#EmmeSmiles is off and its more amazing than anyone ever expected

While you can never be truly prepared, mentally and monetarily, for a life altering event like an organ transplant we weren’t expecting this time to come so soon.

Instead of a total pancreatectomy she will be getting a total pancreatectomy and islet auto transplant, or TP-IAT. University of Minnesota Health has a great article called FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT (TP-IAT) SURGERY. The short version in laymen terms is they remove the pancreas, pull out the islet cells that product insulin and infuse them into the liver. The liver then hosts the islets. If they take, this essentially tricks the liver into producing insulin like the pancreas. Her chances of being Type 1 diabetic are only about 20%.

The process to get this procedure consists of an initial 4 day consultation. Her case would then be presented to the board for acceptance. After acceptance there would be a couple week inpatient stay after the procedure. Due to the rigorous follow up schedule Emily and Liz will be required to live near the hospital after the inpatient stay. People we have become friendly with whose children had the procedure done have had to stay in town for 3 months plus.

You can imagine how the costs quickly add up;

• Consultation
  • Travel
    • 9 hour drive to Minneapolis
  • Food
  • Lodging
• Procedure
  • Lodging
    • 3 months plus
  • Food
  • Travel for family to visit
  • Procedural Costs
    • We aren’t sure it will be covered by insurance. We do have confirmation the consultation will be covered by insurance.

So as you can tell we could use some help. Prayers, good vibes, thoughts and well-wishes help us pay the mental bills more than you can imagine. We are very thankful for the support our family has received during this process. But at the end of the day financial help (no matter the donation size) is our big need right now. Even if you can’t provide monetary support, sharing this page and Emily’s story would mean the world to us.