Roger Granville, 32 of Irvington, was
the first person to receive a simultaneous kidney and
pancreas transplant at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
The transplant of two organs during one surgery cured
Mr. Granville of his diabetes and renal failure.
Part of the Saint Barnabas Renal and Pancreas
Transplant Division at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center,
the new pancreas transplant program puts treatment for
Type I diabetes where it is needed, at the center of this
urban community. Health studies nationwide reveal that
African Americans and Hispanics are almost two times more
likely to develop diabetes than Caucasians. Genetic and
environmental factors combine to put minority groups at
higher risk for the disease and the life-threatening complications
that result.
Diagnosed as a child, diabetes took a toll
on Mr. Granville’s body over 23 years. Before the
transplant in October 2006, he was being treated for kidney
failure, high blood pressure, vision loss, and poor circulation
that resulted in the amputation of a toe. Like many people,
Mr. Granville’s diabetes was difficult to control
even with medication and diet restrictions.
“People seek care in the community
in which they live,” says Paul Mertz, Executive Director
of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. “Offering a
variety of educational programs about transplantation in
both English and Spanish in the heart of this city helps
make pancreas transplantation accessible for all.” The
new pancreas transplant program was made possible by a
grant from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey whose
priorities are to advance the health care and wellness
of vulnerable members of the greater Newark, New Jersey
area and to ensure access to health care and quality of
life for all.
Within days after his transplant, Mr. Granville
noticed changes in his body. “To wake up in the morning
with energy and a normal blood sugar reading is amazing,” he
says. He no longer has to test his blood sugar level, inject
insulin or avoid eating sugar. Mr. Granville enjoyed his
first taste of birthday cake in more than two decades when
he celebrated his daughter’s fifth birthday several
weeks after the surgery.
Transplantation of a healthy kidney and
pancreas can halt and often reverse many of the life-threatening
side effects of diabetes. The transplant liberated Mr.
Granville from dialysis sessions three times a week. Dialysis
is a life-saving process for removing toxins from the blood,
yet it puts strain on all the major organ systems and drains
the patient of energy. After years of taking three medications
for high blood pressure, Mr. Granville is now down to one
pill per day and his blood pressure is in the normal range
for the first time since he can remember. While he will
not regain the vision he lost in his right eye, the transplant
will help protect his remaining vision.
An electrical engineer, Mr. Granville is
making plans to return to college after his recovery is
complete in several months, but more importantly he is
looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays with
his daughter.
Saint Barnabas Medical Center: 973-322-5938
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center: 973-926-7555.
|
| Roger Granville, 32 of Irvington, was
the first person to receive a simultaneous kidney and
pancreas transplant at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. |
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