#1628 A River in Egypt - Part 2

Summary

Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1628 – "A River in Egypt, Part 2"

Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Patty
Release Date: September 15, 2025

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Overview

In this heartfelt, insightful episode, Scott continues his conversation with Patty, a long-time type 1 diabetic, cancer survivor, and retired preschool teacher and yoga instructor. Through honest reflection and humor, Patty shares her strategies for living boldly with insulin, navigating complications, managing emotional health, and integrating yoga and mindfulness. The episode explores the intersection of diabetes, aging, caregiver stress, and loss, offering both practical tips and empathetic support for people with diabetes and their caregivers.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Integrity in Diabetes Advocacy and Sponsorship

[00:14–06:28]

• Scott discusses his approach to partnering with industry sponsors, prioritizing genuine support over mere profit.
  • "Here you are, they're marketing, right? For pumps and CGMs and insulin, all the things they're trying to sell. And that's going to happen one way or the other. If I can take some of that money and use it to help people, then I've found a way to make something good out of a thing that was going to happen anyway." (05:16)
• Both Scott and Patty agree on the importance of intention and transparency, recognizing the necessity of monetizing advocacy work to sustain quality content.

2. Managing Diabetes with Cancer: The Role of Denial and Experience

[06:45–09:19]

• Patty recounts being diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after acquiring her first insulin pump, highlighting how denial influenced her initial response.
  • "I had the pump, I paid a lot, even though we had good insurance, and I said, I can't do this. I just have to stay with what I know. MDI, in a way, I think it worked out well for me..." (06:45)
• She explains how her experience with multiple daily injections (MDI) and the effects of chemotherapy and steroids shaped her diabetes management during cancer.

3. Evolving Diabetes Tech: From Medtronic to Tandem and Beyond

[09:51–13:46]

• Patty describes her pump journey:
  • Initially hesitant to switch from MDI even after her first pump warranty expired.
  • Eventually transitioned to the Medtronic, then moved to Tandem T:slim after years of CGM frustrations and encouragement from a nurse practitioner.
  • Stresses the importance of proper device education, noting, "I didn't do my own due diligence...you know, I really like it [Tandem] except that...the infusion sites are becoming less and less viable." (12:25)
• Raises the issue of site fatigue and scar tissue, wondering about alternatives like Afrezza.

4. Infusion Set Site Scar Tissue and Device Fatigue

[13:39–20:12]

• Patty struggles with limited viable infusion sites after many years of pumping:
  • "It takes a couple of tries...I have a lot of scar tissue, and, you know, you're running out of place." (13:46)
• Discusses rotating sites, challenges with absorption, and considering breaks from pumping or trying inhaled insulin (Afrezza).
• Shares her experience with yoga and physical activity affecting her sites:
  • "My husband's theory is I'm stretching the areas and the infusion set's getting moved...you're tired of thinking about it. It seems to take more work now than it did years ago." (19:34)
• Scott underscores the relentless nature of diabetes management and the bodily wear over time, noting the difference between managing as a younger person versus now.

5. Psychological and Emotional Challenges

[22:58–24:02]

• Patty addresses diabetes-related anxiety and depression, exacerbated by persistent alarms and caregiver responsibilities for her elderly mother.
  • "I have developed anxiety over the years. You know, with managing this, I have been depressed. I have been to see therapists, you know, to kind of help." (22:58)
• Highlights the support found in online communities like Blue Circle Health and the importance of seeking connection with others living with diabetes.

6. Caregiving, Loss, and Family Dynamics

[24:54–27:34]

• Patty reflects on losing her 97-year-old mother and her role as caregiver, noting the profound impact:
  • "I believe that having them for as long as we did made it even harder...she is so close to us in our hearts and in every memory." (26:18)
• Scott and Patty discuss the enduring emotional connection of adult children to parents, regardless of age.

7. Aging, Practicality, and End-of-Life Philosophy

[27:34–30:55]

• Patty expresses a pragmatic attitude about aging and end-of-life, valuing quality over quantity.
  • "When your health wanes, you think that's the end of life? Like, you're not looking to suffer, to stay alive." (28:39)
• Emphasizes not wanting to become a burden, favoring independence and a focus on enjoying life and wellness.

8. The Therapeutic Role of Yoga and Mindfulness

[29:56–31:32]

• Yoga has been integral for Patty in processing the emotional and physical strain of chronic illness. She encourages mindful movement and breath for anxiety reduction.
  • "Yoga...is very helpful for people with chronic illnesses to kind of set that aside for half an hour and just be present in your body and learn how to use your breath to bring down the anxiety that comes with having this on you 24 hours a day." (29:56)
• Scott draws a striking comparison to controlling an organ manually:
  • "Imagine that breathing was something you had to think about...that's what it felt like raising Arden." (31:09)

9. Parenting, Adoption, and Building Family

[32:44–35:29]

• Patty openly discusses adopting two sons from South Korea after struggling with infertility due to endometriosis.
  • "We adopted two beautiful babies from South Korea, who are now almost 39 and 37 years old." (33:04)
• Both sons are successful, maintaining close family relationships.

