#1636 Premature to Postponed

Summary

Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1636: Premature to Postponed
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Laura (mother of a child with Type 1 diabetes, social worker, upstate New York)
Date: September 24, 2025

Overview

This episode features an honest and personal conversation between host Scott Benner and Laura, a social worker and mother of two daughters, the oldest of whom was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just before her third birthday. The discussion traces Laura's journey from the initial trauma of diagnosis and associated medical crises through years of evolving diabetes management, emotional processing, and self-discovery as both a parent and professional. Laura candidly explores the delayed onset of grief, the challenges and learning curves of diabetes technology, family medical history, coping mechanisms, and the practicalities (as well as emotional impact) of raising children with multiple health conditions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diagnosis Story and Early Years

• Laura’s daughter diagnosed at almost 3 years old (02:57). She noticed classic symptoms: excessive thirst, frequent urination, and diaper changes.
• The diagnosis came after a urine test at the doctor’s, with a critically high blood sugar of 978 mg/dL (03:13).
• Hospital Birthday: Her daughter spent her third birthday in the hospital, compounding parental shock and emotional trauma.

"I think I must have been in denial because I went back to work and my husband took her to the emergency room." — Laura (03:15)

• Family history includes autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto’s, Celiac, Graves), many on Laura's husband's side (05:17).

2. Coping with Medical Trauma

• Before diabetes, Laura’s daughter had been airlifted and intubated for a severe respiratory virus at age two, resulting in a traumatic $65,000 medical bill (eventually resolved) (06:02).
• The repeated hospitalizations and major crises created lingering trauma and stress.

“It had just been a long year of trying to fight that. …Then here we are at the same hospital, you know, doing something different.” — Laura (06:43)

• Discussed feeling overwhelmed and the perceived insensitivity of the hospital’s diabetes educator during the initial diagnosis (09:07).

3. Prematurity and Health Issues Beyond Diabetes

• Both daughters were born early due to intrauterine growth restriction and low amniotic fluid (11:19). The oldest spent 30 days in the NICU.
• Ongoing growth challenges and the possible impact of celiac disease on growth (16:19).
• Other complications: the younger daughter had hip dysplasia requiring multiple casts (23:43).

4. Evolving Approach to Diabetes Management

• Started with multiple daily injections (MDI): Transitioned to pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) over time (18:53).
• Insurance and lack of initial knowledge delayed access to CGM and pumps (19:31–19:45).
• Laura’s husband initially took on most diabetes care, especially during Laura’s recovery from her second pregnancy and periods of postpartum fog (21:53).

5. Family Dynamics and Gender Roles

• Laura describes splitting responsibilities: her husband was more hands-on early, but she became more involved as she processed the experience and recognized the need to learn (23:01).

“If something happens to my husband ... we're doomed. Like, I need to know what I'm doing.” — Laura (35:34)

6. Emotional Processing, Grief, and Coping

• Laura experienced delayed emotional grief — not registering the full emotional impact until three years after diagnosis (29:09, 29:41).
• Acknowledged compartmentalizing and denial as initial coping mechanisms (32:25).
• Mom guilt and perfectionistic tendencies emerged more as her understanding deepened (34:27, 43:02).

“For me, the grief with the diabetes came later ... it didn't hit me probably till like, three years later when I really had to come to terms with this diagnosis.” — Laura (29:41)

• Stressed the importance of talking about grief, even if it appears years later (62:08–62:58).

7. Multiple Allergies & Autoimmune Complications

• Both daughters have severe tree nut and peanut allergies; the oldest uses an EpiPen (46:03).
• Daughter also has EoE (eosinophilic esophagitis) and celiac disease, requiring a carefully controlled, restrictive diet (27:02, 47:16).

8. Technology and Management Strategies

• Podcast and peer education played a crucial role in Laura’s growing confidence and competence.
• Strong supporter of Omnipod 5 (insulin pump), acknowledging the learning curve and the value of proper settings (47:24–48:03).
• Looking ahead to technology improvements, such as the Omnipod Smart Adjust 2.0 (48:18–49:40).

9. Changing Perspectives, Personal Growth, and Parenting

• Laura works to balance vigilance with not letting diabetes dominate family life. She aims for “neutrality” in her reactions, so as not to pass her anxiety onto her daughter (53:40, 54:30).
• Described embracing community events and connecting with the larger diabetes community for support and shared experience (65:36).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Realizing Diagnosis:

“Don’t Google it, because it says diabetes ... we kind of like chucked because I always think of the worst-case scenario. So in that case, it was actually right.”
— Laura (03:13)

On Processing Trauma:

“It was a little bit traumatizing just being there after, you know, a year prior we had this, you know, helicopter experience ...”
— Laura (06:43)

On Medical Education:

“I’m terrible at math. ... I wasn’t too happy with the diabetes educator that we had. She, I thought, was a little harsh in the hospital.”
— Laura (09:07)

On Delayed Emotional Impact:

“For me the grief with the diabetes came later ... it didn’t hit me probably till like, three years later when I really had to come to terms with this diagnosis.”
— Laura (29:41, echoed at 62:08)

On Learning & Taking Over Care:

“I think what hit me was, like, if something happens to my husband ... we're doomed. Like, I need to know what I'm doing.”
— Laura (35:34)

On Perfectionism:

“I didn’t realize I had [perfectionist tendencies] until, you know, I suddenly became involved in this diabetes world. And my husband was the one that pointed it out. He’s like, you’re trying to be perfect with her numbers. And this is driving us crazy, you know?”
— Laura (43:02)

On Parenting Dynamics:

“She’s like a rule-follower like me. ... She’s picking up on some things, which I think is great.”
— Laura (52:54)

On Food & Management:

“Watching her numbers, like, I think just watching the Dexcom, when she eats certain things, I’m like, whoa ... like, I know my pancreas is working, but I'm like, wow, that’s gotta be doing, you know, wreaking havoc on my body too.”
— Laura (51:36)

Scott on Support:

“Best part of my life, other people. Worst part of my life, other people.”
— Scott (61:42)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|-------| | 03:04 | Diagnosis Story—first symptoms, ER, very high blood sugar | | 06:02 | Previous hospital trauma and airlift experience | | 09:07 | Overwhelmed in hospital, harsh diabetes education | | 11:14–12:53 | Prematurity, NICU stay, birth complications | | 16:19 | Ongoing growth and celiac disease issues | | 18:53–19:45 | Transition from MDI to pump/CGM; initial insurance/lack of knowledge obstacles | | 21:53 | Husband taking early lead in care; postpartum struggles | | 29:41 | Delayed grief: “The grief with the diabetes came later...” | | 34:27 | Mom guilt and control issues: “Now I'm like, I can't let this happen...” | | 43:02 | Perfectionism and diabetes micromanagement | | 46:03 | Allergies—EpiPen, nut & celiac conflicts | | 47:24–48:03 | Adapting to and optimizing Omnipod 5 | | 49:40 | Anticipating new tech: Omnipod Smart Adjust 2.0 study | | 51:36 | Impact of diabetes management on family diet and personal health awareness | | 53:40–54:30 | Fostering healthy independence in her daughter, managing own emotional responses | | 62:08 | Encouragement: “...for them, if their grief came later ... it can come out later on...”|

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Tone and Notable Moments

• Laura’s candor and resilience stand out: she openly discusses guilt, delayed processing, anxiety, and the burden and breakthroughs of learning diabetes management.
• Scott’s humor lightens heavy topics—e.g., joking about family history and drawing parallels between their thinking styles (“Boys are confusing...I don't understand boys sometimes...” 45:15).
• The episode strikes an empathetic, practical, and often uplifting note, with both Scott and Laura reflecting on growth, support, and the ongoing adjustment of “normal” in the context of chronic illness.

