Shannon Bannon

Shannon was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 5 years old.  She and her family sought care through their family physician for five years and then started seeing an endocrinologist.  She knew about diabetes, but wasn’t aware of the potentially damaging effects it can have on your body until she saw another patient with one leg in the physician’s waiting room.  Then, it hit home.

When Shannon was 17 years old, she started to experience some of the complications of diabetes.  She had retinopathy and could not see very well.  She came to the University of Minnesota and talked with the doctors here about getting a pancreas transplant.  Twenty years ago, the immunosuppressive medications used were different than they are now.  “At that time, they told me that one of the side effects of the immunosuppressive medications was facial hair and that I would have to shave my face,” she said.  “I was only 18 years old and didn’t want to have to do that.”  So, she decided not to have the transplant at that time.

Over the years, however, diabetes took its toll.  She developed high blood pressure, neuropathy, and kidney problems.  “Diabetes was controlling my life,” she said.  In November 2002, Shannon got really sick and she didn’t know what was wrong.  Her body was swollen all over.  When she woke up in the morning, her eyes were even be swollen shut.  She went to the doctor, had some tests, and learned that her kidney function was all but gone.  She was told she would either need to have a kidney transplant or she would need to go on dialysis soon.  She decided to have a kidney transplant. 

She did research on kidney transplant centers.  Although there are other centers which were closer to her home in Tennessee, she decided to come to The Transplant Center at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview (formerly called Fairview-University Medical Center), to have her kidney transplant.  She chose the Transplant Center because “the doctors have performed so many more kidney transplants than the doctors at centers in my area and the doctors know the latest information in the field because of the research that is done at the University of Minnesota.”  She was especially happy that the immunosuppressive medications that are used at the Transplant Center do not include prednisone.  She says, “I trust the doctors at the Transplant Center.  They take time to answer your questions and they don’t talk down to you.  They treat you with respect.”

Shannon and her family found out more about the living donor program.  Both of her sisters offered to donate a kidney to her and tissue matching was done.  Her sister, Debbie, was a 4 of 6 match.  Debbie has always been athletic and had never been in the hospital before, but was eager to donate (see photo of Shannon and Debbie, above).  On April 17, 2003, one of Debbie’s kidneys was removed and was put into Shannon.  Dr. Sutherland performed Shannon’s kidney transplant surgery.

Shannon’s doctors recommended that she have a pancreas transplant after her kidney transplant to help protect her new kidney from being damaged by diabetes.  Shannon agreed and was put on the waiting list for a pancreas transplant.  She received three separate calls from the doctors regarding potential donor organs that became available.  The first two organs were not suitable for transplant, but the third one was.

On November 24, 2003, Shannon and her family flew to Minnesota for a pancreas transplant.  Dr. Gruessner and Dr. Harmon performed the surgery.  Shannon made several friends in the hospital, “Dawn, my transplant coordinator is wonderful!  She is always responsive when I have questions and jokes around with me about my travel plans.”  Shannon also has her favorite nurses and staff in the Transplant Center and in the hospital in Unit 6B.  “One time, I came to Minnesota and didn’t bring a coat because it was so warm in Tennessee.  It was so cold outside in Minnesota that Catherine in the front office brought in a coat from home for me to use while I was in town.”  

Shannon is happy she had the transplants.  “My whole life has changed,” she says.  Since her transplants, her vision has improved, her blood pressure has come down, the neuropathy in her feet has gotten better, and her blood sugar control is better than it has ever been.  She says, “I would do it over again tonight if I needed to.”

She has had a lot of family support during the surgery.  Her husband, parents, both sisters, and in-laws came with her to Minnesota when she had her transplants.  “You really get to know and appreciate your family and friends during a time like that,” says Shannon.  Her sister, Debbie, is doing great and is back to her fitness routine.  Shannon’s husband, Terry, has been beside her the whole way (see photo below).  “He’s a rock.  He’s held me up so many times.  He sticks by my side through thick and thin and reassures me that we’ll get through this together,” she says.  Shannon’s sister-in-law will be coming to Minnesota soon to see if she’s a good candidate for a pancreas transplant.  Her sister-in-law was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 18 and is now 33 years old.  She is very excited about the possibility of getting a transplant.  Shannon and her husband will be among those supportive of her – with special insight to share with her about transplantation. 

Shannon writes to the mother of the person who donated their pancreas to her and she has received several letters from her in return.  Shannon feels close to her and is happy to let her know how much she appreciates the gift of life she has received.

Today, Shannon is active and always on-the-go.  She and her husband live on the water, so they enjoy boating and fishing.  They also love traveling and scuba diving.  She wants to share her story with as many people as she can so that they know what a huge difference a transplant can make in a person’s life.  The Kidney Foundation in Chattanooga has asked her to be a speaker at an upcoming event.  I’m certain we will be hearing more from Shannon in the near future.