10. Community Impact and Intergenerational Support

[35:30–37:32]

• Patty and Scott reflect on the unique nature of diabetes stories, with lessons and inspiration spanning all ages.
  • "There's certainly as much value in your story for somebody in their 30s as their 20s, 30s, 50s, etc. This is a very unique situation." (43:17)
• Patty praises the show for its personal stories and professional resources, motivating her participation and advocacy.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motivation and Advocacy:
  • "If I can take some of that money and use it...and the way I used it ends with you coming on and saying what you said about finding the podcast and helping yourself, then I found a way to make something good out of a thing that was going to happen anyway." — Scott (05:16)
• On Site Scar Tissue Frustration:
  • "It takes a couple of tries. I have a lot of scar tissue, and you're running out of place...When I hit a right spot, I'm like, yay." — Patty (13:46, 19:34)
• On Emotional Burden:
  • "I have developed anxiety over the years...I have been depressed. I have been to see therapists." — Patty (22:58)
• On Parenting and Loss:
  • "I believe that having them for as long as we did made it even harder...she is so close to us in our hearts and in every memory." — Patty (26:18)
• On Chronic Illness and Being Your Own Organ:
  • "What other organ are you in charge of for the rest of your life?" — Patty (30:56)
  • "Imagine that breathing was something you had to think about...that's what it felt like raising Arden." — Scott (31:09)
• On Community Sharing:
  • "Everybody has a story, right?" — Patty (35:36)
• Patty’s Song (beginning/end):
  • "Juicebox Podcast is good for you, whether your diabetes is one or two. Take some time to listen in. You'll gain so much knowledge, and that's a win." — Patty (00:00, 39:11)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:14–06:28: Discussion on sponsorship, integrity, and sustaining advocacy
• 06:45–09:19: Patty’s cancer diagnosis, denial, and impact on diabetes management
• 09:51–13:46: Pump journey and device challenges
• 13:46–20:12: Scar tissue, site rotation, and yoga’s impact
• 22:58–24:02: Anxiety, therapy, and Blue Circle Health community
• 24:54–27:34: Caregiving for aging parents and dealing with loss
• 27:34–30:55: Philosophy on aging and independence
• 29:56–31:32: Yoga, mindfulness, and body awareness
• 32:44–35:29: Story of adoption and family
• 39:11: Patty’s song for the podcast
• 41:19-43:01: Praise for professional guests (Jordan and Sandy)
• 43:17: Reflection on the podcast’s impact across generations

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Style & Tone

The episode is marked by Scott’s warmth, wit, and deep empathy, while Patty’s honesty, humor, and resilience create a sense of shared experience and encouragement. The dialogue is conversational, reflective, and often lighthearted—even when discussing complex, sometimes heavy topics. There is an emphasis on community, collective wisdom, and the value of personal stories.

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For Listeners

This episode offers validation for anyone struggling with the physical or emotional challenges of type 1 diabetes or any chronic illness. Patty’s journey—from denial and setbacks to empowerment and advocacy—models resilience, self-compassion, and the importance of honest connection. Whether you’re new to the diabetes journey or decades in, there is practical wisdom and hope in these shared stories.

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Memorable Sign-off:
"Everybody has a story, right, Scott?" — Patty (35:36)
"I think the more I hear, the more I understand about myself and everybody else." — Scott (35:48)

Transcript

[Patty]

Juice Box Podcast is good for you whether your diabetes is one or two. Take some time to listen in. You'll gain so much knowledge and that's a win.

[Scott]

Welcome back friends. You are listening to the Juice Box Podcast. This is part two of a two part episode. Go look at the title. If you don't recognize it, you haven't heard part one yet. It's probably the episode right before this. In your podcast player, check out my Algorithm Pumping series to help you make sense of automated insulin delivery systems like Omnipod 5 Loop, Medtronic 780G Twist, Tandem Control IQ and much more. Each episode will dive into the setup, features and real world usage tips that can transform your daily type 1 diabetes management. We cut through the jargon, share personal experiences and show you how these algorithms can simplify and streamline your care. If you're curious about automated insulin pumping, go find the Algorithm Pumping series in the Juice Box podcast. Easiest way juiceboxpodcast.com and go up into the menu. Click on Series and it'll be right there. Nothing you hear on the Juice Box Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. Always consult a physician before making any changes to your healthcare plan or becoming bold with insulin. I'm having an on body vibe alert. This episode of the Juicebox podcast is sponsored by Eversense 365. The only one year wear CGM. That's one insertion and one CGM a year. One CGM one year, not every 10 or 14 days. Eversensecgm.com juicebox the episode you're about to listen to is sponsored by Tandem Moby, the impressively small insulin pump. Tandem Moby features Tandem's newest algorithm, Control IQ technology. It's designed for greater discretion, more freedom, and improved time and range. Learn more and get started [e-mail] Juicebox today's podcast is sponsored by usmed usmed.com Juicebox you can get your diabetes supplies from the same place that we do and I'm talking about Dexcom Libre, Omnipod, Tandem and so much more. Usmed.com juicebox or call 888-721-1514 and I said so my feeling about this person is is that they they're just here for the money. And that was my expectation and but I said again, never spoke to them, don't know them, haven't written to them. I don't know, I couldn't say for sure. It's my vibe. And the person said I appreciate you sharing that with me. It's also my vibe. And then told me a number of kind of things that they had been dealing with that were not pleasant and underhanded and et cetera, and that they had just come out of a meeting where they said, hey, we think this person does not have the best interest of people with diabetes in their heart. We think that they just see it as fish in a barrel. They have a skill, they know how to do it.