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Practical Takeaways

• Delayed grief is normal: Diabetes diagnosis and management may not hit emotionally all at once. “Delayed” reactions are valid and deserve support.
• Family teamwork matters: Sharing and eventually shifting responsibilities (even after emotional hurdles) ensures both parents are equipped.
• Find your community: Local support may be scarce, but podcasts, online groups, and events are valuable for connection and sharing strategies.
• Adapting strategies over time: Advances in technology (Omnipod, CGM) and education (podcast, working with diabetes educators) empower parents to better manage their child’s health.
• Perfection is not the goal: Approaching diabetes management as data-driven rather than emotion-driven helps mitigate anxiety and promotes healthier family dynamics.
• Self-care is critical: Both professionally (as a social worker) and personally, Laura emphasizes recognizing when to focus on her own needs to better care for her children and clients.

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Final Note

This episode is a deeply relatable and practical exploration of a parent’s journey with a chronically ill child, highlighting the messiness, resilience, humor, and humanity enmeshed in living—and eventually thriving—with Type 1 diabetes and its many, often overwhelming, companions.

Transcript

[Scott]

Friends, we're all back together for the next episode of the Juice Box Podcast. Welcome.

[Laura]

So my name is Laura. I'm from upstate New York and I have two beautiful daughters. My oldest daughter is type 1 diabetic and I am a social worker.

[Scott]

If this is your first time listening to the Juice Box Podcast and you'd like to hear more, download Apple Podcasts or Spotify, really any audio app at all, look for the Juice Box Podcast and follow or subscribe. We put out new content every day that you'll enjoy. Want to learn more about your diabetes management? Go to juiceboxpodcast.com up in the menu and look for Bold Beginnings, the Diabetes Pro Tip series and much more. This this podcast is full of collections and series of information that will help you to live better with insulin. Please don't forget that 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. This episode of the Juice Box Podcast is sponsored by the Omnipod 5 and at my link omnipod.com juicebox you can get yourself a a free. What I just say? A free Omnipod 5 starter kit. Free. Get out of here. Go click on that link omnipod.com juicebox check it out. Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions can be found@ omnipod.com juicebox links in the show notes [e-mail] 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. The episode you're about to enjoy was brought to you by Dexcom. The Dexcom G7, the same CGM that my daughter wears. 20. You can learn more and get started today at my link dexcom.com juicebox so.

[Laura]

My name is Laura. I'm from upstate New York and I have two beautiful daughters. My oldest daughter is type 1 diabetic and I am a social worker.

[Scott]

Laura, nice to meet you.

[Laura]

Thank you.

[Scott]

Thank you for coming on and doing this.

[Laura]

Absolutely.

[Scott]

Two kids. How old are they?

[Laura]

Two kids? They are seven and nine.

[Scott]

Seven and nine. Wow. How old are you?

[Laura]

45.

[Scott]

Congratulations. That's a lovely little family.

[Laura]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Scott]

Yeah, very nice. How old was the one who got type one when she was diagnosed?

[Laura]

So it would be the Nine year old. And she was actually. It was her third birthday. She spent her third birthday in the hospital.

[Scott]

Oh, gosh. Six years ago.

[Laura]

Yeah. Almost seven.

[Scott]

Almost seven. Okay.

[Laura]

Yeah, Yep.

[Scott]

What precipitated the hospital visit?

[Laura]

The typical signs, like drinking a lot, using the bathroom a lot, soaking through her diapers. And the night before we actually took her in, I was like telling my husband because I'm like a big Googler. So I was like, don't Google it because it says diabetes. And we kind of like chuckled because I'm also like, I think of the worst case scenario. So in that case, it was actually right. But so we took her in the next day. I think I was going to take her to the walk in. Yeah, I was going to take her to the walk in and she was with Grandpa and Grandpa was like, she's complaining her legs hurt. She's not acting right. So we took her to the doctors that day and they did a urine test and the doctor came in and was like, what's up with her sugar? It's really high. And I was like, what? Oh, my goodness. The rest was kind of history. So next thing we know, we were actually. I think I must have been in denial because I went back to work and my husband took her to the emergency room and they did the blood test there and her blood sugar was 978.

[Scott]

Oh, my gosh.

[Laura]

Yeah. Crazy. So they ended up going to the nearest children's hospital, which was an hour and a half away. And he's trying to contact me and I'm a social worker, so I was in sessions and I didn't check my phone, knowing all of this was going on. I think I was like in a state of denial. I was like, no, it's not. She's fine. And then he's like, we're an hour and a half away. What are you doing? So I had to go up to go join them and that was kind of the start. And that was like right before her third birthday. So she was in the hospital for her third birthday.

[Scott]

Was your youngest even around at that point?

[Laura]

Yes, she was. Yeah. So I had to make arrangements for her. Yep.

[Scott]

But she's a baby, right?

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Not that the three year old's not a baby still, but.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Scott]

Wow.

[Laura]

Yep. She was very, very little. Yep.

[Scott]

There any sign of other autoimmune issues or type 1 diabetes in your extended family?

[Laura]

Well, my husband's side has Hashimoto's. My husband's celiac. My daughter's also celiac as well. And on my husband's side, there's also Graves disease.

[Scott]

They have Graves. Hashimoto's and Celia.

[Laura]

Yes. Yeah. I wish I would have known that before I married them.

[Scott]

No, Laura's. Like, there were other boys talking to me.

[Laura]

Yep. And I just didn't know that until I started listening to your podcast that all these things, I was like, oh, my goodness. It was, like, just waiting to happen. Yeah.

[Scott]

I'll tell you right now, if you've got type one and your boyfriend's family's running to the bathroom after they eat, just pick a different guy.

[Laura]

Right? Yeah. Yep. Absolutely. Yep. Very true.

[Scott]

What's your remembrance of the time in the hospital?

[Laura]

It was okay. I was trying to sit down last night and think about things, and I think it's kind of a blur because there's a lot of medical stuff that I can even talk about prior to the type one. So we had been at the hospital like, a year before when she was almost 2. She had to be airlifted, actually, from our local hospital because she had a respiratory virus that sent her, like, took her to the walk in. And while we were at the walk in, her lip turned blue. And all of a sudden we're in an ambulance. They're bringing us to the hospital. It was crazy. And she ended up being intubated when she was almost 2 years old.

[Scott]

Oh, goodness.

[Laura]

And airlifted so that it was the same hospital. So here we were, like, a year later, you know, with a new diagnosis, you know, diabetes. And I was like, oh, my goodness. So it was a little bit traumatizing just being there after, you know, a year prior, we had this, you know, helicopter experience that we were later had to fight a bill of, like, $65,000, which we got all of that resolved. But, you know, it had just been a long year of trying to fight that.

[Scott]

It cost $65,000 to fly on a helicopter.

[Laura]

Yeah, apparently. Yeah.

[Scott]

That seems crazy.

[Laura]

Yeah. Yep. My husband's a very low key kind of guy, but he panicked. He's like, how the heck are we gonna pay $65,000 for this, you know, air flight? And I was like, we're not. We're gonna fight it, you know, and we did. And it took a long time, but so it had been a whole year of just getting over that. That was very traumatizing, you know, just that whole experience. And then here we are at the same hospital, you know, doing something different. And I was glad that she went. She wasn't, thankfully, in dka, but I think she was in the start of it. Cause her A1C was like 12.4. They told us so.

[Scott]

Wow. No kidding.

[Laura]

Yes, I know. Yeah.

[Scott]

What were her symptoms that day? Like, the day you were like, hey, something's wrong.

[Laura]

Well, grandpa was saying her. She was complaining her legs were hurting okay. But it was just leading up to it, you know, just a lot of the excess thirst was, like. And then soaking through her. She wasn't potty trained yet, but just soaking through her diapers.

[Scott]

Wow. That's something. So, yeah. So they get her straight, right? How long is she in the hospital for?

[Laura]

It was only a few days. Yeah, we actually had. My other daughter was getting baptized that Sunday, and I think she was in the hospital that Thursday. So we were there Thursday night, Friday, Saturday, and they released us Saturday.

