#1627 Best of Juicebox: Danger Noodle

Sat Sep 13 2025

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Transcript

A (0:00)

Hello, friends, and welcome to episode 879 of the Juice Box Podcast. Today I'll be speaking with Melissa, who is a preschool teacher and the mother of a child with type 1 diabetes. We talk about many things. We laugh, we sing. Well, we don't sing, but we laugh and we talk. You're gonna love it. While you're listening, please remember that nothing you hear on the Juice Box Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. Please always consult a physician before making any changes to your healthcare plan or becoming bold with insulin. If you're a US resident who has type 1 diabetes or is the caregiver of someone with type 1, the T1D exchange is very interested in your answers to simple survey questions. You can take that survey@t1d exchange.org juice box it will not take long. 10 minutes. Ish. And it helps type 1 diabetes research move forward. You can do all that right there from your house. T1D exchange.org juicebox if you'd like to get 35% off of some cozy sheets and joggers and other stuff, check out cozyearth.com and use juice box at checkout to save 35%. Speaking of saving money. Oh, hold on. If you use my link betterhelp.com/jupperbox, you will save 10% off your first month of therapy. This episode of the Juice Box Podcast is sponsored by Omnipod. Omnipod, of course, makes the Omnipod dash and that wonderful Omnipod 5. Check it out@ omnipod.com you too can wear the same tubeless insulin pump that my daughter has been wearing since she was 4 years old. There are links in the show notes of the podcast player you're listening in right now and links@juiceboxpodcast.com to Omnipod to better help Cozy Earth, Dexcom. All the sponsors, check them out.

B (2:17)

My name is Melissa. I live in a town in Wisconsin, which. Side note, I've heard you've never been to Wisconsin, Scott, even though your brother lives in this state.

A (2:29)

I knew you lived in Wisconsin because you already pronounced some words very oddly. So I was, oh, no.

B (2:37)

Oh, I was hoping my accent wouldn't come out.

A (2:39)

No, no. I could have said Wisconsin when you started. I was. I was letting. I almost stepped on you and said Wisconsin. I was like, I'll let her get it out.

B (2:45)

So and so my town has about 27,000 people in it, and we are like, I'm right on the tip of Lake Superior. Like, the lake is eight blocks from my house. So. And Right across the bridge, which takes about five minutes. I'm in Minnesota, so that's how close I am. And that's probably why you will hear the Wisconsin slash Minnesota accent come out, especially being just a little nervous. But yeah. So I am a preschool teacher in. And I'm going to be starting my 12th year doing this. So I work with four and five year olds. I have some kids at the beginning of the year that literally were three, a couple of days before I meet them. And I have kids that start with me that are already five because families have chosen to maybe wait a little bit, keep them at home for an extra year, things like that.

Summary

Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1627: Best of Juicebox — Danger Noodle

Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Melissa, Preschool Teacher & T1D Mom
Date: September 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode of the Juicebox Podcast, Scott Benner talks with Melissa, a preschool teacher from Wisconsin and mother to Reese, her spirited nine-year-old daughter living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The conversation weaves between lighthearted Midwest banter and deep insights into diagnosis, diabetes management, parenting, and the realities of balancing life with a chronic condition. Melissa shares her family’s diagnosis journey, strategies, the impact of technology (like the Omnipod 5), and stories from her experience as an educator and T1D mom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Melissa’s Background and Family Life

Location: Small town in Wisconsin, near Lake Superior.
- “My town has about 27,000 people in it, and we are like, I'm right on the tip of Lake Superior. ...Right across the bridge, which takes about five minutes. I'm in Minnesota.” — Melissa [02:45]
Family: Married, two kids (Riker, 12; Reese, 9—with T1D), and a golden doodle named Riggs.
- Names follow an "R" theme, with amusing stories attached to each.

2. On Regional Culture, Weather, and Humor

Scott pokes fun at Wisconsin accents, lake life, and the confusion between lakes and oceans.
Humorous exchange about ice fishing, local climate swings, and Midwest sensibilities, culminating in the “danger noodle” (snake) thread—title inspiration.
- “Oh gosh. Danger Noodles.” — Melissa [18:05]
Discussion on pet names and dreams, emphasizing Midwest family quirks and humor.

3. Reese’s Diagnosis Story

Symptoms noted: Chronic bedwetting, lethargy, weight loss, thirst—initially confused with side effects of summer activity or trauma.
Diagnosis Timeline:
- Pediatrician quickly recognized symptoms: “Your email literally is like, I could be reading it out of a textbook about juvenile diabetes. ...You need to take her in now.” — Melissa [24:23]
- Admitted for DKA; memorable ambulance ride.
- Official dx date: August 1st (with some debate due to late-night ER transfer).
No family history of autoimmune disease.
Melissa’s initial reaction: Cried, then quickly shifted to action and learning mode.