[Patty]

Yeah. As a money maker.

[Scott]

And that's, you know, in fairness, the, the next thing the person said was like, listen, what they do is good. Like, it works and people like it, et cetera. But we've decided we don't want to be a party to it. And so I was like, okay, great. Like, it was weird conversation to be in, but it reminded me because then afterwards this person said, scott, we know you're out there trying to help people and that makes this feel better for us. Like, yes, it's a business and yes, we're trying to get people to look at our thing, but we like that they're finding our thing and being supported by you and that community that you've built on Facebook and, and, and, and, you know, and the end of that conversation was, we think you've taken a number of valuable things and brought them together for people, and we're watching people be better off for it. And if we're going to spend money in this space to try to get people to see our thing, we'd like it to be in places like this. Not that I'm the only one doing it with people who are well intentioned, you know, at the start. And I was like, oh, yeah, that's good. I'm glad you're, you're thinking of putting your money there. So that was pretty much it.

[Patty]

Yeah. Yeah, I'm glad, I'm, I'm glad that, you know. Yeah. Because, you know, and it's, you've talked about it and people have talked about it on the podcast about, you know, the insurance companies and, you know, the bottom line for them is the money. And, you know, these are people's lives that they're playing with. And no, it's always been my.

[Scott]

I'm going to ask you about your, about your life, obviously, in a second. But it's always been my intention that, like, look, somebody is out there trying to, they're marketing, right. For pumps and CGMs and insulin, all the things they're trying to sell. And that's going to happen one way or the other. If I can take some of that Money that they're planning on spending to reach people's ears and use it. And the way I used it ends with you coming on and saying what you said about finding the podcast and helping yourself. Then I found a way to make something good out of a thing that was going to happen one way or the other. And, you know, some, you know, high minded people might be able just do it for free. And, you know, that's sweet, but you don't know what it takes to do this. There's a small army of, of time and ideas and that, you know, effort.

[Patty]

Oh, no, you have to value what you're doing and, you know, money is the way that, you know, the world works.

[Scott]

If you could pay me in food and heat and gasoline, I'd be fine too. Yeah, I don't care how it happens. I just.

[Patty]

Right. Food especially. Yeah. Nowadays.

[Scott]

And I got to stay alive too. And my kids got diabetes, which, by the way, like, if you think it's like I get anything for free, I don't like. That's not how this works, you know?

[Patty]

Yeah.

[Scott]

So, no. Anyway, so you. Yeah, I appreciate you. So here you are, you're growing up, we went a long way around. But oh my. But here you are like in your 30s, 40s, and then you've had diabetes for 10 years, then you get cancer.

[Patty]

Yeah.

[Scott]

What happened there?

[Patty]

Crazy, huh?

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Patty]

Oh, that, that was really crazy. I actually, I had just gone to my first education with a Medtronic pump and that was back in 99. And I was going to start pumping and then I go to the doctor because I had a little bump on my left breast and I was like, ah, it's a miss. Here's the denial again. It's a mosquito bite, honey. Like, well, you know, it's not really, it's not going away. I think I'm going to go and. Well, sure enough, yes, it was breast cancer. I was 42. I went back to my endo and I'm like, I had the pump, I paid a lot, even though we had good insurance. And I said, I can't do this. I just have to stay with what I know. Mdi, in a way, I think it worked out well for me because with the treatments and the steroids that were given, you know, to me, you know, what steroids do to people. Well, to everybody, but especially people with type 1 because I was on long acting and I wasn't eating anything because I was so nauseous from the poison that was put inside my body to kill that little tiny mosquito Bite was killing everything else. My blood sugars kind of were okay.

[Scott]

Yeah. The MDI helped you get through it, you think?

[Patty]

I think it did. Because I couldn't eat. After my treatments, I would go home, I would take some Ativan and sleep for two days, and by the second day, I would wake up and kind of get myself going again. So. Because I was on the long acting, I think, you know, in my crazy mind, it kind of kept me from, you know, going too low or going too high because I wasn't eating. So I just was.

[Scott]

Yeah, I mean, that would have been your first pump. Yeah, yeah. So, I mean, probably not a great time to be learning. Like, you knew how to do it. You knew how to do it with MDI at that point. So.

[Patty]

Yeah, Right, right, right.

[Scott]

Maybe not a great time to.

[Patty]

To start something new.

