Mary had pancreas islet transplants

My journey towards islet transplantation began over 35 years ago, after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. After years of 5 insulin injections a day, my condition deteriorated and I began to experience hypoglycaemia unawareness.

I lived and worked as a classroom teacher with the constant fear of a major hypo (short for hypoglycemia, which is dangerously low blood sugar level). There have been many times when my husband, Kerry, needed to inject me with glucogen to raise my blood sugar levels as I was either unconscious or unable to treat myself during a severe hypo. I lost my self-confidence and was afraid to undertake everyday chores.

Five years ago, my doctor advised me to go on an insulin pump. My hypoglycaemia awareness returned, but this was short lived. During a visit to my endocrinologist, he told me about a new islet (the cells in your pancreas which produce insulin) transplantation research program he thought I may be a good candidate for.

For 2 and a half years I underwent extensive tests, while my declining confidence and frequent hypos led me to retire from teaching.

In 2010 I received the call for South Australia's first islet transplant.

My life post-transplant has changed in many ways. I can now confidently say 'I have a life.' Within days and weeks of the operation, my blood sugars were within the normal range, my hypoglycaemia awareness had returned, and my pump had been removed. My blood sugar was controlled by one injection of insulin per day.

Six months after the first transplant I underwent the second. Two months later I became free of daily insulin injections. My confidence has returned and I am back teaching – hypo free!

My new life would not have been possible without the generosity of my donors and their families. They made a heart wrenching decision to give a perfect stranger a chance at life only dreamed about, and because of their generosity the dream has come true for myself and my family.