Featured Blogger of the Week: January 11-17, Post #1

Featured Blogger of the Week: January 11-17
Landileigh Nelson, Landileigh's Little World
Post # 1

Recently there has been speculation about Steve Jobs’ health. A recent article presumed that he had “Type 1 – like” diabetes due to the large part of his pancreas that was removed during the surgery that he received to remove a pancreatic tumor. I wanted to set the story straight and to talk about the smallest percentage of diabetics. The OTHERS.

There are several rare causes of diabetes mellitus that do not fit into type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes; attempts to classify them remain controversial, so we are called OTHERS, as in “Other Types of Diabetes”. We are not “Type 1 – like”.

The World Health Organization in 1999 reclassified and defined the types of diabetes. Their description follows for the Other Types of Diabetes: Some cases of diabetes are caused by the body’s tissue receptors not responding to insulin (even when insulin levels are normal, which is what separates it from type 2 diabetes); this form is very uncommon. Genetic mutations (autosomal ormitochondrial) can lead to defects in beta cell function. Abnormal insulin action may also have been genetically determined in some cases. Any disease that causes extensive damage to the pancreas may lead to diabetes (for example, chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis).

I had Pancreatitis due to a Bile Duct Obstruction and Chronic Kidney Disease, and now have Diabetes. I am an OTHER!. I try and explain to everyone that I come across the differences and the similarities to Type 1 Diabetes. How I got diabetes is different than most people, but my treatment is the same as a Type 1. All research towards a cure, will never cure me. My pancreas is damaged. Anywhere in between now and 4 years from now, I will have a double transplant. Pancreas and Kidney. Will it mean I will never have to inject insulin again? Possibly. Most likely.

I blog to show that there are OTHER people living with diabetes, and help everyone learn how we are dealing with this disease.

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