[Scott]

You still did the baptism?

[Laura]

Oh, yeah, we did. Yep. We sure did.

[Scott]

Are you Catholic?

[Laura]

My husband is.

[Scott]

I was gonna say it's the most Catholic thing I've ever heard in my life. Yes.

[Laura]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, you know, the endocrinologist said, go do it. Just do it. Live a normal life. So there we were, you know, and we went out of the hospital. We were MDI for probably about a year. So we were giving her shots, poking her finger, doing all the things, like, newly diagnosed. It was kind of a crazy.

[Scott]

Yeah, go live a normal life. Like, oh, yeah. I don't know if you realize my three year old just got type one. Yeah.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Not gonna be all that normal, but okay, thanks.

[Laura]

Yeah. And I remember being at the hospital being very overwhelmed, like, just throwing all this information. I'm terrible at math. And I remember we were trying to do the numbers, and I kept getting it wrong. And I wasn't too happy with the diabetes educator that we had. She. I thought, was a little harsh in the hospital. Yeah. Yeah. She wasn't my favorite, but what struck you as harsh? I think because, first of all, I was hungry, so I felt like my blood sugar was dropping myself because I hadn't eaten in a while. And I was like, can we take a break? And she's like, no, we have this allotted time. You got to do it, you know? And she just threw a lot of information at us. I felt like in. Not in a very kind way either. You know, it was more informational. But there. I didn't feel like there was any sensitivity to the fact that, like, we.

[Scott]

Just been through all this.

[Laura]

Yeah, right.

[Scott]

It felt cold.

[Laura]

Yes. Yes, it did. Definitely.

[Scott]

You're like, I need a hard pretzel. And she's like, too bad, lady. We got 45 minutes.

[Laura]

Right? Right. Yeah.

[Scott]

Sit down. I'm gonna tell you a bunch of stuff that you're not gonna remember that's not gonna end up being that helpful anyway.

[Laura]

I know, right? It's very true. Yeah.

[Scott]

You said you like to Google. So six years ago, how did you launch into all this? It's not from what she talked to you about, apparently, no.

[Laura]

And actually, it took me a while. My husband took on a lot of the care initially, I think, because I had a baby. When my daughter was initially airlifted. I was pregnant with my second daughter. And while we're at the hospital, I was like, geez, something doesn't feel very right. But I was like, I got to just be here for my older daughter. And so then I got back after she was finally getting better, and I went to my OB and I found out that I had low amniotic fluid. So they ended up sending me to the hospital a few days later, and I was on bed rest at the hospital for two weeks before my second daughter came. Who came?

[Scott]

That, like, making pasta with not enough water in the pot or, like, how does that work? Like, what happens?

[Laura]

Yeah, well, it's just. So I had what's called intrauterine growth restriction for both of my girls. Both of them were born early. The oldest one, who has diabetes, was. Was born four weeks early. She was very sick from the very beginning. She was in the NICU for 30 days.

[Scott]

How premature was she?

[Laura]

Four weeks. Four weeks, yes. So she. Yeah, I think she was, like, £4. So many ounces. Yeah, she's little, but not as little actually, as my second one. But she had a lot of respiratory issues from the very beginning, the first couple days of her life. We couldn't even, like, touch her. She was so fragile that they put signs, you know, in her little incubator thing that said, please do not touch because she was so fragile.

[Scott]

Wow. When you said she was sick from the beginning, what else happened?

[Laura]

Well, it was basically the respiratory stuff, right? So I pretty much went to my normal OB appointment, and I was getting an ultrasound, and the lady's like, when are you gonna go see your doctor? And I was like, well, I think I have an appointment in a couple of days. Next thing I know, my doctor comes in and is saying, nope, you got to go to the hospital right away. So it was. Everything happened so fast. It was an emergency C section. You know, they took her. Then she ended up being in the NICU for 30 days. So it was a lot of back and forth, you know, 30 days of not Being able to bring your baby home, which is heartbreaking, and not even being able to touch her the first few days was also very hard.

[Scott]

Yeah. Other women in your family have trouble giving birth. There's no familial thing there.

[Laura]

No. Yeah.

[Scott]

Were you older than you would have liked to have been when you got pregnant? I don't like. What's the math on that? Is that part of it?

[Laura]

I was 35. Yes. Yeah. My husband, we'll just throw him under the bus for everything. He'll love it when he listens to it later. No, my husband's a little bit younger than me, like four years younger than me, so I wanted to get married and start a family. And he was, you know, a little bit younger, so I think we dated probably four years before he proposed. And that probably was a little bit longer than I would have liked.

[Scott]

But he dug into your good years. Is that what he did?

[Laura]

Yep. So I had my first one at 35.

[Scott]

See how smart that is of him? He holds you a little. I almost said past your expiration date, but I don't mean that he holds you a little longer. So you're limited in your options now. You have to say yes to him when he asks you.

[Laura]

Yeah, right.

[Scott]

Look at him. Smart.

[Laura]

Yep. Yep. And then I should have asked him his family history because then all this comes out.

[Scott]

No, I said, why does your uncle's eyes pop out like that? I need to understand a little better. Oh, well, how about the, you know, the six years since, like since the diagnosis. Has she been on a better track or has she still been suffering with issues? The Dexcom G7 is sponsoring this episode of the Juice Box podcast and it features a lightning fast 30 minute warmup time. That's right from the time you put on the Dexcom G7 till the time you're getting readings. 30 minutes. That's pretty great. It also has a 12 hour grace period, so you can swap your sensor when it's convenient for you. All that on top of it being small, accurate, incredibly wearable and light. These things, in my opinion, make the Dexcom G7 a no brainer. The Dexcom G7 comes with way more than just this. Up to 10 people can follow you. You can use it with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. It's covered by all sorts of insurances. And this might be the best part. It might be the best part. Alerts and alarms that are customizable so that you can be alerted at the levels that make sense to you. Dexcom.com juicebox links in the show notes [e-mail] to Dexcom and all the sponsors. When you use my links, you're supporting the production of the podcast and helping to keep it free and plentiful. Today's episode is brought to you by Omnipod. Did you know that the majority of Omnipod 5 users pay less than $30 per month at the pharmacy? That's less than $1 a day for tube free automated insulin delivery. And a third of Omnipod 5 users pay $0 per month. You heard that right. Zero. That's less than your daily coffee for all of the benefits of tubeless, waterproof automated insulin delivery. My daughter has been wearing an Omnipod every day since she was 4 years old and she's about to be 21. My family relies on Omnipod and I think you'll love it. And you can try it for free right now by requesting your free starter kit today at my link omnipod.com Juicebox Omnipod has been an advertiser for a decade, but even if they weren't, I would tell you proudly, my daughter wears an Omnipod. Omnipod.com Juicebox terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Why don't you get yourself that free starter kit? Full terms and conditions can be found@.

[Laura]

Omnipod.Com juicebox oh yeah, so she had. Well, she's very small, so she has some growth issues, which part of that they say comes from the intrauterine growth restriction that I had. So basically that's your baby just can't grow in the womb. And that was a big part of why they had to take her out too. Cause I had low amniotic fluid with her, like severely low with her as well. So she's very tiny for her age. And we've, you know, talked about maybe doing like a growth hormone. But you know, for right now we're just kind of letting her be and she doesn't mind being so small.

[Scott]

So you contextualize that for me. How, like, how tall is she?

[Laura]

Well, so she, she'll be in fifth grade. She looks like she's about in second or third grade, I would say.

[Scott]

Okay. Is she thin on top of being short?

[Laura]

No, I mean, she's actually at a good weight. It's more her, her growth that they're just kind of watching. So she has had some growth testing done. And I mean, they said she was at the very lower end, but like her growth hormone does appear to be working. So that's a Positive thing. Also, the celiac can affect growth as.

[Scott]

Well, so hard to take in nutrients.

[Laura]

Yes, yeah, yep.

