#1731 Medtronic for the Win
You can always listen to the Juicebox Podcast here but the cool kids use: Apple Podcasts/iOS - Spotify - Amazon Music - Google Play/Android - iHeart Radio - Radio Public, Amazon Alexa or wherever they get audio.
Diagnosed 49 years ago, Linda shares her philosophy on "borrowed time" and her incredible feat of running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days—three separate times.
+ Click for EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
DISCLAIMER: This text is the output of AI based transcribing from an audio recording. Although the transcription is largely accurate, in some cases it is incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors and should not be treated as an authoritative record. Nothing that you read here constitutes advice medical or otherwise. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making changes to a healthcare plan.
Scott Benner (0:00) Hello, friends, and welcome back to another episode of the Juice Box podcast.
Linda (0:14) I am Linda Carrier, and I live in North Carolina. (0:19) I'm a long distance runner and a type one diabetic for forty nine years.
Scott Benner (0:25) Hey. (0:26) Do you need support? (0:27) I have some stuff for you. (0:28) It's all free. (0:29) Juiceboxpodcast.com.
Scott Benner (0:31) Click on support in the menu. (0:32) Let's see what you get there. (0:33) A one c and blood glucose calculator. (0:36) People love that. (0:36) That's actually, I think, the most popular page on the website some months.
Scott Benner (0:39) A list of great endocrinologists from listeners, that's from all over the country. (0:44) There's a link to the private Facebook group, to the Circle community, and we have a a fantastic thing there. (0:51) American Sign Language. (0:53) There's a great sign language interpreter who did the entire bold beginning series in ASL. (0:58) So if you know anybody who would benefit from that, please send them that way.
Scott Benner (1:02) Just go to juiceboxpodcast.com and click on support. (1:05) While you're there, check out the guides, like the pre bolusing guide, fat and protein insulin calculator, oh gosh, thyroid, GLP, caregiver burnout. (1:14) You should go to the website. (1:15) Click around a little bit on those menus. (1:17) It really there's a lot more there than you think.
Scott Benner (1:19) Nothing you hear on the Juice Box podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. (1:24) Always consult a physician before making any changes to your health care plan. (1:30) Today's podcast episode is sponsored by Medtronic Diabetes, who is making life with diabetes easier with the MiniMed seven eighty g system and their new sensor options, which include the Instinct sensor made by Abbott. (1:44) Would you like to unleash the full potential of the MiniMed seven eighty g system? (1:49) You can do that at my link, medtronicdiabetes.com/juicebox.
Scott Benner (1:54) Today's episode is also sponsored by the Kontoor Next Gen blood glucose meter. (1:59) Learn more and get started today at kontoornext.com/juicebox.
Linda (2:05) I am Linda Carrier, and I live in North Carolina. (2:10) I'm a long distance runner and a type one diabetic for forty nine years.
Scott Benner (2:15) And, Linda, is it true you're here to give me advice on where to move into my retirement because North Carolina is on the shortlist?
Linda (2:22) It is. (2:23) It should be. (2:23) And, yeah, because I I actually live in Pinehurst, which is the, you know, golfing capital of the world pretty much, in The US. (2:30) And we moved there because we retired, and it is perfect. (2:34) It's a small little town and just beautiful, and you can pretty much golf year round.
Speaker 3 (2:39) And Okay.
Linda (2:40) You know, there's so many golf courses.
Scott Benner (2:42) The humidity and the hurricanes. (2:43) These are what my biggest concerns.
Linda (2:45) Alright. (2:46) Well, I can tell you in Pinehurst because it's it's probably probably an hour and a half, two hours from the coast. (2:52) So when there's hurricanes that come through, it'll get a little windy and, and dump a little bit more rain, but but you don't have the damage like you see Mhmm. (3:01) In news. (3:03) I will say the humidity, which I moved from Seattle, so there's they don't know the definition of humidity there.
Linda (3:10) I lived there for almost thirty years, but moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina. (3:15) And the humidity, especially in, like, July and August, is is bad.
Scott Benner (3:20) Okay.
Linda (3:20) So you just you just basically learned to you know, if you're gonna go golf, you golf early in the morning or later in the afternoon. (3:27) And then, you know, I mean, they just go in air conditioning during the bed.
Scott Benner (3:33) Aren't you super active with running, though? (3:35) How often do you run?
Linda (3:37) I run almost every day. (3:38) Running in the humidity is hard. (3:40) Yeah. (3:41) It's really hard. (3:42) And so I was running outdoors a lot, and you'd have to carry multiple bottles of water.
Linda (3:48) So a lot sometimes I would I would call my husband. (3:50) Right? (3:51) And I would say, I'm over here. (3:52) Can you bring another, you know, another bottle of water? (3:55) Because you can only carry so much.
Linda (3:57) But then I, you know, I started running a little bit later in the morning because I took a part time job working on a golf course. (4:03) By the time I get home, there was too much traffic, and we don't really have sidewalks here in the Pinehurst.
Scott Benner (4:10) Okay.
Linda (4:10) You know, Southern Pines kinda area, not a lot of sidewalks, so you're running on the road. (4:14) And with that kind of traffic, and especially with the retirement community, you know, you don't want target for them.
Scott Benner (4:20) Well, it was like you got a lot of geezers out here. (4:22) They're gonna pick you off. (4:23) You gotta be careful.
Speaker 3 (4:25) Exactly. (4:25) Because they can't see me. (4:26) Right? (4:26) I was like, oh my god. (4:27) I'm not
Linda (4:28) paying attention. (4:28) Whatever. (4:29) A slow movement. (4:30) Right? (4:30) Slow reaction time.
Linda (4:31) So so I started running on a treadmill, but I'm running in a in a garage. (4:36) So I've got multiple fans blowing.
Scott Benner (4:38) Oh my gosh. (4:39) You are committed to this. (4:40) Okay. (4:41) Alright. (4:41) Let's find out more about all this.
Scott Benner (4:42) You just talked me out of North Carolina, but I appreciate it. (4:45) Now, although I'm not running anywhere, if I'm being honest, But still, you were diagnosed with type one at what age?
Linda (4:53) I was 14.
Scott Benner (4:54) No kidding. (4:55) How how do you remember the year or how long ago that was?
Linda (4:58) That was forty nine years ago.
Scott Benner (5:00) Forty nine
Linda (5:00) years I was 14. (5:03) Just had now hit in forty nine years, actually, because it was November. (5:06) I can't remember the exact date, but I for some reason, I think it was November 14. (5:10) My sister had been diagnosed seven years earlier when she was eight. (5:14) Really?
Linda (5:14) So I yeah. (5:15) So I knew, you know, kinda we we knew the signs. (5:19) You know? (5:19) So when I stay in the signs, I I was diagnosed earlier than she was, obviously. (5:25) But, like, five years later, my brother was diagnosed.
Scott Benner (5:27) So Woah. (5:27) How many well, hold on. (5:28) How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Linda (5:30) I have seven. (5:31) Or I have six. (5:32) There's seven of us kids. (5:33) And so
Scott Benner (5:34) Or three for six. (5:35) Wow. (5:35) Half of you. (5:36) Oh, let me ask you. (5:37) Is there other autoimmune in your family?
Scott Benner (5:39) Your mom, your dad, grandmother's, grandfather's? (5:42) I'm looking for celiac, anything like that. (5:45) Hypothyroidism?
Linda (5:47) Yeah. (5:48) Nothing in, in in the like, my parents' family that we know of. (5:54) However, the nieces and nephews now have I have a niece and a nephew who have celiac. (6:01) Mhmm. (6:01) And So I think, you know, it's all kind of somehow related.
Linda (6:05) Yeah. (6:05) Like, vitiligo, eczema, anything like
Scott Benner (6:10) Nope. (6:10) No. (6:11) Wow. (6:11) That's bizarre.
Linda (6:12) Yeah. (6:13) Oh. (6:13) Yeah. (6:13) Yeah. (6:14) The doctors at at for a while there thought it was some you know, something to do with a, you know, hereditary type thing, but they started then and even in my neighborhood, we had a couple kids come down with it.
Linda (6:25) So over the years. (6:27) So we lived in a very Catholic community, and so there were a lot of families with, you know, kids you know, the probably the number of kids were somewhere between five and nine, you know, per family. (6:37) So we had a big, you know, neighborhood of children.
Scott Benner (6:40) Linda, a lot of Irish English backgrounds?
Linda (6:42) Yes. (6:42) Irish English. (6:43) Yep.
Speaker 3 (6:43) Yep. (6:43) Okay.
Scott Benner (6:44) Alright. (6:44) There's I see a lot of autoimmune running in the Irish, and English backgrounds when I talk to people. (6:49) That's interesting. (6:50) Yep. (6:50) I once Yeah.
Scott Benner (6:51) Interviewed a woman who grew up near a dump and, like, everybody on the street had diabetes.
Linda (6:56) Oh, see. (6:56) They were saying they thought it could be environmental as well, a combination.
Scott Benner (7:00) Ain't that really something? (7:01) Mhmm. (7:02) Well and your brother and sister are still with us doing well, or how's it going for them?
Linda (7:07) My brother's doing well. (7:09) My sister ended up with cancer, when she was 42, and she died within ten months of being diagnosed. (7:17) So Sorry. (7:17) And that, you know, that was so so hard. (7:20) You know, when you think about you're only you're not only dealing with type one diabetes, but then, you know, with the cancer and what it does, the chemo and radiation and all that stuff that does to you.
Linda (7:30) You know? (7:30) It's and hard to manage her diabetes even while she was on a pump Yeah. (7:35) But still extremely hard. (7:36) And this was, you know, twenty years ago. (7:38) I I just thought, you know, that's that seems so unfair.
Linda (7:41) Right? (7:41) That you have you know?
Scott Benner (7:43) I remember being incredibly upset when my daughter got a thyroid diagnosis on top of her type one diagnosis. (7:49) Yeah. (7:50) Mhmm. (7:50) Just feeling like, hey. (7:51) You feel like that coyote when the the boulder falls on him, then the and then the roadrunner runs by and picks at your face a little bit.
Scott Benner (7:57) You're like, hey. (7:58) It's not enough. (7:58) You know what I mean? (7:59) So oh my gosh. (8:01) What were, expectations for you when you were diagnosed?
Scott Benner (8:04) Like, I've you know, I mean, you say forty nine years ago?
Linda (8:07) Yes. (8:08) Forty nine or, yeah, forty nine years ago.
Scott Benner (8:09) Like, '75, '76?
Linda (8:12) Yes.
Scott Benner (8:12) Oh, the bicentennial. (8:14) Like, I've had people women especially, by the way, diagnosed a long time ago tell me that their doctors one one woman was told by her doctor to drop out of college and go home because she wasn't gonna live long enough to need her degree, and no man would want her. (8:27) So she should go off and live her life. (8:29) And it's actual direction from a physician. (8:31) So, like, I'm wondering, like, in that time period, what was the messaging to you?
Linda (8:36) Yeah. (8:37) So the messaging to me was, we wouldn't live long. (8:40) Right? (8:41) So but it was more about not being active. (8:44) Right?
Linda (8:44) Because I was I was very active. (8:45) I was a kind of a little hyper kid. (8:47) Mhmm. (8:48) And as soon as I was diagnosed, my my parents and the doctor and everybody was like, okay. (8:52) You you cannot continue to play baseball and softball, and, you know, you should you should learn to love reading more, you know, be like your older sister and just or or your younger sister and, you know, learn to, you know, paint and draw and and read.
Linda (9:06) You know? (9:07) And and and but, you know, even when when I got diagnosed, I actually looked that up. (9:12) And I remember as a as a kid when my sister was diagnosed, I was seven. (9:17) So it was probably when I was eight or nine, I heard overheard my parents talking about how sad they were that she wouldn't probably live much into her, you know, adult years, right, after teenage years. (9:28) She was kind of a brittle brittle diabetic, and so she was, DKA when they were able to identify that she had diabetes, like hours away from going into a coma.
Linda (9:37) Mhmm. (9:38) You know, so she already had some some issues there. (9:41) But when I got diagnosed, I decided to, you know, back in the day, you know, look at the encyclopedias, you know, and and try and do some research to find out, like, how long do people actually live with type one diabetes? (9:54) And I couldn't find anybody who had had it past twenty years. (9:57) Thought that, oh, okay.
Linda (9:58) You know? (9:58) And for someone who's 14, you know, twenty years seemed like, you know, I'd be, like, old by the time I died, you know, at 34. (10:04) I remember dating my husband, and and, when he asked me to marry him, you know, I I basically told him, I said, you know, I'm probably going to be dead before I'm 34. (10:13) So, you know, if you're okay with that, you know, that's that's good. (10:17) And he was like, as much time as I've got with you, that's I'll take it.
Linda (10:21) You know? (10:21) And and here I am now, you know, 63, you know, and it's like
Scott Benner (10:25) A young woman in love and and thought you weren't gonna live much longer.
Speaker 3 (10:29) Right. (10:29) Mhmm.
Scott Benner (10:30) Was there any, I don't know, evidence in your life that was pointing towards this, or was it just the fact that your parents were worried that your sister would pass and that you couldn't find record of somebody living very long with type one? (10:42) Was that all?
Linda (10:43) Yeah. (10:44) The latter. (10:44) There was nothing. (10:45) I was not I wasn't having any issues. (10:48) I didn't you know, I wasn't losing any toes or fingers, and my diabetes was in control, but but I couldn't find anybody.
Linda (10:54) Then I thought, well, eventually, it'll just die. (10:56) You know? (10:57) And I Yeah. (10:58) Sure died, but it was like, somehow, they just don't live after twenty years of Can I ask you, did that put you
Scott Benner (11:03) in a mindset of YOLO? (11:06) You know what I mean? (11:07) Like, I you only live once. (11:08) Let's go. (11:09) Or did it put it didn't it didn't make you sad.
Scott Benner (11:12) It made you, like, let's go for it.
Linda (11:14) Right. (11:14) Absolutely. (11:15) Yeah. (11:15) It didn't make me sad. (11:16) I think it's mainly because, you know, everybody dies, but I knew that.
Linda (11:20) And it was just more about what can I get done before I die? (11:24) You know? (11:25) What can I do? (11:25) What I'm gonna live. (11:26) You don't wanna leave something behind.
Linda (11:28) I wanna make sure that, you know, I get I I don't leave any you know, I'm not I don't have any regrets. (11:33) Yeah. (11:34) Right? (11:34) What I was most worried about is is dying with with regrets of not doing something. (11:38) And so yeah.
Linda (11:39) So that that's how I I pretty much approached it, you know, and that
Scott Benner (11:43) I think that's wonderful, by the way. (11:44) And and I'm wondering, like, does that fit the rest of your personality, or was it something you adopted when you were faced with this? (11:53) Does that make sense? (11:54) Like, were you like a a glasses half full person before this?
Linda (11:57) Probably. (11:57) Yeah. (11:58) I'm trying to think what I was like before I was 14.
Scott Benner (12:00) Yeah. (12:01) It's a long time ago. (12:02) If you don't have a if you don't have a quick answer for it, you probably don't remember. (12:05) And I'm taking my, experience on, trying to remember what happened last week. (12:09) So Right.
Scott Benner (12:11) But I just I was wondering, like, if it if it shifted you or if you were that person. (12:15) I I try to figure that out when I talk to people all the time because you do you do speak to people who have your attitude and you speak to people who are, you know, struggling and have trouble finding a happy attitude. (12:26) And I'm always wondering if it's nature, nurture, decision, like, or somewhere in between, but it's okay if you don't know.
Linda (12:33) Yeah. (12:33) I I think I've always been like that, but, you know, I'd have to probably, you know
Scott Benner (12:37) Really think about.
Linda (12:38) Yeah. (12:38) Somebody yeah. (12:39) I have no idea, but I I think so. (12:41) I don't think it actually really changed much. (12:44) I mean, I I will say that there are things that happened in my life, in our life, my husband's life, that has reconfirmed, you know, that life is short, and you just have to really, you know, live your life to the fullest, you know, with his best friend dying at a very young age and, you know, and just even with my sister passing away and she had some regrets.
Linda (13:03) You know, you you just kinda reconfirms. (13:05) And it's like, yeah. (13:05) I always have that. (13:06) Right? (13:06) It's like because I mean, life gets in the way and you're working and you're doing stuff and, you know, and then you're you know, when you get opportunities, I I always do the best that I can to, you know, grab every opportunity that's presented in front of me.
Linda (13:19) Yeah. (13:19) Because I think, you know, it's like, you only live once and, you know, it's like.
Scott Benner (13:24) I feel like wasted time is maybe the biggest sin you can commit.
Linda (13:28) Yes.
Scott Benner (13:28) Yeah. (13:29) Really, really something. (13:30) Okay. (13:31) So what was management like back then? (13:33) You know, 14 years old, were you, like, shooting insulin once a day?
Scott Benner (13:39) Unlike other systems that will wait until your blood sugar is a 180 before delivering corrections, the MiniMed seven eighty g system is the only system with meal detection technology that automatically detects rising sugar levels and delivers more insulin as needed to help keep your sugar levels in range, even if you're not a perfect carb counter. (14:01) Today's episode of the Juice Box podcast is sponsored by Medtronic Diabetes and their MiniMed seven eighty g system, which gives you real choices because the MiniMed seven eighty g system works with the Instinct sensor made by Avid, as well as the Simplera Sync and Guardian Force sensors, giving you options. (14:21) The Instinct Sensor is the longest wear sensor yet, lasting fifteen days and designed exclusively for the MiniMed seven eighty g. (14:30) And don't forget, Medtronic Diabetes makes technology accessible for you with comprehensive insurance support, programs to help you with your out of pocket costs, or switching from other pump and CGM systems. (14:43) Learn more and get started today with my link, medtronicdiabetes.com/juicebox.
Scott Benner (14:50) Contournext.com/juicebox. (14:54) That's the link you'll use to find out more about the Contour next gen blood glucose meter. (14:58) When you get there, there's a little bit at the top. (15:00) You can click right on blood glucose monitoring. (15:02) I'll do it with you.
Scott Benner (15:03) Go to meters. (15:04) Click on any of the meters. (15:05) I'll click on the next gen, and you're gonna get more information. (15:08) It's easy to use and highly accurate. (15:10) SmartLight provides a simple understanding of your blood glucose levels.
Scott Benner (15:14) And, of course, with second chance sampling technology, you can save money with fewer wasted test strips. (15:20) As if all that wasn't enough, the Kontoor Next Gen also has a compatible app for an easy way to share and see your blood glucose results. (15:30) Kontoornext.com/juicebox. (15:34) And if you scroll down at that link, you're gonna see things like a buy now button. (15:38) You could register your meter after you purchase it.
Scott Benner (15:40) Or what is this? (15:41) Download a coupon. (15:43) Oh, receive a free contour next gen blood glucose meter. (15:48) Do tell. (15:49) Kontoornext.com/juicebox.
Scott Benner (15:53) Head over there now. (15:54) Get the same accurate and reliable meter that we use.
Linda (15:57) Yeah. (15:57) So I actually, gave two shots a day mixing insulin like regular and NPH in a syringe, in the morning and at night. (16:06) And then what was hard for me is because I'm not much of a of an eater, or a foodie, and and it's very hard when you're giving couple shots a day. (16:15) And, you know, in insulin back then, you know, like, with the long acting or short acting, it peaks at certain times. (16:21) So you pretty quickly learn that when you're given your shot before school, that you definitely have to have something you know, you have to eat something around, like, 10AM, so I'd have couple grapes or whatever.
Linda (16:35) And then you have to have lunch at noon because your sugars would drop. (16:38) You know, your glucose, know, would just drop. (16:40) And so you had to be on this, like, regimented schedule of eating something at 03:00, dinner at 05:00. (16:47) You know? (16:47) Just and and I hate I am not as, like, that tight of a scheduled person.
Linda (16:52) And so if I had to say anything I hated about it, it was that. (16:56) It was it was always having to, you know, just, like, know you had to even if you're not hungry. (17:01) You know, my mom's pushing the peanut butter sandwich in front of my face. (17:04) I'm like, I'm even hungry. (17:05) You know?
Linda (17:06) And it's like, eat. (17:07) And you knew you had to because your, you know, your sugars were dropping. (17:10) I did that until we got married and moved to Sweden. (17:15) So I lived in Sweden for two years. (17:17) And there, the doctors were just trying out the NovoPen where you got rid of the the actual mean, I still had to do one long acting, so I'd have a, you know, an injection I'd have to do in the morning.
Linda (17:29) But then I used this NovoPen, which is just regular, insulin, and you can, you know, just give it when you're eating. (17:37) You know? (17:38) So it was like, that was so freeing. (17:40) I remember, like, this is like heaven sent. (17:42) You know?
Linda (17:43) I was Yeah. (17:43) That was the best thing ever. (17:46) You know? (17:46) And I did that for a couple years until I moved to Seattle. (17:51) So after Sweden, I was mid twenties, 26, 27, something like a 28 when we moved to Seattle.
Linda (18:00) And it was there that I got, an endocrinologist who was an actual type one diabetic and started showing me the insulin pump and and how it's different and all about it. (18:13) And at that same time, my sister had just gone on to the insulin pump, and she was using the Medtronic one and so was he. (18:21) So I was like, So I started asking her all kinds of questions, you know, because who not to ask your doctor and your sister who were on it, you know, what the pros and cons were.
Speaker 3 (18:30) So that's
Linda (18:31) kind of where I started it. (18:32) Yeah.
Scott Benner (18:32) Before we jump into that, I'm gonna ask a deeper question. (18:35) I'm sorry if this isn't what you were expecting today. (18:37) But do you think that because by nature, you didn't like the scheduling and, you know, it was it was harder for you to eat when you didn't want to, etcetera. (18:46) Can I ask you, did you find yourself looking for control in other aspects of life to make up for being out of control in that situation, or was that never an issue for you?
Linda (18:55) I don't know. (18:56) Probably. (18:56) Because that's I think that's typical. (18:59) You know, when you feel you can't control one thing, you try and control something that's that you can't control. (19:04) So I probably did.
Linda (19:06) I was running at the time a lot, and so that probably was where I could control, you know, what I did and how I did it, even though it wasn't, you know, still, you know, what they would recommend. (19:19) And I think maybe with some schooling and stuff, maybe. (19:22) Probably. (19:22) I don't know if I can think to one specific thing, but I know I do when I can't control one thing, I do tend to grab control of something else. (19:31) Yeah.
Scott Benner (19:31) I mean, everybody does. (19:32) I was just wondering if, like like, if you recognize because you're you're I guess you're not an older person, but you're, you know, you're an older person. (19:39) And you probably had some, like, moments to, you know, where you've looked back and and tried to apply some hindsight to your life. (19:45) And I was just wondering, like, is the running a thing you could control? (19:48) Or you sounded passionate about the idea of not liking being on that schedule.
Scott Benner (19:52) Because, you know, I know other people have had diabetes time, you know, distances as you have. (19:56) Some of them loved that scheduling. (19:59) It fed right into their personality, and others, no. (20:03) You know? (20:04) So I'm just very interested by all that.
Linda (20:06) Yeah. (20:07) No. (20:07) I hated it. (20:07) I hated it, and I and it probably I mean, because I've been running since I was a a kid, you know, like, five, six, seven years old, and and I probably did more of that. (20:18) And I do know that when I can't control something, I do tend to look for something I can better control.
Linda (20:24) So just so that you
Scott Benner (20:26) Did an insulin pump end up helping you with that?
Linda (20:29) It did. (20:30) Oh my gosh. (20:31) Yes. (20:31) That was, like, that was, like, heaven sent too, I thought. (20:33) Because even with the, you know, the NovoPen thing I used, you still had the daily injection in the morning with your long acting, and then you had the multiple you know, so if you ate two times a day, you had at least two more shots you're giving.
Linda (20:46) So you had, like you're still stabbing yourself three times a day at a minimum. (20:50) Mhmm. (20:50) And with the insulin pump, you know, you apply it once every three days. (20:55) You know, at the time I, you know, started it with them, I think it was a Paradigm pump. (20:58) And I thought, oh my gosh.
Linda (20:59) This is even this is even more free. (21:01) I'm like, this is awesome. (21:03) You know, but you had the other challenges of and the thing I was concerned about was, like, what do you do with it? (21:07) You know, it's the size of a pager. (21:08) You You know?
Linda (21:09) How do you how do you run with this thing? (21:10) Where do you put it when you have a dress on? (21:12) What's when I'm doing any kind of other sports. (21:14) You know? (21:14) Right.
Linda (21:15) Where do I you know? (21:16) Or when I'm showering or when I'm sleeping, you know, what what happens to this thing? (21:20) How do you you can't really disconnect from it. (21:22) So, you know, that's why I use my doctor and my my sister. (21:25) You know?
Linda (21:26) Like, how do you you know? (21:27) Even relations with your husband. (21:28) What do you do with this thing? (21:29) Know? (21:29) It's like, you know, it's like you know?
Linda (21:32) And so that's that's a quick solution. (21:34) Right? (21:35) You'd I mean, people had all kinds of things. (21:36) And, you know, nowadays, there's all kinds of tools and, websites and all kinds of stuff about, you know, like, almost like garter belt type stuff that you can put the pump in your, you know, something around your thigh so that it doesn't show on your dress or
Scott Benner (21:51) Yeah.
Linda (21:51) You know, you know, pocket in your bra. (21:54) You know? (21:54) There's all kinds of things that they didn't have twenty twenty five years ago.
Scott Benner (21:58) Right. (21:59) Right. (21:59) Hey. (21:59) At what point in this process do you realize you're not gonna die when you're 34?
Linda (22:04) When I hit 34.
Scott Benner (22:06) Really? (22:06) So you got that pump, and then you lived another almost decade thinking, like, well, it's easier, and that's awesome, but I'm still out of here soon.
Linda (22:14) Right. (22:14) Exactly. (22:15) Wow. (22:16) And we we celebrated when it was my 30, I'm like, I am still alive. (22:20) You know?
Linda (22:20) So Linda, let me stop you for
Scott Benner (22:22) a second. (22:22) Did you feel like you were an egg timer because of I mean, was your health really poor? (22:27) Like, is there any no. (22:28) There was nothing leading you to the idea that you were gonna expire. (22:31) You just thought, like, like, a light switch is gonna flip and you're gonna go and fall over?
Scott Benner (22:35) Like, what what did you expect, I guess, I'm asking?
Linda (22:38) I kinda did. (22:38) I I kinda like well, I actually thought, you know, that something would happen. (22:42) Because my my dad told me, I remember him talking to both my sister and me about it. (22:48) So I was probably right newly diagnosed, and Kelly had had it for seven years or so. (22:54) And so I remember him telling us because I I had a lot of questions.
Linda (22:57) I was asking, like, you know, what you know, why why do people die from this? (23:01) How does this work? (23:01) You know? (23:02) So I was doing a lot of research and and just trying to verify what I was understanding. (23:06) And he told me that the the long term effects of having type one diabetes is what kills you.
Linda (23:16) And he said it was the the wide variances of high blood sugars to low blood sugars or just your body always you know, you get sick and your blood sugars are up and your, you know, your glucose levels were up. (23:27) And, you know, it was that constant up and down, you know, in the the like, climbing mountains. (23:33) You know?
Scott Benner (23:33) Has a variability.
Linda (23:35) Yeah. (23:35) He says it not wears. (23:36) He says it not just wears on your body. (23:38) It wears on every organ you have, every, you know, your brain, your liver, your kidneys, your, you know, everything. (23:45) And so in my head, you know, maybe not the brightest person, but I thought, oh, eventually, you know, like an organ fails and then you just die.
Linda (23:52) Yeah. (23:53) And so I I wasn't sure. (23:54) Right? (23:54) I was like, I'm not not sure what it is. (23:56) And and I did know you know, I've obviously was doing some of this research, but I didn't know that that's usually the cause of, like, kidney failure and, you know, people losing their, you know, their their toes or their legs, you know, because of the poor control.
Linda (24:10) And so I was one thing I I had absolutely and that's know, if you wanna know about what I was gonna control, if I couldn't control my eating, was I control the you know, like, what my blood sugars were. (24:21) And so I was a little, you know, type a personality type with making sure that they weren't Right. (24:26) Swinging. (24:27) Right? (24:28) I mean, they're always swinging, but not wildly.
Linda (24:30) And so
Scott Benner (24:31) Did you open your eyes on that morning of your 30 birthday and think, Okay.
Speaker 3 (24:36) Yeah. (24:36) I did. (24:37) Pretty much. (24:37) I well, maybe I'll be the
Linda (24:40) first one living past day or
Scott Benner (24:41) twenty years. (24:42) I'm gonna be in an encyclopedia one day.
