A little help from my friends

On December 10th, 2020 I will be having a TP-AIT at UCSF.  This is the latest of many health challenges I have battled over the years and it is the biggest yet. TP-AIT stands for Total Pancreatectomy with Auto Islet Transplant. During this surgery they remove your pancreas, gallbladder (they already took that one), spleen, part of your intestines, part of your stomach and re-route your digestive system. They then take your pancreas, harvest the islet cells (the ones that produce insulin) and transplant them into your liver. After the surgery you are diabetic, but the hope is that over time the islet cells will find a new home in your liver and start to produce insulin. For about 50% of patients they can reduce their insulin injections or possibly come off of it completely.

I'll be honest...I am really scared. This surgery is potentially dangerous, can have many  complications and is extremely painful. However, I'm also hopeful that this will help me have less pain and more energy, not to mention be able to to eat food like a normal person! The doctors have told me to expect to be in ICU for about one week and then on a transplant floor for about 3-4 weeks. And because of the Covid spikes, no visitors will be allowed and I will be alone the entire time. Once I'm released I will need 24hr care for one month and although full recovery is individual, most people take about 6 months - 1 year to function at relatively normal level. 

If you know me well, you know that I don't like asking for help and this is very hard for me to do.  So many people are struggling right now and it feels ridiculous to ask for contributions during this time. But, I've thought about it a lot and it comes down to this...I simply need help. During my recovery I won't be able to work and I will have no source of income for several months to possibly a year. I always try to be strong and bounce back when my health has brought me down, but this surgery is unlike anything I've ever had to face before. If you have the means, I'm asking for any contribution to help me pay for my bills until I get back on my feet. Anything helps and even if you cannot help financially, if you could please share this to your network I would greatly appreciate it!

Sending you all my love during this challenging time. I am so thankful for each and every one of you reading this right now. May you be filled with love, joy and kindness...