[Scott]

Any Hashimoto's or anything like that? Just the celiac.

[Laura]

Yeah, so far so good. Yeah.

[Scott]

Boy, that's interesting. And how about your other one? Is she small too?

[Laura]

Yes, she's. Yep, yep, same thing.

[Scott]

Are you?

[Laura]

I am, yes. I'm tiny as well. Yep. We're Italian. I'm Italian, so. Well, my father was born in Italy, so my dad's side, we're all very small.

[Scott]

Oh, no kidding. Oh yeah. You know, it's funny, I remember when, when my son was young, there was this 10 year old boy on his baseball team and he was a monster and like just so much bigger than the other kids and stronger, everything taller. I remember saying to his dad one time, wow, man, he might really pop up. And the guy, his absolute quickest, right off top of that answer, he goes, no, we're Italian. That's as big as he's gonna get. And I thought like, oh, I don't know what that means. Like, you know, because I didn't have a lot of context for it. But no kidding. I met that kid eight years later. He did not get much bigger.

[Laura]

Right, right. Yeah, yeah, really something else.

[Scott]

He's now the smallest adult I know.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

But he was the biggest 10 year old I ever seen in my life.

[Laura]

Right.

[Scott]

How do you manage with diabetes? Like do they give you a set of instructions and some like, I don't know, they give you a pen, they give you CGMs, like what do you know about it? How do you learn more?

[Laura]

Right. So we initially were MDI for about a year, I would say, and a lot of that was our insurance. We were trying to think last night when she got the cgm. I would say probably about six months because I can remember doing like finger checks in the middle of the night for quite a while. And we were actually just looking at. My husband had recorded some of her when we had to log it on the little logs, like some of her numbers and we're like, whoa, she was high a lot. We were like, but you didn't know, like, you know, like in the middle of the night, you know, you were just like saying, oh, things got better. We didn't know in between what was happening, you know.

[Scott]

So you wanted a cgm, but your insurance was stepping in the way.

[Laura]

I don't even think we even knew really about it.

[Scott]

Yeah, well, what do you think was holding you back then? Like just the general knowledge. Like, so you were like, hey, I have a meter and I have these pens. And this is what diabetes is.

[Laura]

Well, right, because I'm a rule follower. So if they were telling me to do this, then you were gonna do. Yeah. And I think they were saying, your insurance will let you like in six months, get us and then get a pump after that. So we didn't even. We didn't know. We didn't know anybody with type 1. We didn't question anything.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Laura]

You know, so we just went with it.

[Scott]

How do you figure out the next steps? Is it just that time passes and they offer you a cgm? Diabetes comes with a lot of things to remember, so it's nice when someone takes something off of your plate. Usmed has done that for us. When it's time for ardent supplies to be refreshed, we get an email rolls up and in your inbox says, hi, Arden, this is your friendly reorder email from usmed. You open up the email, it's a big button that says, click here to reorder and you're done. Finally, somebody taking away a responsibility instead of adding one. Usmed has done that for us. An email arrives, we click on a link, and the next thing you know, your products are at the front door. That simple. Usmed.com juicebox or call 888-721-1514. I never have to wonder if Arden has enough supplies. I click on one link, I open up a box, I put the stuff in the drawer, and we're done. US Med carries everything from insulin pumps and diabetes testing supplies to the latest CGMs like the Libre 3 and the Dexcom G7. They accept Medicare nationwide, over 800 private insurers. And all you have to do to get started is call 888-721-1514 or go to my link usmed.com juicebox using that number or my link helps to support the production of the Juice Box podcast.

[Laura]

Yeah, I can remember being at my daughter's Halloween parade and my husband's like, they just said, we can, you know, schedule our pump classes, so I'm going to do it, you know, and. And then, like, shortly after that, we had the pump class, which I didn't even go to. I think he went to that one. And then there we were.

[Scott]

Is that the setup for the family in general? Like, is he a little more hands on? Like, do you have a busy job? Like you? I mean, it's weird. Yeah, yeah. You know, I'm just wondering. Cause you've said twice now.

[Laura]

Yeah, no, I think because I was just in this state of. There was so much that had been going on, like, medically, you know, and I had my kids, you know, and then I had, you know, some. Probably some postpartum issues, I would say. So I think I was just kind of not with it for, like, several years, you know, it was like I got pregnant, had a baby, and then was nursing and all the hormones with that, and then, like, a year later get pregnant and then, like, starting again, you know? And then when I had. When I was pregnant with my second one, I ended up getting a blood clot in my leg. I know. Yeah. And it was all. This was all. After the older one had been airlifted.

[Scott]

Right.

[Laura]

So all this happened within, like, a month. It was just crazy. So I had to deal with that, you know, So I think it was just all of that, you know, we were just kind of surviving all of this other stuff. Yeah.

[Scott]

If I asked your husband, do you think he'd say, look, I couldn't have given her one more thing, like, yeah.

[Laura]

Oh, yeah. Yeah. So he was the one. A lot of times now it's kind of reversed. He was the one staying up in the middle of the night, you know, and just checking her finger a lot of times, you know, and just. He would go to all the appointments, you know, and for a while, there was Covid, so only one of us could go. And so I didn't really get involved as much. I knew the basics with her diabetes, I would say, until probably halfway through, you know, we're moving on to seven years now. And then I started really getting invested into it.

[Scott]

Do you think you just kind of lifted from a fog or.

[Laura]

I think so.

[Scott]

Really?

[Laura]

Yeah. Yeah. My other daughter ended up having hip dysplasia as well.

[Scott]

Jesus.

[Laura]

Because I know it was like all this stuff. She. Both of my girls were breech, and so we had them just evaluated, like, through early intervention because they were premature. And the physical therapist that was doing the evaluation actually noticed her hip and was like, did they ever have you do a, you know, a hip X ray? And I was like, no. And they're like, well, they should have. Because if she was breech, you know, breech babies are more likely to have this. And I was like, oh. So then we had her X rayed, and then, yep, she had hip dysplasia. So she had to have this big spica cast for quite a bit of time, and then we had to follow an orthopedic. Pediatric. Orthopedic doctor. And then it didn't stick. So Then we had to repeat the spike of cast like a year later. So there was just like a lot going on, like all the time that I think I just couldn't take on all of it at once, you know.

[Scott]

And you're a social worker on top of that, so you're also.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Scott]

You're professional. You're taking on everybody else's problems too.

[Laura]

Yeah, it's very true. Yes. Yep. Yeah.

[Scott]

The breech birth brings on the possibility of like dislocated hips. So I asked, like, what else does it do? It's interesting. Birth injuries, risk of broken bones, dislocated hip, nerve damage during vaginal delivery because of the head comes out last. Umbilical cord issues. It can become compressed or prolapsed. Head entrapments a possibility. Oxygen deprivation, hip dysplasia, respiratory problems. And delivery is. If delivery is prolonged, the baby may inhale fluids or struggle to breathe right away. Wow.

[Laura]

Crazy. Yeah.

[Scott]

Why did they come out? I wonder why I'm asking you.

[Laura]

I know, right? I know. I don't know. I'm like, geez, I guess my. That's why I'm like, I'm done with after two. Because I was like, geez, there's no more. Who knows what will be wrong with this If I had a third one ever.

[Scott]

We're getting a cat. That's it. We're done.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Scott]

Factors related to the baby. I. Because I asked, like, why did breech birth happen? Prematurity is one rarely issue. Although abnormalities rarely. Issues with baby's brain, spine or muscles can affect movement and positioning. Excessive or limited movement. Some babies just move differently. Too much or too little activity in the uterus can affect the positioning on the mother's side. Uterine shape or abnormalities. Placenta previa. If the placenta is low lying or covering the cervix, it can block the baby from moving into the head down position. Oh. Amniotic fluid levels. Too much fluid gives extra room for the baby to move, sometimes leaving them in breach. Too little restricts the movement. Oh, so maybe when it's time to go head down, there's not enough room or something.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah.