Linda (24:44) Exactly. (24:45) But then does that go away? (24:46) Like, do you
Scott Benner (24:47) give it away? (24:47) Like, oh, I guess I'm okay, or or is it a continuing learning experience? (24:52) Like, you're using a pump now. (24:53) You have better control. (24:54) You have less variability.
Scott Benner (24:55) Do you just think, like, well, maybe the damage that I've been worried isn't accumulating as quickly or isn't accumulating at all? (25:02) Like, where did it put your mindset then?
Linda (25:04) It put my mindset at that I I think I'm living on borrowed time. (25:09) And as much as I can do to continue to live on this borrowed time, you know, I'll do. (25:16) And I do think that, in my own personal opinion, I think that as long as I control my glucose levels, you know, and just making sure that they're not wildly swinging, I think I get extra time. (25:30) And so it's like my my reward. (25:33) You know?
Linda (25:33) So I I just kinda that's how I look at it. (25:36) I just always think I'm living on borrowed time. (25:37) And so if I am, then that's allowing me to to do things and, you know, and and doing some of the things I wanna do. (25:44) Like, you know, I was bungee jumping in, you know, New Zealand a few years back, and I'm, like, loving every minute of it. (25:50) And I'm like, okay.
Linda (25:51) I could die if these things came off, but I'm like, I'm on borrowed time. (25:54) Awesome. (25:54) You know? (25:55) So
Scott Benner (25:55) Oh, it's free. (25:56) You find it freeing.
Linda (25:58) Yeah. (25:58) I do, actually. (25:59) Yeah. (26:00) How about that?
Scott Benner (26:00) That's really interesting. (26:02) Was your husband bummed when you didn't die? (26:03) Did he think, like he's like, oh, I thought I wasn't gonna have to be married this lady forever, did he seem happy too?
Linda (26:09) I know. (26:09) I think I think he's happy that I'm still around. (26:11) Yeah.
Scott Benner (26:11) I imagine. (26:12) Tell me about a one c's on a pump in the early days. (26:17) How things have changed moving forward? (26:18) When did you find a CGM? (26:20) Like, how have you because you're a person who's coming along with technology, which I think is important.
Scott Benner (26:24) So how are you finding yourself staying connected with these changes that are being made? (26:31) And when do you decide, okay. (26:33) I'm gonna try another thing? (26:35) How do you open yourself up to that, I guess?
Linda (26:37) I kinda worked in technology too. (26:39) So so I understand a lot of the technology, and I'm I like to embrace it, but I'm not one that will be the first one in front of the bus. (26:48) Mhmm. (26:48) Right? (26:48) Like, I'm like, I will wait for that bus to pass a couple times and make sure it's not too close to the curb and, you know, whatever that might be.
Linda (26:54) Right? (26:55) I let other people try it first because it's something that, you know, that that needs to work well. (27:01) I will look at so, like so when I got the pump, you know, that first one, didn't have a CGM, obviously, so you're still, you know, checking your your glucose levels and, and then managing it like you should. (27:12) And being a type a personality type, you know, I was I was really controlling it. (27:17) I will say when I started upgrading because I've always been on the Medtronic pump.
Linda (27:21) Very loyal. (27:23) I loved everything about it. (27:24) And so I'd be like it. (27:25) You know? (27:26) If it's not broken, why why change?
Linda (27:28) But I do look at the different ones, like the ones that are you know, it doesn't have the tubing or the, you know, three days on your arm and, you know, that kind of stuff. (27:36) I do look at all that stuff, and I I make the decision based on if it would work for my lifestyle, you know, and how much insulin I take and that kind of stuff. (27:44) And so for right now, I've I've stayed with the Medtronic pump and the with the tube and all that. (27:51) I will say that as the CGM started coming out, I did go with the CGM, the early one, and that had a long needle needle. (28:01) And so and I'm on the thin side.
Linda (28:03) And so it was really hard to find a place that you could put it that, wasn't into a, you know, like, into a muscle or through blood vessels and, you know, just so I didn't use it as much, but I did like the technology of it. (28:19) And then as soon as it started changing where it was easier to insert, easier to use, I embraced it fully. (28:26) And then as soon as it started getting into where it was the with a loop technology, right, where it'd feedback to the pump, I'm like, oh, yeah. (28:32) Give me this. (28:33) Right?
Linda (28:33) So I mean, you still always being a control freak or a type a personality. (28:37) I always will check my, you know, my blood sugar, you know, once a week now. (28:43) Used to do it, like, every day, but the technology has has allowed me to stop, you know, poking my fingers four times a day. (28:51) This technology I'm on right now, it checks it every five minutes.
Scott Benner (28:54) Yeah.
Linda (28:54) So I don't go low anymore at night, where at the in the past, even on the older pumps, my husband would wake up in the middle of the night and just check my chest or my back to see if I was sweating, and then would wake me up and say, you need to drink some juice. (29:09) As soon as I got this pump, he even told me he's like, oh my gosh. (29:13) You know, it's it's so freeing for him.
Scott Benner (29:15) Yeah.
Linda (29:15) I know it's working. (29:16) He says, even if I do wake up and I put my hand on you, you're not, you know, you're not a sweat ball. (29:21) And, and then it you know, if if my blood sugars do drop, you know, it'll it has this alarm that would wake up the neighbors. (29:27) I rarely even have that anymore. (29:29) I mean, rarely, rarely, rarely.
Scott Benner (29:31) No. (29:31) I know. (29:31) Linda, give me a second. (29:32) So do you think that you were low a lot while you were sleeping? (29:37) Absolutely.
Scott Benner (29:38) You are. (29:38) Okay.
Linda (29:39) Yeah. (29:39) And that's usually when I dropped was at night. (29:42) And no matter what I did to change, you know, to try and get it to so I didn't drop at night, I always dropped at night. (29:49) Mhmm. (29:50) And I don't know what that is, but it's it was just me.
Scott Benner (29:52) When you watch those algorithms really work, to me, that's when my understanding, like, I don't know, like, scaled up. (30:00) Like, I used to so my daughter's 21. (30:02) Right? (30:02) And she was diagnosed when she was two. (30:05) And I think I figured out about the time when she started using the CGM, and I started realizing, like, what I was seeing happen and how the insulin was impacting her and how some foods would impact differently than others and
Linda (30:18) Yep.
Scott Benner (30:18) Started getting a bigger picture. (30:20) I started acting like an algorithm, almost texting or being like, hey. (30:23) Can you do a temp basal decrease here? (30:26) You know, like, let's do a 50% decrease for two hours. (30:29) Let's do a 20% increase for thirty minutes.
Scott Benner (30:32) Boneless again. (30:33) Like, we were doing all that. (30:35) And then I did that for years, kept her a one c very nicely in the low sixes. (30:39) Then she got on an algorithm, and I could see it working in front of me. (30:43) And I was like, oh my god.
Scott Benner (30:44) That thing's doing what I was doing.
Linda (30:46) Right. (30:47) Exactly.
Scott Benner (30:47) And then I was like, oh, I'm gonna sleep. (30:50) And then I oh, and then the sleep came back, which is what you're talking about too is awesome. (30:54) Like, just any regaining of sleep is just really incredible. (30:59) And so I was like, wow. (31:01) That's the thing I've been doing for all these years.
Scott Benner (31:03) It's doing it automatically now.
Linda (31:04) Yep. (31:05) And we love that. (31:06) I'll I love it. (31:07) My husband loves it. (31:08) You love it.
Linda (31:08) Yeah. (31:08) Your daughter probably loves it. (31:10) It's amazing.
Scott Benner (31:11) Well, she does she didn't grow up when you grow up. (31:13) She doesn't even know she loves it.
Linda (31:14) Right.
Scott Benner (31:15) Just trust me. (31:16) If somebody took it from her, she'd like, hey. (31:17) Woah. (31:17) What's going on? (31:18) But she doesn't know it's her normal.
Scott Benner (31:20) And so that's interesting for you because you live through other normals to get to this one.
Linda (31:24) Mhmm. (31:25) And this normal is and I'll tell people all the time, especially for newly diagnosed people, this is almost for me, at least from knowing what I was like, you know, what I was going through at the age of 14 to where I'm at today, is like I I feel like a nondiabetic 99% of the time because I don't even think about it. (31:44) I mean, it's it's hooked to me. (31:45) Right? (31:46) So I I know it's there.
Linda (31:47) My old pump, used to call Chatty Cathy because it always beep at me. (31:51) Beep beep. (31:51) You know? (31:52) Calibrate. (31:53) Have you you know, your blood sugar's up.
Linda (31:54) Your blood sugar's low. (31:55) You know? (31:56) How would it be? (31:56) You haven't touched me in two hours or whatever.
Scott Benner (31:58) You know? (31:59) My
Linda (32:00) gosh. (32:00) Chatty Cathy here. (32:02) Taking it out and do you know, and hitting the buttons and doing that. (32:06) This one, I rarely ever have to do that. (32:08) Right?
Linda (32:08) It's like you know, because it keeps everything pretty normal for me, you know, except for when I'm eating. (32:14) Obviously, you have to, you know, give some some insulin. (32:16) I don't get a bolus. (32:17) But but I rarely it's like it's almost like being a nondiabetic again. (32:22) It's kinda weird.
Scott Benner (32:23) So Yeah. (32:23) Let me ask you. (32:24) I mean, Medtronic's come out with mean, I you're still with Medtronic pump. (32:28) Right?
Linda (32:28) Yes. (32:28) Yes.
Scott Benner (32:28) Absolutely. (32:29) Use the seven eighty g?
Linda (32:31) Yep. (32:31) Seven eighty g with a g four sensor.
Scott Benner (32:33) Okay. (32:34) And now they've got new sensors coming. (32:36) Will you try different sensors?
Linda (32:39) I probably will. (32:40) But right now, I have no concerns with the g four. (32:43) It works for me.
Scott Benner (32:44) Yeah.
Linda (32:45) I know there's some people that it doesn't, and I don't know I don't know why. (32:49) I mean, we're all different. (32:50) Right? (32:50) So it works for me. (32:51) I rarely have the only time I ever have an issue is if I hit into a, like, a muscle or a, get a bleeder.
Linda (32:59) I rarely ever get, I think, maybe once or twice if that I've ever had at work. (33:04) It just says change sensor.
Scott Benner (33:06) Okay.
Linda (33:07) Very, very rarely. (33:07) And so it works for me. (33:09) I do like the newer sensors in that it lasts longer. (33:14) You know? (33:14) So they're this one lasts for me, at least, it always lasts to seven days or six and a half days sometimes depending on I'll change it if I you know, depending on the timing.
Linda (33:23) But it always lasts the the the amount of days. (33:25) But the fifteen day, I was always you know, I'm always like,
Scott Benner (33:29) That doesn't sound bad. (33:30) Right? (33:30) Yeah. (33:30) Yeah. (33:31) I imagine you'll change if if you wanna change.
Scott Benner (33:33) And and if you have something that's working for you, then that's perfect too. (33:36) Right. (33:37) What about, like, if they were to come out with other pumps? (33:40) You know, would you be interested in a version that looks different than the pump you have now, or you're pretty happy where you are?
Linda (33:48) Like, there's a couple things I always I put on my wish list if I, you know, if I ran the world. (33:52) I would love this pump to be thinner, smaller, or any pump to be thinner and smaller. (33:57) Now my brother had had changed a couple years ago to a different pump, and his is thinner and smaller, but he's been having a lot of issues with it. (34:04) But and I I don't have any issues with mine. (34:07) And it's, you know, size of a, like, a pager if anybody even really knows what a pager is anymore.
Linda (34:12) But you know? (34:12) So it's not that big. (34:13) But I would love to have something that's a little bit lighter and smaller, maybe thinner. (34:18) It doesn't have to even be, like, too much smaller, but it'd be good if it was thinner. (34:23) Right?
Linda (34:23) Because then you worry about it showing through your pants pocket or your your bra, you know, or wherever. (34:29) And I would love to be able to I think with the technology, I and I know it's I know it's coming eventually, but I would love to be able to turn off or be able to release an alarm, give a bolus or your phone Okay. (34:44) Or something instead of having to reach into you. (34:46) You know? (34:46) Because when you're at a dinner party as a woman and I'm you know, I've got my pump tucked into my bra, you know, in the front of my dress that has a high neck, you know, I have to almost go into the, you know, go into the bathroom, right, to reach under and try and grab my pump and, you know, and and bolus for the dinner we're gonna have, right, and tuck it back in and, you know, and and I would love to be able to just sit like normal people and just be able to, you know, to do what I needed to do.
Linda (35:12) Right?
Scott Benner (35:12) Yeah. (35:12) Make some quiet adjustments. (35:13) It's funny. (35:14) I thought you were gonna, like, say, oh, I you know, I hope I hope Medtronic makes a patch pump or something like that, but that's not really your it's more functional stuff for you.
Linda (35:21) More functional stuff. (35:22) Yeah. (35:23) That's that's more important to me than than, yeah, like, the patch pump. (35:27) I mean, that'd be awesome. (35:28) But, you know, but I if I still had to, you know, I don't know, wherever you put your patch pump.
Linda (35:33) You know? (35:34) If I had to, like, go around and roll up my sleeve to be able to do something
Scott Benner (35:37) you'd to have to at that point. (35:39) No. (35:39) But I do. (35:39) I am picturing you reaching down the top of your sweater, like, rooting around at dinner while everybody's looking at you. (35:45) Yep.
Scott Benner (35:46) So, I mean, I I take your point. (35:47) I kinda wanna, like, ping pong a little bit over to all this running you do because now we have, like, a we have a really good idea of where you started and where you, you know, where you've gotten to as far as how you manage. (35:59) But you've also talked about being low a lot overnight back in the day and everything, but you've been running through that whole thing.
Linda (36:06) Yes.
Scott Benner (36:07) I guess I'm really interested to know what you figured out in the beginning and how it's changed over time.
Linda (36:13) So at the beginning so I've been running as a kid, and then I didn't stop running even as after I got diagnosed. (36:19) I started probably running more when I was in my, probably early late twenties, early thirties
Scott Benner (36:27) Mhmm.
Linda (36:28) And running my, like, first half marathon, that kind of stuff. (36:31) And so I wasn't on a pump until I was, getting ready to run my first marathon. (36:36) So when I was just doing insulin injections, I would usually if I just went out for a six mile run, I didn't think anything about it. (36:44) I would just take some candies with me and just go. (36:47) But I had no idea what my blood sugars were.
Linda (36:49) You know, I knew what they were before I started, but I didn't know, you know, during the run if there was any kind of issues. (36:54) And so but I always had something with me. (36:56) I was more worried about it being low than I was about it being high. (36:59) So I always carried some kind of, you know, like, Skittles or something with me.
Scott Benner (37:03) Yeah.
Linda (37:03) I you know, at night, I would have a couple issues, you know, with running, you know, like a half marathon. (37:11) I quickly learned that you expend a lot of this energy and you're burning your sugars and that kind of stuff. (37:17) And so I'd eat right after. (37:18) It'd be great. (37:20) But within the next twelve hours or twenty four hours, my blood sugars would drop a lot.
Linda (37:25) And then I didn't really notice I didn't really know that why that was happening other than, you know, I thought, well, maybe it's because I've, you know, exercising a little bit longer, but I'm thinking, what? (37:34) It's been twenty hours. (37:35) Why is my blood sugar still low? (37:37) And, apparently, you know, I was talking to my endocrinologist, which is very important for anybody who's a type one diabetic. (37:43) Get a good endocrinologist and trust that person and make sure that they know about the technology.
Linda (37:48) But, you know, I had an endocrinologist, and they were telling me that that's, you know, you're still burning, you know, twenty twelve to twenty four hours after the fact. (37:56) And so I had to make sure I was eating a little bit more maybe pasta or something, you know, eight hours later. (38:04) You know, just get something in you so that it's it's balancing it out. (38:07) And so it kind of put me a little bit back to, like, you know, when I was giving individual injections, you know, back when I was 14 and I have to stick to that schedule. (38:16) I was like, oh, this kinda sucks.
Linda (38:17) Well, then I went on the pump, and that was very freeing. (38:21) And then, you know, and then you could see, you know, and it would it would drop. (38:24) I could adjust it, you know, so I'd give half the amount of insulin for the next twenty four hours. (38:30) So I would put it at 50%. (38:32) And then all of sudden, that was great.
Linda (38:34) You know? (38:34) And then I back and put it back to normal. (38:36) You know? (38:37) So, you know, the doctor, my endocrinologist at the time was the one that was, like, messing around with that and making sure I could do that. (38:43) So I didn't change it.
Linda (38:45) I didn't change anything while I was running, but I changed it afterwards Yeah. (38:49) Because usually where I had my issues. (38:51) And then, obviously, when I get on this, you know, seven eighty g, you know, with the g four, you know, sensor, I now can run a marathon where all I do during the whole race is I will take at the water stops, I'll drink like, I'll take you know, they have Dixie cups of, like, Gatorade or Powerade or whatever and water. (39:10) And so I will pour a little bit of the water and pour the Gatorade or Powerade or whatever in it. (39:15) I'll take a sip of that you know, like, whatever it is, two ounces, and keep going.
Linda (39:19) And so at every water stop, that's all I would do is take a little bit of that Gatorade with some water, just water it down a little bit. (39:26) And and I almost always will end the race at, you know, about 01:10, 01:12, something like that. (39:32) Right? (39:32) And and then even after the race, the pump because it's looking at you every five minutes. (39:37) Right?
Linda (39:37) It'll just adjust automatically. (39:39) So I don't have to, you know, make any for me, at least, I don't have to make any adjustments to the pump even twenty four hours after the race.
Scott Benner (39:47) Well, it's doing it then. (39:48) Yeah. (39:48) And and but do you find yourself getting low 20 you know, in the hours after the race?
Linda (39:54) Not usually.
Scott Benner (39:54) Not usually. (39:55) And how many and and I guess this is the part that'll freak people out. (39:58) Tell people how old you are again.
Linda (40:00) I am 63 years old.
Scott Benner (40:01) How many of these marathons have you run?
Linda (40:04) I am running, well, I have run 95, so I'm running my ninety sixth on Sunday.
Scott Benner (40:11) Wow. (40:11) Can I tell you my running story?
Linda (40:13) Yes.
Scott Benner (40:14) I was going into the grocery store yesterday and these two older people were walking out. (40:17) It was a windy day. (40:18) And they pulled out their turkey and the receipt blew away and the old man yelled, damn it. (40:22) And I said, do you need that? (40:24) And he said, yeah.
Scott Benner (40:25) And I ran it down and I got it for That was it. (40:28) That's as much as I've run-in the last six months, I just want you to say. (40:31) And I was pretty proud of myself, honestly, because I didn't pull anything. (40:34) You were doing it a little differently. (40:35) By the way, they were grateful for that receipt.
Scott Benner (40:37) I I wonder what they wanted the receipt for. (40:39) They were so upset. (40:41) Maybe maybe it had, a coupon for a free it's around Thanksgiving. (40:44) It's like a free bird coupon on there or something. (40:46) I don't know exactly.
Scott Benner (40:47) Anyway, this is not the point, Linda. (40:49) But I got that thing. (40:50) No problem. (40:51) Now you you're doing it differently. (40:53) You are I mean, there are you traveling the country and doing this?
Scott Benner (40:57) Is this, a thing? (40:58) Explain to me what you're doing here.
Linda (41:00) So I've been running marathons for twenty five, twenty seven years, something like that. (41:04) Ran when I ran my first one, I was just, like, shocked that kinda, like, you know, when I hit 34 or whatever, shocked that I was still alive. (41:11) I was like, oh, it didn't kill me. (41:13) I'm I'm still alive. (41:14) Okay.
Linda (41:14) Let's see if that was just a fluke. (41:16) And so I started running. (41:17) I ran another one, like, a year later. (41:19) But I really like that distance. (41:21) And so as I continue to run, probably run one a year.
Linda (41:24) You know, I was working, going to school, that kind of stuff. (41:27) And so as I continued, you know, just running, social media started. (41:33) And as soon as I got on to any of the social media sites, you know, it could be Facebook or Instagram or, you know, x or Twitter or whatever it is. (41:41) Yeah. (41:42) That's when you that's when I started seeing things like the world marathon majors, where you could run Chicago and New York and Boston and London and Berlin and Tokyo and now Sydney.
Linda (41:55) And I thought, oh, that'd be really cool. (41:57) And so I thought, okay. (41:58) Go. (41:58) Let me see if I can do that. (42:00) And so I finished all those in 2015.
Linda (42:03) I'm still running marathons, and I, you know, I obviously was trying to qualify for Boston. (42:08) That's why I got, like, qualified for Boston three times. (42:10) And one of those was for the, world marathon majors. (42:14) And then I continued. (42:15) You know, you still see these social media stuff, and then I see you know, I'm I'm learning more about ultramarathons, and I thought, oh, this is really cool.
Linda (42:23) Yeah. (42:23) People run 50 miles and 100 miles and even longer and, you know, even multiple day, you know, stages of races. (42:31) And so I decided when it was my fiftieth birthday, I wanted to run a 50 miler. (42:37) So that month of my fiftieth birthday, I ran a 50 mile race in Washington State, one of the what was that one called? (42:45) Mount Sai Mhmm.
Linda (42:46) Marathon. (42:47) So I did that, and it didn't kill me. (42:49) I thought that's great. (42:50) And then I saw in, gosh, 2017, '20 no. (42:55) 2015, I saw I've been on Instagram, but it was, the World Marathon Challenge.
Linda (43:04) And this is running seven marathons, on seven continents in seven days. (43:09) And it was the first time in 2015. (43:11) And I followed it for that entire week of these people going from one continent to the next. (43:15) And, you know, it was like, you go to bed, they've already got one done. (43:18) And then you wake up, and they've run another one.
Linda (43:20) And, you know, I thought, my god. (43:21) This is fantastic. (43:23) So I followed him. (43:24) And then the next year, they were doing it again. (43:26) And I remember telling my husband, like, wow.
Linda (43:28) This must be a thing. (43:30) He retired in 2017, and I was telling him, he's I was like, oh my god. (43:35) They're doing it again in 2017. (43:36) And he said he goes, why don't you go ahead and sign up and see if you can do that? (43:40) So I I did.
Linda (43:41) I applied. (43:42) And they basically said, oh, you're a type one diabetic. (43:45) Get get approval from your doctor. (43:47) In the meantime, we're moving from Seattle to Pinehurst, North Carolina. (43:51) So I had to had to get a new doctor, a new endocrinologist.
Linda (43:54) And so when I met with her and told her kinda who I was and what I do and, you know, and she's like, yeah. (44:00) They we don't usually deal with extreme athletes. (44:03) I'm like, I'm not extreme. (44:04) I'm like, I just I just like to run. (44:06) But she's like, oh, no.
Linda (44:07) You're you kinda do extreme stuff. (44:09) And so but she didn't run screaming from the room. (44:11) So she's like, alright. (44:12) Let's see what we can do if you're gonna do this. (44:14) And so we did everything that we needed to do and and got accepted to run this race.
Linda (44:18) And so I did it in 2019 and, ran seven marathons, seven continents, seven days. (44:24) And some of the things, you know, when running that, you have to worry about, like, you know, you're in Antarctica. (44:29) You know? (44:30) I don't want my pump to freeze, you know, when I'm in Antarctica and need it for the next six days. (44:35) So, you know, you had to, you know, figure out how to to work around some of those challenges.
Linda (44:39) And then, you know, within six hours or whatever, we're in Cape Town, South Africa, and it's, you know, a 100% humidity and 92 degrees. (44:46) You're like, okay. (44:47) I don't want the pump to overheat either. (44:49) Right?
Scott Benner (44:50) So Yeah. (44:50) Yeah.
Linda (44:50) You know? (44:51) So you have those kinds of challenges along with running, but I've always been kind of into this running. (44:56) And then along the way through all of this, I saw where they do this run a marathon in all 50 states. (45:03) So while I was running other marathons, training and doing whatever, I was checking off the states. (45:09) So I travel around the country in US, right, in different states and checking off those states.
Linda (45:15) So I just finished that 50 state, marathon in Twin Cities, Minnesota, sponsored by Medtronic. (45:24) It's a marathon sponsored by Medtronic. (45:26) And I thought, what better way to finish, you know, this 50 states wearing the Medtronic pump running a race sponsored by Medtronic. (45:34) Right? (45:35) And I thought, I'm just gonna do that.
Linda (45:37) And so it it worked out perfectly. (45:38) And so I I just finished that. (45:41) And so I just look I always look for challenges. (45:43) And so Yeah.
Scott Benner (45:44) I'm struck by how different people are because you found these people, this group of people online, and you're like, this is inspiration. (45:50) I would have turned to somebody and said, I found a group of crazy people online. (45:54) They're running all over the place. (45:55) But you were like, no. (45:56) No.
Scott Benner (45:56) These are my people. (45:57) By the way, 50 states, what's the time frame? (46:00) How many years did it take you to run 50 different marathons in 50 different states?
Linda (46:05) Gosh. (46:05) Well, I didn't I really wasn't paying any attention to it. (46:08) So
Scott Benner (46:08) I In years?
Linda (46:10) I I've been running, like I ran in, like, Seattle, like, I don't know, eight times because I lived there. (46:14) Right? (46:14) So in Portland, like, a couple times because I really wasn't really thinking about the 50 states until probably it might have been around in 2015, so I had to go back.
Scott Benner (46:24) You've been focused on this for a decade. (46:26) I can't how I can't how you my god. (46:28) Why are you a special person? (46:30) This is now my new question, Linda. (46:31) Like, how did you focus on that for a decade?
Scott Benner (46:33) How do you decide to go did your husband go with you seven continents? (46:37) Seven days? (46:38) Seven days. (46:39) Like, where you just, like I I've talked to somebody who's done this before. (46:42) Like, you know, on a plane, you land, you run, you get back on a plane, you land that just like that.
Scott Benner (46:47) Right?
Linda (46:48) Yeah. (46:48) You do. (46:49) And, and I've done it three times actually. (46:51) I'm not Wait.
Scott Benner (46:52) Stop. (46:52) No. (46:52) Linda, stop. (46:53) You've done seven continents in seven days three times?
Speaker 3 (46:56) Yes.
Scott Benner (46:56) Alright. (46:57) I'm gonna ask a different question. (46:59) What's wrong with you? (47:00) Tell everybody right now.
Linda (47:04) I know. (47:04) My husband, all he keeps saying is you're not normal.
Scott Benner (47:06) I'm like Well, yeah.
Linda (47:09) I'm like no. (47:11) It's it's fun. (47:12) And it's a he did go with me the third time. (47:15) So because he, you know, he he looks at me as, like, somebody with type one diabetes, and he understands that. (47:21) But he also sees me I'm always running.
Linda (47:23) And he's he told me after watching this, the World Marathon Challenge, the third time, and he was watching all of us run this thing. (47:32) He goes, wow. (47:33) I didn't realize how hard it was. (47:34) He goes, you always make things look so easy. (47:36) You're like, I'm going for a 20 miler.
Linda (47:38) And I go, okay. (47:39) I'll see you in I'll see you in a little bit. (47:41) And he goes and does his thing, and he's like, and then you're you're done. (47:43) And and we go and get something to eat, and then we go about our day and play golf or whatever. (47:47) He was like yeah.
Linda (47:49) He goes, I didn't realize how hard that was. (47:51) And Did you guys have kids? (47:53) No. (47:53) And that's why we do some of this stuff. (47:55) Yes.
Scott Benner (47:55) Oh, I was gonna say because, like, where are you getting all this money from? (47:58) My kids are sucking me dry. (48:00) Was that on purpose? (48:01) Was that, I'm gonna be dead soon. (48:02) I don't wanna have children thing?
Linda (48:04) I don't know. (48:05) It was more about a little bit of it was. (48:07) Right? (48:07) Because I I really worried about having kids and leaving them, you know, and having my husband to raise them. (48:14) And so that that did play into a lot of it.
Linda (48:19) And then we both had jobs where he traveled a ton for his job. (48:23) I mean, he could be he worked for Boeing. (48:24) So he could be gone months at a time. (48:26) And I thought, man, if I died, you won't have those children.
Scott Benner (48:30) So many of your decisions are made around whether or not you expire out of nowhere. (48:34) I mean, it sound like you're incredibly healthy. (48:35) Do you have any complications?
Linda (48:38) No. (48:38) I've not had any. (48:39) Even my eye doctor's like, she every time I see her, she's like, it's amazing. (48:43) I can't even tell you're a diabetic with
Scott Benner (48:44) your eye. (48:45) You're running so far. (48:46) It probably the diabetes can't catch up to you to grab on, I would imagine.
Linda (48:49) I tell people I'm running away from it. (48:51) Know.
Scott Benner (48:52) Well, that's isn't it exciting though to know that there's a generation of kids right now that are gonna get diagnosed at 14 who will never be told your life is gonna be shorter?