4. Transition to Diabetes Tech and Routine

Rapid adoption of technology:
- Dexcom G6 within a month of diagnosis.
- Omnipod Dash by October.
- First in her area to use Omnipod 5 (OP5).
Notable early results: Rapid reduction in A1C within months; latest A1C 8.4 down from 14.1 at dx, already trending lower with OP5.
- “She is the very first patient to be on the Omnipod 5 in our area.” — Melissa [41:47]

5. Parenting, Education, and Coping With T1D

Balance of vigilance and self-forgiveness: Melissa struggled with “mom guilt” about symptoms she missed, but let go of blame.
- “When you don't know what to look for, there's nothing that you can do to, you know, feel. Be mad at yourself about it.” — Melissa [30:56]
Managing school and T1D:
- Open communication and a responsive school nurse critical.
- Gradual fostering of Reese’s independence (handling her own boluses, learning carb counting).
Teacher’s perspective on T1D in school: Emphasizes teamwork, transparency, and child-driven learning.

6. Living in a Small Town

Everyone knows everyone—examples from her own life and connections: “My husband and I met in 1997...his little sister is my daughter's kindergarten first grade teacher.” — Melissa [61:01]
Navigating small-town resources and the sometimes-problematic weather.
Familial support is a major reason for staying in Wisconsin despite the difficult climate.

7. Experiences With Diabetes Management Devices—Omnipod 5

Key Benefits:
- Less overnight hypoglycemia, better sleep for the family.
- More stable mornings—earlier “feet on the floor” spikes now better controlled.
- “It's crazy. Like, no low alarms. It's very weird. I almost feel it. Like, I wake up in a panic every once in a while. Like, wait a second, I didn't wake up at all.” — Melissa [41:54]
Ongoing Challenges:
- Figuring out changing basal needs, meal spikes, and the logistics of real life with a busy career and family.
- Discussion of how different families define “good” glycemic management, and how technology fits into their expectations.

8. Comparison of Strategies and Expectations

Scott and Melissa discuss differences between striving for ultra-low A1Cs vs. gradual progress.
- “It's interesting...some people have an A1C in the fives, and others are just proud to get it from 14 to 8; both are victories in different contexts.” — Scott [46:05]
- “I know with what I'm seeing and how often she's in range now, compared to what we were seeing prior, it is an improvement. But again, I still know I can do better and we can do better.” — Melissa [71:04]

9. Learning by Doing (and Sometimes Making Mistakes)

Melissa learned only recently that the Omnipod PDM does not need to stay next to the pod throughout delivery.
- “For her entire second grade year, you. Were standing there holding her next to it.” — Scott [62:25]
Value of community knowledge, Facebook groups, and the Juicebox Podcast itself for troubleshooting.

10. Lighthearted Moments and Memorable Quotes

Absurd Midwest weather science experiments (“cracked an egg on the recycling bin, and in 10 minutes, it froze” [52:07]).
The “Danger Noodle” episode title comes from a playful exchange on snakes:
- “My sister calls them nope ropes, and I say, danger noodles.” — Melissa [18:21]
Recurrent, comical explorations of soccer, curling, and regional rivalries, always with a dose of affectionate teasing.
- “If the catcher runs off the field during a baseball game, you got to stop playing.” — Scott [33:03]
Scott marveling at Melissa’s younger husband, “You were like, that kid’s going to be draftable one day. I’m getting him now, before anybody else figures it out.” [87:18]

11. Community, Grief, and Growth

Melissa shares about returning to work after her father passed, and how this prompted Reese’s increasing independence.
Emphasizes the philosophy of “do better when you know better,” quoting Maya Angelou [58:17].

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

"Danger noodles." — Melissa [18:05]
“Your email literally is like, I could be reading it out of a textbook about juvenile diabetes. ...You need to take her in now.” — Melissa recalling her pediatrician [24:23]
“I turned and I faced the wall and I cried for about 30 seconds. And then I turned around and I was like, all right, let's do this.” — Melissa [24:23]
“It's crazy. Like, no low alarms. It's very weird. I almost feel it. Like, I wake up in a panic every once in a while. Like, wait a second, I didn't wake up at all.” — Melissa [41:54]
“I know with what I'm seeing and how often she's in range now, compared to what we were seeing prior, it is an improvement. But again, I still know I can do better and we can do better.” — Melissa [71:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[02:17] Melissa’s background, family, and Wisconsin living
[08:35] Reese’s age and diagnosis timeline
[24:23] Diagnosis story and initial emotions
[41:47] Being the first in the area on Omnipod 5
[58:17] On managing T1D as an educator and parent
[62:25] Learning device tips via the community
[71:04] Reflections on progress with Omnipod 5 and next goals
[87:18] Humorous reflections on “drafting” her husband

Episode Tone and Final Thoughts

This episode strikes a warm, relatable, and often laugh-out-loud funny tone even as it addresses the serious complexities of managing T1D in childhood. Listeners walk away with:

Attainable strategies and honest reflections from a real T1D parent
A sense that progress in diabetes management comes in stages, and both small and big victories matter
The reassurance that community, humor, and ongoing education are vital tools in the journey.

For New Listeners & T1D Families

If you are new to T1D management or school issues, this episode delivers:

Realistic expectations (progress, not perfection)
Importance of communication with school staff and nurses
Encouragement to leverage modern diabetes technology
Community wisdom: you don’t have to do it perfectly or alone

Visit JuiceboxPodcast.com for more episodes and resources.