[Scott]

Isn't that something? Who would know? Well, I mean, I know who would know. The Internet knows, apparently.

[Laura]

Yeah. Wish I would have like done my Googling while I was here.

[Scott]

I'll be honest with you. That was AI. That wasn't Google.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. Okay. Well. Jesus. Well, you're alive. That's good news.

[Laura]

I know. Yes. And so the older one also has one more thing to Add to it.

[Scott]

No.

[Laura]

Come on. I don't even know how to pronounce it, but I'll give you it's E. O, E. So if you look that up, it's like basically inflammation in her esophagus. Oh, yes.

[Scott]

How long has that been?

[Laura]

That's been a few years. So she's had five. I can never say if it's endoscopies. She's had five of those. She now takes, like, an oral steroid that we, like, mix in with some applesauce that, like, sticks to her esophagus. And right now her, like, inflammation levels are pretty much non existent, so it seems to be working. But the oral steroid can also cause some growth issues, too.

[Scott]

Oh, that's unbelievable. Yeah, yeah. Eoe.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Scott]

Yeah, I'm looking at it right here. Chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus. Common symptoms, trouble swallowing, especially solid foods. Food getting stuck in the throat or chest. Chest pain or heartburn not relieved by typical reflux. Treatment, Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. And children feeding difficulties. Failure to thrive. Picky eating linked to food allergies. Can also be influenced by environmental allergies. Not caused by one single factor. Jesus.

[Laura]

I know, right? Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. No wonder you're not all right.

[Laura]

I know.

[Scott]

Hey, being a. Being a social worker.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Scott]

What's it like professionally understanding the things you're going through personally?

[Laura]

It's crazy. I could say that. Yeah. Well, it makes me, first of all, appreciate it, what people go through, but also recognize how important it is to take care of yourself, you know, so I've had to do a lot of my own work, you know, in order to be like a better social worker for other people.

[Scott]

But can you see yourself in the moment? Like, can you.

[Laura]

Not always.

[Scott]

Yeah, right.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

It's not like you're going through something. You're like, oh, what would I tell another person who's experiencing this right now? Right.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Scott]

Well, that sucks.

[Laura]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Scott]

It's like being a mechanic that can't work on their own car. What a waste.

[Laura]

Right?

[Scott]

Oh, wow.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

And that must be frustrating because I imagine at some point you have a come to Jesus, and you go, oh, this is what's been happening to me. I can't believe I didn't see this sooner.

[Laura]

Yeah. Oh, yeah, absolutely.

[Scott]

They make you feel like a fraud a little bit.

[Laura]

Oh, yeah, Sometimes. Yeah. But now. Now I feel like I'm taking the steps that I need to. To really, you know, get myself together. And I think one of the things I wanted to talk about for Me was. I think for me, the grief with the diabetes came later, I think, because I was in such a fog initially with everything, that it didn't hit me probably to like, three years later when I really had to come to terms with, like, this diagnosis.

[Scott]

Interesting. So 36 months, three years into your kid's type one diagnosis, you think the weight of it just started to impact you?

[Laura]

Yeah, definitely.

[Scott]

Yeah. Because you said earlier, like, you're like, she got that diagnosis. I think I was in, would you say, denial? Because I went back to work because.

[Laura]

I. I worked a whole day, didn't even, like, think about it, you know, and. And my husband's like, calling me, leaving me messages like, we're going to the children's hospital an hour and a half away.

[Scott]

You're like, I got work, buddy. It's Wednesday.

[Laura]

I know it was very bizarre, you know, but I. That must have been my coping mechanism at that point, I think.

[Scott]

So when it hits you three years in, what's that feel like? What's the experience?

[Laura]

It was very overwhelming. Yeah. I think, you know, as she got a little bit older too, just realizing, you know, if you go to a birthday party or just sometimes the differences in things, you know, or all that, just all the stuff you have to bring, you know, that I'm like, ah. When I take my other child places I don't have to, you know, do all of this, it's such a weird feeling. Like, if I take my younger daughter, you know, to go out to breakfast, I'm like, oh, my gosh. We don't have to pre bowl this. We don't have to, like, keep an eye on, like. It's just like a weird feeling, you.

[Scott]

Know, when that happens, I try so hard not to live in it.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

You know what I mean? You know, like, I know what you're talking about. Like, you head out for something and you don't have a bag with you, or you're not. You're not thinking, like, is there a juice box in the door of my car?

[Laura]

It's a weird feeling. It's a very weird feeling. Right? Yeah.

[Scott]

And you don't. I, for me personally, like, I never wanted to feel like that was better.

[Laura]

Right, right. You know, it's just different. It's just a different. Yeah. Oh, gosh. Yeah.

[Scott]

So you're having kind of a delayed reaction to the type one.

[Laura]

Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah.

[Scott]

Have you done this with anything else in your life?

[Laura]

I don't think so, no. Interesting. Yeah.

[Scott]

Do you think of yourself as a. As a person who's easily knocked down by problems or do you think of yourself as more resilient?

[Laura]

I think that's a good question. See, now you're going to therapy. Me?

[Scott]

No, listen, I'm a, I'm a, you know, just a podcaster.

[Laura]

But yeah, no, I think I have some patterns that are more like catastrophic in that. So I'm always thinking like the worst case scenario of things and an urgency sometimes with things that aren't always needed at times. But I think in the moment of things, like when all of this was happening, like with my daughter, I don't think I didn't panic. Like, it wasn't like a panic all the. I think in the moment I can handle it. It's like afterwards, you know.

[Scott]

Would you call that compartmentalizing?

[Laura]

Yes. Oh, totally. Right. Yeah.

[Scott]

You know, if people, if people are listening closely like I am. Laura, you said in the very beginning, like, don't Google it because it's going to tell us she has diabetes.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. That's a very strange way to think of a problem solving.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah.

[Scott]

Because what you might want to say is, hey, why don't you go do the research I just did because I think you might come to the same conclusion and then we need to get her to the hospital.

[Laura]

Yeah, right.

[Scott]

But you were like, no, don't look. If we don't look, we can live here longer.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah, right, right.

[Scott]

Yes, it really is something. Okay, so what would you tell a person who came to you and said what you said to me?

[Laura]

First of all, trust your gut. Right. So I think another thing that's been an issue for me is when she had her respiratory issue and then she had to be airlifted, I had thought in the middle of the night, something's not right. Like we had been giving her the nebulizer and I was like, she should be getting better and she's not, you know. And so we had come to the decision, oh, it's your first baby, you don't always know what to do. But we came to the decision that we would wait till the morning. You know, I have a lot of guilt about that because I think what if we would have taken her like right in the middle of the night instead of waiting so many hours to take her to the walk in when her. And then her lip goes blue, you know.

[Scott]

Well, what do you think going earlier would have garnered? Accomplished?

[Laura]

I don't know. Right.

[Scott]

Just worried that it could have been.

[Laura]

Something it could have been. Right. My brother in law is a doctor and he said, you could have still been in the same position. Like, we don't know, you know, so try not to beat your. I think it's, you know, being a mom, I have a lot of guilt about that, which I think has transferred sometimes with diabetes. Like, now I'm like, I can't let this happen. So we got to keep our numbers really in control. You know, it's like more of a control thing. Suddenly, again, a delayed response, because I wasn't that way initially.

[Scott]

Yeah, no, you were trying to. I don't know. Exactly. And people online have pointed out that I'm not a therapist, and I'm not saying I am. It feels to me like maybe you were just trying to not make it real.

[Laura]

Yeah, right. And I also didn't know enough about it, you know, I mean, literally, at the hospital, they're like, she can eat whatever she wants. You know, you can live a normal life, you know, just give her insulin, you know, but nobody, again, was telling us, like, the impact of food and, like, you're going to need a crapload of insulin sometimes for certain things. Like, nobody taught us that, you know? So I think I thought we were doing. We'd go to the endocrinologist, and they were like, you're doing a good job. We just didn't know any better until I started. I think what hit me was, like, if something happens to my husband, he's the one doing the majority of this. We're doomed. Like, I need to know what I'm doing. So I started reading and really educating myself, and that's when things really started to kind of shift. I would say, even with her diabetes care, because then I would pass the information along to my husband.