Linda (49:02) Right.
Scott Benner (49:02) Who won't be told you can't run, you know, who are never gonna have the fears and the concerns that you grew up with.
Linda (49:09) Right. (49:09) Yes. (49:09) I I know. (49:10) It's it's amazing. (49:11) And and, I was talking to a a kid, and I wanna say he was, gosh, like, maybe 20.
Linda (49:17) He was diagnosed, I think he said when he was two, 18, two years. (49:22) And he, he also has the same kind of outlook that I do. (49:26) And he goes, you know what? (49:27) He goes, the difference between you and me, he says, is that he goes, and what I see with other people who have been diagnosed, you know, like, maybe in their teens or even their twenties, you know, later in life, he says, most of them mourn their prior life. (49:42) He goes, I see that a lot.
Linda (49:44) They all mourn what it was like before they had die diabetes. (49:49) And he says, I don't know any different. (49:51) So this is my he goes, so this he goes, so I have nothing to mourn. (49:55) He goes, do you find that? (49:56) And I'm like, no.
Linda (49:58) I I don't. (49:59) You know? (49:59) I was like,
Scott Benner (50:00) anyway seen it go all different ways, Linda. (50:02) Like, I really have. (50:03) Like, I I take this point. (50:04) I've recorded, like, over 2,000 times with people with type one diabetes, and we'll and I'll probably do another 250 recordings in 2026 and the year after and over. (50:14) And by the time I get done doing this, I'll probably have recorded with, like, 3,000 different people.
Scott Benner (50:18) Wow. (50:19) I do find that people take their situation, then look at the opposite, and then make a decision. (50:25) Oh, that must be why I'm this way. (50:27) But that person who said that to you, I've talked to people who are in that exact same situation who have the exact opposite takeaway. (50:33) So I I don't know.
Scott Benner (50:34) I think it's so personal that and you don't even realize why you feel the way you feel sometimes. (50:38) Mhmm. (50:39) That makes sense?
Linda (50:40) Yeah. (50:40) I yeah. (50:41) I absolutely agree with you. (50:42) Yeah.
Scott Benner (50:42) It's not a crazy way to start your decision making process. (50:46) Like, my daughter's too. (50:47) She doesn't remember not having diabetes, but she is also not thrilled about it. (50:51) You you know? (50:52) Like, it's she's not running around going like, no big deal.
Scott Benner (50:54) There are places in her life that it really impacts her, and it's Yeah. (50:57) And it's difficult. (50:59) And there are parts of it that she just skates through. (51:01) I don't know. (51:02) And if she was a slightly different person, if that was my son and not my daughter, he's got a different personality, he would he'd intersect with it differently too.
Linda (51:09) That's true. (51:10) That's very true. (51:11) Because even my brother, he he was in denial for the first probably five, six, seven years. (51:17) Yeah. (51:17) Like, he just thought he was didn't need insulin.
Linda (51:19) He wouldn't give it. (51:20) I'm like, what are you doing? (51:21) You know? (51:22) Until his until his case started having his retinas detach. (51:25) And then he realized, oh, boy.
Scott Benner (51:26) Figured it out then. (51:27) Yeah. (51:27) Yeah. (51:27) I bet. (51:28) Real quick.
Scott Benner (51:28) Yeah. (51:29) So what was he doing? (51:30) Giving himself basal and no bolusing?
Linda (51:32) Yeah. (51:32) He wasn't doing any of it. (51:34) No.
Scott Benner (51:34) Oh, was he did he have Lada maybe back then and they didn't know it? (51:37) Was he, like, a slow onset?
Linda (51:39) No. (51:40) He was diagnosed pretty early. (51:41) My my parents, because they were you know, they had seven kids, so it was three of us, right, that had it. (51:47) But at the time, it was just two of us. (51:49) But after after my sister was diagnosed, my mom used to because back in the day, you didn't have, like, a little machine that you could poke your own finger and put blood on a, you know, stick and within, you know, twenty seconds or whatever.
Linda (52:01) You used to have to pee in a cup, use an eyedropper, put a tablet, in the in the eyedropper, put so many drops of urine on it, and it would turn a different color. (52:13) You would compare that to the scale on the back of this bottle that the tablets came in to see kind of what your range was, but it could be, like, 60 to 200. (52:23) Mhmm. (52:24) You know, $2.00 1 to 400. (52:26) You know?
Linda (52:26) So you never really knew what you were in, but my mom would have us, she would do that about once a month with all of us kids. (52:33) So we knew, my mom would know pretty quickly because and then she obviously recognized the signs, which I think today when you hear these kids that are dying, because the parents don't know or the or the doctors even do not know the signs of type one diabetes. (52:48) And that with all the the available, you know, information and the tools that we use for that kind of stuff, for someone to not be aware of the signs of that is is just it's just baffling to me. (53:03) And I think as as a group and I and I keep trying to do this too is try to bring awareness because not just within my, you know, my immediate friends and family because I think they pretty much know. (53:15) But, you know, you we've gotta expand it out even further because it's you know, when they're thinking your kid is, you know, wow.
Linda (53:22) You know, might be because it's hot out. (53:24) They're really thirsty now, but then because they're drinking a lot. (53:26) Now they're peeing a lot. (53:27) You know? (53:27) It's like Yeah.
Linda (53:28) You know, just know the signs. (53:30) You know? (53:30) But but he knew. (53:32) We caught him early, but he just was in denial. (53:35) And so my parents would make him give his, insulin injections because he was still on injections at the time too.
Linda (53:42) If he could get away with not doing it and he'd fake it, he would. (53:45) And I don't know if he was because he was afraid of needles or I don't know
Speaker 3 (53:49) what I think he was
Linda (53:49) just in denial. (53:50) Yeah. (53:50) It was the most bizarre thing. (53:52) I was like, wow. (53:53) You got two sisters with it and are dealing with it, and you, like or acting like it didn't pertain to you.
Scott Benner (53:59) So one of my bigger takeaways is that, you know, sometimes people get labeled as noncompliant. (54:05) I don't think people are noncompliant. (54:06) I just think that I think it just everyone's personality is different. (54:11) Their struggles are different, and they react to things differently. (54:15) I don't think anybody doesn't want to be healthy.
Scott Benner (54:18) You know? (54:19) I just think there are a lot of other implications and reasons why we act the way we act, and I don't know that we can always take credit for them. (54:26) Like, I don't know that you can take credit for being, like, a runner who's doing all the things you're doing any more than your brother could be at fault Right. (54:35) For what he did. (54:35) Exactly.
Scott Benner (54:36) What I mean? (54:36) Mhmm. (54:36) Yeah. (54:37) And it's why I'm sorry. (54:39) It's why it's nice that this technology exists.
Scott Benner (54:41) Right? (54:42) Because no matter what side of the spectrum you're on, at this point, it can we could slap a CGM and a pump on you. (54:49) You can live a nice long life.
Linda (54:51) Right.
Scott Benner (54:51) Yeah. (54:51) You know, a a healthy life, a life free of complications, and then you can decide how much effort you're gonna put into it after that.
Linda (54:58) Right.
Scott Benner (54:59) But just having the gear on really I mean, it it just propels you into a a different world that did not exist when you were diagnosed.
Linda (55:07) Right. (55:07) Yeah. (55:07) That's exactly true. (55:08) Yeah. (55:08) Because, I mean, if you take a kid now that's diagnosed and and he's like my brother.
Linda (55:13) Right? (55:13) You put a pump on him and a CGM. (55:15) I mean, I don't even have to some of these people don't even give a bolus when they're eating. (55:20) Right? (55:20) Because a pump will make up for a lot of it.
Linda (55:22) Right? (55:23) So you're not you're not gonna
Scott Benner (55:24) You could end up easily in a with an a one c in the sevens and Right. (55:27) And not be that engaged, honestly.
Speaker 3 (55:30) Yeah. (55:30) Exactly.
Scott Benner (55:30) I mean, I'd be better for you if you were pre ballistic your meals and and doing all your things. (55:34) Like, I'm not saying otherwise. (55:36) But I'm saying that given, you know, given due respect to the fact that there are a lot of different people with a lot of different struggles and a lot of different brains, and this technology is life changing for an entire, worldwide community of people living with type one diabetes.
Linda (55:52) Absolutely. (55:53) Yeah. (55:53) I just yeah. (55:55) It just is I I'm I'm thankful. (55:57) Right?
Linda (55:57) I just every day, it's like I'm thankful. (55:59) And I and I'm kind of excited about what's coming up. (56:02) Right? (56:02) What new things can people think about? (56:04) Because even, you know, twenty years ago, I never would have thought that the pump with the CGM and that it would be in this closed loop system that, you know, could almost make it feel like you weren't even a diabetic anymore.
Linda (56:14) Right? (56:14) I I just never even I've never even it didn't cross my mind, and now you've got it. (56:20) You know? (56:20) It's like, what else can they do? (56:22) You know?
Scott Benner (56:22) It's like expectations, Linda, and I know not a lot about much, but my expectations are that, with the help of coders and AI, that they're gonna find better and better ways to make these algorithms work and that, you know, outcomes can get better, you know, moving forward and probably more quickly than you imagine right now too. (56:41) Like, you Right. (56:41) You've really lived like, your your life's been like you're I don't know. (56:45) How much older than me? (56:47) I'm 54.
Scott Benner (56:48) Right? (56:48) But Mhmm. (56:49) You've lived through such a shift in technology in your life and not just through medical stuff. (56:54) Right? (56:55) Like, you're young enough now to, like, still look up and say, hey.
Scott Benner (56:58) This AI thing's crazy.
Speaker 3 (57:00) Right.
Scott Benner (57:00) Right? (57:01) And it and you live through the Internet. (57:03) You know how hard it is to tell people that, like, I didn't have the Internet for a big chunk of my life? (57:08) You know, you try to explain that world to them. (57:09) Or I just got interviewed the other day by a college student who was like, you know, tell me about your media consumption when you were younger.
Scott Benner (57:15) I was like, media consumption. (57:17) I was like, my friend, it was ABC, CBS, and NBC. (57:20) And if I wanted to consume it, I sat in front of it when they told me it was on and that was that. (57:23) And he's like, well, what if you wanted to watch it again? (57:25) I was like, I don't know.
Scott Benner (57:26) Like, that didn't happen.
Speaker 3 (57:28) Right. (57:28) Yeah. (57:28) Didn't happen.
Scott Benner (57:29) Yeah. (57:29) And I told him, said, you know, I can sing the the Mounds Almond Joy song from the commercial because every year in October, I made sure to sit in front of my television to watch the Charlie Brown Halloween special. (57:42) Yes. (57:43) And that company always bought an ad on it. (57:45) And so, like, that's how I know that mounds, you know, mounds don't you know, that whole thing.
Linda (57:51) And, like and I was like,
Scott Benner (57:52) but then that's it. (57:53) Like, I was like, you know, you saw a movie in a theater and if you missed it, it was gone. (57:56) You never saw it.
Linda (57:57) Right. (57:58) Exactly. (57:58) Yeah.
Scott Benner (57:59) The way things have changed now like that, the way it's gonna apply to this stuff, I think is gonna be insane. (58:06) Like, I I
Linda (58:07) think You know what I mean?
Scott Benner (58:08) Like, I don't know that you're not gonna live in a world you, even though you even though you died thirty years ago, Linda, I don't know that you're not gonna get to live in a world. (58:16) My daughter's definitely gonna get to live in a world
Linda (58:18) Absolutely.
Scott Benner (58:19) Where she's gonna open up her phone one day and say, hey. (58:22) I'm having pizza, but it's at Pizza Hut, not at Domino's. (58:26) Don't forget Pizza Hut hits us differently. (58:28) It's already gonna be 10 steps ahead of her because it's gonna have location on and know where she's at. (58:33) Yep.
Scott Benner (58:33) Like, I don't think that's crazy. (58:35) So I
Linda (58:36) know. (58:36) I agree. (58:37) I totally agree with you. (58:39) And I also think that, you know, it's like, you know, you talk about how we how we learn things and, you know, and, like, the social media type stuff, you know, I was talking about earlier. (58:48) I'll tell you one of the things that I have really because I'm a I'm a Medtronic ambassador.
Linda (58:53) Yeah. (58:53) Yeah. (58:54) And one of the things that you know, when we get together with some of these other people who have type one diabetes, the things that you can learn from these other ambassadors and other type one diabetics that I never even would have thought of. (59:07) Right? (59:08) So, like, I was just over in the New York City Marathon, and we're supporting a couple of these runners that were type one diabetics.
Linda (59:15) And the majority of them were running their marathon for the first time. (59:18) And one of them, I was talking to her, and she's like, she puts her pump, you know, in the back of her, like, her, like, sports bra somewhere in the back. (59:26) And I'm thinking, how do you do that? (59:28) Right? (59:28) And how do you you know, it's like, what's you know and and we're all, like, turn you know, talking about the different patches you wear to cover your CGM when it's really hot and sweaty.
Linda (59:36) And, you know, there's so many things that, you know, as the technology changes that I haven't yet, like a lot of these were using some of the new sensors. (59:46) And I you know, obviously, I'm I'm like for them to try them out first.
Speaker 3 (59:49) I'm like
Scott Benner (59:49) I heard you say that earlier. (59:50) Yeah. (59:51) Yeah. (59:51) I know.
Linda (59:51) And I'll I'll use them. (59:53) You know? (59:53) And then I'm like, I'll let you try them out first. (59:55) But I start asking you, start asking the questions. (59:56) What do you like about it?
Linda (59:57) What don't you like about it? (59:58) What do you do? (59:58) You know? (59:59) How does it how does it do? (1:00:00) And how do you you know, when you're running, what do you do?
Linda (1:00:02) And you know? (1:00:02) But you learn so much from people that are in the community as well. (1:00:06) Yeah. (1:00:06) You know? (1:00:07) Not just the and I think companies like Medtronic, right, they also get that feedback, and they could they use it, I think, you know, to to make it better and easier for for all of us.
Linda (1:00:18) And and that, I'm also very appreciative of. (1:00:21) And you get a lot of you know, you get surveys from all kinds of people, you know, even beyond type one. (1:00:25) You know? (1:00:25) What's what works for you? (1:00:27) What doesn't work for you?
Linda (1:00:28) You know? (1:00:28) Medtronic. (1:00:29) I mean, different different people. (1:00:30) And I think it's all about, you know, trying to get the technology to do as much for you, you know, so you do live a hassle free, you know, worry free life that I think we all deserve. (1:00:42) Right?
Linda (1:00:42) And just
Scott Benner (1:00:43) Yeah.
Linda (1:00:43) You know? (1:00:43) Because we, you know, got diagnosed with this disease. (1:00:46) You know? (1:00:46) It doesn't mean our life ends. (1:00:48) It doesn't mean we have to stop doing anything.
Linda (1:00:50) Right? (1:00:50) But if anything we could do to to share, you know, what we know, what works for us, that might work for one somebody else, and they can use that then to maybe create, you know, newer technology that can make it easier. (1:01:04) You know? (1:01:04) I mean, if you're know, if you got a lot of, you know, technicians or, you know, software engineers that are men that aren't type type one diabetics, they're creating these devices to, you know, better control our blood sugars, but it's you know, it doesn't fit in a tight fitting dress. (1:01:20) You know?
Scott Benner (1:01:20) Yeah. (1:01:21) Or it doesn't think or if it didn't think about the fluctuations from hormones from your cycle or whatever. (1:01:26) Exactly. (1:01:27) And, Linda, you're you're preaching to the choir. (1:01:29) I have a I have a private Facebook group for the podcast that has 76,000 active members in it.
Linda (1:01:36) Oh my gosh. (1:01:37) Wow.
Scott Benner (1:01:37) It does a 120 to a 160 new posts every day and 8,000 likes and comments every twenty four hours.
Linda (1:01:45) Oh my god.
Scott Benner (1:01:46) To say that I believe that community and the connection to other people is maybe half of it, it might be an understatement. (1:01:54) I think I from my from my point of view, you need good tools, good direction. (1:01:59) Yeah. (1:01:59) You need the, the ability to make changes to your settings on your own Yeah. (1:02:03) And the confidence that comes with it.
Scott Benner (1:02:06) And then you need the understanding and connection of other people who understand your situation. (1:02:12) That is really most of this thing. (1:02:14) If you have those things, you are way, way ahead. (1:02:17) You're almost golden.
Linda (1:02:18) Yeah. (1:02:18) Yeah. (1:02:19) I agree.
Scott Benner (1:02:19) Yeah. (1:02:20) I I I believe that a million percent.
Linda (1:02:23) Yep. (1:02:23) I agree.
Scott Benner (1:02:24) Is there anything I have not asked you that I should have? (1:02:27) Anything that you were gonna hang up and go, I cannot believe we didn't talk about I mean, have you been to the moon? (1:02:34) I mean, you're seven continents seven days three times. (1:02:37) Are you gonna do it again? (1:02:38) Are you gonna give up?
Scott Benner (1:02:39) Like, at
Linda (1:02:40) what at what age do
Scott Benner (1:02:41) you go, hey. (1:02:41) You know what? (1:02:42) I'm done with this.
Linda (1:02:44) No. (1:02:45) I can't imagine. (1:02:46) I I I I've always told my husband if I end up, like, you know, having a heart attack on a on a race and I'm a few meters from the, you know, the finish line, drag my ass across there and put on me. (1:02:57) You know? (1:02:58) Bury me with it.
Linda (1:02:59) But but, no, I'm not I'm not giving up. (1:03:00) And I think, you know, I think it's one of the reasons why I'm in such good control is because I am very active. (1:03:07) Always have been, you know, so I didn't stop once I got diagnosed. (1:03:10) Yeah. (1:03:11) And then, you know, and I and I think it's important.
Linda (1:03:13) And then, you know, I'm gonna you know, after I'm right now trying to run a 100 marathons. (1:03:18) So I'm only a couple away, but I'm gonna finish and I'm trying to finish my hundredth running the Sydney marathon in August year. (1:03:27) And then I'm I just saw a new race that was called the deepest marathon in the world, and it's in some kind of mine in Sweden. (1:03:38) And so I was like, I might have to check that one out.
Scott Benner (1:03:41) I'm not gonna bother asking you what your favorite Netflix series is because I don't think you watch televisions.
Linda (1:03:48) I I don't. (1:03:50) Don't. (1:03:51) Watch t I rarely watch TV. (1:03:53) But yeah. (1:03:53) But it's like you know, so I'm gonna just be over the next you know, after I'm done with the 100, I'll probably look for things that are a little bit, you know Yeah.
Linda (1:04:01) Unique. (1:04:01) You know? (1:04:02) Like, I I do wanna run North Pole. (1:04:03) So I'm gonna if I do North Pole, probably do this deepest marathon, I'll probably I wanna definitely do Athens, Greece because that's where it all started. (1:04:10) So I haven't
Scott Benner (1:04:11) Does it go through the ruins and everything in Athens?
Linda (1:04:14) I don't know where I have I've not actually looked at the route, but they say it's supposedly the the first the route that actually started the whole marathon. (1:04:21) So
Scott Benner (1:04:22) Your life is way better than mine. (1:04:24) Let me just say now that Medtronic, if they need somebody to do a podcast with you after you've run one of these, like, on location, I think I should be asked. (1:04:30) There's a couple of play not not did you say Antarctica? (1:04:33) Not there. (1:04:33) But you have a you have a great life.
Scott Benner (1:04:35) This is really awesome. (1:04:36) Good for you for making that life for yourself after somebody told you weren't gonna have one. (1:04:39) Really wonderful. (1:04:40) Really, really lovely.
Linda (1:04:41) I know I'm like, I wasn't gonna live this. (1:04:43) Woe was me, and I'm gonna die in a couple years. (1:04:45) I'm like, nope. (1:04:46) I'm gonna I'm gonna enjoy every minute I'm on it. (1:04:49) Right?
Scott Benner (1:04:49) So That's beautiful. (1:04:50) It really is. (1:04:51) Linda, I appreciate you taking the time spending this day with me.
Linda (1:04:53) No. (1:04:54) Thank you for asking.
Scott Benner (1:04:55) No. (1:04:55) It's a it's a pleasure. (1:04:56) You were you're just delightful.
Linda (1:04:58) Oh, thank you. (1:04:59) You are too.
Scott Benner (1:05:00) Oh, you didn't have to say that, but it's true. (1:05:03) Hold on one second for me. (1:05:04) Thank you.
Speaker 3 (1:05:05) Okay.
Scott Benner (1:05:13) I'd like to remind you again about the MiniMed seven eighty g automated insulin delivery system, which, of course, anticipates, adjusts, and corrects every five minutes twenty four seven. (1:05:23) It works around the clock so you can focus on what matters. (1:05:28) The Juice Box community knows the importance of using technology to simplify managing diabetes. (1:05:33) To learn more about how you can spend less time and effort managing your diabetes, visit my link, medtronicdiabetes.com/juicebox. (1:05:43) I'd like to thank the blood glucose meter that my daughter carries, the Kontoor Next Gen blood glucose meter.
Scott Benner (1:05:52) Learn more and get started today at kontoornext.com/juicebox. (1:05:58) And don't forget, you may be paying more through your insurance right now for the meter you have than you would pay for the Kontoor Next Gen in cash. (1:06:07) There are links in the show notes of the audio app you're listening in right now and links at juiceboxpodcast.com to Kontoor and all of the sponsors. (1:06:18) Thank you so much for listening. (1:06:19) I'll be back very soon with another episode of the juice box podcast.
Scott Benner (1:06:22) If you're not already subscribed or following the podcast in your favorite audio app, like Spotify or Apple podcasts, please do that now. (1:06:30) Seriously, just to hit follow or subscribe will really help the show. (1:06:35) If you go a little further in Apple Podcasts and set it up so that it downloads all new episodes, I'll be your best friend. (1:06:41) And if you leave a five star review, oh, I'll probably send you a Christmas card. (1:06:46) Would you like a Christmas card?
Scott Benner (1:06:52) If you're looking for community around type one diabetes, check out the Juice Box Podcast private Facebook group. (1:06:59) Juice box podcast, type one diabetes. (1:07:02) But everybody is welcome. (1:07:03) Type one, type two, gestational, loved ones, it doesn't matter to me. (1:07:08) If you're impacted by diabetes and you're looking for support, comfort, or community, check out Juice Box podcast, type one diabetes on Facebook.
Scott Benner (1:07:17) Oh my, did I get lucky. (1:07:19) The Celebrity Cruise Line reached out to me and said, how would you like to come on a cruise before your Juice Cruise so you can get a real good look at the Celebrity Beyond cruise ship and share some video with your listeners? (1:07:33) I said, thank you. (1:07:36) So that's where I might be right now. (1:07:38) If it's December let me actually find a date for you.
Scott Benner (1:07:41) Not a 100% sure. (1:07:42) I think I'm going in December right before Christmas. (1:07:46) Like, you know, like, I don't know, like, the December. (1:07:49) I'm sorry. (1:07:50) Know this isn't much of a that.
Scott Benner (1:07:51) But if you wanna see video from me on the cruise ship, my wife and I are gonna head out and really check it out to see what it's all about to grab some great video for you. (1:07:59) Get it up on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook so you can see what you'd be getting if you came along on Juice Cruise 2026, which, of course, leaves from Miami on 06/21/2026. (1:08:12) We're gonna be going to Coco Cay in The Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts And Nevis. (1:08:17) Do not miss it. (1:08:17) It's a great opportunity to meet other people living with type one diabetes to form friendships, to learn things, and just swap stories.
Scott Benner (1:08:25) It's a relaxing vacation with a bunch of people who get what your life is like. (1:08:29) And trust me, there's a lot of value in that. (1:08:32) Juiceboxpodcast.com/juicecruise. (1:08:36) Come check it out and go find my socials to see what that ship looks like. (1:08:40) There's also a video at my link that's, kind of a ship tour for the celebrity beyond.
Scott Benner (1:08:45) And let me tell you something. (1:08:46) If this ship is a tenth as nice as this video is, I am in for a great time, and so are you. (1:08:53) Juiceboxpodcast.com/juicecruise. (1:08:56) Come along. (1:08:58) If you're living with type one diabetes, the after dark collection from the Juice Box podcast is the only place to hear the stories that no one else talks about.
Scott Benner (1:09:07) From drugs to depression, self harm, trauma, addiction, and so much more. (1:09:14) Go to juiceboxpodcast.com, up in the menu, and click on after dark. (1:09:19) There, you'll see a full list of all of the after dark episodes. (1:09:23) Have a podcast? (1:09:24) Want it to sound fantastic?
Scott Benner (1:09:26) Wrongwayrecording.com.
Please support the sponsors
The Juicebox Podcast is a free show, but if you'd like to support the podcast directly, you can make a gift here. Recent donations were used to pay for podcast hosting fees. Thank you to all who have sent 5, 10 and 20 dollars!
#1730 Fat Beagle
You can always listen to the Juicebox Podcast here but the cool kids use: Apple Podcasts/iOS - Spotify - Amazon Music - Google Play/Android - iHeart Radio - Radio Public, Amazon Alexa or wherever they get audio.
Megan details her son’s diagnosis and sensory aversion to pumps, while Scott urges her to finally treat the thyroid symptoms she has ignored for years.
+ Click for EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
DISCLAIMER: This text is the output of AI based transcribing from an audio recording. Although the transcription is largely accurate, in some cases it is incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors and should not be treated as an authoritative record. Nothing that you read here constitutes advice medical or otherwise. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making changes to a healthcare plan.
Scott Benner (0:00) Hello, friends, and welcome back to another episode of the Juice Box podcast.
Megan (0:18) My name is Megan, a mother to Edison, who's been a type one diabetic since February 2025.
Scott Benner (0:26) If your loved one is newly diagnosed with type one diabetes and you're seeking a clear practical perspective, check out the bold beginnings series on the juice box podcast. (0:35) It's hosted by myself and Jenny Smith, an experienced diabetes educator with over thirty five years of personal insight into type one. (0:43) Our series cuts through the medical jargon and delivers straightforward answers to your most pressing questions. (0:49) You'll gain insight from real patients and caregivers and find practical advice to help you confidently navigate life with type one. (0:56) You can start your journey informed and empowered with the Juice Box podcast.
Scott Benner (1:00) The bold beginning series and all of the collections in the Juice Box podcast are available in your audio app and at juiceboxpodcast.com in the menu. (1:10) While you're listening, please remember that nothing you hear on the juice box podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. (1:18) Always consult a physician before making any changes to your health care plan or becoming bold with insulin. (1:30) This episode of the juice box podcast is brought to you by my favorite diabetes organization, Touched by Type One. (1:37) Please take a moment to learn more about them at touchedbytype1.org on Facebook and Instagram.
Scott Benner (1:44) Touchedbytype1.org. (1:46) Check out their many programs, their annual conference, awareness campaign, their d box program, dancing for diabetes. (1:54) They have a dance program for local kids, a golf night, and so much more. (2:00) Touchedbytype1.org. (2:02) You're looking to help or you wanna see people helping people with type one, you want touched by type1.org.
Scott Benner (2:09) Today's episode is also sponsored by the Eversense three sixty five, the one year wear CGM. (2:17) That's one insertion a year. (2:19) That's it. (2:19) And here's a little bonus for you. (2:21) How about there's no limit on how many friends and family you can share your data with with the Eversense Now app?
Scott Benner (2:27) No limits. (2:28) Eversense. (2:30) The podcast is also sponsored today by the Tandem Mobi system, which is powered by Tandem's newest algorithm, Control IQ Plus technology. (2:39) Tandem Mobi has a predictive algorithm that helps prevent highs and lows and is now available for ages two and up. (2:46) Learn more and get started today at tandemdiabetes.com/juicebox.
Megan (3:17) My name is Megan. (3:19) I'm mother to Edison, who's been a type one diabetic since February 2025.
Scott Benner (3:25) Is his middle name Thomas?
Megan (3:27) No. (3:27) Is
Scott Benner (3:28) your last name Thomas? (3:29) No. (3:30) Where'd you get Edison from?
Megan (3:31) A grandfather is named Edward, and we wanted another Ed in the family, so we went with Edison.
Scott Benner (3:38) If Edison was a girl, would he be Ed a daughter?
Megan (3:41) I have no idea. (3:43) I thought about that.
Scott Benner (3:43) Did you really?
Megan (3:44) And yes. (3:45) And then because my husband also liked the idea that his initials would spell out the word ear because my husband's initials spelled the word car, and, like, he's trying to, like, spell words with initials. (3:57) And I'm like, oh my gosh.
Scott Benner (3:59) I call my wife by her initials.