[Scott]

Slap it on. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That would be like if you slapped on a new Omnipod 5 and then ended up in the hospital later that day for two weeks, which is just. Which is. By the way, it's just a message to one person who's listening. And it actually ended up working out really well for them. But in the moment, you're like, oh, no. Like, you know, gosh, I just. I. This is the day I'm switching. And then, yeah, you know, 12 hours later, you don't realize it, and here you go into another. At least. Yeah, I. Listen, I wouldn't have made a big switch at that point. Did you eventually get a pump or are you still mdi?

[Patty]

No, no, no, I'm on T Slim. No, I. What happened was I had.

[Scott]

Wait, at what point? I'm sorry.

[Patty]

Yeah, after, you know, I. I was like, okay, I had this pump brand new that I had gotten just before my breast cancer diagnosis. And it was in the box and I just kept looking at it and going, nah, I'm just going to keep doing mdimdi. But then I was getting a lot of lows at night. The endo said, I think if you start on the pump, it might even things out just a little bit better. So by then that pump had gone out of warranty. So it was like four years later and I still hadn't. Because I am kind of stubborn. Like I said, we've mentioned it.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Patty]

Yes. And so then I put in and I got a Medtronic pump, which I was on Medtronic for, gosh, probably 18 years. Different Medtronic pumps. And then I was so disgusted with the CGM and everything. I decided with in my Endo's Office, he brought up. I was getting ready to leave my endo after a long time, because I was the patient who, you know, my A1Cs were pretty good. Like, you know, seven, maybe I got a six, nine, seven, two. So I didn't have. I didn't give them much trouble. And so after all those years, he was like, hello, how are you? Here's your graph. You're looking good. And I'd have questions, but he'd be walking backwards out the door. And I was like, this isn't cool. Wait a minute. I gotta question. I was looking to change, and I really was gonna change, but he brought on an amazing nurse practitioner who really listens. Oh, my God. And you're a good listener. And she listened to me, and I was so happy that he brought her on. And she said, why don't you try this tandem pump? You know, it's. I think it. I think you might like it. And so I did. But again, I strapped it on. You know, I got the basic education at the office. I. I didn't do my own due diligence.

[Scott]

Okay.

[Patty]

Because here, again, you know, it's like, oh, life goes on. I. I'm busy. You know what? I guess I'm not a detail person, you know, until it smacks me really hard upside the head and just like to get going. Yeah. And my. My husband was like, I don't think you should have tripped. Try. You shouldn't have changed to this pump. Because I didn't know all the good things about it. I was just thinking it was like, you know, the pump. I had, the Medtronic, and it wasn't. So anyway, through listening to you and doing, you know, a lot of my own homework now, you know, I really like it. Except that, as I said, the infusion sites are becoming less and less viable for me after all these years. And I'm just wondering, when you hear that from other people, do other people go off the pump and then start doing different things? Like Afrezza?

[Scott]

Well, yeah. I mean, what are you talking about? About your sites, or are they just not working any longer, or you just all beat up or.

[Patty]

Yeah, you know, like, it takes a couple of tries. I'm on the True steel. The other day, I had to take it out and put it. Which. I love that feature. You know, take it out, put it in a couple of different spots until I could see that it was working, that I was getting the insulin that I needed. And so it is. I think, you know, that I have a lot of scar tissue. And, you know you're running out of.

[Scott]

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[Patty]

Yeah, exactly. And it's like, okay, well I tried my arms. My arms are so skinny. That's where I put my Dexcom. I'm still on the G6, which I love. I know the G7 smaller, but I'm stubborn. I don't want to change. Like, where the hell. I have really small boobs and I see women that put the infusion sets in their boobs and I'm like, oh, that would not work at all. And especially having had breast cancer, I'm running out of spaces and I'm thinking, because I'm hearing about Afrezza and I don't know, it sounds good, so.

[Scott]

Well, there's plenty of people who use it to love it. And yeah, I don't know if it's in, in concert with their other insulin that they think of it as, as really well or if people are using it just with a, you know, a basal injection and, and then a freza for meals and for highs. I don't know. Like, I've. I've talked to people who have used it, really enjoy it, still use it. I've talked to people used it. One guy just told me last week I got that cough and I was like, oh, no, I'm good. I need to stop. You know, like, so I talked to somebody who said that, you know, I know how to inhale it with, you know, so it kind of goes in, in a way that, you know, that won't happen. A lot of people have theories about it and everything. I mean, could it hurt to try or to talk to somebody about it just to. But I mean, the point is, is you're not going to stop putting your pump in anyway, right? Like, you're going to use it in concert with it. So that's not going to really make up a difference with.

[Patty]

Maybe not. Maybe not. Maybe I would just, you know, get off the pump, take a little break. Which kind of thinking, you know, I.

[Scott]

Wonder if that would help or if the scar tissues, if it's too far along or if, If a break would help.

[Patty]

Yeah. I don't know.

[Scott]

Have you ever tried giving one place a break to see if it got better? Like, you know what I mean? Just like, I know you're already low on spots.

