Jan. 22, 2005 - 13:31 MST

THE WONDERING JEW

Hope

Sometimes reading the paper is a breath of fresh air and an indication that some things are going right.

An article in this morning's Rocky Mountain News by Bill Scanlon of the same paper is one of those all too scarce jewels. In part:

Islet cell transplant offers new life for some diabetics

52-year-old actor says procedure 'means the world'

"Last Halloween, Steph skipped the candy corn and instead went for 400,000 islet cells injected into a vein near his liver."

"On Thanksgiving Steph got not cranberries -- but another 400,000 islet cells."

"In December, just in time for Christmas, Steph got his final dose of islet (rhymes with pilot) cells."

"And suddenly, the insulin highs and sugar lows that have made his life a living hell for 23 years are nearly gone."

"Steph is apparently the first person in the rocky Mountain region to receive an islet cell transplant, an experimental procedure aimed at bringing stability to diabetics who can't regulate their blood sugars."

"Steph has Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes. His pancreas doesn't produce insulin, which is necessary for the body to use sugar to fuel its cells."

"Islet cells occur in clumps, like islands in a sea, and comprise just 1 percent of the cells in the pancreas. But they're the cells that tell the body when to produce and secrete insulin, so they are essential to well-being."

"He's had car accidents in the past that he says were the result of hitting a high behind the wheel."

"The danger he posed to himself and others made him an ideal candidate for islet cells, said Dr. Alexander Wiseman, a transplant physician at University of Colorado Hospital."

The first islet cell transplant was done four years ago in Edmonton Alberta."

A study of 36 islet cell recipients found that 19 remained insulin-indeendent a year after the procedure, said Dr. James Shapiro, director of the program in Edmonton. Of the 17 who still need insulin, seven of those have derived some benefit and improvement in quality of life."

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There is much more to the article but that is the gist. Like all items of medical progress there are some things not so good involved such as the need to take anti-rejection meds for the rest of recipients life and other things to watch out for and take care of.

I have a nephew with type 1 who has had his share of troubles with high and low insulin content of his body. Fortunately he is still alive, in good health and obeying his doctor. Type 2 is bad enough, I have several in-laws who have that too.

The bad thing on this is the same as it is on other transplants, somebody has to die to make available the islet cells available.

Being tied to taking the mnecessary medication frequently including the need to test oneself all the time is a torture hard to envision by one who is not familiar with that condition. When we used to take Heather's brother out he would always bring a bottle of orange juice to drink if he went too far out of line. Once in a while it was necessary for him to drink the OJ.

But - - - this offers Type 1 diabetes sufferers help that was not available before. Perhaps the procedure will be refined as time goes on to the point it can be accomplished without the possibility of complications.

This shows that medical science is progressing and gives many people Hope . . . . .

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