Megan (4:01) Do
Scott Benner (4:01) you? (4:01) Yeah. (4:01) Sometimes I'm like, hey, Cab. (4:03) Come here. (4:04) Like, I'm calling her Cab, but not like that because her name's Cab, but her initials are k a b.
Scott Benner (4:09) But I was saying Edison is basically Ed son. (4:13) Yes. (4:13) If it was a girl, would it be Ed daughter?
Megan (4:17) No. (4:17) I'm Yeah. (4:18) Probably not.
Scott Benner (4:18) Yeah. (4:19) Because the thing I
Megan (4:19) was saying weird.
Scott Benner (4:20) Was stupid. (4:21) And then you were like, we thought about that. (4:22) And I thought, that's insane. (4:23) There's no way you thought about that.
Megan (4:25) We thought of, like, some kind of play on Edison Sure. (4:28) In a female way,
Scott Benner (4:29) I should say. (4:30) Like, it wasn't this Maybe
Megan (4:31) Edwina. (4:33) Something.
Scott Benner (4:34) Can you imagine? (4:35) And if your name's Edwina, I'm not making fun not.
Megan (4:37) Yeah. (4:38) Oh, I'm you're right.
Scott Benner (4:39) Oh, I do wanna say that Megan seems to be making fun of it, but I'm not. (4:42) I would not. (4:44) Alright. (4:44) So this kid's how old now?
Megan (4:46) He is seven.
Scott Benner (4:47) Seven. (4:47) He was diagnosed when?
Megan (4:49) February.
Scott Benner (4:51) So That's recently. (4:53) It's only December now.
Megan (4:55) Correct. (4:55) Yeah. (4:56) He just turned seven in October.
Scott Benner (4:58) Okay. (4:59) Well, happy birthday to him.
Megan (5:01) It's been an interesting year.
Scott Benner (5:03) It's been an interesting year. (5:04) Tell me about why you said that. (5:06) What's been interesting?
Megan (5:07) Well, I guess it goes back to his diagnosis. (5:11) And, honestly, it goes back to the previous year because there were so many symptoms. (5:21) But we have no history of type one diabetes in our family, so it wasn't something I was familiar with
Scott Benner (5:27) Mhmm.
Megan (5:27) Or, like, I I didn't know what I was looking at. (5:30) I just knew something was wrong. (5:32) But it wasn't until my my mom is a type two diabetic, and it was crazy because leading up to his diagnosis, she ended up in DKA twice. (5:42) And when
Scott Benner (5:45) But your type two mom ended up in DKA twice?
Megan (5:48) Yes.
Scott Benner (5:48) How'd she do that?
Megan (5:50) I have no idea. (5:51) I really don't. (5:53) It was really upsetting because we had gone to see them for Christmas, like, that December 2024.
Scott Benner (5:58) Yeah.
Megan (5:58) On our way there, I remember her she had called me or she was talking, and she watches my sister's children regularly. (6:07) She was just, like, really stressed out. (6:08) She was like, my chest is hurting so bad. (6:11) I'm, like, vomiting and stuff. (6:12) I was like, can you go to the hospital?
Megan (6:14) And she's like, oh, I'll go eventually. (6:16) And I'm like, what do you mean eventually? (6:18) And so, like, we get there, and I'm like, why has no one else in my family? (6:23) Like, my siblings live near my mother. (6:25) And instead of, like, helping her and pushing her to go to the ER, they're just like, hey.
Megan (6:30) Take my kids. (6:31) Or, like so whatever. (6:33) I'm like, okay. (6:34) Can we go to the ER? (6:35) And she's like, oh, I'll go in a little bit.
Megan (6:36) What I don't know what I'm do with the kids. (6:38) I'm like, hi. (6:39) We're two adults. (6:40) We've just arrived from out of state. (6:42) We can watch these children while you go take care of yourself.
Scott Benner (6:45) Are you mad at your sister? (6:46) I just wanna know.
Megan (6:47) I was in the time.
Scott Benner (6:48) I could hear it. (6:49) I was also mad at my father. (6:51) Wow. (6:52) He's he's sick of your mom. (6:53) He was thinking maybe that would take her out.
Megan (6:55) You're not lying. (6:57) You saw the look on his if you could see the look on his face when I said that. (7:01) I was like, can we get her to the ear? (7:02) He was like
Scott Benner (7:04) But we're so close, Megan. (7:05) We're so close.
Megan (7:06) He literally shrugged shoulders and was like, I mean, we tried. (7:10) I was like, what? (7:12) So yeah.
Scott Benner (7:13) I And then your mom and I have saved a little bit of money, and I have plans that she doesn't seem like she cares about. (7:18) So let's just see what the lord has in mind today. (7:21) Okay? (7:22) Exactly. (7:24) Oh my gosh.
Megan (7:24) Yeah.
Scott Benner (7:25) Well, I forget why we were talking about your mom. (7:27) I don't even care.
Megan (7:28) Oh, because she was a DKA.
Scott Benner (7:29) Yes. (7:30) That's right. (7:30) I'm gonna ask you. (7:31) Pretend you're in charge for a second. (7:33) Do we need to continue down this path or can we pivot to your kid?
Megan (7:36) No. (7:36) We could pivot.
Scott Benner (7:37) Pivot. (7:37) Awesome. (7:38) I should start yelling pivot before we move on to something else.
Megan (7:41) Well, we're not recording an episode of Friends.
Scott Benner (7:44) Long before people were just like, oh, that's gotta stop? (7:46) Maybe three minutes. (7:47) Right? (7:48) Okay. (7:48) So what are your first signs for Edison?
Megan (7:52) Again, it now looking back, it started in November 2024.
Scott Benner (8:00) Okay. (8:01) I should have said what are your first signs you paid attention to enough to get you to a doctor? (8:04) I'm sorry.
Megan (8:05) February. (8:06) The signs were a lot of drinking, weight loss, and on and off vomiting.
Scott Benner (8:12) Oh, gosh. (8:13) Was he in DKA when you got him there?
Megan (8:16) No. (8:16) He had a blood sugar of, like, 600 when we finally got to the ER. (8:20) Mhmm. (8:21) We initially went to an urgent care. (8:22) They were like they kinda rolled their eyes at me when I was like, I suspect it's diabetes.
Megan (8:26) And they're like, well, what makes you suspect that? (8:28) And I was like, judging by his symptoms. (8:30) And I was like, they were like, do you have experience with it? (8:32) Was like, no.
Scott Benner (8:32) No. (8:33) I have a computer like the rest of the modern world. (8:36) I was
Megan (8:37) like but, also, like, once I started putting two and two together, I was like, this I mean, common sense just dials it down to this. (8:44) And I'm a big research person, so I was like, it really isn't that hard. (8:48) They were like, well, we'll take his sugar. (8:50) We'll do a urine test, this and that. (8:52) I was like, good.
Megan (8:53) Because he's peeing, like, every five minutes, so go ahead. (8:56) He's like, I'm sure he'll pee again.
Scott Benner (8:58) Isn't it funny that we live in a world where people think they understand Everyone else, they understand. (9:04) Politics, wait, more than they do, they think they understand. (9:07) I see ladies, building, built ins with IKEA dressers. (9:12) Everyone thinks they know everything because they have access to the Internet and they can read for eight seconds or get a couple of headlines. (9:18) And you go in there and say, hey.
Scott Benner (9:20) Think my kid has diabetes. (9:21) And they go, oh, sure. (9:23) How do you know? (9:24) What do you got? (9:24) The Internet?
Scott Benner (9:25) Like, yeah. (9:26) That's what I've got.
Megan (9:27) Do. (9:27) Thank you.
Scott Benner (9:28) Unbelievable. (9:29) Like, bizarre. (9:30) Like, everyone thinks they know everything because they have access to some information. (9:34) Right? (9:35) And we're learning more and more.
Scott Benner (9:37) Apparently, people really are able to figure stuff out pretty quickly. (9:40) Have you ever seen some of those building cabinets the ladies are making with the IKEA dressers? (9:44) They're really nice. (9:45) Okay? (9:46) And I don't my feed is insane.
Scott Benner (9:49) My wife says things out loud that ends up in my feed. (9:51) She's like, have you seen women building buildings with I'm like, oh, god. (9:55) What is happening? (9:55) And the next thing I know, I open up Instagram and I'm watching some lady with a nail gun. (9:59) Is not the point.
Scott Benner (10:00) You understand. (10:01) But my point is is, like, in that situation, your child is sick. (10:05) They have a bunch of, you know, issues going on. (10:08) The nurse or the doctor doesn't think you might wanna, like, throw that into Google or say, hey. (10:13) Chat GPT.
Scott Benner (10:13) What what does this sound like?
Megan (10:15) Yeah. (10:16) Exactly.
Scott Benner (10:16) Very strange, like, response, I think. (10:18) Anyway, I don't know what I don't know exactly all I think about that yet, but it's gonna bother me for a little while. (10:23) Go ahead.
Megan (10:23) It bothered me too. (10:24) I mean, really, honestly, the Internet is in our hands. (10:27) It's in our pockets with us all the time. (10:29) I'm like, it really wasn't that hard to just narrow it down. (10:31) I was like, top die they were like, what makes you think that?
Megan (10:35) Top diagnosis that came up, like, for his symptoms. (10:37) I'm like, I and I'm assuming since he has many of the other symptoms now that I'm looking back on it, I'm like, it's really not that hard to two and two together. (10:44) I was like, can you just check? (10:45) They were trying to do a blood sugar test with their little meter in the urgent care, and, of course, his blood sugar was too high. (10:51) It wasn't reading.
Megan (10:52) It just kept erroring out. (10:53) And they're like, yeah. (10:54) You're gonna have to go to the ER. (10:56) And I was like, okay. (10:57) Thanks.
Scott Benner (10:58) Why?
Megan (10:58) And then
Scott Benner (10:59) Oh, yeah. (11:00) How'd you figure that out? (11:01) Because the meter didn't work?
Megan (11:02) Correct.
Scott Benner (11:02) Yeah. (11:02) Not because they had any inclination about what might be wrong. (11:05) Right?
Megan (11:05) Correct. (11:06) Yeah. (11:06) They were like, oh, the meter's not working. (11:08) So he Quick
Scott Benner (11:09) question. (11:10) They charge you for that visit? (11:11) Yes. (11:12) Inconscionable. (11:13) Keep going.
Scott Benner (11:14) I'm sorry. (11:14) Go ahead.
Megan (11:15) Yeah. (11:15) And then as we were leaving, they tried a second meter as well. (11:19) They were like, yeah. (11:20) He's probably just too high to read. (11:22) They're like, or our meters just aren't, for some reason, working.
Megan (11:26) And I was like, well, you tried too. (11:27) So, I mean, which is it? (11:29) You might you're better off going to an ER. (11:31) And then they came running out with his urine test, and they're like, yeah. (11:34) He's got, like, sugar in his urine, so definitely go to the I was like, k.
Megan (11:38) Thanks. (11:38) But I'm a tell you right now, Edison was pissed because we had promised him Taco Bell. (11:44) And, like, that was the plan. (11:47) I I ended up taking to the urgent care right after school, And I was like, hey. (11:50) We'll we'll get Taco Bell for dinner, can we go to the urgent care first?
Megan (11:53) I was like, I suspect you have this, but I could be wrong. (11:55) You know? (11:56) I was like, so we'll just find out. (11:57) And they were like, yeah. (11:58) No.
Megan (11:59) He can't eat. (12:00) Like, if his sugar is high, he's not gonna be eating anything. (12:02) Like, so and he was so mad.
Scott Benner (12:05) Did you use the Taco Bell to trick him into going to the urgent care?
Megan (12:08) No. (12:09) I just told him, I we do, like, family Fridays, so we only eat out on Fridays.
Scott Benner (12:15) Mhmm.
Megan (12:15) And that was the plan. (12:17) Hey. (12:17) After school, we'll for dinner, we're gonna do family Friday at Taco Bell. (12:21) He loves Taco Bell. (12:22) And so it just turned into, oops.
Megan (12:24) Well, you have diabetes, and you're gonna go to the hospital. (12:27) Yeah. (12:27) And they're not gonna let you eat.
Scott Benner (12:29) He's like, this is not the Taco Bell experience. (12:31) I was thinking, yeah. (12:32) What's he like there? (12:33) A Tilupo? (12:34) What do you what does he eat?
Scott Benner (12:35) Do you do you have a
Megan (12:36) Oh, he gets the, chicken quesadilla with two Doritos Lopez tacos.
Scott Benner (12:40) Okay. (12:41) Where'd you get that smooth accent from? (12:43) Where are you from, Megan?
Megan (12:44) I am Mexican.
Scott Benner (12:46) Oh, I was gonna say that came out real nice. (12:50) So no Taco Bell. (12:52) The kid's pissed. (12:52) We're on our way to the hospital.
Megan (12:54) We arrive at the pediatric unit, and he's like, hey. (12:58) I just I I can't stop peeing. (13:00) He's like, I think I'm gonna throw up. (13:02) I'm like, okay. (13:02) Well, we're trying to, like, sign in.
Megan (13:05) Again, the attitude. (13:06) Like, well, what makes you think he has diabetes? (13:09) What makes you and I'm like I'm like, we just came from the urgent care. (13:14) They confirmed that he has sugar in his urine. (13:17) They couldn't get his sugar to read.
Megan (13:19) They're like and then the lady was like, oh, well, he could just have this or he could just and I'm like, can we please just get him somewhere? (13:26) Like, can we just get this ball rolling?
Scott Benner (13:28) Yeah. (13:29) I mean, they very busy? (13:31) I you know what? (13:31) It's funny. (13:32) Those intake intake questions are interesting.
Scott Benner (13:34) Right? (13:35) Because they have to ask them Yeah. (13:36) At the same and you have to realize the person asking you has asked it a thousand times that day. (13:41) But still, it is hard not to, like, rub up against. (13:44) I I will insert here.
Scott Benner (13:46) I called in Dexcom sensor that didn't last ten days. (13:51) It's like, you know, like, the third one this year for us. (13:53) I know everybody else is like, oh my god. (13:54) But, like, we have an incredible success with g seven. (13:57) So this one didn't last as long.
Scott Benner (13:59) It's been sitting on the counter. (14:00) I called up. (14:01) And the questions start coming, and it is hard. (14:06) I know it's just a person asking questions off a script that they have to ask and that they ask them all day, and it's probably hard to, like, be conversational about it. (14:14) But it's also difficult not to be insulted when someone says to you, did you do it right?
Scott Benner (14:18) And you're like, yeah. (14:19) She's had diabetes for twenty years. (14:21) This is the September thing we've stuck on her. (14:24) We did it okay. (14:25) Are you sure?
Scott Benner (14:26) I mean, I feel like a pro. (14:30) I feel like you wouldn't, like, look at a, like, a guy who's been in the NFL for ten years to drop the ball and go, like, did you did you know you're supposed to catch it? (14:37) Like, yeah. (14:37) No. (14:37) I was aware.
Scott Benner (14:38) Thanks. (14:39) I take your point, And at the same time, I have a little bit of, like, space for them too.
Megan (14:43) Yeah.
Scott Benner (14:44) Yeah. (14:44) But go ahead. (14:46) This episode is sponsored by Tandem Diabetes Care. (14:50) And today, I'm gonna tell you about Tandem's newest pumping algorithm. (14:54) The Tandem Mobi system with Control IQ plus technology features auto bolus, which can cover missed meal boluses and help prevent hyperglycemia.
Scott Benner (15:03) It has a dedicated sleep activity setting and is controlled from your personal iPhone. (15:08) Tandem will help you to check your benefits today through my link, tandemdiabetes.com/juicebox. (15:15) This is going to help you to get started with Tandem's smallest pump yet that's powered by its best algorithm ever. (15:21) Control IQ plus technology helps to keep blood sugars in range by predicting glucose levels 30 ahead, and it adjusts insulin accordingly. (15:30) You can wear the Tandem Mobi in a number of ways.
Scott Benner (15:33) Wear it on body with a patch like adhesive sleeve that is sold separately, clip it discreetly to your clothing, or slip it into your pocket. (15:41) Head now to my link, tandemdiabetes.com/juicebox, to check out your benefits and get started today. (15:49) This episode of the juice box podcast is sponsored by Eversense three sixty five. (15:54) And just as the name says, it lasts for a full year. (15:58) Imagine for a second a CGM with just one sensor placement and one warm up period every year.
Scott Benner (16:06) Imagine a sensor that has exceptional accuracy over that year and is actually the most accurate CGM in the low range that you can get. (16:13) What if I told you that this sensor had no risk of falling off or being knocked off? (16:18) That may seem too good to be true, but I'm not even done telling you about it yet. (16:22) The Eversense three sixty five has essentially no compression lows. (16:26) It features incredibly gentle adhesive for its transmitter.
Scott Benner (16:30) You can take the transmitter off when you don't wanna wear your CGM and put it right back on without having to waste the sensor or go through another warm up period. (16:37) The app works with iOS and Android, even Apple Watch. (16:42) You can manage your diabetes instead of your CGM with the Eversense three sixty five. (16:47) Learn more and get started today at eversince cgm.com/juicebox. (16:53) One year, one CGM.
Megan (16:55) No. (16:56) I I I totally understand. (16:57) I was the same way. (16:59) I was like, I I get it. (17:00) I I know you've probably asked a million questions that you're supposed to ask when you triage.
Megan (17:05) I was like, but you could do it without rolling your eyes. (17:08) Like, because when I came in with this is what we suspect, the urgent care semi confirmed it, I was like, so this is why we're here. (17:17) Like, again, I've narrowed it down. (17:20) I get that you're asking questions, but it's just like, man
Scott Benner (17:23) Oh, the attitude you felt read a little bit like, oh, look at this one thinks they know something.
Megan (17:28) I see. (17:28) Kinda like
Scott Benner (17:29) Okay.
Megan (17:29) Like, oh, you're just making up assumptions. (17:32) I'm like, no. (17:32) I'm not. (17:33) Like, I've I've deducted it down pretty pretty reasonably. (17:36) And so but, yeah, they once they got him in a room and on a bed, did all the blood sugar testing and everything, he was IV ed, and they were like, well, we can't handle him here, or we can't do much more except they try to get his blood sugar down.
Megan (17:51) We're gonna put him in an IV, and you're gonna take an ambulance ride to CHOP. (17:54) So we ended up at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Scott Benner (17:57) Oh, you and I are local to each other?
Megan (17:59) Yes. (17:59) You're in New Jersey. (18:01) I'm in New Jersey as well.
Scott Benner (18:02) I start telling people where I'm at. (18:03) Okay? (18:04) But okay. (18:04) Just say local. (18:05) I know.
Scott Benner (18:06) I I'm just kidding. (18:06) I say it all the time.
Megan (18:08) Come get me.
Scott Benner (18:09) Definitely. (18:09) Come get me. (18:10) Go ahead. (18:11) Try. (18:12) I remember I was listening to
Megan (18:13) an episode when you finally said I was like, oh, how convenient. (18:16) Like, we get, my son gets diagnosed in New Jersey where, the diabetes podcast is typically recorded.
Scott Benner (18:25) Are you using a satellite office now? (18:27) No. (18:27) No. (18:27) Okay. (18:28) So you still go into the city for appointments?
Megan (18:30) Yes. (18:31) For now, we only use a satellite office for, like, his psychological meetings or, appointments. (18:41) He, he needs he has struggled with it, with the diagnosis. (18:45) It's been stressful for him just to be kind of, like, thrown into such a rapid change.
Scott Benner (18:50) Tell me about that. (18:51) I thought you were gonna say he's been he's been struggling since we didn't take him to Taco Bell. (18:54) But but tell me tell me about that part. (18:57) Who sniffed that out and and and put you on the the the care?
Megan (19:01) I did. (19:02) I could just tell that he was he just seemed more down. (19:06) He wasn't as active as he used to be. (19:08) He also has expressed diabetes stresses me out. (19:12) I don't wanna eat today.
Megan (19:13) I'd rather just not get a shot. (19:16) Mhmm. (19:16) We tried the Omnipod, and he had some reactions to it in the beginning, but they kind of cleared out. (19:24) And he was doing great for several months. (19:27) And then in the summer, they just kept falling off, so we took a break.
Megan (19:30) And we went to go put them back on for this school year, and the reactions were, like, 10 times worse. (19:38) And then he just started getting, like, I don't want it. (19:41) Just stop doing this to me. (19:42) I don't like, I'd rather just go back to
Scott Benner (19:45) The reactions. (19:46) His, like, visceral reaction or, like, adhesive? (19:49) Or what are you saying?
Megan (19:50) It was it was almost like the stress was causing visceral reactions to the pump itself.
Scott Benner (19:56) Like, he
Megan (19:56) just said, I hate it. (19:57) It's heavy. (19:58) He's like, I don't like having all the devices. (20:02) He's like, I don't even wanna wear Dexcom anymore. (20:04) And I was like, Dexcom really helps the nurses and me, you know, and and your dad just kind of monitor where you're at, try to catch things before they get out of hand.
Megan (20:13) He's like, he's like, I could just finger poke myself whenever he's like, when I think I have a problem or whatever. (20:19) I'm like, you're in class. (20:22) It's not just as easy as I'm feeling low. (20:24) Let me take care of it now. (20:25) You could just pass out.
Megan (20:27) Because he does have the tendency to go low Mhmm. (20:30) Without realizing he's low. (20:32) There was a time where he he was like, can I please just have a day? (20:35) And I was like, okay. (20:36) And I was just monitoring him closely.
Megan (20:38) He started getting, like, tired and kind of, like, lagging behind. (20:43) And I was like, let's check your blood sugar. (20:45) And he was like, I feel fine. (20:47) And I was like, I know you feel fine. (20:48) I was like, but I'm I'm noticing a demeanor change.
Megan (20:51) So I was like, let's just test and make sure everything's okay. (20:54) He was 33. (20:56) Oh. (20:57) Walking around. (20:58) And I'm like, this is bad.
Megan (21:00) He was like, start drinking the soda. (21:02) Start doing some like, get something in you. (21:04) He's just not adapting.
Scott Benner (21:06) Is it sensory, or do you think he's depressed about it? (21:10) Or what are you what are you guys figuring out?
Megan (21:13) I think it is a sensory thing. (21:15) He you know, the clinic is saying, right now, let's just try to get like, accepting the fact that this is gonna be a lifelong thing.
Scott Benner (21:22) Okay.
Megan (21:23) That's that's the main goal. (21:24) Because right now, he's just saying, there are days where I feel fine. (21:27) I think I don't think I need so much. (21:29) Or this there are things where, like, maybe it'll get better. (21:32) Maybe I won't need so many injections.
Megan (21:34) I'm
Scott Benner (21:35) like Oh.
Megan (21:35) You have to remember that this is gonna be lifelong.
Scott Benner (21:38) Is it talk therapy? (21:39) Is that what they're doing with him?
Megan (21:41) Right now. (21:42) Yes.
Scott Benner (21:42) Yeah. (21:43) That makes sense. (21:44) He's so young. (21:45) Like, I don't know how he's supposed to understand forever. (21:47) And when somebody says you're sick, but you feel okay, you're sick.
Scott Benner (21:52) So I think that's hard for people in general. (21:54) You know? (21:55) And it's it's proven out over and over again. (21:57) I mentioned this a lot because I think it's important for people to hear, but, you know, there are issues people have. (22:03) You you know, thyroid medication is a good example of it, but there's a ton of other examples where they take a pill, right, a daily pill.
Scott Benner (22:09) So you start off and you don't feel well. (22:11) You take the pill. (22:12) You take the pill. (22:12) You take the pill. (22:13) One day, feel better.
Scott Benner (22:14) And the first thing you do is stop taking the pill because you're like, well, I don't feel sick anymore, except the pill is the only reason you don't feel sick.
Megan (22:21) Yeah. (22:21) Exactly.
Scott Benner (22:22) Very common. (22:22) You know? (22:23) So, anyway, I'm sorry that I'm sorry that he's going through all that. (22:27) That's that's sucks.
Megan (22:28) It mostly started, like I said, peaking, like, this behavioral like, towards diabetes and, like, this change in. (22:37) It started with the school year when we tried to put the pump back on him. (22:40) And I so I think once we narrow down the fact that by, like, make him realize there's not a a day where you're just gonna magically be better. (22:50) This is a lifelong disease. (22:52) Like, you're gonna have to like, it's not gonna stop you from doing anything.
Megan (22:55) You just have to remember that you have diabetes. (22:58) Once we get past that, we have to start addressing. (23:02) I think it is a sensory thing with him again because he was complaining that the Omnipod is just so heavy and this he's like, I know. (23:09) I have to he carries a fanny pack around to put his, medical device in. (23:14) That's what we call it, not a phone because we don't want him to see, I have a cell phone.
Megan (23:17) Right. (23:18) He carries around his medical device, glucose meter just in case, and, like, of course, his emergency snacks. (23:23) He's like, I just have to wear so much. (23:26) So we just stopped the pump. (23:28) He doesn't mind multiple daily injections.
Megan (23:30) He'd rather just do that than have to wear a Dexcom and a pump.
Scott Benner (23:34) Was he even to ask about the past is ridiculous. (23:38) He's so young. (23:38) I was gonna say, is that feel like it's part of his personality, but my god. (23:42) How would you even know? (23:44) You know?
Megan (23:44) Yeah. (23:45) Well, I think it could be because now well, looking back, I think he does have sensory issues, and I think we need to address those as well. (23:53) And I think he might because he like, he has a thing about socks. (23:57) Like, I had never realized it was a a habit or, a pattern, but he has to think about socks, specific socks, and how they touch his ankle and and things like that. (24:07) And I'm like, oh, now I'm noticing more.
Megan (24:09) Yeah. (24:10) You know what I mean? (24:10) Like, now looking back, I'm like, he might have he might be on the spectrum somewhere.
Scott Benner (24:16) You or your husband give any vibes like that?
Megan (24:19) Yes.
Scott Benner (24:20) Which one? (24:20) Me. (24:21) You? (24:21) What what have you what have you noticed in your own self now that you've been paying attention to him?
Megan (24:26) I noticed that I have a sensory issue towards, like, specific shirts. (24:30) I didn't realize that all of my my husband's saying, how did you not know? (24:33) He's like, I thought you were just OCD or something. (24:36) You know? (24:36) I'm like, no.
Megan (24:37) Like, a certain materials, and I can't even explain it. (24:40) I don't even know how to ex like, it just makes me itch. (24:43) Like, completely
Scott Benner (24:44) I'm not laughing at you. (24:45) I'm sorry. (24:46) It was the way you said it.
Megan (24:46) Yeah. (24:47) It's just you're good. (24:48) I don't even know how to explain it. (24:50) And then, of course, I realized my socks too. (24:53) I I didn't realize I was the person who took my socks off, like, as soon as I walk in the door.
Scott Benner (24:57) Why do they why do they have to come off?
Megan (24:59) And it's funny because it's the way that they touch like, it's the way that they wrap around my my leg or, like, I or, like, my ankle. (25:06) Even if I'm wearing ankle sock, it's the way that they touch the back of my ankle.
Scott Benner (25:11) So do you put up with it when you're out in the world because you don't want your feet to smell inside of your shoes, or are you not aware of it during the day?
Megan (25:17) Smell regardless, unfortunately. (25:19) So and that's a that's another thing. (25:22) So, yeah, I just kinda deal with
Scott Benner (25:24) it. (25:25) Okay.
Megan (25:26) Yeah. (25:26) Do you
Scott Benner (25:27) have a thyroid issue?
Megan (25:28) Let's see. (25:28) I I knew that question was gonna come up. (25:30) Yes. (25:31) I do, but I don't. (25:32) I've always been the type to test, like, right before the mark, and they don't ever wanna treat because I don't surpass the mark.
Scott Benner (25:41) Do you have any symptoms besides the anxiety?
Megan (25:43) Blurry vision. (25:45) Like, the I've I've been told I have Graves' disease or almost have Graves' disease, but they wouldn't treat it for because I was literally right at the cutoff. (25:55) It was like I can't remember. (25:58) I just remember the the number +1 34, and they were like, you have to like, +1 35, +1 36. (26:03) So I was like, oh, cool.
Megan (26:05) Thanks.
Scott Benner (26:06) I'll just I'll keep trying. (26:07) I'll let you know when I get there.
Megan (26:09) And my parent or my mom's always like, well, go back and get retested. (26:13) No. (26:13) You should just sit. (26:14) And I'm like, eventually.
Scott Benner (26:16) What do you mean eventually? (26:17) What is wrong with everybody? (26:18) Go back and get to what are you, busy? (26:20) What are you doing?
Megan (26:21) I am, and I'm not. (26:22) Like, it's just it's a pain in the bum to get appointments.
Scott Benner (26:27) Is it more painful than blurry vision? (26:30) Yes. (26:31) Just go to the doctor, Megan.