[Scott]

Your husband's gonna love this. When he listens, it's like you just woke up when you're in Daniel. Like, oh, what if a safe falls on his head like in one of those Roadrunner cartoons? And then I'm gonna be stuck here with this kid I don't know anything about. I. I'll go figure it out then. Did you explain to him then he was doing it wrong?

[Laura]

No, I don't think so. I. I think I. I just. Sometimes I talk. I get excited about things, you know, so if I, like, listen to the podcast, I'll, like, tell him. And sometimes he's just like, stop talking about diabetes. He would definite about diabetes too much, you know?

[Scott]

What would you say?

[Laura]

I would say, sometimes I do, but sometimes I'm excited, like, if I learn something or I, like, I'm following the trends and I'm like, oh, I think I finally, like, it took us a long time to figure out breakfast. Like, she would go high constantly after breakfast. And I finally figured it out. And, like, I was so excited now that she's doing amazing after breakfast, so I get excited. So I, like, want to tell people, like, we did it. We figured it out. Like, you know, I think of that.

[Scott]

Excitement as the one step closer to it being less of a front and center in your mind. Less of a burden.

[Laura]

Yes. Yeah.

[Scott]

If we could figure out all these different things, then maybe it would actually feel normal the way people are. People saying that it could feel normal because, you know. Right. Oh, you can live a normal life. Well, it's a normal life, but you're going to be managing diabetes, so not. Not completely normal.

[Laura]

Right.

[Scott]

I get what they're saying. Like, there's no reason you can't have a job or, you know, like something like that, or do something that you wanted to do. And I completely agree with all that. But it's still not normal to have to take a bag with you everywhere, or not normal to have to tell your kid, like, hey, like, you know, you're gonna have to take insulin because you're gonna be gone for five hours and you're gonna be too far from home. Like, that's not normal. It becomes. Becomes normal.

[Laura]

Right. Yeah.

[Scott]

So I would think that that excitement, like, for me, would mean maybe we're one step closer to this not being as front and center in our head all the time.

[Laura]

Yes. Yes. That's very much it. Yeah. And just like, figuring things out, I think, because my brain works much differently than my husband's, you know, so I'm trying to figure this out. Like, so I'll take it on as a project. I'm like, okay, breakfast was like my baby. Cause I was like, we're gonna get it. We're gonna figure it out. You know, my husband would be like, yeah, it's not so bad. And I'm like, nope, we're going to get there. We're going to. You know, and. And even with that, you know, it's like this morning, I'm like, okay, brand new pump site. We have to do a little bit more than normal. But sometimes the pump site seemed to be working really well. And if I do the normal, it's almost a little bit too much. So it's almost like my brain wants it to be. Every day we do the same thing over and over again, but it's just.

[Scott]

It's certainly not that.

[Laura]

Right. I've learned so there's so many variables, you know, and it's like, ah, sometimes I'm just like, I don't. These variables and sometimes I don't even know what these variables are.

[Scott]

So how much of it is like. Also you're a little older too.

[Laura]

Yes. Y.

[Scott]

Right. So you start getting into that. I mean, I feel you on that. Like, I'd like this not to be so much work all the time.

[Laura]

Yes. Yeah.

[Scott]

I don't mean the diabetes. I mean being alive.

[Laura]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yes, yes, absolutely.

[Scott]

When's the part where this is like fun or. Or easy once in a while? And I know for me personally, like, I don't want that to be when I'm 70.

[Laura]

Right, sure.

[Scott]

Like I'd like to wake up one day and like just have like a free and easy day that's, you know, enjoyable by Scott, who's fully mobile and can dress the world.

[Laura]

Yeah. Yeah. And that's, I think, one of the things when you have kids a little bit older, like, you know, you're wiser but like, you're tired. Like I always tell my. I'm tired. Like my little 8 year, almost 8 year old wants to be running around. I'm like, I'm tired. Like, oh, that's.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Laura]

That.

[Scott]

I find that stuff insane. I was talking to somebody recently who had a baby around my age and I was like, I don't, I don't even understand.

[Laura]

I'm just tired. Yeah.

[Scott]

I'd be like, hey, kid, here's $50. Like, good luck, Right?

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Don't buy crack with this. And then I. Daddy's gonna take a nap. I did the last night thing. I didn't go to bed till late, but I got tired early even. That's weird. Like, you know, like.

[Laura]

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Scott]

At 10 o' clock I was like, I should go to bed.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

And then I couldn't do that because I'm an adult and I've got responsibilities. I was still working. Like, you know what I mean? Like after I got done working, I was cleaning things up. Like, you know, I had other stuff I needed to be doing. I'm doing that.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

My wife's still working. Like, you know, it's like 10:30, my wife's working and I'm cleaning something up I should have cleaned up six hours prior. Arden's out with friends saying goodbye because they're all heading back to college.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

You know, my son's in the basement lifting. You know, everybody's like that. We have a dog. The dog has to go out and all I could think is, I should go to bed.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

And then by the time I got through all the things I was supposed to be doing and everybody got back in the house and was kind of settled and everything, I wanted to watch an episode of Mr. Robot. I'm trying to watch Mr. Robot. It's 12:30. Like, am I gonna sit in my bed under a blanket like I'm 10 watching an episode of Mr. Robot on a right. I guess I am. Yeah, I know. I just feel like once you start getting older, like you said again, like your mind, like your thoughts are clear.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

But you're like, you're like, why couldn't I have been this clear minded when I was like, had the energy of a 25 year old?

[Laura]

Yeah, it's very true.

[Scott]

It sucks. Everything's backwards. I see what you're saying.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Laura]

Thankfully my husband has a lot of energy. Yeah. Except he cannot. He does not hear the alarms a lot of times at night. I even bought him the sugar pixel. And I have seen him just hit the button and. Or unplug it and then just go back to bed. And he doesn't even remember a lot of times that he's done that.

[Scott]

Isn't that interesting?

[Laura]

Yeah. Whereas me, I'm like a very light sleeper. So I am like up constantly. I hear a little noise and I'm like. I think it's just a mom thing. I don't know.

[Scott]

How's that ego boost getting a younger guy? How was that? It feel good or no?

[Laura]

No, because he, you know, I wanted to get married. I knew going into it, I'm ready to get married, I want to have kids, you know, and he was 25, I think, when I met him. So, you know, we were in different life stages.

[Scott]

But you take advantage of his exuberance.

[Laura]

Yeah. Now it's, you know, a good thing probably. You know, maybe he'll live longer than me. I don't know. We'll see.

[Scott]

Jesus, Lara, you are a bummer. What are you always worried about? The worst thing that's going to happen?

[Laura]

I'm working on it. How about that? I'm trying to work on that.

[Scott]

Is that since is since the life flight or your whole life?

[Laura]

I would say there's been some patterns in my family that have been that way, you know, so probably some modeling.

[Scott]

Yeah. Everything's always terrible.

[Laura]

Yes. But the other thing is. Yes. The life flight really like shook me up, I think in ways that I didn't even realize.

[Scott]

Maybe it took those feelings that you grew up with with your family and made them feel like, well, yeah, see, yeah. If they were right, bad stuff happened, right?

[Laura]

Yes. Yeah. It was like, I think that realization that, like, yes, bad things in my mind before, like, they could happen, but now they were, and it was, like, constant. Like, every time I turned around, I'm like, now I have a blood clot. Now we have this. Now I'm like, oh, my goodness. You know, it was crazy.

[Scott]

Would it not help you if you could think of those things not as bad things happening, but that every day in life isn't perfect and you just gotta bob and weave a little?

