Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1626: A River in Egypt – Part 1
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Patty D
Date: September 12, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and candid episode, Scott Benner speaks with Patty D, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes since 1987. The episode delves deep into the emotional impact of diagnosis, living in denial, navigating management as an adult, and the evolution of both emotional acceptance and treatment strategies. Both Scott and Patty reflect on the personal, psychological, and communal aspects of diabetes management, emphasizing honesty, growth, and the necessity of community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Patty’s Diagnosis and Early Denial

• Patty’s Initial Signs & Diagnosis

  • Patty describes experiencing classic symptoms of diabetes (constant urination, extreme thirst, tiredness, unexplained weight loss) before seeing a doctor.

  • She initially attributed her symptoms to being a tired new mom, highlighting a common misinterpretation of early warning signs.

  • Upon diagnosis, her doctor recognized she had Type 1, not Type 2 diabetes—a rarity for an adult at the time.

    "I'm not taking needle shots. Forget about it." – Patty D [06:00]

• Stubbornness and Denial

  • Patty vividly explains how denial and frustration at her own body’s betrayal led her to reject insulin and try oral medications, against her doctor’s recommendation.

    "Denial ain't just a river. I think it's the strongest emotion." – Patty D [06:19]

• The Move to London & Reaching a Breaking Point

  • Moving to London, Patty’s health deteriorated to the point that she finally realized the necessity of insulin.

  • She describes an almost surreal acceptance, finally asking for insulin upon arrival in the UK.

    "I gotta get me some insulin or I'm gonna die." – Patty D [10:43]

• Anecdote: Managing Blood Sugar in London

  • Patty humorously recounts sitting on a stoop in London, sharing a cookie with her son:

    "Here's one cookie for you, 23 for Mommy." – Patty D [11:55]

The Long Path to Acceptance

• Education & Self-Management

  • Patty reflects on returning to the US and gradually learning more about her disease, acknowledging that her management skills improved slowly and were more self-taught than medially supported.

  • She notes the lack of structured education for adult-onset patients compared to children newly diagnosed.

    "Adults, they're like, 'Oh, yeah, here's a vial of insulin, some syringes. Go out there. You won't die.'" – Patty D [19:52]

• The Psychological Journey: Denial to Acceptance

  • Both Scott and Patty discuss the lengthy, non-linear journey from denial to acceptance, highlighting that emotional adjustment is a distinct challenge compared to physical management.

    "You have to go through that entire cycle and get to the part that says, I think it's acceptance... I think those are the people that... have found the closest thing to balance with diabetes." – Scott Benner [18:13]

• Impact on Relationships

  • Patty notes that her stubbornness and the unpredictability of diabetes affected her family, particularly her husband and son.

    "My husband, he was scared of me... everybody around me, like when I'd go low or high, they'd be like, 'Oh boy.'" – Patty D [13:28]

The Role of Community and Education

• Support from Podcasts and Programs

  • Patty expresses a deep appreciation for the Juicebox Podcast, crediting it with transforming her self-management by teaching her practical strategies (prebolusing, bumping/nudging, etc.).

    "Your podcast has changed the way I can manage this disease better. And I’m so grateful. I tell everybody—you got to tune in, you’re going to learn so much.” – Patty D [24:10]

  • She also highlights the value of the Blue Circle Health program and the comfort in finding an educated, empathetic community.

• The Difference for Caregivers

  • Both reflect on the unique emotional realities of caregivers, contrasting the forced acceptance caregivers must embody versus the gradual, personal journey of people with Type 1.

    "You cannot deny this. And most children get a week or five days in the hospital with intensive... care and education... But adults, they're like, here's a vial of insulin..." – Patty D [19:43]

Scott’s Reflection on the Podcast’s Impact

• Measuring Impact Beyond Metrics

  • Scott discusses the emotional impact of meeting listeners in-person, realizing that the real value of the podcast is people’s health and stories, not just download numbers.

    "My value is going to be people with a smile on their face saying, I figured out how to do something. I feel healthier, I’m doing better. That’s my currency.” – Scott Benner [37:34]

• Listener Stories from the Cruise and Conferences

  • Scott recounts moments from a listener cruise and the Friends for Life conference, emphasizing the profound and personal impact these interactions had on him.

    "People hugged me, people told me they loved me, people I've never met before. It was really impactful." – Scott Benner [30:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rejection of Diagnosis:

  • "How dare this guy tell me that I have type 1 diabetes? Which, honestly, I didn't know too much about." – Patty D [06:19]

• On Community:

  • "I tell everybody who has type 1 or type... I tell everyone, you know this. You got to tune in. You're going to learn so much." – Patty D [24:11]

• On Acceptance and the Psychological Journey:

  • "The psychological part of this whole thing is not mitigated by knowing how to bolus or understanding, you know, the impacts of fat and protein. These things make your life better... It doesn't mean you don't have to... come to grips with the fact that your body let you down.” – Scott Benner [21:15]

• On Measuring Success as a Host:

  • "When I stop at the end of the day and value myself, I'm going to value myself based on people's stories, their outcomes, their health, and their happiness." – Scott Benner [37:18]

• On Helping Others:

  • "Your podcast has changed the way I can manage this disease better. And I'm so grateful." – Patty D [24:10]

• On Perseverance Despite Negativity:

  • "If I'm going to keep making this, then none of you exist... You take what you take from it. Hopefully something valuable. And if not, I tried." – Scott Benner [36:17]

Important Timestamps

• Patty’s Initial Symptoms and Diagnosis: [02:45] – [06:04]
• Stubbornness & Denial: [06:04] – [10:46]
• London Turning Point & Early Management: [10:46] – [12:12]
• Impact on Relationships: [13:28]
• Denial & Psychological Insights: [16:52] – [19:52]
• Caregivers vs. Patients: [19:52] – [21:15]
• Role of the Podcast & Community: [24:10] – [26:11]
• Scott’s Reflections from the Cruise and Conference: [28:30] – [33:09]
• Measuring Impact and Value: [37:18] – [40:30]

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is candid, empathetic, and often humorous. Patty shares with great honesty, blending lighthearted stories (“one cookie for you, twenty-three for mommy”) with deep emotional truths. Scott’s warmth and openness create a supportive space, while both acknowledge the stubbornness, denial, and ultimate acceptance that living with Type 1 diabetes can entail. The overall mood is one of resilience and community.

Final Thoughts

This episode provides an invaluable, emotionally rich look at the journey from denial to acceptance with chronic illness. It highlights the practical and psychological lessons learned along the way, from both the person living with diabetes and the supportive community around them. For anyone navigating diabetes—personally or as a caregiver—Patty’s story and Scott's reflections offer practical strategies, emotional candor, and the reassurance that nobody is alone on this path.

For more insights and community: juiceboxpodcast.com | Bold Beginnings & collections | Facebook group: Juice Box Podcast Type 1 Diabetes