Megan (26:33) No. (26:34) I know. (26:34) Make it a point when
Scott Benner (26:35) you go to the doctor. (26:36) Like, what the hell? (26:36) And then get there, and when they say, you know, oh, it's only one point off, go, shut up. (26:41) These are my symptoms. (26:43) Give me the medication.
Scott Benner (26:44) I wanna see if it helps. (26:45) Yeah. (26:45) It's between the And you know what they'll say? (26:47) They'll go, okay.
Megan (26:49) That the blurry vision, the hot flashes have gotten, like, 10 times worse. (26:52) I'm standing in the freezer at work all the time just trying to cool down. (26:57) Like, I literally create steam in there. (26:59) Mhmm. (27:00) It just radiates off my body.
Megan (27:01) I don't know. (27:02) There's there's a lot, and I do need to go back. (27:05) It's been a year and a half since I've been checked again, so probably should.
Scott Benner (27:10) Yep. (27:10) Listen. (27:10) Here's what we're gonna do for fun real quick. (27:12) Okay? (27:13) I'm gonna write, does any of this point to a thyroid issue?
Scott Benner (27:20) Right? (27:21) Hold on a second. (27:22) And then I'm gonna say to you, tell me your symptoms. (27:25) So we have hot flashes. (27:28) Is that right?
Scott Benner (27:29) Yes. (27:29) Blurry vision.
Megan (27:30) Night sweats.
Scott Benner (27:32) Hold on. (27:32) Night I I I'm not a typist. (27:34) Night sweats. (27:37) What what what was the other one? (27:39) You have anxiety.
Scott Benner (27:40) I don't know if you know that or not.
Megan (27:41) Oh, absolutely. (27:42) Okay. (27:42) Alright.
Scott Benner (27:43) Sensory issues. (27:45) What else?
Megan (27:46) That's about it. (27:47) On and off headaches. (27:48) But
Scott Benner (27:49) Random headaches. (27:52) I don't think we're gonna need the large language model on this one, but I'm just gonna press enter anyway, okay, and see what it says. (27:59) And then I'm gonna ask if it thinks she should go to a doctor. (28:01) By the way, I'm using Google Gemini right now. (28:04) I'm cheating on Chad GPT.
Scott Benner (28:06) This new Google Gemini Pro is is lit. (28:10) I know lit's probably not the word people apply to stuff like this, but I think it's amazing. (28:14) So I
Megan (28:14) don't keep up with lingo. (28:16) I can't do it. (28:17) I don't
Scott Benner (28:17) You can't do that. (28:17) I don't
Megan (28:18) even know what no. (28:19) I don't know what kids are saying these days. (28:20) I was never a lingo person.
Scott Benner (28:23) While these symptoms can be distressing, it is important to remember that I am an AI, not a doctor. (28:28) This information is for educational purposes only and cannot be replaced by a professional medical diagnosis. (28:33) Well, I'm an entire podcast full of people's stories that say possibly that's not true. (28:37) But to answer your specific question, yes, several of these symptoms can point to a thyroid issue, specifically hyperthyroidism. (28:45) Oh, isn't that crazy?
Scott Benner (28:46) It didn't say hypo. (28:47) It said hyper. (28:48) Isn't that what Graves' is? (28:50) However, they also strongly overlap with other conditions, most notably hormonal changes like perimenopause or menopause. (28:57) You're not that age.
Scott Benner (28:58) Connection to thyroid, hyperthyroidism, hot flashes and night sweats, hyperthyroidism causes heat intolerance. (29:05) You may feel overheated when others are comfortable, sweat excessively, or experience sudden flushes similar to a hot flash. (29:11) Anxiety, this is a hallmark symptom of an overactive thyroid. (29:15) It can feel like nervousness, irritability, or physical jitteriness, like tremors Yes. (29:19) Blurry vision.
Scott Benner (29:20) In autoimmune thyroid issue like Graves' disease, the tissue behind the eyes can swell. (29:25) Are your eyes puffy, sticking out? (29:28) No. (29:28) Alright. (29:28) Well, that I mean, it's the last one.
Scott Benner (29:30) Causing double or blurry vision, light sensitivity, or feeling of pressure. (29:34) Okay. (29:34) Sensory issues. (29:35) While not always listed as sensory issues, the heightened state of arousal and anxiety caused by excessive thyroid hormone can make you feel easily overstimulated and sensitive to noise, light, or being on edge. (29:47) Are you sensitive to noise or light?
Megan (29:49) Yes.
Scott Benner (29:50) Do you feel like you're constantly on edge?
Megan (29:52) Yes.
Scott Benner (29:52) Okay. (29:53) Well, I, you know, I think you should continue to ignore this then, Megan.
Megan (29:56) Oh, that's my plan until I can get an appointment.
Scott Benner (29:58) Get out of here. (29:59) Don't make me curse, Megan. (30:01) It's close to Christmas.
Megan (30:04) For real. (30:05) It's my I'm I'm trying. (30:06) I gotta get an appointment. (30:07) It's a pain in the ass with this this base and there are doctors like
Scott Benner (30:13) Oh, are you on a base? (30:15) Yes. (30:15) These people. (30:17) And and they're they're busy blowing up boats in Venezuela. (30:19) They don't have time for you.
Scott Benner (30:20) They got Hold on a second. (30:23) That that's as political as I'll get.
Megan (30:25) I was gonna say I can't I can't dive into policy.
Scott Benner (30:29) Alright. (30:29) Hold on a second. (30:30) I'm opening up my email because I'm feeling like a mensch today. (30:34) I don't know if you know the word. (30:36) Do I have your email address?
Scott Benner (30:38) I should, Megan. (30:39) Does it start with a b?
Megan (30:41) It does.
Scott Benner (30:42) Alright. (30:43) I'm just gonna, use the subject line, you're welcome. (30:46) And then I'm just gonna send this over to you so you can see it later. (30:51) Okay? (30:52) Okay.
Scott Benner (30:53) Also, welcome to the newest episodes of the podcast called people describe their problems to AI, and we decide what's wrong with them on the podcast. (31:01) I think that's, actually a good idea, but we'll maybe do a couple of those next year.
Megan (31:06) I mean, it explains our whole situation right now, even with Edison's diagnosis.
Scott Benner (31:10) So I'm cruising into the New Year right now, so I'm not gonna get started right now. (31:14) Scottie gonna take a break. (31:15) But, wait a minute. (31:17) No. (31:17) What say say just say it again.
Scott Benner (31:20) It explains It
Megan (31:22) explains everything right now. (31:23) I mean, even with Edison's diagnosis. (31:25) So
Scott Benner (31:25) Yeah. (31:26) No. (31:26) I mean, first of all, listen. (31:27) You gotta take care of yourself. (31:28) And what I'm gonna tell you to try to motivate you is is that when you learn about yourself, you're gonna be able to help him better.
Scott Benner (31:36) Right? (31:36) So not only will maybe like, imagine if your anxiety went away. (31:40) Hell, just imagine if you were able to keep your socks on, how great that would be. (31:43) Point being is that you might then look at him and realize, he has some of these things. (31:48) I wonder if I don't know.
Scott Benner (31:50) His thyroid's okay. (31:51) I wonder if this like, it'll give you more context for the world, and it'll help you help him. (31:55) I promise. (31:56) So just make the appointment, and however long it takes is how long it takes to get there. (32:02) But don't not do it saying that it's a pain that's hard to get an appointment because if you make the appointment today, you will eventually go in and see them.
Megan (32:09) It's true. (32:11) It is true.
Scott Benner (32:12) Alright. (32:13) I'm sorry. (32:13) We're are we back in the hospital? (32:14) I'm sorry. (32:15) What a left turn.
Scott Benner (32:16) We're we're are we are we still in the hospital?
Megan (32:19) For Edison? (32:20) Yeah. (32:20) That's we arrived at CHOP.
Scott Benner (32:21) Right. (32:22) Right. (32:22) Sorry. (32:23) No. (32:23) And then I it's my fault because I went after the psychological stuff while you were still talking about the thing.
Scott Benner (32:27) Let's fast forward a little bit. (32:29) You go to CHOP, blah blah blah. (32:30) They send you home. (32:31) Kids got diabetes now. (32:33) Do they start you with pens?
Scott Benner (32:35) Do you get a CGM right away? (32:36) How long until he starts saying, don't like the way this feels, etcetera?
Megan (32:42) We did not start with a CGM. (32:43) We were sent home with pens, so we were on, multiple daily injections. (32:47) And then when did we start the Dexcom and stuff? (32:51) I wanna say March. (32:53) So he was diagnosed February 20.
Megan (32:56) We were in the hospital from for about two days and then sent home. (33:01) And then at the March is when he started his CGM with Dexcom, and then he didn't start the pump until May.
Scott Benner (33:08) I don't know. (33:09) It it took over a month to get a CGM? (33:11) Yes. (33:11) You have insure you have insurance. (33:13) Right?
Megan (33:13) We do. (33:14) Yeah. (33:15) I don't know why.
Scott Benner (33:16) Well, let me say this, and I unfairly happen to know a couple of things once in a while. (33:20) But, like, there are people who work at shop to listen to this. (33:22) Why does it take her so long to get a CGM? (33:24) How come she doesn't leave with one?
Megan (33:26) I think that they wanted us to kinda learn on our own. (33:32) Like,
Scott Benner (33:33) what you learn?
Megan (33:34) Explain it.
Scott Benner (33:36) That your kid could be 33 and look fine?
Megan (33:39) Basically.
Scott Benner (33:40) Great lesson.
Megan (33:41) We I don't know. (33:42) I don't know why it took so long. (33:43) And then we left with a meter. (33:45) We had to test on one meter while we were in the hospital because our insurance only covered a specific meter that they didn't have on hand. (33:52) So we almost didn't leave the hospital with a meter until they finally, like, found one that our insurance would approve that we could take home.
Megan (33:59) And I was like, you could've just told me, hey. (34:01) Go buy one from that Walgreens or, like Yeah. (34:04) Some something like Right. (34:06) It's something. (34:08) But What's the level like
Scott Benner (34:09) what's the level of understanding about diabetes you have leaving the hospital? (34:12) Or Is it minimal and then they try to make it up at the first appointment, or how do how how do they have it staggered?
Megan (34:18) It was pretty good.
Scott Benner (34:20) Okay.
Megan (34:21) Like, fully I I'm a big learner. (34:23) If you tell me something and or something happens, I'm gonna do, like, all the research I can on it and learn it. (34:28) So, I mean, outside of their training that they do, their diabetes teaching, they do, like, multiple classes over those forty eight hours. (34:38) It's all, like, counting carbs, injecting, pre bolusing, things like that, and understanding the timing and how long it takes to, you know, go through the system, when to correct x y z, all the basically, like, the the basics. (34:54) Yeah.
Megan (34:55) And I went from there. (34:57) Like, I was up all night in the hospital. (34:59) Like, there's gotta be more to this. (35:01) And so I was like, I just wanna make sure that I understand it and what I'm looking for. (35:05) So I was doing research on my phone just to make sure that I could leave with a little bit more knowledge, and I could ask all the questions I needed to ask before leaving the hospital.
Scott Benner (35:17) So Well, so the anxiety helped you there?
Megan (35:19) Oh, absolutely.
Scott Benner (35:20) Seriously. (35:21) Right? (35:21) Because you were like, I'm not just leaving here with this. (35:23) I need to know things.
Megan (35:24) Oh, yeah. (35:25) My husband says he's like, you know, you have anxiety and you you're, like, really hyper focused on things. (35:34) Like, once you once you are told something, you have to go and you dive deep. (35:38) And he's like, I think your anxiety plays a great, like, attribute to that. (35:43) He's like, because you will hyperfocus.
Megan (35:46) And if you don't know everything about it, he's like, it makes your anxiety worse. (35:51) I'm like, yeah. (35:52) And, like, if my
Scott Benner (35:53) The not knowing. (35:54) Yes. (35:54) Yeah.
Megan (35:55) Yeah. (35:55) He's like, then you give you he becomes or he said, I become more irritable. (36:01) And he he's like, and he Not irritable. (36:03) Irritable. (36:04) Correct.
Megan (36:05) More irritable.
Scott Benner (36:06) I heard that guy.
Megan (36:07) But it was funny because he was like, I basically wait for you to do all the research and then you teach me. (36:13) I was like, okay. (36:14) Cool. (36:15) So Does
Scott Benner (36:16) that make you upset? (36:18) No. (36:18) You're okay with him dealing with it that way?
Megan (36:21) Yeah. (36:21) He was I'm okay with him. (36:24) He's like, you know how to explain it to me. (36:26) And he's like, you because we we've been together. (36:31) 2025.
Megan (36:32) Oh, I am terrible with dates.
Scott Benner (36:34) How old were you when you met him?
Megan (36:36) 16.
Scott Benner (36:36) Okay. (36:38) And so were you dating at 16?
Megan (36:41) Yes. (36:41) We started dating late. (36:42) It was so we've been together what? (36:44) Since 2009?
Scott Benner (36:46) Seventeen years.
Megan (36:47) Yeah. (36:48) And so he's like, you you know me best. (36:52) He was like, and we he's like, if you understand it and you you know it, he's like, I know you'll be able to explain it to me, like, more clearly. (37:00) He's like, and you know Edison best. (37:01) So I can That's
Scott Benner (37:04) that that must make you feel good. (37:05) Right? (37:08) Yeah. (37:09) Oh, Megan, what is does nothing make you feel good? (37:12) Hold on a second.
Scott Benner (37:13) What's wrong?
Megan (37:15) I mean, it makes me feel good that, like, he has that confidence, and he it just also I I feel, it makes me feel a little anxious.
Scott Benner (37:22) That he's counting on you.
Megan (37:24) Yes. (37:25) Yeah. (37:26) Because in my mind, he's always been the one that's like, he's always been the one that takes a lead on stuff. (37:32) And he's like, I I don't know how you see it that way. (37:34) And he was like, because you're always the one that's, like, on top of everything.
Megan (37:38) He's like, you could close your eyes and tell me exactly the layout of of our house and, like, walk around with confidence because you know exactly where each, like, toy is on the floor at that moment. (37:52) That doesn't mean anything to me. (37:53) I was like, I I understand that I can grasp concepts and learn things really quickly, but it makes me feel anxious knowing that, like, you don't wanna put forth the time to do a little more.
Scott Benner (38:09) A long time, and I recognize his statement as a huge mistake immediately. (38:14) So, that's why I asked you, does it make you feel good that he counts on you? (38:19) But I can tell you, being married, that that just makes people feel like now there's more pressure on them to do everything because you're not because you're counting on them.
Megan (38:28) Exactly.
Scott Benner (38:30) Yeah. (38:30) No. (38:30) I know. (38:30) It's the wrong thing to do. (38:32) Unless you're cool with it.
Scott Benner (38:33) Like, if you're cool with it and that's, you know, and that's your division of labor, then that's great. (38:38) But
Megan (38:38) I think it's just unfortunately that way because he comes and goes a lot with his job, you know, being active duty military. (38:46) And he's he's he'll be home two weeks. (38:50) He'll leave for a week, and he'll come back. (38:52) The routine's different when he's gone. (38:54) It's a lot of changes.
Megan (38:56) So in his mind, I typically run things. (39:00) I'm I am the the manager of the household. (39:03) I'm the manager of the children, their schedules, their health care. (39:08) Like, I mean, he's the type of person he still has to ask. (39:11) Like, he didn't even remember that Edison had his tonsils out.
Megan (39:14) I felt like he was he asked Edison he took Edison to an appointment. (39:18) He happened to have a day off, and I didn't. (39:20) He still got us into an appointment, and then he was like, Edison, have you had any surgeries? (39:24) And Edison was like, dad had to ask me if I had surgery today.
Scott Benner (39:28) But what a little narc Edison is. (39:30) Okay?
Megan (39:31) So, you know, like, it's just like, things like that. (39:34) Like, it just slips his mind because, you know, he's in and out all the time. (39:38) It's not his area of focus.
Scott Benner (39:40) I'd say a couple things. (39:41) First of all, he's in the military. (39:42) He's used to people having jobs and those people doing the jobs and counting on those jobs being done and having to trust those people. (39:49) And so on one level, it's nice that he trusts you and he believes in you. (39:53) What he doesn't understand is that when he tells you that, he's what saying to you is and I'm gonna sound like a white lady in therapy right now.
Scott Benner (39:59) But what he's what he's saying to you is is, hey. (40:01) Here's another job for you to do. (40:03) And if you don't do it right, then everything falls apart because I'm counting on you. (40:08) Right?
Megan (40:09) Yeah. (40:09) There's there's a bit of pressure.
Scott Benner (40:11) Yeah. (40:11) And have you felt that pressure your whole life, or has it been more recently?
Megan (40:15) Well, I mean, we had this discussion earlier. (40:17) I have felt that pressure my whole life. (40:19) Okay. (40:19) And so it's kinda just something I I've learned to accept. (40:23) But and that's where it falls into play where, like, I know if I fall, lot of things behind me, domino, like, they're just gonna fall as well.
Scott Benner (40:32) What can I tell you a secret? (40:33) I know you're saying that and I agree with you. (40:36) Also, there's the boy perspective, which should give you some sort of comfort. (40:41) It's like, it'll all be fine. (40:43) Don't worry.
Scott Benner (40:44) Yeah. (40:44) And Oh, yeah. (40:45) Yeah. (40:45) But so are you telling me that these hyperthyroid symptoms you have have been plaguing you for years?
Megan (40:52) Yes.
Scott Benner (40:53) Alright. (40:54) I've been waiting to do this for, like, forty five minutes now, Megan.
Megan (40:57) Oh, goodness.
Scott Benner (40:58) I don't need to know a ton about your mom's situation, but your mom flaked on you at some point. (41:03) Right? (41:05) Did she have any of these symptoms of thyroid issues?
Megan (41:09) Most likely. (41:09) I wouldn't know. (41:10) I was distracted by other things, at a young age. (41:15) So, I mean, does she have them now? (41:18) Again, I wouldn't know.
Megan (41:19) She like I said, she doesn't call until there's, like, an actual issue.
Scott Benner (41:23) Does she make excuses, like, it's hard to get appointments?
Megan (41:26) No. (41:27) Because they're they're retired. (41:29) They live a very all they do they they watch my my nephews and my nieces from time to time.
Scott Benner (41:36) Are you picking up what I'm putting down here, Megan?
Megan (41:38) I am.
Scott Benner (41:38) Okay. (41:39) Alright. (41:39) Well, then let's not talk around it and insult me and the listeners. (41:42) Okay? (41:43) Let's get right to what I'm saying.
Scott Benner (41:45) What am I saying?
Megan (41:47) Take care of yourself.
Scott Benner (41:48) Okay. (41:48) When am I saying to do it?
Megan (41:50) Now.
Scott Benner (41:51) That's right. (41:51) Should we do it tomorrow? (41:53) No. (41:53) Today. (41:54) We'll do it today.
Megan (41:55) I'll get on and I'll make an appointment right after this.
Scott Benner (41:58) Thank you.
Megan (41:58) I'll get it scheduled.
Scott Benner (41:59) I don't wanna have to worry about you. (42:01) Look, I'm gonna do to you what you do to your husband. (42:04) Don't put me in charge of worrying about you. (42:06) I got enough to worry about. (42:07) Okay?
Scott Benner (42:08) Take care of yourself. (42:09) By the way, you're ten years away from looking at him and going, you know what? (42:13) I'm not your mom. (42:14) Take care of yourself.
Megan (42:15) Oh my gosh. (42:16) That already happened. (42:17) Actually, it was reversed. (42:20) It was your mom. (42:21) You?
Megan (42:22) Yeah. (42:22) And I was like, don't oh, I said, you took a wrong step there, bud.
Scott Benner (42:27) Joke's on you. (42:28) My mom didn't do anything. (42:30) It
Megan (42:32) sent me into a spiral.
Scott Benner (42:34) Listen. (42:34) Oh my
Megan (42:35) gosh.
Scott Benner (42:35) I'm never gonna know. (42:36) We're never gonna know, etcetera, and so on. (42:38) Everybody isn't gonna know. (42:40) But I do often wonder, having these conversations, how many of these, you know, personal interactions are we having with each other that are impacted by our, you know, our internal chemistry not being quite right in one way or another.
Megan (42:53) Yeah.
Scott Benner (42:54) I swear to you. (42:55) Like and and I I mean, I've tried to be really open about stuff that's happened to me on here so you guys can all see yourselves in it somewhere and take care of yourself. (43:02) But, like, I you know, I'll go back to, like, right before I was before I took care of my iron problem, we were just driving in the car somewhere. (43:09) And, like, something about the radio happened. (43:12) And I thought I had a completely reasonable response to it.
Scott Benner (43:16) And now in hindsight, I was, like, yelling. (43:18) I was, like, yelling about the radio. (43:20) And everybody was, like, mortified, like, looking at me like, what's wrong? (43:23) And I'm like, there's nothing wrong. (43:24) I'm fine.
Scott Benner (43:25) And then the truth is I wasn't fine. (43:27) My ferritin was really, really low, and it turns out that's an important part of your brain working well. (43:32) And so if it's a thyroid stimulating hormone or, you know, or an anti thyroid stimulating, I think that's the other thing. (43:39) Like, there's if you have Graves', you'd have, like, an anti thyroid medication, maybe a beta blocker. (43:44) I'm not sure.
Scott Benner (43:45) I'm not a doctor. (43:46) Yeah. (43:48) But, like, that would balance that out more. (43:51) What if you're Yeah.
Megan (43:52) It definitely would.
Scott Benner (43:53) Yeah. (43:53) What if all your reactions were different and better? (43:56) So let me say it in a way that I think will sound sad, but I don't mean it to. (44:00) What if you're experiencing your marriage and your life and your child in an altered state, and you're not getting the experience and they're not receiving the experience from you that you would give to them if you were more finely tuned in in in your chemistry. (44:16) How would that make you feel to know that was happening?
Megan (44:19) I've thought about it.
Scott Benner (44:21) Okay.
Megan (44:22) I made I'm trying to make an effort. (44:25) I I did try to make an effort earlier this year regarding something else, and it's just been again, it's it's it is the scheduling here because, like, surely oh my gosh. (44:38) My dog's in the background having puppy dreams. (44:40) So sorry if you can hear that.
Scott Benner (44:41) Oh, is it it's like a little thumping?
Megan (44:43) It's thumping, and then he's also going, well, he's not a puppy. (44:47) He's just we call him a potato. (44:49) He's a fat beagle, and he's just, like, hyperventilating under the blankie, but also, like, kicking.
Scott Benner (44:56) He's a fat beagle?
Megan (44:58) Yes. (44:58) He's a fat beagle. (45:00) Yeah. (45:01) So, I mean, I I've tried I've tried to address some of my health issues. (45:05) It's just one thing after another, and then everything here is referral referred out.
Megan (45:12) Like, this space, you go and you see your main your PCM. (45:16) And then they're like, yeah. (45:17) That could be the issue. (45:19) Let me refer you. (45:20) And then you have to drive almost an hour to, like, the next appointment.
Megan (45:24) Like, you schedule that next appointment.
Scott Benner (45:25) Okay.
Megan (45:26) And then you have to drive it out. (45:27) It's just a lot. (45:27) So it's like one thing after another.
Scott Benner (45:29) Talk about this any way you want to. (45:31) We could talk about it in a supportive way where I could say it's okay for you to carve out time to take care of yourself. (45:36) We could talk about it like, you know, like I was brought up, but I just tell you, just shut up and do it. (45:41) And, like, or anywhere in between, like, Megan, I like you a lot, and I hope this is coming across that way because if I didn't like you, I wouldn't be pushing you so hard. (45:48) I just wouldn't care.
Scott Benner (45:49) I I honestly whatever you're gonna say, I don't care. (45:53) Care. (45:53) Just do it. (45:54) Okay?
Megan (45:55) I
Scott Benner (45:55) know. (45:55) Okay. (45:56) Don't make excuses. (45:57) Get things done. (45:58) Alright?
Scott Benner (45:58) Like like
Megan (45:59) My husband's already told me.
Scott Benner (46:00) Well, well, listen. (46:01) You're not gonna listen to him. (46:04) I mean, he's only devoted his entire life to you and loves you wholeheartedly. (46:08) Why would he why would his opinion matter? (46:10) You should listen to a podcaster.
Megan (46:13) I should. (46:14) You're leading me in the right direction.
Scott Benner (46:16) Megan, I've had a recent experience with this a person in my life who, this is what it feels like to talk to them. (46:21) It's like, what about this? (46:22) Well, there's a reason that I can't I'm like, just stop. (46:26) Like, it's you're gonna you're gonna do this, and your life's gonna disappear.
Megan (46:30) I'm gonna just tell my husband about this conversation, and then he's gonna be like, I've been telling you that. (46:35) And I'm gonna be like, roles reversed. (46:37) Because you ever give your husband, like, great advice or you're, like, recommending something, but it's not such a good idea until he hears it from a friend.
Scott Benner (46:44) Why don't you instead? (46:46) May I make a may I make a better suggestion? (46:48) Why don't you get the appointment and then tell him, hey. (46:52) I heard what you said, and I really should be taking better care of myself. (46:56) I've made an appointment to address my my thyroid issue.
Scott Benner (46:59) I really do think I have a thyroid issue. (47:00) I looked online, and I have a ton of symptoms that point to a lot of stuff. (47:04) And and it's gonna be a little difficult because I'm gonna have to make the ride to the appointment, I might need your help. (47:08) But, you know, I think it's really important because I I'm not even sure if I'm interacting with you or or that is incorrectly because I I think I might be a little mistuned here as far as my thyroid goes, and I think it could be impacting a lot of things. (47:21) Be sincere.
Megan (47:23) I will definitely present it that way. (47:25) We like I said, we we have addressed this this thyroid issue once in the past. (47:29) And, again, it was just, you're at that mark. (47:32) We're not gonna do anything or treat it. (47:34) Come back in, you know, however many years.
Megan (47:37) And I was like, okay.
Scott Benner (47:38) And the phrase Yeah.
Megan (47:39) And then I just never I never went back.
Scott Benner (47:43) Phrase you respond with, Megan, is I don't want you to treat the numbers on that test. (47:47) I want you to treat my symptoms.
Megan (47:49) Yeah. (47:49) That's what I do. (47:50) I need to stand up for myself a little bit better.
Scott Benner (47:52) Yeah. (47:53) Yeah. (47:53) I mean, treat them the way you treat that boy. (47:55) That's all. (47:56) He listens.
Scott Benner (47:57) Right?
Megan (47:58) Yes.
Scott Benner (47:59) Yeah. (47:59) You're fine. (48:00) Alright. (48:00) Well, we didn't learn a ton about Edison. (48:03) Although, we did hear some things that I enjoyed, and I'd like to go back over them a little bit.
Scott Benner (48:08) You were very supportive of the issues that he's having. (48:11) Yes. (48:12) You did you didn't ignore them or tell him to put the you know, put put it on. (48:17) I don't care what it feels like. (48:18) You really did try to help.
Scott Benner (48:20) None of it worked, and now you're doing talk therapy to try to get it back on him. (48:24) Is that helping, first of all? (48:25) Is he wearing a CGM?
Megan (48:26) He's wearing a CGM. (48:27) Yes.
Scott Benner (48:28) Good.
Megan (48:28) Yeah. (48:29) And he doesn't mind the CGM. (48:31) Good. (48:31) He's, yeah, he's more open to that. (48:34) He understands why we are gonna move to a new pump, and we're hopefully gonna get it soon considering the sensor that that goes to that pump just came out.
Megan (48:44) And so we're waiting for it to ship.
Scott Benner (48:46) Which pump are you gonna go to? (48:48) Medtronic six?
Megan (48:49) Yep. (48:50) Medtronic. (48:50) Yeah. (48:51) Moving to Medtronic. (48:52) He, he says since I already carry a fanny pack, he's like, I think a pump would be a pump with a tube wouldn't be so bad because I just put it in my fanny pack, and I already carry that.
Megan (49:02) So And
Scott Benner (49:02) it won't be attached to him, which is something he doesn't enjoy.
Megan (49:04) Exactly. (49:05) It'll be a just a simple port that's attached.
Scott Benner (49:09) He's like
Megan (49:10) and the Medtronic is seven day wear.
Scott Benner (49:14) So fewer he'll have fewer changes.
Megan (49:16) Exactly. (49:17) Yeah. (49:17) And That's good. (49:18) The the new sensor, like the CGM that comes with it is fifteen day wear. (49:23) So, again, fewer changes.
Scott Benner (49:24) Yeah. (49:25) That's awesome. (49:26) Good. (49:26) Good. (49:26) Good.
Megan (49:27) Looking forward to it.
