic insulins, 34,310 finger sticks, 1,460 urine tests, 15 years on the pump, carbohydrate counting, blood tests, low blood sugar reactions, and doctors…doctors and more doctors’ visits, I have now been free of the need for injectable insulin for 14 months. My Sernova team of invaluable scientists, doctors, engineers, and Dr. Witkowski, and the University of Chicago's support staff have done this truly amazing feat right in the middle of a worldwide pandemic! My only wish is that it could have been done sooner.”
2021 March, Judy and Pat celebrating one year insulin independence with the Islet Transplant Team in Chicago.
Day 4 after islet transplant, Judy with family enjoyed Chicago Cubs game
(pre-Covid time)
2022 October,
2.5 years off insulin celebration dinner
This time Judy shared with us how she enjoys life and freedom from insulin and severe hypoglycemic episodes. She visited us with her husband, Patrick, while on her road trip through the East Coast and the Midwest, then back to Florida. Next, they are planning to visit Europe.
She also shared how her experience with islet transplantation changed the life of her grandnephew, who developed T1DM when he was 7 years old. Previously, he was in denial of the disease and noncompliant with insulin. Now despite being a teenager, but inspired by Judy’s experience, he has taken full control of his blood glucose control. Judy's success gave him and his parents hope for the cure to the disease and a bright future. He understands that in the meantime he needs to control his blood glucose well in order to stay as healthy as possible and avoid irreversible complications like blindness, neuropathy and amputations.
2022 October,
2.5 years off insulin celebration dinner
This time Judy shared with us how she enjoys life and freedom from insulin and severe hypoglycemic episodes. She visited us with her husband, Patrick, while on her road trip through the East Coast and the Midwest, then back to Florida. Next, they are planning to visit Europe.
She also shared how her experience with islet transplantation changed the life of her grandnephew, who developed T1DM when he was 7 years old. Previously, he was in denial of the disease and noncompliant with insulin. Now despite being a teenager, but inspired by Judy’s experience, he has taken full control of his blood glucose control. Judy's success gave him and his parents hope for the cure to the disease and a bright future. He understands that in the meantime he needs to control his blood glucose well in order to stay as healthy as possible and avoid irreversible complications like blindness, neuropathy and amputations.