[Patty]

Yeah, Like, I haven't used my stomach in years and years. And I've, you know, I've tried and it just doesn't seem to.

[Scott]

Still doesn't seem to work.

[Patty]

It absorbs for like a day, you know, with the true steel, which, you know, you got to change it out every two days. And here, you know, it's exhaust this. So back. Okay, I'm. I'm sorry. I'm going all over the place. But what you were saying about Arden and you know. Yeah, you've got all the, the managerial part down. The amount of time and energy that some days it takes to just get the insulin going in and absorbing, finding the right spot. When I hit a right spot, I'm like, yay.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Patty]

Finally, I also do a lot of yoga and my husband's theory is I'm stretching the areas and the, the, the infusion sets getting moved around in my body and, you know, all these things. I don't know, but you're tired of thinking about. It just seems to take a lot more work now than it did, you know, years ago. You know, when I, when I was working full time, running the school. You know, it's like, well, you know.

[Scott]

You were younger and your body hadn't been abused as much.

[Patty]

And that's the other thing. Yeah, yeah. Being younger and having more energy and being able to tolerate like now when, when my blood sugar is over, like 160, 170. Ah, yeah. It just makes, makes me upset, you know, it's like, oh, I got to get that down.

[Scott]

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[Patty]

Yeah, yeah, it just makes. Makes me tired, you know, and I'd much rather treat a low than chase a high. That's you in quotes because that was also another thing. I think I, I also was afraid of giving myself too much insulin, and now I'm not. And I don't overdo it.

[Scott]

You're giving yourself what you need.

[Patty]

Yeah. Here's the other Thing listening to you, getting my knowledge up to date on the device that I'm using. My last A1C. And I know it's just a number and everything. My variable is low. Everything six, zero.

[Scott]

Oh, that's wonderful. Good for you. Congratulations.

[Patty]

Yeah, yeah, I'm real happy about it if it goes a few points up above, but I don't think I'll ever. And I hope I won't go back up to seven just with this technology, which also can prove to be anxiety.

[Scott]

How so?

[Patty]

Oh, how so? All the alarms, I have everything shut to vibrate, even my phone. I don't like having dings going off. So I have turned so many alarms off because I have developed anxiety over the years. You know, with managing this, I have been depressed. I been to see therapists, you know, to kind of help. I. Oh, okay. Here's the other thing. I was also my mother's caregiver in our home for five years. My mom just passed at the age of 97 and a half.

[Scott]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Patty]

Thank you. But she was ready and she, she was a beautiful mama. But just having that also.

[Scott]

Extra, extra.

[Patty]

It was a lot and it was a lot. I was in a real bad place, like seven months, seven months ago, eight months ago. And I was like, you know, I'm going to enroll in that Blue Circle Health because I need to talk to other people that have diabetes. And again, such a fabulous resource.

[Scott]

Awesome. Oh, I'm glad it helped you.

[Patty]

Unfortunately, I missed a lot of opportunities because of the care that I had to be involved with towards the end. But the other thing is, you can sign up again after a year if you want to go through the program again. I mean, come on.

[Scott]

Can I ask you, at your age, was losing a parent any different than you imagine it would have been at a different age? Like, did it matter that she lived that long and that you're in your 70s? Was it just as sad as it would have been if you were 30, 40, 50, do you think?

[Patty]

I think it was sadder. I believe that, my gosh, not many 70 year olds still have their mommy around. All her grandchildren had her. You know, they're all in their 30s. They had their grandma. Okay. And my dad lived to almost 102.

[Scott]

Jesus.

[Patty]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Did you still utilize them like parents? Like, did you, like, even in your later years, can you think of a time in your 60s that you went to your parents for advice.

[Patty]

Or did.

[Scott]

It change the relationship, just the comfort?

[Patty]

No, but here's the kind of crazy thing. We moved in 1989, from New York to Florida to be close to my parents, who were, like, in their late 50s, early late 60s. We wanted to make sure we could be close by when they needed our help. Right. They were very vibrant up until their 80s, 90s. Both my parents. I get cancer.

[Scott]

Oh, yeah.

[Patty]

They move into my house to help you, to help me with our two sons, my husband, everything. And so, you know, looking back. Yes. We had made so many great memories with them, and our kids had them for, you know, so long. And I believe that having them for as long as we did made it even harder, you know, I mean, she is so close to us in our hearts and in every memory.

[Scott]

Yeah, I take that point. I understand.

[Patty]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. Gosh, I'm sorry.

[Patty]

Well, it's okay. She lived a good, long life. She did. And she was ready. She kept telling us the last month, I'm done, I'm ready.

[Scott]

That's it. I've seen the prices right enough. This is over.

[Patty]

Yeah, yeah. Turner Classic, that was her favorite Turner Classic Movies. Yeah.

[Scott]

Oh, that's something. Yeah. Well, God bless her. That's really lovely. And I mean, here you are probably thinking, I got 30 more years.