Scott Benner (49:28) That's great. (49:28) You're doing a great job with that stuff. (49:29) By the way, medtronicdiabetes.com/juicebox. (49:32) Support the sponsors, Megan, please. (49:35) I know you're like, oh, I didn't get it through the link.
Scott Benner (49:36) I feel bad now, but it's okay for everybody else. (49:40) That's a great step. (49:41) Awesome. (49:41) So you think maybe he's making some adjustments that make him more comfortable, moving closer to some acceptance on this stuff?
Megan (49:48) Yes. (49:48) Absolutely. (49:49) I've always been like, my my children advocate for themselves. (49:52) I've always told them that. (49:53) Like, so if you feel a certain way or you even if it comes off rude to me, I'd rather you tell me than to not.
Megan (50:00) I don't ever want you to feel like you have to do something. (50:03) Or, like and I always my kids are like, rarely do I tell you to do things. (50:08) I typically ask you, hey. (50:10) Can you please do this? (50:12) Before you reach a point where I'm like, I have to tell you now.
Megan (50:15) Like, this is the point where we're getting to. (50:17) And so my kids, I'm like, always advocate for yourself. (50:20) If you'd rather do something this way or you have a a system or you have a feeling, explore express it. (50:27) And so my kids advocate for themselves very well. (50:30) I mean, it's the only way to to get through this.
Megan (50:34) Yeah. (50:34) You know, like No. (50:35) Think that's great. (50:36) Understand it.
Scott Benner (50:37) What taught you that? (50:38) How'd you figure that out as a parent?
Megan (50:40) The lack of ability to do it when I was younger. (50:44) And, basically, like again, I started working at a very young age. (50:48) I started I realized I had to advocate for myself a very young age, and I didn't really have the ability to do that. (50:57) So I was like, that's not some way that's not the way I would like to raise my children.
Scott Benner (51:01) You didn't like the way it felt for you?
Megan (51:03) Correct.
Scott Benner (51:04) Good. (51:04) Okay.
Megan (51:04) And I
Scott Benner (51:05) I I so I'd have those same discussions with my husband all the time.
Megan (51:08) Like, I'm like, imagine like, just the way you express things, explain it, like, explain it the way you would want it some like an adult to explain it to you. (51:17) It was like, treat yourself or treat the kids the way you want to be treated. (51:20) Only it's just the simple way to live. (51:23) Yeah. (51:23) Like, they understand like, they understand more than they than you think.
Scott Benner (51:29) Sure. (51:29) Yeah. (51:29) And and if they do something if he does something eventually, like, if his ideas are gonna be harmful to him, then you step in and you do a little more parenting right there.
Megan (51:38) Absolutely. (51:39) Yes.
Scott Benner (51:39) Alright. (51:39) That's a good idea. (51:41) Good for you. (51:42) How long is your husband in for? (51:43) How much more time do you have living on the base?
Megan (51:45) Well, he'll be fifteen years. (51:47) So Oh. (51:48) He'll be fifteen years in March. (51:49) So we have about five more years five, six more years.
Scott Benner (51:53) What are you gonna do when he gets out?
Megan (51:54) I have no idea.
Scott Benner (51:56) Yeah. (51:56) Are you working?
Megan (51:58) Currently, yes. (51:59) I have degrees or a degree. (52:02) I was working towards master's degree, but I had to put that on pause because ran out of money, basically, funding.
Scott Benner (52:09) Yeah. (52:09) Couldn't finish that. (52:10) Expensive.
Megan (52:11) But I'm currently working in the cafeteria at Evanston School because it's just the most convenient right now as far as, like I can be there in case of emergencies. (52:21) I can always step out when I need to, but it's just flexibility. (52:25) I don't have to pay for childcare or, like, before and after school care because
Scott Benner (52:28) I awesome. (52:29) Yeah. (52:29) And you a little bit of that initial worry about the diabetes thing probably is alleviated too. (52:34) Right? (52:35) Exactly.
Scott Benner (52:35) That's wonderful.
Megan (52:36) Yeah. (52:36) I had when he was initially diagnosed, I had a job outside. (52:40) Like, I had a whole different job.
Scott Benner (52:41) Yeah.
Megan (52:41) But it was I was constantly having to leave work because there were emergencies with Edison. (52:47) Because I was like, this is too much. (52:49) I was like, I'm gonna have to step away. (52:51) So I ended up quitting, leaving that job. (52:53) And so when I this opened up, was like, well, at least it's it's part time work.
Megan (52:57) I'm like, but it's, like, right there.
Scott Benner (52:59) Yeah.
Megan (52:59) And so if, like, there's ever anything, the nurses, they know exactly where I am, and they will come right to me or he'll he'll just send him right to me.
Scott Benner (53:07) Right. (53:07) There's a ton of positives in that. (53:09) That's awesome.
Megan (53:10) Yeah. (53:10) And it it works out great. (53:11) He loves it. (53:12) So
Scott Benner (53:13) Good you. (53:13) Good for you. (53:14) That's really cool. (53:15) I'm gonna thank you, Megan, for doing this. (53:16) I really appreciate you taking the time and and letting me talk to you, the way I did.
Scott Benner (53:22) I really hope you you do that stuff and take care of yourself. (53:25) I think you'd be surprised at how much better you'd feel after you got it sorted out. (53:30) And I just think a lot of people are living in this situation. (53:34) And I don't just mean from thyroid, like a lot of different things. (53:37) Right?
Scott Benner (53:38) It's just not something we we talk about, like, in health right now. (53:42) Like, people do, but
Megan (53:43) Yeah.
Scott Benner (53:43) Not enough people. (53:44) And, you know, if you can make an adjustment for yourself that helps in a big way, I think it's gonna be really worth your effort. (53:51) So anyway.
Megan (53:53) Well, thank you for having me.
Scott Benner (53:54) No. (53:54) It's a pleasure. (53:55) Did I do okay for you, or are you right now like, oh, this thing go the way I wanted it to?
Megan (53:59) It went it it was a good conversation. (54:02) I do wish I would've touched a little bit more on Edison. (54:05) I I always think, like I feel like diabetes presents differently for a lot of people. (54:11) And when I'm looking back on it, like I said, I think there was an event that kinda triggered the start of it, and, like, I wish I would have recognized those symptoms sooner.
Scott Benner (54:25) I heard you say in the beginning you felt like a bad person, which I didn't spend any time on. (54:29) But what what what do you mean? (54:31) Like, go ahead. (54:31) Take your time and tell me what you mean.
Megan (54:33) So, like I said, Edison was diagnosed in February. (54:36) But the year prior, in October, Edison had fractured his clavicle.
Scott Benner (54:42) Mhmm.
Megan (54:43) And it played a pretty big effect in, like, one, healing. (54:49) There was, like, that trauma, and then his demeanor started changing a bit. (54:54) And then I started after diagnosis, I started putting symptoms together, and I was like, wow. (54:59) It dates back to that moment almost because he had symptoms on and off from October through February.
Scott Benner (55:08) K.
Megan (55:09) He would have moments where he would, the frequent urination, but not just frequent urination. (55:14) I should have realized when he would urinate, being a boy, you know, he'd get a little on the seat or the toilet. (55:21) It was crystallizing. (55:23) Oh. (55:24) And I was like, I thought about it.
Megan (55:26) Was like, ew, why is his pee crunchy? (55:28) Like but then it would be fine. (55:30) Like, the following week,
Scott Benner (55:31) nothing would
Megan (55:31) like, it would be normal. (55:33) It was almost like his pancreas was, like, working on and off Mhmm. (55:37) At that time. (55:38) And then, like, he kept having, like, little bouts of sickness, and it wasn't, like, vomiting or anything. (55:43) It was just like, oh, he's just not feeling well.
Megan (55:45) Oh, he's just, like, not feeling well today. (55:47) He's tired. (55:48) And it was just on and off from the moment he fractured his clavicle and was trying to heal. (55:54) And then January came around and he got the flu, and that just, like, rapid sent him into where he is today, basically.
Scott Benner (56:04) Yeah.
Megan (56:05) So, like, at the January, the like, he still wasn't healed from his clavicle, and he got the flu. (56:13) And it was just another thing on top of the fractured clavicle, and he was the symptoms just went to 10,000, the same symptoms everybody explains. (56:24) Frequent urination. (56:25) He had vomiting. (56:26) He had the crystallized urine.
Megan (56:28) It was, like, extremely prominent at that point. (56:31) Discoloration in his in his urine, things like that. (56:34) So I was like, I really wish I'd have noticed sooner. (56:37) I probably could've helped him a long time ago
Scott Benner (56:40) Wow. (56:40) Wow.
Megan (56:41) As opposed to waiting till February because they kept telling me. (56:43) They're like, oh, well, you know, he's got this issue and, oh, he's been on and off sick, so maybe whatever he had is just not out. (56:50) Oh, he just got over the flu. (56:52) He's, you know, he's just still getting over it. (56:55) I'm like, he's not, though.
Megan (56:56) Like, there's something more going on.
Scott Benner (56:58) So And you feel and even though he's fine and everything worked out fine, you you're still beating yourself up about that?
Megan (57:06) I was. (57:07) I was for a for a while, especially, like the biggest thing is just, like, they they also when we were taking, like, the ambulance ride to CHOP, they were, like, asking again, like, what made you realize? (57:20) What and then they would be like, well, what made you to wait so long to bring him in? (57:25) What what took you so long? (57:26) And I'm like, nothing took so long.
Megan (57:28) I was bringing him in. (57:29) He was being treated for the flu. (57:31) He was being treated for this. (57:32) He was being told this. (57:33) Like, we were being told x y z.
Megan (57:36) You know, it wasn't until this moment. (57:38) I was like, there's something more going on. (57:40) And they were like, oh, okay. (57:41) Well, do you have experience with it? (57:42) I'm like, no.
Megan (57:43) I don't have experience with this. (57:44) Why it took so long? (57:46) Like and so it's just the way they question it. (57:49) It it's making me feel guilty.
Scott Benner (57:53) Yeah.
Megan (57:53) Like, what made you take so long to bring it? (57:55) And I'm like, it wasn't that I wasn't bringing them in. (57:58) It's just the way it was being addressed.
Scott Benner (57:59) Yeah. (58:00) It's a lot and it's a lot of the wording that they use in that moment that puts you in this feeling later.
Megan (58:06) Yeah. (58:06) Exactly. (58:07) That's And so it was it was I carried it, a a little bit of guilt. (58:12) Mean, I can say a lot of guilt because I I like looking back on it, I always say to myself, I'm a rational person. (58:17) I didn't know.
Megan (58:19) I didn't know until I knew.
Scott Benner (58:20) Right.
Megan (58:21) So, I mean, I only carried it around for about a month or so, and then he was Edison started saying, you saved my life. (58:29) He's like like, you know, he's like, you knew. (58:31) He's like, once you realize, he's like, you saved my life, and I thank you for that.
Scott Benner (58:35) Aw. (58:36) See? (58:37) Megan, I don't know if you'll be able to do this or not. (58:39) I wouldn't give this another plot if I was you. (58:41) It's not fair to you know, hindsight is much more focused than you trying to live through it in the moment and pick through things all the time.
Scott Benner (58:50) Like, crunchy pee didn't make you go diabetes. (58:53) Like, I mean Yeah. (58:54) Exactly. (58:54) What are you gonna do? (58:55) You know what I mean?
Scott Benner (58:56) Like, you figured it out. (58:57) He's okay. (58:58) I say, you know, move forward on that one.
Megan (59:01) Definitely moving forward. (59:02) That's all we can do.
Scott Benner (59:02) So No kidding. (59:03) I appreciate it. (59:04) Alright. (59:04) Did the kid get his Taco Bell eventually?
Megan (59:06) Yeah. (59:07) Right after we got out of the hospital. (59:09) That was our first attempt at counting carbs on our own. (59:14) And, like, we literally left left CHOP. (59:16) We were in the car.
Megan (59:17) Mhmm. (59:18) We were like, the nearest Taco Bell is here. (59:19) I'm like, alright. (59:21) Let's calculate. (59:22) And we were just going, and we just we went with it, and he was fine.
Scott Benner (59:26) I think you guys are doing well. (59:27) I think you're gonna be fine, by the way. (59:29) I like the way you think about this, and I think you're on a good path. (59:32) So I I mean, I wish you nothing but success. (59:35) Is he having the outcomes right now that you're hoping for?
Megan (59:38) Yes. (59:39) We have great control, actually. (59:41) And thanks to the podcast and thanks to a bunch of, like, other books and and such. (59:47) I did read your book, by the way, which was great.
Scott Benner (59:49) You read my book? (59:50) I did.
Megan (59:52) I did. (59:53) Where'd you get it? (59:54) Amazon.
Scott Benner (59:55) Did you have to pay too much for it?
Megan (59:58) No. (59:58) I I don't even remember how much I paid. (1:00:00) I bought it, like, long ago.
Scott Benner (1:00:01) Okay.
Megan (1:00:02) Yeah. (1:00:02) I've read it twice because it it it is a good read.
Scott Benner (1:00:05) Thank you.
Megan (1:00:05) It made me it made me chuckle in several parts, and I've made my husband read it.
Scott Benner (1:00:10) Do you really? (1:00:11) Yes. (1:00:11) Do you like that story about having sex in the field?
Megan (1:00:14) I do.
Scott Benner (1:00:14) It's I thought that was a great bit.
Megan (1:00:16) I was I was like, this is actually really great, and I love that it the perspective of a stay at home dad. (1:00:22) And I was like I was like, it's it's it's awesome.
Scott Benner (1:00:26) Oh, I
Megan (1:00:26) really thank
Scott Benner (1:00:27) you, Megan. (1:00:28) Jeez. (1:00:28) Yeah. (1:00:29) Alright. (1:00:29) Listen.
Scott Benner (1:00:29) Do whatever you want with your thyroid. (1:00:30) I don't care.
Megan (1:00:32) No. (1:00:32) I'll still go get checked in. (1:00:34) I can that.
Scott Benner (1:00:34) I take it back. (1:00:35) You don't have to do anything. (1:00:35) I appreciate you reading the book. (1:00:37) Thank you.
Megan (1:00:37) Yeah. (1:00:38) So, I mean, we we've got great control. (1:00:40) Diabetes is gonna do its own thing. (1:00:42) So, like, his and he's a growing kid, so things are going to change and fluctuate. (1:00:47) But for the most part, like, I've gotten to the point where I don't like, I make changes based on what I know he needs, and I don't even I've never felt the need to consult ask the doctor.
Megan (1:00:59) Hey. (1:01:00) Is it okay if I do this? (1:01:01) Whenever I'm like, no. (1:01:02) He clearly needs this. (1:01:03) I'm like, I wanna go ahead and do, like, this.
Megan (1:01:06) And we manage if I need to change his, basal, I do it. (1:01:11) I don't, like, I don't consult with anybody. (1:01:13) If I know that he's running, like, a certain way and I've noticed a pattern, I make changes on my own. (1:01:19) I've never felt like this need to depend on asking the doctors for anything because, like, I know my kid. (1:01:27) I know his his diabetes at this point.
Megan (1:01:30) Like, I've I've pretty much followed all of his patterns. (1:01:33) Yeah. (1:01:34) And I, like, I could just tell.
Scott Benner (1:01:36) Yeah. (1:01:37) Megan, you're doing a great job. (1:01:38) I think if you can find a way to help yourself, it'll help everybody. (1:01:41) I think you'll probably find a lot of lessons in your own health for his. (1:01:45) I hope he has, you know, success with the therapy and finding his way to it.
Scott Benner (1:01:51) I think probably, you know, not to oversimplify it, but I think that as time passes, you'll see that he'll become more comfortable with this stuff. (1:01:59) And Yeah. (1:01:59) Yeah. (1:01:59) Before you know it, this part will be over, and you won't even remember the first year.
Megan (1:02:04) Sure.
Scott Benner (1:02:04) Yeah. (1:02:05) It really it's kinda how it happens. (1:02:06) So congratulations. (1:02:08) You're doing a great job. (1:02:09) You are a really fantastic mom.
Scott Benner (1:02:11) I don't know if anybody's ever told you that. (1:02:12) So because your mom, I think, is on crack or something.
Megan (1:02:15) Oh, excuse me.
Scott Benner (1:02:16) I don't know what's wrong. (1:02:17) You you wouldn't say it, so I get to joke about whatever I want. (1:02:19) But seriously, like, you're doing a really great job. (1:02:22) So good for you. (1:02:23) I mean, I think it's, it's well done.
Scott Benner (1:02:25) I'm I'm figuring you must have learned a lot of lessons raising it yourself that you're using now.
Megan (1:02:30) Yes. (1:02:30) Well, thank you. (1:02:31) I appreciate the hearing it. (1:02:33) No. (1:02:34) It's just it it's crazy.
Megan (1:02:37) You just don't know whatever whatever what's gonna happen day to day.
Scott Benner (1:02:40) So Well, don't forget to tell yourself don't forget to tell yourself once in a while you're doing a good job. (1:02:44) Okay?
Megan (1:02:45) I try to.
Scott Benner (1:02:46) Good. (1:02:46) Good. (1:02:46) I'm glad. (1:02:47) Hold on one second for me. (1:02:48) Okay?
Megan (1:02:49) Okay.
Scott Benner (1:02:49) Thank you. (1:02:56) The podcast episode that you just enjoyed was sponsored by Eversense CGM. (1:03:01) They make the Eversense three sixty five. (1:03:03) That thing lasts a whole year. (1:03:05) One insertion.
Scott Benner (1:03:07) Every year? (1:03:08) Come on. (1:03:08) You probably feel like I'm messing with you, but I'm not. (1:03:11) Ever since cgm.com/juicebox. (1:03:16) Today's episode of the juice box podcast was sponsored by the new Tandem Mobi system and Control IQ plus technology.
Scott Benner (1:03:23) Learn more and get started today at tandemdiabetes.com/juicebox. (1:03:28) Check it out. (1:03:30) Touched by Type one sponsored this episode of the juice box podcast. (1:03:34) Check them out at touchedbytype1.org on Instagram and Facebook. (1:03:39) Give them a follow.
Scott Benner (1:03:40) Go check out what they're doing. (1:03:42) They are helping people with type one diabetes in ways you just can't imagine. (1:03:46) Okay. (1:03:47) Well, here we are at the end of the episode. (1:03:49) You're still with me?
Scott Benner (1:03:50) Thank you. (1:03:50) I really do appreciate that. (1:03:52) What else could you do for me? (1:03:54) Why don't you tell a friend about the show or leave a five star review? (1:03:58) Maybe you could make sure you're following or subscribe in your podcast app, go to YouTube and follow me, or Instagram, Tik Tok.
Scott Benner (1:04:06) Oh, gosh. (1:04:07) Here's one. (1:04:08) Make sure you're following the podcast in the private Facebook group as well as the public Facebook page. (1:04:14) You don't wanna miss please, do you not know about the private group? (1:04:18) You have to join the private group.
Scott Benner (1:04:20) As of this recording, it has 74,000 members. (1:04:23) They're active talking about diabetes. (1:04:26) Whatever you need to know, there's a conversation happening in there right now. (1:04:30) And I'm there all the time. (1:04:31) Tag me.
Scott Benner (1:04:31) I'll say hi. (1:04:36) Oh my, did I get lucky. (1:04:38) The Celebrity Cruise Line reached out to me and said, how would you like to come on a cruise before your Juice Cruise so you can get a real good look at the Celebrity Beyond cruise ship and share some video with your listeners? (1:04:52) I said, thank you. (1:04:55) So that's where I might be right now.
Scott Benner (1:04:57) If it's December let me actually find a date for you. (1:05:00) Not a 100% sure. (1:05:01) I think I'm going in December right before Christmas. (1:05:05) Like, you know, like, I don't know, like, the December. (1:05:08) I'm sorry.
Scott Benner (1:05:09) Know this isn't much of a that. (1:05:10) But if you wanna see video from me on the cruise ship, my wife and I are gonna head out and really check it out to see what it's all about to grab some great video for you. (1:05:18) Get it up on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook so you can see what you'd be getting if you came along on Juice Cruise twenty twenty six, which, of course, leaves from Miami on 06/21/2026. (1:05:31) We're gonna be going to Coco Cay in The Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts And Nevis. (1:05:35) Do not miss it.
Scott Benner (1:05:36) It's a great opportunity to meet other people living with type one diabetes to form friendships, to learn things, and just swap stories. (1:05:44) It's a relaxing vacation with a bunch of people who get what your life is like. (1:05:48) And trust me, there's a lot of value in that. (1:05:51) Juiceboxpodcast.com/juicecruise. (1:05:55) Come check it out and go find my socials to see what that ship looks like.
Scott Benner (1:05:59) There's also a video at my link that's, kind of a ship tour for the celebrity beyond. (1:06:04) And let me tell you something. (1:06:05) If this ship is a tenth as nice as this video is, I am in for a great time, and so are you. (1:06:12) Juiceboxpodcast.com/juicecruise. (1:06:15) Come along.
Scott Benner (1:06:17) Have a podcast? (1:06:18) Want it to sound fantastic? (1:06:20) Wrongwayrecording.com.
Please support the sponsors
The Juicebox Podcast is a free show, but if you'd like to support the podcast directly, you can make a gift here. Recent donations were used to pay for podcast hosting fees. Thank you to all who have sent 5, 10 and 20 dollars!
#1729 Cinderella Story - Part 2
You can always listen to the Juicebox Podcast here but the cool kids use: Apple Podcasts/iOS - Spotify - Amazon Music - Google Play/Android - iHeart Radio - Radio Public, Amazon Alexa or wherever they get audio.
Diagnosed at 16 months while her parents were on a cruise, Olivia reveals how diabetes became her anchor through divorce, depression, and a chaotic family life.
+ Click for EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
DISCLAIMER: This text is the output of AI based transcribing from an audio recording. Although the transcription is largely accurate, in some cases it is incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors and should not be treated as an authoritative record. Nothing that you read here constitutes advice medical or otherwise. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making changes to a healthcare plan.
Scott Benner (0:0) Here we are back together again, friends, for another episode of the Juice Box podcast.
Olivia (0:15) Hi. (0:15) My name is Olivia. (0:17) I'm 29 years old. (0:18) I've lived with type one diabetes since the age of 16, and I'm here to talk about t one d and my life and very excited to be on the show today.
Scott Benner (0:29) This is part two of a two part episode. (0:32) Go look at the title. (0:33) If you don't recognize it, you haven't heard part one yet. (0:36) It's probably the episode right before this in your podcast player. (0:42) If you've ever heard a diabetes term and thought, okay.
Scott Benner (0:45) But what does that actually mean? (0:47) You need the defining diabetes series from the Juice Box podcast. (0:50) Defining diabetes takes all those phrases and terms that you don't understand and makes them clear. (0:56) Quick and easy episodes. (0:58) Find out what bolus means, basal, insulin sensitivity, and all of the rest.
Scott Benner (1:03) There has to be over 60 episodes of Defining Diabetes. (1:05) Check it out now in your audio player or go to juiceboxpodcast.com and go up into the menu. (1:13) Nothing you hear on the juice box podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. (1:18) Always consult a physician before making any changes to your health care plan or becoming bold with insulin. (1:30) The episode you're about to listen to is sponsored by Tandem Mobi, the impressively small insulin pump.
Scott Benner (1:36) Tandem Mobi features Tandem's newest algorithm, Control IQ Plus technology. (1:40) It's designed for greater discretion, more freedom, and improved time and range. (1:45) Learn more and get started today at tandemdiabetes.com/juicebox. (1:50) Today's episode is also sponsored by the Eversense three sixty five. (1:55) You can experience the Eversense three sixty five CGM system for as low as $199 for a full year.
Scott Benner (2:03) Visit eversensecgm.com/juicebox for more details and eligibility. (2:09) The podcast is also sponsored today by US Med. (2:13) Usmed.com/juicebox or call (888) 721-1514. (2:20) You can get your diabetes testing supplies the same way we do from US Med. (2:25) Yeah.
Scott Benner (2:25) You've overcome a lot. (2:26) Like, I would like, if you were on my team at work, I would think, like, hey. (2:30) Let's get Olivia involved in this. (2:31) Like, she doesn't give up. (2:32) You know, like, she gets stuff done.
Scott Benner (2:34) She follows through. (2:35) She doesn't, you know, she doesn't just put up her hands and go, oh, no. (2:38) You know? (2:38) Well, my dad stuck me in the in the love prison and my mom's screaming. (2:42) I mean, like, this is my next question.
Scott Benner (2:44) It's like, how do you choose her? (2:45) Like, that's, like, that's that's all. (2:47) I mean, that's really, like that's like a reverse Sophie's choice, isn't it?
Olivia (2:52) Yeah. (2:52) So I think, ultimately, what led to me choosing her instead of my dad was, again, like, this, starvation of love that I was experiencing at my dad's house. (3:05) I felt like they didn't really care that I was there or not. (3:10) I remember, like, later in my adolescence that they would put me to work. (3:16) They lived in a very large house, and they would put me to work, like, dusting all of their stairway grips, like, these wooden stairway grips.
Olivia (3:24) And all of these cabinets, they would have me dust, and there were times that, they would look at it, you know, after hours of work and say, like, you gotta do it again, and there would be hardly any dust on these. (3:37) So, yeah, I ultimately, I chose my mom because I I felt like I was receiving the the love and affection that I was desperately craving.
Scott Benner (3:49) Well, wait. (3:49) Wait. (3:49) You were you were in a Cinderella situation?
Olivia (3:52) Yeah. (3:53) It felt like that. (3:54) Holy. (3:54) And I mean yeah.
Scott Benner (3:57) Oh my god. (3:58) Olivia.
Olivia (3:59) Yeah.
Scott Benner (3:59) Honey, I'm so sorry. (4:00) I'd give you a hug if I could right now. (4:03) You wait. (4:03) Listen. (4:04) I don't wanna jump forward, but you found somebody.
Scott Benner (4:06) Right? (4:06) Like, you're married?
Olivia (4:07) Yes. (4:07) I am.
Scott Benner (4:08) Okay. (4:08) He doesn't yell at you or hit you or anything like that? (4:11) You're happy? (4:11) Okay. (4:12) Alright.
Scott Benner (4:12) Okay. (4:12) Good.
Olivia (4:12) I feel very, very, very happy in my marriage.
Scott Benner (4:15) Okay. (4:15) Okay. (4:15) Good. (4:16) Good. (4:16) I just want everybody to know that before, like, you know, because I you know, people could be like, oh god.
Scott Benner (4:20) Scott sees the notes. (4:22) This poor girl's like, something bad is gonna happen. (4:24) Like but my god. (4:25) They had you cleaning the house?
Olivia (4:27) Yep. (4:28) They had me cleaning the house. (4:29) Mhmm. (4:30) You know, I get it. (4:30) When you're when you're a teenager, it's it's a good thing to give your teenager responsibilities around the house so they know how to do certain things.
Olivia (4:38) But I think the the chores that they were giving both my brother and me at the time were just it was too much. (4:45) It was too much for
Scott Benner (4:46) I hear what you're
Olivia (4:47) saying. (4:47) Teenager.
Scott Benner (4:48) So you'd, like, clean up, and then they'd, like, knock a soda over and go, you missed a spot, something like that.
Olivia (4:53) Yeah. (4:54) Well, fortunately, they never they never did anything like that, but, like, they would just look at it and say, like, nope. (5:00) It's not clean enough. (5:01) You gotta do it all over again. (5:02) And I would be like, are you kidding me?
Scott Benner (5:04) Oh my gosh. (5:05) Does the, does the stepmom have, like, obsessive qualities? (5:10) Or
Olivia (5:11) Yeah. (5:12) So she she's an interesting case. (5:14) Mhmm. (5:16) She I would say it's weird because I was thinking about this recently. (5:21) I think my stepmother and my mom are fairly similar, except my mom is more outspoken and expressive, and my stepmother is quiet.
Olivia (5:32) But they're both kind of anal about certain things. (5:37) I would say my stepmom is definitely more, like, picky and anal about how things look.
Scott Benner (5:44) Is your dad Catholic? (5:45) No. (5:46) No. (5:47) No? (5:48) Okay.
Scott Benner (5:48) It's a lot of kids, and I the cleaning thing makes me think Catholic, by the way. (5:53) I don't know why that is exactly. (5:55) But, I mean, what a shitty thing to say to somebody, like, make sure you get the dust in that this little spot that nobody sees but me, and then to come back and say you didn't do it. (6:04) Right? (6:04) Do it again.
Olivia (6:06) Yeah. (6:06) And and, like, when I was dusting these cabinets, like, sometimes it would take me, like, four hours to do Yeah. (6:13) On a, you know, just a random Saturday, you know, when I would rather be outside hanging out with my friends or something.
