I had a partial pancreatectomy with islet cell transplant on June 11, 2007. It was supposed to be a TOTAL pancreatectomy but when the docs got in there, they thought that the head of my pancreas "appeared" healthy so they left it in, with hopes that would prevent diabetes. They knew that it was a possibility that the head of my pancreas had "microscopic chronic pancreatitis" and that I could possibly need a completion surgery, but said there was a 15% chance of that happening. Of course anything rare will happen to me! About 2 months after surgery all the pain came rushing back. I had been doing wonderfully, and was able to reduce my narcotic usage greatly. But had to go back on them to treat this pain.

Now I am scheduled to have a completion pancreatectomy and another islet cell transplant on February 11, 2008. Luckily this time it seems my insurance will actually pay for most of it. Hopefully after this surgery it will truly be the end of this and I can have my life back.