Results back from Minnesota

I got my lab results back from my trip to Minnesota. I was tested on my C-Peptide levels, Glucose Levels, Avg Glucose, and Albumin/Prealbumin levels.

The C Peptide test measures how well my body is producing insulin on its own. The fasting test was done and my level was .7 (normal range is .9-6.9) The doctor said this was fine and that it wasn’t anything to worry about. Then I drank a boost and they took another test to see how my body responded to it. My C-peptide was then 2.2, which shows my body’s insulin productivity responds well to eating and is functioning normally!

My fasting blood sugar level was 84 (normal is 80-120). 2 hours post eating it was 75! My 3 mo average blood sugar(A1C) was 5.7. Anything below 6.0 is not considered diabetic, so I am doing wonderfully in that area. The doctor would like to try me completely off insulin once my pregnancy is over.

The last test was the prealbumin and albumin. We did this test to see how my body was absorbing nutrition since I’m not on the enzymes anymore. I’m not anemic or have any vitamin deficiencies, but we wanted to make sure I was absorbing properly. The prealbumin test was 18 (normal is 15-45)! My body is absorbing perfectly normal all by itself! I was quite excited! The albumin test was 3.8 (normal is 3.9-5.1), so I just missed this by a hair, but again they said not to change anything because they believes it’s all functioning properly.

So, I just wanted to share the good news that everything seems to be working great!

A1C Results

I just got my A1C Results back! In November, my A1C was 6.2 and now it is 5.7!! That means that my average blood sugars are in normal range of a non-diabetic! So, it definitely sounds like a possibility of no more insulin once I'm done being pregnant! Woohoo!!!

1yr follow up- 2/10/09

My appt went great in Minnesota!! It was so nice seeing everyone there again. It's amazing. The woman that drew my blood remembered me from last year because she drew my blood one morning in the hospital. They just remember everyone and are so sweet there. I got to see Dr. Sutherland and he was so proud of how well I'm doing! He wanted to try to get me off insulin completely, but I told him the big news and he wanted to wait until after the pregnancy to do that. He thinks my levels look great and things are working well, so it could be a possibility. So, I drank the lovely boost and did the bloodwork after a couple of hours and then we were on our way to shop! Mom and I spent all day tuesday shopping and hit every inch of the mall of america! We are so talented! We then were beat and ordered in pizza and hung out in the room that night. It was funny. the IU basketball team was actually staying on our floor! How crazy for them to be in minneapolis the same time we were! Our flight home on wednesday was pretty rough from all the bad storms and there was a time that I thought my stomach wasn't going to cooperate with me, but we landed and made it back safely! Overall, it was such a fun trip. I got to meet a girl I'd been emailing with and talk to her about the surgery. She is a sweetheart. I had such a fun trip with mom and it was just so awesome to spend those days with her and be completely relaxed this time! I love her dearly! It looks like I won't see Minnesota for another year too! woohoo! What a fun milestone this was!

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO ME!! Today marks one year from the day of my surgery. I talked to mom and james this morning and we were reminiscing on the mixed emotions on this day last year. I was such a mess that morning and doubting going through with everything and I can't imagine if I hadn't. As stressful as today was for everyone, I think everyone would do the exact same thing if they had to do it over. It was the start of my new life and the pain and suffering was worth it. So, I'm going to celebrate and enjoy today as I look back and remember all those memories from Minnesota. This time tomorrow I will be at the airport heading back! I got lots of emails from Dr. Sutherland last night and he is always so helpful! He saw that I was on his schedule this week and sent me some more information I requested and told me he looked forward to seeing me! What he doesn't know if that I have even more good news for him too! As if things weren't going well enough, James and I are expecting our first child in July, so I've decided to hold off and tell him in person! :) I so look forward to this trip!

Heading Back to Minnesota!

On Monday, mom and I will be back in lovely, freezing minnesota!! I have my one year follow up on 2/10. It is exactly one year and 2 days after my surgery, so it'll be very neat to go back up and see Dr. Sutherland again. Can't say I'm thrilled to have to experience that cold weather again! I would never go to class if I went to school there!

I've been lucky enough to talk to quite a few patients of his that are considering the surgery and I have to say, it's one of the highlights of my day. I absolutely love talking to them and trying to help in any way I can. It's rough going through something like that. I am lucky enough that one of the girls I've been talking to has an appt an hour after mine and is staying in the same hotel! I am very excited to meet up with her and hear how her appt went, but to also be able to put a face to the name! I am very excited for that!

I am hoping some of the nurses I had will also be there as I plan to stop by the transplant floor and say hi! It's always fun to go back and see everyone. Unfortunately, last time, I didn't get to see Liz, who took the most care of me. Hopefully this time I will!

Other than that, mom and I will leave Indy at 1pm and get to Minneapolis at 5pm, so we'll have plenty of time to get settled in and grab some dinner and stuff. After a year, I think I can handle applebees again! It was a little much since it was the only thing in the hotel that I could eat last time! Then tues, I see Dr. Sutherland at 8:30 and then mom and I have the rest of the day to shop at Mall of America! We'll be home around 6 on wednesday night! It'll be a fun girls trip!

I'll try to hop on when I'm there to let you know how the appt goes, but I'm almost positive I'm going to get nothing but good news!