[Patty]

Oh, no, no, you know, I do not want to live. No, I. No, no, no. Really, no.

[Scott]

Tell me if you could put a time on it. Where, Where, Where. Where's the sweet spot?

[Patty]

I'm okay, you know. Well, maybe another year or two. Hey, I'm okay, you know, I mean, I say it, you know, I am a very faithful person. I have a very strong relationship with God, with Jesus, but I'm also a realist. And practically speaking, you know, I don't want to be suffering. I work really hard to keep myself healthy. I don't want to go. I don't want to have some. Okay. My husband, he. He doesn't know. I mean, he does know a bit about my care with the pump, and.

[Scott]

He doesn't really understand what it's like.

[Patty]

No, no. You know, it's like, it takes a lot to keep this body going.

[Scott]

So you're saying when your health wanes, you think that's the end of life? Like, for you? Like, you. You're not looking to suffer, to stay alive.

[Patty]

I'm not. I'm not. It's. No, no, there's no, you know, there wouldn't be equality. I don't want somebody having to. To take care of me and change the diaper or whatever, God forbid. So I am practical about that. Even, you know, like some people say might say, oh, that's awful. You know how, you know, that's how you feel? Yeah, it's how. It's how I feel. And it's okay. It's okay. I've lived a good life. I have beautiful family, most amazing friends. I love my yoga. I love teaching yoga. It has, it has also really helped with my manage. Management of all the mental emotional stuff that comes up with the diabetes. You know, being able to meditate, come back to your breathing, to move and, you know, move with your breath and, you know, I'm not saying I stand on my head, but especially at 70, but the practice is a very deeply spiritual practice and it's very helpful for people with chronic illnesses to be able to just kind of set that aside for half an hour and just be present in your body and learn how to use your breath to bring down the anxiety that comes with having to, you know, having this on you 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the rest of your life to try to be a major organ. You know, it's like, oh, today I wasn't, I didn't really act that good as a pancreas. I missed that or I did, you know, I was tired or whatever. I mean, what other organ are you in charge of? Okay.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Patty]

And have to be in charge of for the rest of your life? Is there one like, you know, the heart. They hook you up to a heart monitor, but you're not going to go in there and start pumping your own heart or, you know, you know what.

[Scott]

I used to say to people that try to imagine that breathing was a thing you had to think about in, out, in, or your heart pumping, that it was your job to. That's what it felt like raising Arden. That it was my job to say, breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. And if I didn't, if I, if I wasn't focused on it like that, that it might not happen. That was kind of one of the early.

[Patty]

That's overwhelming for a. Oh, my God. When I was running the preschool, a woman came in frantic. She had had her two year old at another school and he had been diagnosed with type one. He almost died, this poor kid. Oh, my gosh. And the people at the preschool, they, we can't, we can't, you know, help him. You know, we've got 20 other three year olds, you know, it's going to take too much.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Patty]

And somehow or other she found us. And I was like so thankful that she did. I mean, he was newly diagnosed. He was all set up with his omnipot his. You know, he had everything hooked up, and she was right there, you know, like, sharing from afar. And I just said to her, we got this. Don't worry. Yeah, he's in good hands. And he was.

[Scott]

And I didn't ask you a question earlier. Yeah, I'm sorry.

[Patty]

Yeah.

[Scott]

You said you adopted, right?

[Patty]

Yes. Your kids are one two boys, men now, from South Korea, back in 1986 and 1988.

[Scott]

Was that a reason? Could you not have children? Or did you just want to adopt?

[Patty]

Or what was. I couldn't. No, I couldn't. We had been trying, you know, which was fun, for seven years, and then I had a procedure done, and. And the doctor said, well, you'll have a 30% chance, you know, of getting pregnant. And. And my husband and I, you know, we both come from fairly large families. I'm the oldest of five. He's the sixth of seven. We. And we love kids, and we wanted kids. And we were like, I can't wait any longer. Let's just take this into our own hands. And we adopted two beautiful babies from South Korea who are now almost 39 and 37 years old.

[Scott]

Wow, that's. That's wonderful. Did you keep trying and it just never happened?

[Patty]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Patty]

Kept trying, never happened. Oh, yeah.

[Scott]

You think you have. Is it.

[Patty]

Do you.

[Scott]

Do you have any idea where the problem lies? You have pcos.

[Patty]

I had a lot of endometriosis. My fallopian tubes were blocked. You know, all sorts of scar tissue in there. So, yeah, you know, it just. It. I mean, it just wasn't going to happen. So. And that's fine because we lucked out. Two brilliant men, you know, hardworking.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Patty]

Good. Good hearts, you know, and we're very proud of them.

[Scott]

That's lovely. Are they. Are they local? Do you get to see them, or are they.

[Patty]

Well, actually, our younger son just stopped by Monday. He lives in Gainesville. They both graduated from University of Central Florida in Orlando. Our oldest son, he still lives in Orlando and works in Orlando. And our younger son moved from Orlando to Gainesville, which is in the middle of the state, and he's been there about 11 years.

