MIAMI – Millions of people around the world suffer from Type 1 diabetes and doctors at the University of Miami Health System are hoping that a new procedure will change the way diabetes is treated.
Wendy Peacock has suffered from Type 1 diabetes for most of her adult life. She said her diabetes became so bad that she could no longer live alone and take care of her 5-year-old son. She said her blood sugar would drop so quickly that it would force her to lose consciousness.
"You never forget that you have diabetes. You can't. It's always there," Peacock said. "I wish it were just as easy as taking a few injections and you're done with it for the day, but it's nonstop."
Last month, Peacock became the first patient to receive a transplant procedure in Miami at the Diabetes Research Institute. Doctors said the procedure is a new technique for insulin to produce islet cells. Cells were implanted into a lining in Peacock's abdominal organs, intended to mimic the pancreas in order to restore natural insulin production.
Since the procedure, Peacock's glucose levels have remained healthy and she can now lead a lifestyle where she doesn't have to depend on others.
"I can go to sleep at night and not worry that my blood sugar is going to drop, so it's almost like a weight has been lifted," Peacock said.
Doctors said Peacock is doing well and have been impressed with the success of her surgery. She has been fully taken off insulin.
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