Sandra

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Sandra is an artist and painter

After 42 years of misery living with T1DM, she is insulin free, diabetes free in charge of her life.!

Congratulations Sandra!

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"...This is my oil painting, “The Pancreas.”  

I remember the day I did it, 495.  Took insulin, ate nothing, exercised. Felt terrible, but I was on a mission that day.  I was going to perform artistic surgery and remove that evil organ from my body.  Success!   I felt better after painting, though still on the high side.  

At age 13 I passed out at my Grandfather’s funeral.  I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The 1970’s urine testing and pet rocks. No blood sugar testing and no gadgets.  I quickly learned Type 1 Diabetes is much, much, more than not eating candy and taking insulin shots.  It was ambulances, comas, convulsions, mood/blood sugar swings, unpredictability.  EVERYTHING effected my blood sugar.  Including art.  Spiritually it became like medicine for my soul.  

My body over 42 years has had some complications.  I knew it was coming but I didn’t count on HOPE.  The University of Chicago Hospitals and Dr. Witowski’s transplant program gave me hope, support, education, and a cure!  I can’t recall ever feeling so good!  

I had worked til I could physically no more.  Coasting down hill fast.  I took control of my destiny. I got a Pancreas transplant. I am an artist not a disease anymore.  The future is limitless with possibilities. Never stop believing. Hope is the best thing and never dies.

I only had to wait 42 years.  At least I didn’t have to wait 108 like the Cubs!"

Sandra

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