Scott Benner (6:20) I'm gonna say this because I I wanna stick up for my wife. (6:23) I want somebody to know want this to be on the record somewhere. (6:26) My wife's mom made her wipe the walls off, like, pretty consistently. (6:31) Like, every weekend, they'd have to wipe the house down.
Olivia (6:34) Oh my goodness.
Scott Benner (6:35) Yeah. (6:36) Yeah. (6:36) So, you know, just remember that when you're talking about dusting the cabinets later.
Olivia (6:41) Yeah. (6:41) Yeah. (6:42) Oh my goodness. (6:42) I'm so sorry that she had to go through that too.
Scott Benner (6:45) Exactly. (6:45) The crazy the crazy could've come differently, by the way. (6:48) Like, it's, yeah. (6:49) Wipe the hot water, wipe the walls floor to ceiling.
Olivia (6:53) Wow. (6:54) Wow. (6:54) And it just gets me wondering, like, what is going through these parents' heads to
Scott Benner (6:59) Mhmm.
Olivia (7:00) Make their kids do these insane chores. (7:03) I don't know.
Scott Benner (7:04) Olivia, you're from a different generation. (7:05) You're nicer. (7:06) I can tell while you're talking to you. (7:08) But I will just tell you as a person who has a couple of, decades, more on the planet than you, they are what they call a cuckoo for cocoa puffs. (7:15) Okay?
Scott Benner (7:15) They're yeah. (7:16) Yeah. (7:17) Say, we don't talk like this anymore, but, your mom's nuts. (7:20) Okay? (7:22) And it's unchecked.
Scott Benner (7:23) Right? (7:23) Because your, you know, your dad's not gonna like, there's gets to be a moment where he's like, what am I gonna do? (7:29) This is the this is the lady. (7:30) I married her. (7:31) These are the you know, this the kid's mother.
Scott Benner (7:32) What you know? (7:33) And then it gets so and then she says, like, you know, off. (7:37) Get out of here. (7:38) And he's like, no. (7:40) And then but yes.
Scott Benner (7:41) And then, obviously, whatever you know, led him to be comfortable with that the first time, led him right back to somebody else again. (7:48) Yeah. (7:48) Put you in a four way where this is coming at you from two two women, you know, who are domineering you and then a guy who's not sticking up for you. (7:57) Mhmm. (7:57) Yeah.
Olivia (7:58) Yeah. (7:58) That I think that describes the overall dynamic really, really well actually.
Scott Benner (8:02) You're damn right. (8:03) Like, it and it's unfair and it's not right. (8:05) And, you know, you're already nervous because this lady's yelling all the time when you're younger. (8:10) I mean, really, like, retreating to another part of the house. (8:14) Like, my parents have yelled at each other.
Scott Benner (8:16) My wife and I have argued. (8:17) I've never seen people run away while it was happening. (8:19) Like, that's another level. (8:21) You know what I mean? (8:22) Like, people argue.
Scott Benner (8:23) It doesn't usually send people to a, you know, a safe place. (8:27) Like, that's sounds to me like there's some crazy shit going on.
Olivia (8:30) Yeah. (8:31) It's interesting hearing you even say that too because, like, I grew up with it, and I like, even now, I'm sitting there thinking, like, was what I grew up with normal? (8:40) Like, you know, is it normal to No. (8:42) Have your mom
Scott Benner (8:43) No. (8:43) It's not.
Olivia (8:43) Flying off the wall?
Scott Benner (8:45) It's not. (8:45) It's not normal to wipe the walls. (8:47) It's not normal to scream at a child till it vomits and to the point where she as a as a I mean, you're you sound like a very bright person. (8:54) Like, do haven't even gotten to, like you have a PhD in pharmacology?
Olivia (8:58) I do.
Scott Benner (8:58) Yep. (8:59) You're a bright you're a bright lady. (9:00) And, so my point is is that, like, even though you're that smart and thoughtful and I'm hearing you talk, you're measured, You grew up in a war zone, and it feels normal to you.
Olivia (9:10) Yeah. (9:11) And and that's the crazy thing about it too. (9:13) And, you know, just over over the past several months or even several years, I've been picking things apart from my, like, from my childhood and even my early adulthood and saying, like, wow. (9:26) Like, what I went through really isn't normal. (9:29) It's messed up.
Scott Benner (9:30) Yeah. (9:31) I mean, no kidding. (9:33) And you can't see it because you're indoctrinated into it.
Olivia (9:37) Exactly.
Scott Benner (9:38) So let me ask you. (9:40) Did you have trouble being happy when you got married?
Olivia (9:43) That's a good question, and I I know I've been saying that a lot. (9:46) You you're asking tons of good questions.
Scott Benner (9:48) I'll tell you why I I say this, and I don't think my wife would mind me saying this, is that when we were first together, my wife was only comfortable when things were upset. (9:57) Like, when things get settled and they're calm, she gets nervous.
Olivia (10:02) Oh, wow.
Scott Benner (10:03) Yeah. (10:03) My wife's not good with good. (10:04) Like, she's better at it now. (10:06) Like, we've been we're old now. (10:07) Like but, I mean, back in the day, like, if happy wasn't a good place for her because she was like, it didn't feel comfortable to her at all, I don't think.
Olivia (10:16) That makes sense.
Scott Benner (10:16) Yeah.
Olivia (10:17) Yeah. (10:17) Like, if she kinda grew up in a war zone of her own Yeah.
Scott Benner (10:20) That's what you're waiting for then.
Olivia (10:21) That's exactly.
Scott Benner (10:23) Your nerves your nervous system's tuned to it. (10:26) Like, you're you're you're in fight or flight like you belong there. (10:29) So when things calm down and you're still, like, looking over your shoulder like you're about to get shot at, it's hard to chill the fuck out. (10:35) And it it
Olivia (10:36) Oh, absolutely.
Scott Benner (10:37) Some time. (10:38) Yeah.
Olivia (10:40) Yeah. (10:40) Yeah. (10:40) So going back to your question though about my marriage, my relationship with my husband has been honestly one of the brightest points of my life. (10:50) He and I met about four years ago. (10:52) It was September 2021.
Olivia (10:55) We met at a church that we were going to. (10:57) And I remember when he and I first met. (11:02) So I I was still going through my PhD studies at the time, and there was one evening where he just casually walks over to me and introduces himself. (11:11) And we strike up a, you know, pretty standard conversation, like, you know, what's your name? (11:15) What do you do for work?
Olivia (11:16) But as the weeks went on, I I was getting the sense that, okay. (11:21) This guy likes me, but I'm I'm studying my PhD. (11:23) I have no time to date anyone. (11:25) Mhmm. (11:25) So I was trying to play it cool, and he and I developed a friendship over time.
Olivia (11:32) And and so I remember leading up to New Year's of, like, 2021, 2022, he asked me, like, hey. (11:43) Would you be interested in grabbing coffee sometime? (11:46) And I I kind of knew, like, yeah. (11:48) He's he's asking me casually on a date. (11:50) And I remember sending him a message back saying, like like, oh, you know, things are really busy with my PhD right now.
Olivia (11:58) I'm really sorry about this. (12:00) Maybe we can do a rain check on it, and we did. (12:04) And the coffee date later on was really, really fun. (12:07) But sorry. (12:08) I'm going off on a tangent.
Scott Benner (12:10) No. (12:10) I I like the you're so sweet. (12:12) I don't know how you ended up sweet is what I'm talk I I like listening to you talk about he asked me, and I'm imagining you, like, what? (12:19) Like, 25, 24, 25 years old at that Yeah.
Olivia (12:23) 25 at the time.
Scott Benner (12:25) Point. (12:25) Right? (12:25) You and I'm guessing you didn't date a ton in college?
Olivia (12:29) No. (12:30) I my husband's actually the first man I truly dated because
Scott Benner (12:34) I'm so happy you waited. (12:36) I seriously, let me I'm being serious. (12:38) If you would have started dating, like, seriously and married somebody in that eighteen, nineteen, twenty, you would be married married to either your dad or your mom. (12:47) Yes.
Olivia (12:47) Yeah. (12:48) That's actually why I waited for
Scott Benner (12:49) a while to do Yeah. (12:52) Yeah. (12:52) Yeah. (12:52) I've I figured you were like, I'm gonna end up in this same goddamn relationship again if I do this. (12:58) Right?
Olivia (12:58) Yep. (12:59) I I remember thinking to myself, I don't wanna end up with a guy who's like my dad, who's emotionally distant. (13:05) Mhmm. (13:06) But I also don't wanna end up with a guy who's clingy like my mom, and that's a whole another issue to talk about too.
Scott Benner (13:13) Yeah. (13:14) No. (13:14) Let's talk about it. (13:15) I don't actually by the way, wanna this might be a good time for me to tell people. (13:20) I know the podcast says Juice Box podcast type one diabetes.
Scott Benner (13:23) And sometimes you probably, like, pop on and think, he didn't really talk about her diabetes very much. (13:28) But the way I see it is understanding this is a is there are plenty of episodes where you can find out how to pre bolus. (13:37) Right? (13:38) But there are a lot of you walking around who grew up like Olivia or have problems like hers, and they are impacting your life and, thusly, your diabetes and your health in ways you don't know. (13:49) And if you don't hear people talking about this, it's never gonna come up because you can hear Olivia having moments while she's talking like, oh, that does make sense.
Scott Benner (13:57) I guess that was happening. (13:58) It's happening for you too if you're listening. (14:00) And for the rest of you, it's just interesting. (14:03) So, I mean, I'll ask her about her diabetes at the end. (14:05) I'm it sounds like she's doing great.
Scott Benner (14:08) Why are you so smart, first of all? (14:09) Like, how did you know that was what was gonna happen? (14:11) Because that is what was gonna happen. (14:15) I have always disliked ordering diabetes supplies. (14:19) I'm guessing you have as well.
Scott Benner (14:21) It hasn't been a problem for us for the last few years though because we began using US Med. (14:26) You can too. (14:28) Usmed.com/juicebox or call (888) 721-1514 to get your free benefits check. (14:35) US Med has served over one million people living with diabetes since 1996. (14:40) They carry everything you need from CGMs to insulin pumps and diabetes testing supplies and more.
Scott Benner (14:47) I'm talking about all the good ones, all your favorites. (14:50) Libre three, Dexcom g seven, and pumps like Omnipod five, Omnipod dash, Tandem, and most recently, the Islet pump from Beta Bionics. (14:59) The stuff you're looking for, they have it at US Med. (15:02) (888) 721-1514, or go to usmed.com/juicebox to get started now. (15:10) Use my link to support the podcast.
Scott Benner (15:12) That's usmed.com/juicebox, or call (888) 721-1514. (15:21) Why would you settle for changing your CGM every few weeks when you can have three hundred and sixty five days of reliable glucose data? (15:29) Today's episode is sponsored by the Eversense three sixty five. (15:33) It is the only CGM with a tiny sensor that lasts a full year sitting comfortably under your skin with no more frequent sensor changes and essentially no compression lows for one year. (15:45) You'll get your CGM data in real time on your phone, smartwatch, Android or iOS, even an Apple Watch.
Scott Benner (15:54) Predictive high and low alerts let you know where your glucose is headed before it gets there, so there's no surprises, just confidence. (16:01) And you can instantly share that data with your health care provider or your family. (16:06) You're going to get one year of reliable data without all those sensor changes. (16:11) That's the Eversense three sixty five. (16:13) Gentle on your skin, strong for your life, one sensor a year that gives you one less thing to worry about.
Scott Benner (16:20) Head now to eversensecgm.com/juicebox to get started.
Olivia (16:26) Yeah. (16:27) I I honestly can't fully explain it. (16:29) I think I think probably from a fairly young age, like, you know, preteen or teenage years, I I've always been really introspective about situations and thinking, like, okay. (16:42) Like, due to my situation growing up and also the way that my mom and my dad are, chances are I probably have some issues to work through.
Scott Benner (16:52) Mhmm. (16:52) Yeah. (16:53) Yeah. (16:53) Chances chances are Olivia. (16:55) Good.
Olivia (16:56) Yeah. (16:57) I I haven't mentioned yet. (16:58) So when I moved in with my mom, there was some communication between my dad and I for a few months. (17:07) But
Scott Benner (17:08) Yeah. (17:08) Then when the cabinets started getting dusty, you got mad at you and stopped talking to you.
Olivia (17:12) Yeah. (17:13) Well, so I moved in with my mom after my sophomore year of high school. (17:19) So this would have been in June 2012. (17:23) My dad, in December, like, four days before Christmas, said, like, hey. (17:28) I wanna invite you over to clear the air between us.
Olivia (17:31) And it wasn't just merely clearing the air. (17:34) It was what I would call an emotional flogging. (17:37) So I walked into their house, and I see my dad and my stepmom sitting on a sofa, and my grandparents are there also. (17:45) So I feel like I've walked into a trap. (17:47) Yeah.
Olivia (17:48) And, the whole time, they're, you know, they're talking to me about how worried they are about paying extra child support to my mom if they, you know, go through the courts and make full custody, you know, official, and I'm just sitting there bawling my eyes out.
Scott Benner (18:02) Are you 16?
Olivia (18:04) I yeah. (18:05) Like, 16, almost 17 at the time.
Scott Benner (18:08) I feel bad, Olivia, because you say you go to church, but I anyway, here's my honest truth. (18:12) What the fuck is wrong with everybody? (18:14) Why don't they see you as a thing to protect and take care of? (18:18) Like, why did they like Yeah. (18:20) I don't know.
Scott Benner (18:21) Go. (18:22) Okay. (18:23) Yeah. (18:23) Alright. (18:23) Alright.
Scott Benner (18:24) It's not that hard. (18:25) Listen. (18:26) Let me lay it out for everybody. (18:27) You're young. (18:28) You got horny.
Scott Benner (18:29) You found somebody. (18:29) You made a baby. (18:30) Now you're in charge of it. (18:31) Not just in charge of it. (18:32) You're responsible for it.
Scott Benner (18:34) It's supposed to be healthy and happy. (18:37) Those are really your only goals. (18:39) Feed it decent food, take care of it, keep it warm, and treat it like you care about it. (18:44) It's not that difficult, everybody. (18:46) Like, it just really isn't that difficult.
Scott Benner (18:49) Like, just have other people's best interest at heart and put yourself second. (18:54) You know I'm not a religious person, but doesn't it sound like I am when I'm talking all the time? (18:58) Olivia, am I right about that part?
Olivia (19:00) Yeah. (19:00) Yeah. (19:01) You really are.
Scott Benner (19:01) I'm just saying, like, this is common sense. (19:04) Like, the tenants of good religion, the tenants of being a good person, they're all the same. (19:09) Like, just don't call your 16 year old in the house and tell them what they're doing wrong. (19:13) It's your marriage, your disaster, your mess, and then she's sitting there crying and you continue on and the grandparents are there, everyone's in Mhmm. (19:21) Soul.
Scott Benner (19:22) I don't and I don't just mean in your story. (19:24) I mean all of you. (19:25) This is a disaster. (19:26) Alright. (19:27) I'm sorry.
Scott Benner (19:27) I'm sorry. (19:28) You're in the middle of your No. (19:29) That's No. (19:30) No. (19:30) I'm now I'm mad because I'm I grew up with, divorced people and morons not understanding what they were supposed to be doing and messing it up.
Scott Benner (19:39) And you think I'm happy all the time? (19:41) I'm not. (19:41) Okay?
Olivia (19:43) And that's okay too. (19:44) It's okay to not be happy all
Scott Benner (19:45) the time. (19:45) Yeah. (19:46) You just do the things you're supposed to do still. (19:49) You don't get to just push a reset button and throw everyone away because you picked the crazy lady. (19:55) That's on you.
Scott Benner (19:56) I don't know. (19:57) Alright. (19:57) I'm sorry. (19:58) I'm very upset. (19:59) A lot of that probably didn't make sense.
Scott Benner (20:00) Go ahead, Olivia. (20:01) Your your family's yelling at you. (20:03) What was happening? (20:06) This episode is sponsored by Tandem Diabetes Care. (20:09) And today, I'm gonna tell you about Tandem's newest pumping algorithm.
Scott Benner (20:13) The Tandem Mobi system with Control IQ plus technology features auto bolus, which can cover missed meal boluses and help prevent hyperglycemia. (20:23) It has a dedicated sleep activity setting and is controlled from your personal iPhone. (20:28) Tandem will help you to check your benefits today through my link, tandemdiabetes.com/juicebox. (20:35) This is going to help you to get started with Tandem's smallest pump yet that's powered by its best algorithm ever. (20:41) Control IQ Plus technology helps to keep blood sugars in range by predicting glucose levels thirty minutes ahead, and it adjusts insulin accordingly.
Scott Benner (20:50) You can wear the Tandem Mobi in a number of ways. (20:53) Wear it on body with a patch like adhesive sleeve that is sold separately, clip it discreetly to your clothing, or slip it into your pocket. (21:01) Head now to my link, tandemdiabetes.com/juicebox, to check out your benefits and get started today.
Olivia (21:09) Yeah. (21:09) So by the end of this, like, interrogation meeting, I don't even know what to call it, I remember walking out. (21:16) I feel very defeated. (21:17) And at that point, I'm like, okay. (21:21) I don't, you know, I don't really even know what to do in this situation with my relationship with my dad.
Olivia (21:26) And so I think, like, a month later, like, the divorce or not the divorce. (21:33) The, custody proceedings go through the courts, and, my mom officially has full custody of me. (21:39) And then my dad stopped communicating with me.
Scott Benner (21:43) What a Yeah. (21:44) Dick. (21:45) I mean, Jesus. (21:46) Yeah. (21:46) What so he wasn't worried about you.
Scott Benner (21:49) He was worried about the extra nut he'd have to put out when your mom had full custody. (21:52) And on top of that, he probably had to pay somebody to clean the cabinets. (21:55) So there's an extra charge there. (21:57) I think you should all appreciate that I was able to wind some comedy into that. (22:00) Oh my god.
Scott Benner (22:02) He just stopped talking to you. (22:04) So then you're
Olivia (22:05) He stopped talking to me.
Scott Benner (22:06) So then now you know he's only talking you to begin with because he had to, and it was saving him money. (22:13) That's how it feels. (22:14) Yeah. (22:14) Yeah.
Olivia (22:15) Think the end game for him was the money, which is messed up because so back then, he was working in an incredibly lucrative job, probably making half $1,000,000 a year.
Scott Benner (22:26) Twenty years ago?
Olivia (22:27) Extra for Wait.
Scott Benner (22:28) Twenty years ago, he's making a half 1,000,000?
Olivia (22:31) Yeah. (22:32) Oh. (22:32) Yeah. (22:32) Oh. (22:33) It it's ridiculous.
Olivia (22:35) And and so, you know, I'm sitting there thinking, like, okay. (22:38) Like, you're, you know, you're not talking to me because you're losing a few $100 extra, basically, pocket change that you're paying my mom.
Scott Benner (22:47) Olivia, a half 1,000,000 a year now is an insane amount of money. (22:51) Twenty years ago, it was unfathomable.
Olivia (22:55) Yeah.
Scott Benner (22:55) You all had a VCR before other people. (22:57) Like, you were fancy. (22:58) Yeah. (22:59) Yeah. (23:00) Yeah.
Scott Benner (23:00) Yeah. (23:00) No. (23:00) No. (23:01) That's where the two houses were. (23:02) But what oh my god.
Scott Benner (23:04) Isn't that something? (23:06) Oh, I'm so sorry. (23:07) Oh, no. (23:07) No, Olivia. (23:08) I'm so sorry.
Scott Benner (23:09) I am I'm so so sorry. (23:10) Like, all he had to do was say I love you and take care of you, and you would you would have been okay.
Olivia (23:16) Yeah. (23:16) Yeah. (23:17) That's all that's all it would have taken. (23:19) Mhmm. (23:19) Just, you know, like, a few more hugs here and there and just interest in who I was and what what I was going through.
Olivia (23:27) But, yeah, I haven't I haven't heard from my dad ever since then.
Scott Benner (23:32) Yeah. (23:32) Well, are you are you serious?
Olivia (23:35) I'm serious. (23:35) It's been almost thirteen years since I've spoken to my dad.
Scott Benner (23:38) Oh my god. (23:40) And now you're not talking to your mom?
Olivia (23:42) Yep. (23:42) So it's been a few months due to a whole other slew of issues. (23:47) It's been a few months since I've spoken to my mom.
Scott Benner (23:50) Oh, and that's it's something she started, not you? (23:54) Or I
Olivia (23:55) I think so. (23:55) Yeah. (23:56) And I'm I'm still I'm still actively working through all of this, and I've been wrestling with a lot of guilt thinking like, oh, you know, I feel like I'm the bad person here because I'm not talking to my mom, but then I so that's the emotional side of me. (24:10) But then the logical side of me says, like, no. (24:12) Like, it's because of her behaviors toward me that that's why I'm putting up a boundary.
Olivia (24:18) Yeah. (24:18) So to provide context on all of this, going back to what I said before with my mom possibly being borderline, when you grow up with a parent like that, it molds a child in a in, you know, different ways. (24:33) It made me into a people pleaser. (24:35) But on top of that, I think, especially after my parents got divorced, my mom shaped me and molded me into being, like, her own emotional mother or emotional spouse
Scott Benner (24:48) Yeah.
Olivia (24:48) If that makes sense.
Scott Benner (24:50) You're her stuffed animal now. (24:51) Yes.
Olivia (24:52) Yeah. (24:53) Or, like, therapy dog
Scott Benner (24:54) Oh, jeez.
Olivia (24:55) Put it in another way.
Scott Benner (24:55) So sorry. (24:56) Yeah. (24:56) Yeah.
Olivia (24:56) Yeah. (24:57) And there was also a lot of enmeshment between my mom and I, that I'm working actively to untangle. (25:05) And the more and more that I'm peeling back layers of the onion and just, you know, really digging in deep as to, you know, how much this hurts, it's like, yeah. (25:14) This is messed up. (25:15) Like, I you know, if I become a mother someday, I don't want to repeat these same patterns with my own children.
Olivia (25:22) I want them to grow up feeling loved and also feeling like they could be independent from me and be free from me, and I want them to grow up in a stable environment. (25:32) So, those have been a lot of the motivations
Scott Benner (25:35) Yeah.
Olivia (25:35) For me.
Scott Benner (25:36) I feel like you would do that.
Olivia (25:37) These boundaries.
Scott Benner (25:37) I I feel I feel like you would do that. (25:39) Are you thinking of Thank you. (25:41) No. (25:41) No. (25:41) I mean, listen.
Scott Benner (25:43) I've, have absolutely no training, and, that's been pointed out in a couple of reviews of the podcast. (25:48) And I don't really know what I'm talking about, but, I mean, I do know people pretty well, and it it feels to me like you got your lessons. (25:55) You took you took the right things from them, and now you're just up to the, you know, the part where you're gonna need to make the baby and and get moving. (26:03) Like, is that a thing you're talk Yeah. (26:04) Talking about doing?
Olivia (26:05) Yeah. (26:06) It's actually been something that my husband and I have been talking about pretty recently. (26:10) Well, actually, really over the past year or so.
Scott Benner (26:13) You know talking is not the way it's gonna happen, though. (26:15) Right?
Olivia (26:16) No. (26:16) No. (26:16) No. (26:17) No. (26:17) It does it involves a little bit more than that.
Olivia (26:19) Right.
Scott Benner (26:19) Right. (26:19) Yeah. (26:20) Yeah. (26:20) There's all other stuff you gotta do.
Olivia (26:22) But yeah. (26:23) A lot of this past year, has been and I guess, like, tying diabetes back into this, a lot of this past year has been me, I guess, getting my ducks in a row and really, really, like, tightening down my, blood sugar control in order to make
Scott Benner (26:40) Oh, okay.
Olivia (26:41) Having a pregnancy possible. (26:44) And actually, this afternoon, I have a video chat scheduled with a possible MFM. (26:49) So this is something that my husband and I are thinking about actually trying to put into action maybe in November or December, which I'm pretty excited about. (26:58) LFM? (27:00) Yep.
Olivia (27:00) Maternal fetal medicine doctor.
Scott Benner (27:02) I thought I'm not even gonna say what popped into my head. (27:05) Like, just like it's fine. (27:07) I don't I feel like it's not a thing you would know about, and I think it it it shines a poor light on me. (27:12) Maternal fetal medicine doctor. (27:13) Exactly what I was thinking.
Scott Benner (27:15) Okay. (27:15) So so now I'm wondering if you know. (27:19) We'll talk about it after we stop recording.
Olivia (27:21) Oh, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Scott Benner (27:24) So you are like, okay. (27:26) I'm gonna I'm reasonably confident that I'm not as screwed up as my parents. (27:30) I wanna have kids. (27:31) I'd like to provide a a nice life for a child, the one I didn't get for sure. (27:35) Yeah.
Scott Benner (27:36) Did your husband get a good upbringing?
Olivia (27:38) He had a much more stable upbringing than me. (27:41) It it still
Scott Benner (27:41) has saying much, Olivia.
Olivia (27:45) Yes. (27:46) Yes. (27:46) Objectively speaking, he did have a a much more stable upbringing than me. (27:50) There there were some issues with with his dad Yeah. (27:54) Growing up.
Olivia (27:54) Yeah. (27:55) Like, some anger issues, but everything has been resolved.
Scott Benner (27:59) If your husband grew up in a crack house, he'd have a more stable, upbringing than you. (28:03) So Yeah. (28:03) Yeah. (28:04) Yeah. (28:04) For real.
Scott Benner (28:04) Yeah. (28:04) No kidding. (28:05) Oh, so okay. (28:06) So you guys are gonna make a baby. (28:07) This is awesome.
Scott Benner (28:08) And you Yep. (28:09) You knew yeah. (28:11) I gotta like, so you didn't feel like your your a one c's blood sugar stability was where it needed to be for baby making. (28:17) So what did you do?
Olivia (28:18) This kind of started back in I'll back up to about a year ago.
Scott Benner (28:23) Mhmm.
Olivia (28:24) I was seeing an endocrinologist for a few years, and my a one c's all throughout last year were fairly like, not super high, but not quite where I wanted them to be, like high sixes, low sevens.
Scott Benner (28:37) Okay.
Olivia (28:38) And as time went on working with this endocrinologist, like, like, whenever I would try to tweak my pump settings on my own, she would say, like, oh, you shouldn't do that. (28:49) And I would be sitting there thinking, like, well, I'm the one living with the disease twenty four seven. (28:54) I only see you, like, four times a year.
Scott Benner (28:56) Right.
Olivia (28:57) The tweaks that she would make during my appointments also didn't really make much sense. (29:02) So for context, I use Medtronic seven eighty g with SmartGuard. (29:07) As I was working with this old endocrinologist, I got the sense that she didn't really fully understand how my algorithm worked. (29:16) I would be sitting there and so back in January, I had an a one c of 6.6. (29:23) Okay.
Olivia (29:23) You know, we're below seven.
Scott Benner (29:25) Not bad.
Olivia (29:25) But that came with
Scott Benner (29:27) A lot of lows?
Olivia (29:28) Surprisingly, no. (29:29) So that came with, restricting carbs because I was struggling with postprandial spikes a lot.
Scott Benner (29:36) Oh, okay.
Olivia (29:37) So I was restricting carbs, and I hated it because I enjoy eating carby foods. (29:42) And so I thought, okay. (29:43) Like, this has to change. (29:45) And so I had an appointment with her in February, which was actually my last appointment with her. (29:51) She looks at my settings, and she's like, okay.
Olivia (29:53) You know, you got an a one c of 6.6. (29:56) We're going to increase no. (29:59) Increase, not decrease your insulin to carb ratios. (30:01) So I was getting even less mealtime insulin. (30:04) If we increase the insulin carb ratios, we can trick the pump into making more basal insulin.
Olivia (30:10) She was really fixated on this idea that I had to be receiving 50% basal, 50% bolus even though, like, on average Is
Scott Benner (30:20) she older?
Olivia (30:21) I would say she's probably, like, in her upper forties or lower fifties.
Scott Benner (30:25) Yeah. (30:26) Yeah. (30:26) Okay. (30:26) Alright. (30:27) So she you had a six six on an automated system, and her idea was to give the system less autonomy and
Olivia (30:34) Yeah. (30:35) Force it.
Scott Benner (30:36) And and I'm assuming your a one c went up after she did that, or did you just change it back when you got in the parking lot?
Olivia (30:41) So during that time, I changed it back immediately, but there was an almost equivalent time a year prior. (30:49) So, like, early twenty twenty four where this happened, my a one c that year also started as a 6.6. (30:56) She increased my insulin to carb ratios with the same kind of mindset, and my next a one c was 7.3. (31:03) Yeah. (31:03) So it jumped almost by a whole percentage point.