[Scott]

Wow.

[Patty]

And he was up in Jupiter, Florida, and he came down to visit us in Boynton Beach.

[Scott]

Did they have their own families?

[Patty]

Not yet.

[Scott]

Not yet. Oh, interesting.

[Patty]

Not yet. No. So we'll see.

[Scott]

Yeah, well, it's something else. Well, your life's been something. It's really a great story.

[Patty]

Everybody has a story, right, Scott?

[Scott]

I believe so. You've heard a lot of them, like to hear some more. I'd like to hear some more, because I think the more I hear, the more I understand about myself and everybody else.

[Patty]

And that's so true. Yeah, that is so, so true.

[Scott]

You guys are helping me a lot, so I appreciate it. You know, it's a.

[Patty]

Yes.

[Scott]

A weird journey that we're. That we're all on together. Interesting how new people come in and out of it all the time. Like, would you say you started listening a couple years ago?

[Patty]

Yeah, probably just like two years ago.

[Scott]

Wow. It's had that much impact on you already. And I was making it for nine years before that.

[Patty]

Right.

[Scott]

Imagine.

[Patty]

And I know. No, I mean. And it's so funny. When I listen to the older ones, it's like, wow, he has really. You know, you just get good at. Get better and better. I mean, you were good at it when you started, you know, because you were coming from that place of really wanting to help other people. So everybody gets that. But then the longer you've been doing it, just like any. You know, just like a yoga practice, people think they're going to, you know, start. They never did anything. I can't touch my toes, you know, and they think the first time they go to a class, they're going to do that. I'm like, no, it's a practice. You got to do it every day.

[Scott]

A lot of lessons in that about patience.

[Patty]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, so I even wonder if.

[Scott]

I went back, how well I do listening to myself. I've never. I've never really. I've never tried it.

[Patty]

But you don't have enough time, I would imagine.

[Scott]

Well, no, I don't. Also, again, talking about being insane, if I started listening to my own podcast, that'd be crazy as well. But, no, I. I wonder how annoyed I'd be by things I used to do or didn't do or, you know.

[Patty]

Right.

[Scott]

That kind of stuff.

[Patty]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Scott]

Also, I'm always worried that I'll look back and think, oh, I was better at it back then. And so anyway.

[Patty]

Oh, that's funny.

[Scott]

Yeah. Yeah. So, Patty, I just want to thank you. This was really terrific. I appreciate you taking the time. Can I ask you the last question? What made you want to do this?

[Patty]

I wanted to share my story because I love listening to you interview the professionals in the field. You know, the Pro Tip series, you know, the Bold Beginnings, all of that. But when I hear other people's stories and, you know, they just inspire me, and I. I always learn something. And so I thought, well, I'll Give it a try. I was really excited. In fact, my blood sugar is a little bit higher because I. I just have been excited to meet you and talk to you, so that's why. But I also, you know, I've been a preschool teacher for many, many years, and I. I love to sing and I love to make up songs, so we're of the same kind of peer group. Did you used to watch Saturday Night Live?

[Scott]

Of course. Yeah.

[Patty]

So one of the comedians on there, I forget what his name is, but he used to come on and say, I wrote a song about it. Wanna hear it? Here, go. So here's my song for you.

[Scott]

You have a song for me? Oh, hold on a second. I thought you. I thought you were gonna say I was a preschool teacher, so I was ready to handle you, Scott. But this is different.

[Patty]

Well, that too, kind of, but this is. It's a very short song.

[Scott]

Go ahead.

[Patty]

It's very short. And here it goes. Juicebox Podcast is good for you, whether your diabetes is one or two. Take some time to listen in. You'll gain so much knowledge, and that's a win.

[Scott]

Oh, my God, that's wonderful. Thank you. Listen, Rob, you gotta pluck that out and play it at the beginning of the episode like before. Before anything happens. Before I even say, hey, like, hello, friends, and welcome back to the Juice Box podcast. Play. Play Patty's song first. That's.

[Patty]

Oh, wow.

[Scott]

Thank you.

[Patty]

Just. I tell you, I wrote a song about it just last night. I was like, I gotta write him a little song. A little.

[Scott]

Awesome. That was great, Patty. You could have been on Lawrence Welk back in the day for sure.

[Patty]

Oh, my God.

[Scott]

Patty's laughing.

[Patty]

My grandmother loved Lawrence. We used to have to sit there every Saturday night in the 1 and the 2.

[Scott]

No kidding. U.S. too. Like, they drag his wife out. I was like, oh, here we go. Yeah. No one knows what we're talking about right now, but. Yeah, I suffered through that, too. I had to sit on my grandmother's davenport and shut my mouth and watch Lawrence walk. There you go. It's a lot of bubbles. There's a lot of old words. I'll throw it right together for you. What else did she used to have? What she used to call the ottoman. She called it hassick, maybe.

[Patty]

Yes, a hassick. Yes. We had one. Yeah, we had one.

[Scott]

I know a lot of old words.

[Patty]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. Oh, that's.