[Laura]

Yes. Yeah, I think I'm trying to again, that was another thing I wanted to talk about was, like, just some perfectionist tendencies, which I didn't even realize I had until, you know, I suddenly became involved in this diabetes world. And my husband was the one that pointed it out. He's like, you're trying to be perfect with her numbers. And this is driving us crazy, you know?

[Scott]

You didn't know that about yourself.

[Laura]

I didn't know because I wasn't like the kid in school. Like, I was fine if I got, you know, an 82 or something. I did terrible on tests. Like, to me, it was more important to be around people. I just wanted to be with my friends, be involved in things I didn't have to have, like, straight A's. So I think in my mind, that's what I always thought like a perfectionism was, you know, And I wasn't that way in my work either. It was just suddenly, that person's healthy enough.

[Scott]

That's good.

[Laura]

We're done, right? Yeah.

[Scott]

Did you call an 82 a terrible grade?

[Laura]

No, I didn't. Yeah. No, that's a great grade, I think. Yes. Yeah. Other people might think, right, but, you know, my sister was very, you know, book smart. She, you know, very intelligent. Her grades were very important. I was just different. Like, to me, it was, you know, I wanted to do well in school, but I also wanted to play sports and have fun. And so it wasn't like, top priority for me.

[Scott]

Did your perfectionism show up in other ways through your life, or do you think that you had a touch of it and then the mom guilt plus the medical stuff equals where you are now.

[Laura]

It just plowed through with the diabetes. Like, my husband was like, all of a sudden, like, she used to be 350 and this was never an issue for you, why all of a sudden, you know, she's 180 and you're freaking out, you know, like, he's trying to, like, wrap his mind around, like, the.

[Scott]

Change, you know, was 350 not a big deal for him, or is he trying to say that back before we knew this was a problem?

[Laura]

Right. Yes.

[Scott]

Well, then the simple answer to his question is, well, now we understand it better.

[Laura]

Right. And that's what I try to say all the time. Like, now we understand. So now you know. We just didn't know before, and now.

[Scott]

We know that's a problem. So right now we need to stop it.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Scott]

Boys are confusing. Yeah. I don't understand boys. Sometimes. I do this. By the way, I'm lumping myself. I do the same thing.

[Laura]

Like.

[Scott]

Like, the things that, like, don't occur to me. I'm like. Like, when I look backwards, I'm like, how did that not strike a chord quicker, you know?

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Oh, by the way, I just noticed, Laura, my calendar on My whiteboard says 2024, and it's August of 2020.

[Laura]

Oh, my goodness. Yeah, right? That's funny.

[Scott]

There's so much writing on the board in other places, but I apparently never changed the date staring right at me. How did I never notice that before? Oh, my gosh.

[Laura]

Oh, my goodness. Oh, and I. I thought of one more thing that she has, too. So she also has a severe peanut tree nut allergy. Right. So we have an EpiPen, the oldest one. Yeah, both of them do, actually.

[Scott]

Both of them.

[Laura]

So, but that's interesting with celiac, because a lot of celiac items have, like, is made with almond flour. So we have to always, you know, inspect and make sure there's no almond flour in it.

[Scott]

Gosh.

[Laura]

I know.

[Scott]

Do you have a nut allergy?

[Laura]

I have a tree nut allergy, but I can eat peanuts.

[Scott]

Okay. Is anybody impressed that I haven't made a joke about my wife sometimes having a nut allergy?

[Laura]

Oh, yeah.

[Scott]

I'm personally impressed. I just want to say. Oh, my gosh. I don't know. What, do you guys, like, live in a bubble? What do you do?

[Laura]

I know.

[Scott]

Is that how it feels like? Like, because with the allergy and the inflammation in the esophagus thing and the diabetes, and now you layered over top of your newfound anxiety about the entire thing.

[Laura]

Right? Sure.

[Scott]

You sound like a person who's trying to put yourself in a controlling situation, like, position. Like, how do you accomplish that?

[Laura]

Well, now I feel, like, more confident with diabetes. Like, we've educated ourselves. You know, we've spent time. We've worked with Jenny, who's phenomenal, you know, so we're in Like a much better place, you know, and all the podcast episodes have been very. Actually, I found the podcast when we switched to Omnipod 5. I had never heard of it before. So the first episodes I listened to were like the pro tips on the Omnipod 5.

[Scott]

Oh, awesome. They've been very, very, very popular.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. As a matter of fact, if everybody downloaded all the episodes the way they downloaded those. Yeah, I'd probably be in an. I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. I think there'd be a lot more people listening.

[Laura]

Yes, it's very true. And I always want to tell people, like, that system I know gets a lot of slack because it's a little more conservative. But I've studied it and get your settings right and like, it makes a phenomenal difference. You know, we've gone to the endocrinologist and they're like, you guys are like killing it with the Omnipod 5. Nobody else seems to get it, but you guys are doing it, you know, so it's very manageable.

[Scott]

I think you're having good success with it.

[Laura]

Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Overall, I mean, there's still days where I'm like, ah, you know, if it suspends the insulin going into a meal, you know, paying attention to that I think is a big a key.

[Scott]

Well, let me say this to [e-mail] if you look up something called Omnipod SmartAdjest 2.0 system compared to Omnipod 5 system in individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes strive you will see that this was last updated on June 11, 2025 and the study overview says the goal of this multicentered randomized crossover study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Omnipod 5 Smart Adjust 2.0 system in individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Study participants will complete about five in person visits and be expected to treat their diabetes per their usual routine using the system at the lowest available target settings. Each participant will begin to study using Omnipod 5 Smart Adjust 2.0 or the Omnipod 5 system for four weeks, period one, and then switch to opposite system for the next four weeks. Everyone will use the Omnipod 5 Smart Adjust 2.0 system for at least four to six weeks. During period three, participants will have a goal of administering no more than three meal or snack boluses per day. The official title of this here, blah, blah, blah. What I'm seeing here is they're testing a different version of this algorithm.

[Laura]

Yeah, that'd Be great.

[Scott]

So maybe. Maybe all that, you know, I wish it was a little more aggressive.

[Laura]

I. Yeah, I don't want to say that's my only complaint is that at times, and I look and it's usually when it has suspended the background, I'm like, oh, here we go.

[Scott]

I've been corresponding with somebody whose kid is in the trial, and I don't know how much about that I'm supposed to say, so I'll hold onto it. But I think the target. It's giving you a lower target. I think that's one of the things.

[Laura]

That would be great.

[Scott]

Yeah. I think there's more coming. Yeah. I don't think that person wants to talk on the podcast yet.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah, that would be great, though. That's really my only. And I'm learning to adjust. Like now I'm like, okay, before she eats a meal, let's look and see how much, you know, has been paused before the meal because we gotta add a little extra, you know.

[Scott]

But what did you do? Did you kind of take your knowledge of how the Omnipod 5 works and then listen to the podcast about using insulin and you're combining the two ideas?

[Laura]

Yes. And then working with Jenny, too, has been helpful, too.

[Scott]

Yeah. And. And what. What would you say that overall you've learned that's been most valuable?

[Laura]

Well, I think how food impacts your blood sugar, definitely. I. I think again, especially with celiac, because a lot of the foods, like the celiac stuff, it hits harder. And. And processed foods, I think, like, we've changed a lot of how we have eaten, which has been wonderful even for myself because I used to have higher triglycerides. Yes. Cholesterol, all of that. And mine has significantly come down because just of some of the changes that we've made from eating. You know, just watching her numbers, like, I think just watching the Dexcom, when she eats certain things, I'm like, whoa, what's. You know, I know my pancreas is working, but I'm like, wow, that's gotta be doing, you know, wreaking havoc on my body too, you know, so, like, maybe I shouldn't be eating all this stuff sometimes too.

[Scott]

Yeah, yeah. I think if you're paying attention, you. There's probably benefits for everybody in the. In the lifestyle and the understanding of how to manage your diabetes.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's been definitely incredible. Yeah.