Olivia (31:06) Yeah. (31:06) And so at the start of this year, I was looking at it thinking like, oh, no. (31:10) I'm not gonna let that happen again, especially because, you know, I wanna have a baby sometime this year or be pregnant at least. (31:17) Yeah. (31:18) So I changed my settings back to what they were and immediately started this search for a new endocrinologist.
Scott Benner (31:24) Yeah. (31:25) Jeez. (31:25) Well, you found somebody, I hope?
Olivia (31:27) Yep. (31:28) I found somebody. (31:29) I I had my first appointment with them about a month ago. (31:33) I feel like I can really trust them. (31:35) For the six months, the between appointments, though, like the February appointment with the old endo and the August appointment with with the new endo.
Olivia (31:44) For six months, I was kinda just trying to figure things out on my own, which is where listening to the podcast really, really helped me out. (31:52) Just implementing the tips in the, diabetes pro tip series, and I saw my a one c drop from 6.6 back in January, February down to 5.8 as of August Awesome. (32:06) Just from listening to the podcast. (32:08) And so I'm feeling I'm feeling physically better overall, and I'm feeling a lot more confident in my ability to possibly, like, have a healthy pregnancy too.
Scott Benner (32:18) Good for you. (32:18) That's awesome. (32:19) How do you feel about the name Scott or Scottina?
Olivia (32:24) I I like the name Scott.
Scott Benner (32:26) Oh, yeah.
Olivia (32:26) Scotina, it would be pretty unique.
Scott Benner (32:28) Yeah. (32:28) Yeah. (32:28) Yeah.
Olivia (32:29) Yeah. (32:29) Like, it has a unique ring to it.
Scott Benner (32:31) Certainly does. (32:34) Well, I'm so happy for you that you feel like this is possible now. (32:37) That's really great.
Olivia (32:38) Yeah. (32:39) Yeah. (32:39) I I I feel really empowered.
Scott Benner (32:42) Oh, I'm I'm so I'm so pleased. (32:44) You found the podcast and then went right to the pro tip series?
Olivia (32:48) I did. (32:48) Yeah. (32:48) So I found the podcast. (32:50) I went right to the pro tips because I I was just sitting there thinking, like, I need help. (32:55) And I was, you know, I was also looking at different support groups on Facebook, and I ended up joining the Juicebox podcast support group on Facebook.
Scott Benner (33:06) Awesome.
Olivia (33:07) Also just, you know, trying to devour every single article that I could about, like, okay. (33:13) You know, how how do protein and fat impact, blood sugar over time? (33:18) Just things of that nature. (33:20) Awesome. (33:20) But the Pro Tip series has really helped me.
Scott Benner (33:23) Oh, I'm so happy. (33:24) I I I really am thrilled for you. (33:26) I mean, after learning your story, it's so much more meaningful to hear that you got to feel empowered and feel like you can, you know, go out and try to make that baby that you're trying to make and and for all those reasons. (33:38) Like, it's not as you know what I mean? (33:39) Like, hearing your story before that makes the rest of it just richer because otherwise, you come on and you go like, oh, you know, my a one c was a little high and my doctor wasn't great and I had to try to help and, you know, we're trying to have a kid.
Scott Benner (33:52) Like, and that all seems kinda clinical. (33:53) But, like, to really know the backstory, it makes it so much more meaningful to hear from you.
Olivia (33:57) Absolutely. (33:58) Yeah. (33:58) Like, at times, I I imagine that I'm like a phoenix rising out of the ashes. (34:02) Yeah. (34:03) Like, rising out of, like, you know, just, like, this big pile of ashes that is my childhood and early adulthood, and and a lot of it in is in part because of my husband.
Olivia (34:14) Just Sure. (34:14) What an incredible support he's been. (34:17) He's my best friend, and I I'm sure a lot of, you know, married couples say that about one another. (34:23) Like, he or she is my best friend, but it's true. (34:25) He's been just such an incredible emotional support as I've been processing stuff related to my mom recently When it came to switching endocrinologists, at first, I was a little bit hesitant to make that switch because I was like, well, I've been with, you know, this old endocrinologist for so many years, but I also feel like I need to, you know, do this for my health.
Scott Benner (34:47) Yeah.
Olivia (34:48) And my husband says to me, like, you know, I'm gonna support you no matter what you decide. (34:53) And then he also says, nobody's coming to save the princess, and that has stuck with me, just in terms of dealing with a lot of challenges that I've had to overcome. (35:04) Mhmm. (35:04) And what he meant by that is, like like, you know, the other people can come alongside me and provide support, but when it comes to actually taking the action steps to change things, only I can do that. (35:16) I do.
Olivia (35:16) You're so And it's been so empowering to me.
Scott Benner (35:19) Yeah. (35:19) Well, listen. (35:20) I already know that I'm gonna call your episode Phoenix Rising. (35:24) And
Olivia (35:24) I love that.
Scott Benner (35:25) And I'm going to and I know some of you give me, I'm sorry that I use AI to make my artwork. (35:30) I would love to hire an artist. (35:32) Please send over a million dollars so I can pay them. (35:35) But I see your phoenix not rising from ashes, but rising from a pile of dust out of a cabinet. (35:41) And that's gonna be the the that's gonna be the image for it.
Scott Benner (35:45) It's either that or coming out of a bedroom that's like a dungeon. (35:47) What if I told AI, make, an image of a phoenix emerging from a bedroom. (35:56) The bedroom is dark and dungeon like, devoid of love, and instead of ashes around it, it's dust. (36:03) That's gonna be my my AI prompt, and we'll see what we got.
Olivia (36:06) I'll be very curious to see what you end up with.
Scott Benner (36:08) Me too, actually. (36:10) I I'm sorry. (36:11) I wanna say that, like, while you're doing all this right now and you're you're thinking about having this baby and everything and and you're you're in the middle of a thing with your mom, I I would tell you there I know there's two minds around this. (36:22) Right? (36:22) Like, there's I've heard people say that, you know, Americans are a little too, quick to cut themselves away from their families, but I don't think that that's this.
Scott Benner (36:33) Like, I think that, you know, joking earlier and everything, but, like, you know, your mom sounds like she has a mental health issue. (36:40) And, you know, you can't spend your whole life in flux waiting for that to change when the it's very likely not gonna change at all.
Olivia (36:48) No. (36:49) And, you know, I hope at some point that, you know, she and I can reconcile. (36:54) I I don't wanna cut ties with her forever. (36:57) There was an instance three months ago where it just suddenly came to me like, okay. (37:03) I can't expect my mom to be the type of woman that I want her to be.
Olivia (37:09) I need to accept that this is the way that she is.
Scott Benner (37:12) Yeah. (37:12) I think that's important.
Olivia (37:14) It's a tough pill to swallow to say the least.
Scott Benner (37:16) Of course. (37:16) Yeah. (37:17) No. (37:17) Of course, it is. (37:18) But I think it's important because, otherwise, you'll spend your whole life trying to change something that can't be changed.
Olivia (37:23) That's right.
Scott Benner (37:24) You can be supportive of her without the expectation that she's gonna turn into the person that you need or want or that she probably should be.
Olivia (37:34) Right.
Scott Benner (37:35) Yeah. (37:35) Yeah. (37:35) And and you can't and time is ticking. (37:37) You don't have forever. (37:38) How old are you again?
Olivia (37:40) I'm 29. (37:41) Yeah. (37:42) I'll be 30 in January, so almost 30.
Scott Benner (37:45) They'd be making time.
Olivia (37:47) Yep. (37:47) They'd be making time.
Scott Benner (37:48) And I I love that you waited to get into a serious relationship. (37:52) I seriously I know I said it once, but I I I genuinely believe you probably saved yourself from, you know, being in the same situation that your parents were in at some point if you would have jumped in a little too soon. (38:01) Yeah. (38:01) And and even that takes a lot of, it takes a lot of maturity to do. (38:06) Right?
Scott Benner (38:06) And, you know, you know what I mean? (38:08) Like, it's not easy to to decline your happiness or or put things aside or wait because, you know, there's a bigger reason to do it. (38:17) Like, a lot of people would just, you know, march forward and be like, no. (38:20) I'm just gonna date and use my bad my bad judgment to pick somebody.
Olivia (38:25) Yeah. (38:26) Like, that is, like, the maturity. (38:29) Like, that is one blessing that I see in the midst of the scrambled mess of chaos that my childhood was. (38:36) Yeah. (38:36) I I was forced to grow up pretty quickly, and I I was pretty mature for my age growing up.
Olivia (38:44) So that is something that I'm grateful for. (38:46) Mhmm. (38:47) Do I wish that it you know, if I could go back and change it, do I wish that it would have happened that way? (38:51) Absolutely not. (38:52) But but it's a it's a silver lining in a stormy sky.
Scott Benner (38:58) Yeah. (38:58) You have to you have to look for it sometimes. (38:59) Like right. (39:00) Like yeah. (39:00) I mean, if if we're gonna sit down magic wand and make up a life for you, this is the one we're making up.
Scott Benner (39:05) But if this is how it goes, at least you come out of it with, you know, some tools and ideas and perspective. (39:11) You have a ton of perspective. (39:13) You know? (39:13) And and to bring it back around to the beginning where you said, you know, the diabetes thing, you know, has got you ready for other hard things. (39:20) Do you think that's the case?
Scott Benner (39:22) Do you think that growing up with diabetes made you ready for this stuff, or do you think that maybe this stuff I don't know how I mean this exactly. (39:31) Like, maybe this stuff is I don't know. (39:36) I sometimes I think of it as perspective. (39:38) I'm sorry for, like, fumbling around this. (39:40) But, like
Olivia (39:40) No. (39:41) No. (39:41) You're
Scott Benner (39:41) good. (39:41) Sometimes I think of it as perspective. (39:44) Like, the diabetes gives you some perspective. (39:46) Right? (39:46) Like
Olivia (39:47) Mhmm.
Scott Benner (39:48) It could be worse. (39:49) I could be dead. (39:50) I could like, know, sometimes people take that from it. (39:53) Right? (39:53) And then the other Right.
Scott Benner (39:54) Other stuff in life just seems more manageable because there's an actual thing trying to kill you. (40:00) You know, other people Yeah. (40:02) You know what I'm saying? (40:03) Like, maybe the diabetes is a perspective leveler, and then it happens again and again and again. (40:08) It makes you more available to bigger picture thinking when stuff happens.
Olivia (40:14) Yeah. (40:14) I I definitely think that's true. (40:16) And, like, as you were talking, I was thinking about the fact that I was diagnosed so young that I don't remember life without t one d. (40:24) I think I think just growing up with this thing and kind of accepting it as normal, you know, when the bad days would come, it's like, okay. (40:33) You know, my blood sugar's, you know, doing a roller coaster type of thing, and that's always miserable when it happens.
Olivia (40:40) But it's like, okay. (40:41) You know, I gotta slow down, I just gotta say, like, this isn't going to last forever. (40:45) I'm gonna, you know, get out of this moment and and then just say, okay. (40:51) What do I need to do in order to try to bring this roller coaster back to a source of stability.
Scott Benner (40:58) Yeah. (40:58) I have to say remarkably normal for what happened to you.
Olivia (41:03) I appreciate you saying that. (41:04) Seriously, I do.
Scott Benner (41:06) No. (41:06) I mean, almost shockingly so. (41:08) Because if you were a little wacky, I'd be like, yeah. (41:12) Right on. (41:13) She deserves it.
Scott Benner (41:13) You you know, like like, I I get that. (41:16) You just seem awfully normal for what happened to you. (41:19) I I I mean, good for you. (41:20) Congrats. (41:20) I don't know what you did or if it's decisions along the way or if you got lucky, but good for you or congratulations, whatever fits.
Olivia (41:27) Thank you. (41:28) Yeah. (41:28) I so I honestly can't really I I don't think I can point at any specific decisions that I've made. (41:36) I I know I mentioned that my husband and I met at church, and I think it's my my faith in God
Scott Benner (41:43) Has helped you.
Olivia (41:44) That has really just kept me afloat all of these years. (41:49) Just knowing that, okay. (41:50) Like, even though my both my mom and my dad are messed up, I can look at god as, like, the perfect father and say, like, okay. (41:58) You know, he's truly on my side, and he's truly got my back.
Scott Benner (42:03) Yeah. (42:03) I mean, you need something. (42:05) Right?
Olivia (42:05) Like, Absolutely.
Scott Benner (42:06) Yeah. (42:06) You didn't go to therapy. (42:08) Right?
Olivia (42:08) Well, I I did go to therapy off and on, like, ever since 2012 when my my abandonment by my dad started.
Scott Benner (42:18) Yeah.
Olivia (42:18) I'm actually currently in therapy dealing with the issues related to my mom, but it's kind of been on and off as I've needed it over time. (42:27) And it's something I'm definitely not ashamed of. (42:29) I know that there could be a lot of stigma related to Not for me. (42:33) Seeking out a therapist.
Scott Benner (42:35) Yeah. (42:35) No.
Olivia (42:35) No. (42:35) That's a good thing. (42:36) Yeah.
Scott Benner (42:36) Yeah. (42:36) No. (42:37) Not for me. (42:38) Is it a therapist that you found through church, or did you find it through the health care system?
Olivia (42:43) So I right now, I'm actually in the in the midst of transitioning to a new therapist, but, the person I was seeing was actually a friend of my husband's who I was seeing for a time. (42:57) But then I I thought, okay. (42:59) You know, I feel like I need more extensive help that I'm getting, so I'm gonna look at the medical system and see who I can find there.
Scott Benner (43:07) Good for you. (43:08) That's awesome. (43:08) Like, you you're very, very proactive with your, with your life.
Olivia (43:13) Thanks. (43:14) I I try to be.
Scott Benner (43:15) Yeah. (43:15) No. (43:15) You you clearly are. (43:16) I mean, let's take a half a second. (43:18) This is obviously this is pretty long.
Scott Benner (43:20) It'll end up being two parts probably. (43:22) Just let me ask you here. (43:24) Like, you got your PhD in pharmacology. (43:25) What do you do for a living?
Olivia (43:27) I currently work in a research lab at nearby university. (43:32) I'm doing, immunology research, specifically focused on lupus. (43:36) So although it's not t one d, it's autoimmune disease, and I love it. (43:41) I'm the person who is either wearing the white lab coat and sitting at the lab bench doing all kinds of nerdy site stuff, or I'm being a nerd sitting at my computer doing computational analysis. (43:53) And I love my job because every day I feel like I'm learning something new.
Olivia (43:57) Mhmm. (43:58) I think I would be bored working at a job where you're doing the same exact thing over and over again. (44:04) Yeah. (44:04) Funny story about that. (44:06) Ever since I was a teenager, I knew I wanted to go into scientific research for a living.
Olivia (44:12) And I remember sitting there one day, I I was, eating cereal for breakfast, and I don't remember what type of cereal it was. (44:19) But I was looking at the ingredients list on the cereal box, and I was looking at it, and I had a thought in my head. (44:25) I wonder what ingredients go into insulin. (44:28) And so that sparked the interest in wanting to go into scientific research, and here I am now.
Scott Benner (44:34) Wow. (44:34) Just because you wondered what was in insulin.
Olivia (44:36) Yep.
Scott Benner (44:37) Did ever find out? (44:37) Did you ever look into it or you just, like, went on your way?
Olivia (44:41) I I I did look into it. (44:43) And granted, it was a a little while back, but I remember sitting down and looking up articles about, okay, what's the chemical structure of insulin lispro versus versus insulin aspart? (44:57) And FIASSP, you know, I was comparing all of these and and also learning about, like, the different types of solutions that the actual insulin protein molecules are Mhmm. (45:09) Stored in. (45:10) And, yeah, just super interesting stuff.
Scott Benner (45:12) Now listen. (45:13) I wanna say to everybody, see all the things you can think about if you're not running around crazy having sex all the time? (45:19) See? (45:20) Olivia wasn't chasing boys. (45:21) She was figuring things out, getting her life straight.
Scott Benner (45:25) Right? (45:25) Seriously, am I not wrong about this? (45:27) I'm right. (45:27) Right? (45:28) Yeah.
Scott Benner (45:28) Put some focus on yourself. (45:30) Don't be embarrassed, lovey. (45:31) It's okay. (45:33) I like that you focused on yourself first in other endeavors. (45:36) I see people running around all over crazy constantly, dating this one and that one and doing this and that.
Scott Benner (45:41) Like, I'm not saying don't go out and do a thing, but, like, you know, big picture. (45:46) I Absolutely. (45:48) Yeah. (45:48) I would have adopted you. (45:49) I I you should have you should have reached out when that guy screwed you over.
Scott Benner (45:52) I mean, I don't have his money. (45:54) So, I mean, maybe you would have, maybe you would have been like, no. (45:57) Thank you. (45:58) I'm gonna I'm gonna stick with the guy over here. (46:00) But
Olivia (46:00) Yeah. (46:01) I mean, if if, like, I let me think back then. (46:05) Well, I guess it depends on, you know, if we're talking about, like, way you know, like, almost thirty years ago. (46:10) Like, I would be sitting here thinking, well, you know, the Internet really isn't really isn't, like, a big thing. (46:16) So I how would I reach this guy?
Scott Benner (46:18) I would have been 24. (46:19) So I don't think I would have been I don't think I would have been much help to you at all. (46:22) I would have been like, listen. (46:23) Your story is insane, but I cannot help you. (46:25) Please get away from me.
Olivia (46:26) So Yeah. (46:27) And and and, like, the me now would say, like, you know what? (46:30) That is totally fine. (46:31) Like, you you gotta take care of yourself.
Scott Benner (46:34) Yeah. (46:34) Yeah. (46:34) You got, a nice I don't know. (46:36) You're you got a good vibe about you. (46:37) Good for you.
Scott Benner (46:38) That's awesome.
Olivia (46:39) Thank you so much.
Scott Benner (46:39) Yeah. (46:40) No. (46:40) I'm I'd I'd clap for you if I thought it was appropriate because you you really did come through a fire. (46:44) No kidding. (46:46) Well, let me end with this.
Scott Benner (46:48) Unless you have do you have anything else you wanna say before I I wrap up?
Olivia (46:52) I I think we've covered a lot.
Scott Benner (46:53) Oh, we
Olivia (46:54) We've covered everything. (46:55) Yeah. (46:55) Yeah.
Scott Benner (46:56) Yeah. (46:56) Yeah.
Olivia (46:56) I think we've covered everything that I wanted to talk about. (46:59) So, yeah, hit me with your question.
Scott Benner (47:01) Okay. (47:02) Everything goes well. (47:03) Couple years from now, little baby's running around, things are going great, the baby grows up. (47:09) You one day have a feeling like, oh, no. (47:13) I'm having a response like my parents would.
Scott Benner (47:16) What do you think you'd do to get ahead of it? (47:20) Like, do you have that like, it's gotta be a worry. (47:22) Right? (47:22) Because I have those worries. (47:23) Like, you know, like, what if I do things my parents did?
Scott Benner (47:26) Like but I never you just seem so much more well thought out. (47:29) Like, I just tried to roll with it and figure out the thing to do. (47:33) I feel like you're gonna have a plan.
Olivia (47:35) That is a thought that's run through my head quite a lot. (47:37) It's, it's been a thought that's popped into my head even with my marriage, with my husband.
Scott Benner (47:44) Mhmm.
Olivia (47:45) And I different times even in my marriage where I've caught myself falling into some of the same tendencies that I would show with my mom or dad, primarily, like, the people pleasing type of thing and not really, like, being assertive, I guess. (47:59) Yeah. (48:00) And saying, like, you know, yeah. (48:02) Like, you know, I don't really feel like doing this particular thing tonight. (48:05) That's also been kind of a worry when thinking about having young ones too.
Olivia (48:10) And I think I think if I felt some of those tendencies rising up, I would have to would have to have really good mindfulness and stop and take a pause and say, like, okay. (48:21) You know, I might be feeling frustrated or I might be feeling angry right now, but, you know, everything is gonna be okay. (48:28) Just, you know, take a few deep breaths in and out. (48:30) And then rather than, you know, screaming my head off at my poor child, you know, just go do what I need to do and say, like, hey. (48:39) You know?
Olivia (48:40) Like, I you know, if they're throwing a tantrum, hey. (48:43) You know, I know that you're upset, but, you know, this is the rule, something like that.
Scott Benner (48:49) You might make a good therapist one day, by the way.
Olivia (48:51) Well, thank you.
Scott Benner (48:52) Yeah. (48:53) I mean, I think sometimes it takes people who have been through things to really understand. (48:57) And then, you know, the rest of it is the implementation of it is is the hard part. (49:01) Like, knowing the right thing to do, like, knowing, like, I don't wanna be yelling at people or even the thing you were talking about with your husband is super simp is super interesting because it's not just, like, it's not just the the issue of, like, I don't wanna just people please. (49:15) Like, if he says, hey.
Scott Benner (49:15) Let's go here for dinner. (49:16) I don't just say yes because, you know, because he said so. (49:19) I I have an opinion. (49:20) But you also don't wanna shout him down. (49:23) Like, it's No.
Scott Benner (49:24) Yeah. (49:24) You're you're you're fighting against not wanting to be your dad, not wanting to be, like, pushed around, and also not wanting to be your mom, not wanting to be so exertive that it looks crazy. (49:35) And yeah. (49:36) So you're you're you're fighting a war on two fronts, really.
Olivia (49:39) Yeah. (49:40) If if anything, my so my mom and dad have taught me good things that have stuck with me to this day, but they've also taught me a lot of what not to do in a marriage relationship, what not to do when you're parenting. (49:54) And so I sit there and think, like, okay. (49:57) You know, I I know that it's wrong to scream at your kids when you're angry at them. (50:03) I know that it's wrong to, you know, be listening to your child's emotions and then say, like, you have no reason to feel that way.
Olivia (50:11) That's something that my dad told me before. (50:13) So, like, I know, you know, that all of these things are inherently wrong, so I'm I'm not gonna do them.
Scott Benner (50:19) Jeez. (50:20) Yeah. (50:20) I listen. (50:21) It's one of the first things my wife taught me. (50:22) She was like, I feel the way I feel.
Scott Benner (50:24) And I was like, okay. (50:25) You know, I was young and I grew up poorly and, you know, like, sometimes people said things and you're like, oh, you don't have to feel that way. (50:30) And she's like, well, I do. (50:31) And I'm like, oh, okay. (50:33) You know?
Scott Benner (50:33) And just some sometimes somebody's gotta say the obvious stuff to you when you didn't grow up being, you know, with that obvious stuff being modeled in front of you. (50:41) So
Olivia (50:41) Absolutely.
Scott Benner (50:42) Listen. (50:43) You, you should win an award. (50:44) I don't know what the award is called. (50:46) If I had it, would send you a ribbon because I I think you I think you deserve it. (50:50) And I really
Olivia (50:51) I appreciate that.
Scott Benner (50:52) No. (50:52) I appreciate you coming on and talking about this. (50:54) This is not an easy thing to talk about. (50:55) Am I right?
Olivia (50:56) No. (50:56) It's not. (50:57) I think it gets easier just as time passes. (51:00) And, like, one reason why I wanted to come on the show and talk about all of this is because I know that there are people who are dealing with similar circumstances, and it it can be really lonely feeling like you're the only one dealing with these types of things. (51:15) But I wanted to come on and talk about them so that those listening don't feel quite so alone in their own journeys.
Scott Benner (51:23) Yeah.
Olivia (51:24) And so I hope that I can provide a little beacon of light to those who are listening.
Scott Benner (51:29) Brought a beacon to me, so I assume it's gonna come for everybody else too. (51:32) I really enjoyed this. (51:33) Thank you very, very much.
Olivia (51:35) I had a great time too, Scott, and thank you so much for having me on the show.
Scott Benner (51:38) I appreciate it. (51:39) And let people know you're very stuffy, and, you fought through it valiantly. (51:43) We appreciate that. (51:45) And I think it really added to your, like, Michigan accent. (51:48) I think it was kinda neat.
Olivia (51:50) You can tell that I have a Michigan accent.
Scott Benner (51:53) Yeah. (51:53) You can't.
Olivia (51:54) I I mean, it my voice just sounds like my voice, and I I mean, I guess at times, I might say something one way and think like, okay. (52:03) Yeah. (52:04) That sounds like a Detroit accent, but I I've never really thought, like, yeah. (52:08) I have a Michigan accent.
Scott Benner (52:10) Well, also, you you know, you know, you said your parents flew back to Michigan. (52:13) Also, you said that you used a Medtronic pump. (52:16) That's a very, upper, Midwest thing. (52:19) Medtronic's super seriously, Medtronic's huge, like Minnesota, Wisconsin, like, right up in there. (52:25) Think probably because the company's up there.
Scott Benner (52:27) And
Olivia (52:27) Yeah. (52:28) That makes sense.
Scott Benner (52:29) You do have a little bit of but it's neat because, like, I imagine that if I if you jump back on a a week from now and we spoke, I would think, oh, did was somebody pinching your nose while we were talking last time? (52:40) But you sound completely no one else will know. (52:42) If I hadn't brought it up, nobody would know.
Olivia (52:44) That's true. (52:44) Yeah.
Scott Benner (52:45) Yeah. (52:45) Yeah. (52:45) It's awesome. (52:46) You were really, really terrific. (52:47) Would you hold on a second for me?
Scott Benner (52:56) This episode of the Juice Box podcast was sponsored by US Med. (53:00) U s med dot com slash juice box or call (888) 721-1514. (53:07) Get started today with US Med. (53:10) Links in the show notes. (53:11) Links at juiceboxpodcast.com.
Scott Benner (53:16) Head now to tandemdiabetes.com/juicebox and check out today's sponsor, Tandem Diabetes Care. (53:23) I think you're gonna find exactly what you're looking for at that link, including a way to sign up and get started with the Tandem Mobi system. (53:33) The podcast episode that you just enjoyed was sponsored by Eversense CGM. (53:38) They make the Eversense three sixty five. (53:41) That thing lasts a whole year.
Scott Benner (53:42) One insertion? (53:44) Every year? (53:45) Come on. (53:46) You probably feel like I'm messing with you, but I'm not. (53:48) Ever since cgm.com/juicebox.
Scott Benner (53:57) Hey. (53:57) Thanks for listening all the way to the end. (53:59) I really appreciate your loyalty and listenership. (54:02) Thank you so much for listening. (54:03) I'll be back very soon with another episode of the Juice Box podcast.
Scott Benner (54:08) If you're looking for community around type one diabetes, check out the Juice Box podcast private Facebook group, juice box podcast, type one diabetes. (54:17) But everybody is welcome. (54:18) Type one, type two, gestational, loved ones, it doesn't matter to me. (54:23) If you're impacted by diabetes and you're looking for support, comfort, or community, check out Juice Box podcast, Type one Diabetes on Facebook. (54:32) Hey.
Scott Benner (54:33) I'm dropping in to tell you about a small change being made to the Juice Cruise twenty twenty six schedule. (54:38) This adjustment was made by Celebrity Cruise Lines, not by me. (54:41) Anyway, we're still going out on the Celebrity Beyond cruise ship, which is awesome. (54:45) Check out the walkthrough video at juiceboxpodcast.com/juicecruise. (54:50) The ship is awesome.
Scott Benner (54:52) Still a seven night cruise. (54:54) It still leaves out of Miami on June 21. (54:57) Actually, most of this is the same. (54:58) We leave Miami June 21, head to Coco Cay in The Bahamas, but then we're going to San Juan, Puerto Rico instead of Saint Thomas. (55:06) After that, Bastille, I think I'm saying that wrong.
Scott Benner (55:09) Saint Kitts And Nevis. (55:10) This place is gorgeous. (55:12) Google it. (55:13) I mean, you're probably gonna have to go to my link to get the correct spelling because my pronunciation is so bad. (55:17) But once you get the Saint Kitts and you Google it, you're gonna look and see a photo that says to you, oh, I wanna go there.
Scott Benner (55:24) Come meet other people living with type one diabetes from caregivers to children to adults. (55:30) Last year, we had a 100 people on our cruise, and it was fabulous. (55:35) You can see pictures to get at my link, juiceboxpodcast.com/juicecruise. (55:40) You can see those pictures from last year there. (55:42) The link also gives you an opportunity to register for the cruise or to contact Suzanne from Cruise Planners.
Scott Benner (55:48) She takes care of all the logistics. (55:50) I'm just excited that I might see you there. (55:52) It's a beautiful event for families, for singles, a wonderful opportunity to meet people, swap stories, make friendships, and learn. (56:02) Have a podcast? (56:03) Want it to sound fantastic?
Scott Benner (56:05) Wrongwayrecording.com.
Please support the sponsors
The Juicebox Podcast is a free show, but if you'd like to support the podcast directly, you can make a gift here. Recent donations were used to pay for podcast hosting fees. Thank you to all who have sent 5, 10 and 20 dollars!