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My Pancreatic Islet Transplant at City of HopeMay 1, 2023 - 11:26 am
City of Hope Fundraising LetterMay 25, 2019 - 8:36 am
Video – Briskin Center for Clinical ResearchFebruary 17, 2019 - 3:41 pm
News and Breakthroughs – My City of Hope TransplantJanuary 12, 2019 - 4:13 pm- Type-1 Diabetes – City of Hope – My Personal 3-Year MiracleOctober 23, 2018 - 1:50 pm
2 1/2 Years: No Insulin + Immunosuppression – The Yin Yang Of An Islet TransplantMay 12, 2018 - 12:00 pm
Video – Briskin Center for Clinical Research
/in Featured Posts, Islet Transplant, Latest Updates, Media, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksI was very happy to be a small part of this video for the Judy & Bernard Briskin Center for Clinical Research at City of Hope.
News and Breakthroughs – My City of Hope Transplant
/in Featured Posts, Islet Transplant, Latest Updates, My Current Feelings, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksFeeling very privileged to find my story on City of Hope’s website about Type-1 Diabetes under News and Breakthroughs as they work to find a cure.
Type-1 Diabetes – City of Hope – My Personal 3-Year Miracle
/in Featured Posts, Islet Transplant, Latest Updates, My Current Feelings, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksThis is a presentation I recently made at a City of Hope event summarizing my 3 years in a Clinical Trial for Type-1 Diabetes. It’s my personal 3-year miracle.
2 1/2 Years: No Insulin + Immunosuppression – The Yin Yang Of An Islet Transplant
/in Islet Transplant, Latest Updates, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksAfter 2 1/2 years, I am still living a dream I never thought possible. The most frequent questions I am asked about my pancreatic islet transplant are about how my life has changed and what about immunosuppression? Here are some answers and a little perspective.
September 2017 Blood Sugar Numbers – Still Wow
/in Islet Transplant, Latest Updates, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksMy September 2017 blood sugar numbers remain quite amazing. For Type-1 Diabetics, and our friends and family, it shows what is possible for all of us.
9 Months Post Transplant – No Insulin – No Complications – Lots of Gratitude
/in Featured Posts, Islet Transplant, Latest Updates, Transplant Details/by Roger Sparks9 months post transplant, I’m still living totally without insulin or complications. This is a quick update on my status, as I am filled with gratitude and thanks to so many.
Six Months After My Islet Transplant – Each Day Is a Gift
/in Featured Posts, Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksSix months after my pancreatic islet transplant, I’m living totally without insulin. After 35 years with Type-1 Diabetes, each day is a breathtaking gift.
September 2016 Blood Sugar Numbers – Wow
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksMy September 2016 blood sugar numbers are quite amazing. For Type-1 Diabetics, and our friends and family, it shows what is possible for all of us.
90 Days With No Insulin – But Who’s Counting?
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksA Type-1 Diabetic for 35 years, I no longer take insulin and my life has abruptly and dramatically changed – all because of a City of Hope Clinical Trial.
Day 14 – Still No Insulin Needed
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksAt day 14 after my second Islet Transplant at the City of Hope, I still require no external insulin. Recovering well, I’m starting to believe what is happening may really be true. Day 14 – Absorbing The Results Each day brings more surprises: I’m requiring no insulin. I have normal blood sugars. I eat normal […]
Three Days Post Transplant 2 – No More Insulin
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksFor the first time in 35 years as a Type-1 diabetic, three days after my second Islet Transplant at the City of Hope, I require no external insulin. If you’re a Type-1 Diabetic, or know a Type-1, you’ll hopefully understand how impossible this is to comprehend. At three days post-transplant, I’ve now had two days […]
Transplant Number 2 – On The Waitlist
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger Sparks“I am writing to inform you that you have been listed as ACTIVE on the UNOS waitlist as of today, June 10, 2016 at 1:45 pm. We will notify you as soon as we learn of a donor pancreas becoming available.” ….. City of Hope As I read the words in this email, my eyes […]
Islet Transplant – Day 120 – And A Decision
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksApproaching 120 days post-transplant, I feel very, very good. No Lows. No Highs. A1C’s in the 5’s. It may not last forever, but it’s pretty sweet right now. Where I Am Now At this point in the clinical trial we have a pretty good idea of how my body is adjusting, and how well the […]
Current Thoughts
/in Islet Transplant, My Current Feelings/by Roger SparksMy thoughts at this point center around my confidence in the City of Hope and my transplant team. I am stunned about how they have already changed my life. In a process like this, you are reminded every day of how lucky you are to be part of it – by the disciplines you develop, […]
Insulin & Prescription Drug Costs
/in Featured Posts, Islet Transplant/by Roger SparksInsulin – required by diabetics to live – is a prime example of out of control prescription drug costs and a mercenary delivery system.
Transplant Status – Day 75
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksAt day 75, an A1C blood test in the 5’s illustrates the potential life change this clinical trial offers Type-1 diabetics. But decisions remain for me.
A Little Help From My Friends
/in Featured Posts, Islet Transplant/by Roger SparksA few thoughts about the importance of friends during my years with diabetes and my recent islet transplant and recovery.
Transplant Recovery – First 2 Months
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksBlood samples, drug changes, monitoring, and visits to the City of Hope dominated the first two months post-surgery. In addition to taking lots of drugs, three times a day, I had to carefully record them in a drug diary, monitor all the food I ate, test my blood sugar levels, and carefully note any reaction […]
Transplant Surgery
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksThe Islet Transplant surgery was about a one and a half hour procedure. I was awake throughout the entire process, under a mild sedative.
Making The Transplant Decision
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksI first contacted the City of Hope (COH), Duarte, California, in May, 2015, about their clinical trial that I had found on the internet. This video – from a patient in one of their earlier trials, several years ago – hit all my hot buttons, and convinced me that I wanted to find out more […]
Hypoglycemia – For Family & Friends
/in Featured Posts, Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksIf you are involved with a Type-1 diabetic, or have a friend or family member with diabetes, it’s very important to understand hypoglycemia – low blood sugars – and what to do when you see them happen.
Life With Type-1 Diabetes
/in Islet Transplant, Transplant Details/by Roger SparksI have had Type-1 Diabetes for over 35 years. This means my pancreas produces no insulin, and I require daily external injections of insulin to survive.