[Patty]

How old are you?

[Scott]

I turned 54 last weekend.

[Patty]

Oh, you're young. Oh, come on. 54.

[Scott]

I just remember a lot of that stuff. That's all.

[Patty]

Wow. Well, you were a baby when you were watching that.

[Scott]

Yeah, no kidding. I was, but I remember it because it was painful and so.

[Patty]

Hey, Scott, can I just throw one more thing in there? I'm sorry, Go ahead. All this stuff, Jordan, the, The nurse you've had on. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Scott]

You like that?

[Patty]

I. I'm so glad that I listened to those episodes about the er, because honestly, I. I have really. I haven't gone. And it's the one thing I like. I should have gone a couple of times. I know I was in dka, but I'm so stubborn. I stayed home and I treated myself when I really should have gone to the er, but I have such. Well, and also having gone through breast cancer, I really don't care for doctors and all of that stuff. But anyway, he just reassured me, you know, it was, it was reassuring that, okay, you go in there and I do. I have all my settings and everything down and all. And so it made me feel a whole lot better hearing what he had to say about. Yeah, yeah. Going to the hospital, so. And I made my husband listen to that one too. So.

[Scott]

We're hoping to have Jordan back. He. It's a little on him to come up with topics.

[Patty]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Stuff that he's passionate about wanting to talk about, but when he has time, he just had his. I don't think I'm. I think I'm. I think Jordan just had his fourth baby recently. He didn't. I believe, I believe his wife.

[Patty]

A lot of kids. I remember, I was like, wow.

[Scott]

I believe his wife had the baby. But like, you know.

[Patty]

Yeah, yeah, he was.

[Scott]

Yeah, yeah. He might be busy at the moment is what I'm thinking.

[Patty]

Yeah, I think so. Yeah, I think so.

[Scott]

Okay.

[Patty]

But. But he was good. And then you had another galaxy. Who. She's probably around my age, but she, she was in. She was a psychologist, I think. I can't.

[Scott]

Sandy.

[Patty]

Remember Sandy. Yeah, she was awesome as well. I really liked. I really liked listening to her. Yeah. Yeah. Like I said, I really enjoy listening to. I love hearing people's stories and.

[Scott]

I appreciate that. Let me tell you what I appreciate about it is that you in your 70s can hear somebody in their 60s or 50s, 40s, 30s, 20s, you know, down to little kids, talk about diabetes and that it somehow is valuable for everybody. Like, I don't think, I can't think of another scenario where it would be valuable for a 70 year old to listen to a 20 year old. Do you know what I mean? Like or vice versa or whatever. But there's certainly, there's certainly as much value in your story for somebody in their 30s as their 20s, 30s, 50s, etc. Like, this is a very unique situation where it's really, really a good idea to listen to all the different, you know, again, spectrums of people and ages who have had lived through type one. So it's just really. Yeah, it's great. Okay, well, I'll thank you very much for doing this and thank you.

[Patty]

It was delightful. I'm so glad we got a chance to, to chat. You be well and enjoy your vacation.

[Scott]

Thank you. And you beat me to calling you delightful, so thank you. Hold on one second for me, okay?

[Patty]

Okay.

[Scott]

I'd like to thank the Ever Sense365 for sponsoring this episode of the Juice Box podcast and remind you that if you want the only sense sensor that gets inserted once a year and not every 14 days, you want the Eversense CGM. Eversensecgm.com Juicebox 1 year 1 CGM the conversation you just enjoyed was brought to you by usmed usmed.com juicebox or call 888-721-1514. Get stuck started today and get your supplies from US MED. Head now to tandomdiabetes.com juicebox and check out today's sponsor, Tandem Diabetes Care. I think you're going to find exactly what you're looking for at that link, including a way to sign up and get started with the Tandem MOBI system. Okay, well, here we are at the end of the episode. You're still with me. Thank you. I really do appreciate that. What else could you do for me? Why don't you tell a friend about the show or leave a five star review? Maybe you could make sure you're following or subscribed in your podcast app. Go to YouTube and follow me. Or Instagram TikTok. Oh gosh, here's one. Make sure you're following the podcast in the private Facebook group as well as the public Facebook page. You don't want to miss, please. Do you not know about the private group? You have to join the private group. As of this recording, it has 51,000 members in it. They're active, talking about diabetes. Whatever you need to know. There's a conversation happening in there right now and I'm there all the time. Tag me. I'll say hi. My Diabetes Pro Tip series is about cutting through the clutter of diabetes management to give you the straightforward, practical insights that truly make a difference. Difference. This series is all about mastering the fundamentals, whether it's the basics of insulin dosing, adjustments or everyday management strategies that will empower you to take control. I'm joined by Jenny Smith, who is a diabetes educator with over 35 years of personal experience, and we break down complex concepts into simple, actionable tips. The Diabetes Pro Tip series runs between episode 1000 and 1025 in your podcast player, or you can listen to [e-mail] by going up into the menu. The episode you just heard was professionally edited by wrong way recording wrongwayrecording.com.