[Scott]

Good. I'm glad for you. What do you see as next steps? I guess, like, where, like, she's nine now, obviously, at this point, like, you have A fair amount of control, but like, that's going to change as she gets older.

[Laura]

Right, right.

[Scott]

What are your goals for the next few years?

[Laura]

Well, I think to continue to just manage it the best that we can. You know, I think she'll probably be later with puberty, so that probably gives us a few more years, but hopefully again there'll be more like some of the systems because I do worry about like puberty with the Omnipod 5. But again, it's just trying to manage, you know, when she's sick. You know, we do different things when she's sick. So just trying to manage some of these situations that come up, you know.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Laura]

And I think for myself to just try to enjoy life a little bit more and that, you know, make it all the time about diabetes and keeping. I'd like to keep her under control, but sometimes I think it drives other people crazy.

[Scott]

So how does it impact her? Like, what's her response?

[Laura]

She's like a rule follower like me. So she, I mean, she's amazing. She really is like such an amazing kid. Like, she went at the end of the school year, they went to, you know, baseball game and this was the first time that I wasn't going to be. Or my husband or somebody in the family wasn't going with her. They had the nurse go. And of course it was, you know, the first day of the Dexcom, so all the numbers were a little wonky. And she's like, don't worry, Mom, I'll make sure before all the other kids eat that they pre bolus me, you know, And I was like, oh, that's so amazing. Like. Or she'll tell grandpa, I'm a little bit high. We should probably, you know, give me more insulin or wait a little bit longer of a pre bolus. Like she's picking up on some things, which I think is, you know, great.

[Scott]

Okay. Okay. Where do you see yourself then? How do you feel like you can pass on more to her, take some off. Not maybe not even take it off of you, but come to a balance where she knows what she's doing and you're at the same time not as involved.

[Laura]

Right. Well, I think also I need to work on my reaction sometimes, you know, like if she's going higher or I still get nervous sometimes with some of the lows, so I might get a little panicky. So I, I would like to see for myself because I know she's watching my reaction to be a little bit more neutral with my reaction to things, you know, and also to help her, just to keep understanding the knowledge and how food works and pass some of that on to her without, I think, making it again, too much of, like, a big thing.

[Scott]

What are some of the reactions that you have?

[Laura]

I do panic sometimes. If I. If she's, like, dropping really, really fast, I think I get too panicky. I would like to just be a little bit more neutral. Or if she's like, hi, I'll be like, like the heck, you know, Like, I just. I'll make noise. Or I'm just like, you're, you know, like, yeah, my husband's very neutral about things. He's just like, eh, you know, we know now how to bring her down. You know, it used to be she'd be high for hours. We didn't know what we were doing. Now we're like, okay, something went wrong, you know, or she just needed more insulin. So we'll just give her more insulin. She'll come down, you know.

[Scott]

Why do you think that happens? I've been talking to you for a while now. You seem like a reasonable person. How come you're like, sure. Why are you being dramatic when things are happening?

[Laura]

I guess I think it's just anxiety. It's like, because anxiety gives you that urgency, that feeling, which it's supposed to do in an emergency, right? You're supposed to have adrenaline and cortisol levels shooting up so that you can escape danger. But, like, I have to remind my body that, like, this isn't always dangerous. I mean, you know, low blood sugar could be, but I know the steps. We know how to handle this, you know, so being confident in the fact that, okay, we can. We can handle this without, like, the panic.

[Scott]

Yeah. Well, what's stopping that from happening for you?

[Laura]

I think it's just the way my brain kind of. It just goes into, like, emergency mode. So I try to tell myself, like, okay, this is an emergency. We can figure this out.

[Scott]

Yeah. Can you just. I mean, listen, people's reactions are the reactions, right? But. But, I mean, it would seem to me, because this happened to me too, like, where something would happen. And my wife said you'd always be like. Like, she's. Like, you said so much like, you know, and. And it's upsetting to hear, but it's a long time ago. She tells me this, right? Okay. So I stopped. Try to think about it, and. And what is it I'm faced with over and over again is that you put so much work into this and. And it didn't work out.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Or, geez, it feels like a failure. Like, it's like, how did I not understand this? I thought I understood this. Like, you know, like, that kind of thing. But, I mean, listen, once she pointed out to me, she's like, it's upsetting to other people. Like, it always seems like something's going wrong. It could even be making Arden feel like she's doing something wrong. And I was like, okay. And then, Lara, I stopped doing it.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Right. So what's stopping you from just never doing it again?

[Laura]

I think, again, it's a pattern. It's just something that shows up for me. Like, it's like an instinct, but I have to interrupt it. I think that's what I need to do. I need to just be more aware of it. Take a pause. You know, one of the best pieces of advice that, you know, somebody told me before, like, her numbers are just. It's data. Like, just look at it as data to try to figure out what you need to do next. Not like, oh, I screwed this up, or it's, this is all my fault.

[Scott]

You know, I. I'll tell you that I think one of the more difficult things to learn for me was just slowing down.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Scott]

A little bit like that. You. Yeah, I mean, you can tell, like, even just in the podcast. Right. Like, if you say something to me, anything, like, if you just pivoted right now and said something completely that had nothing to do with what we were talking about, I'd be able to answer you. And so it's a strength in parts of my life, right. That I hear something, I form an idea, it's usually pretty cohesive, and I can start sharing it right away. But in that situation, that's not a virtue.

[Laura]

Right? Right. Yeah.

[Scott]

In a situation where you just need to wait a second, pause. Like, yeah, like, that's not a virtue. I. And it's not a thing I was doing on purpose. Like, I think. I think my wife was like, well, I don't know why you're being so, like, defeatist right away. And I was like, I'm not. Like, I'm just. Like, I'm already working through the problem again. Like, oh, we did this. This happened. I didn't want that to happen. And now I'm past the already. Like, I've said it. Like, that's me almost pausing and going, okay, that didn't work. What do I do next? I'm already thinking about it. While I'm thinking about what to do next time, they're back there going, like, oh, this is such a bummer.

[Laura]

Right, Right.

[Scott]

So once you learn to just shut up.

[Laura]

Yes, I need to do that. Yes. Because that's how my brain works. I want to know, what can I do different next time? But I. I process things, like, out loud a lot. Right. Which drives people crazy. Especially my husband.

[Scott]

I gotta be honest with you. I do that. That's not fun for people who don't like that.

[Laura]

Right, exactly. You know?

[Scott]

Yeah. There's people who think out loud, and there are people who don't. And the people who don't don't enjoy it when someone who does. Yeah.

[Laura]

Right. And he'll be like, you're saying the same things over and over again. Like, that's the way I'm processing it. My brain is just like, what can we do differently next time? You know?

[Scott]

Have you ever heard me say that? My wife said that I say no to everything.

[Laura]

Yes. Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. It's because I work backwards from no.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Like, I start with why this won't work. And if I can get to why it will work, then it usually works. And if you can't get there, then it might not be possible.

[Laura]

Right.

[Scott]

It feels like doing it opposite is Pollyanna to me. Like, oh, everything's gonna be fine. And then you, like, get through it and go, it's not actually gonna be fine. It won't work out. I prefer to go, like, here's what's wrong. Here's all the things trying to stop me from making it right. How do I get around those things? Awesome. I got around them. We won.

[Laura]

Right?

[Scott]

Right. I don't see that as negative at all.

[Laura]

Right.

[Scott]

But if you're a person who's just like, you know, yes, we can, then, you know, like, you're gonna be like, why are you being so negative all the time? And to me, it's just. It's just a thought process. But doing it out loud, Lara. Doing it out loud. They hate that.

[Laura]

They do, those people. So I need to write it down. I am big about, like, writing stuff down. So, I mean, that's why I said my need to do. Next time, maybe write some of this down instead of, you know, say it out loud.

[Scott]

We can pause. You can say it in your head.

[Laura]

Right.

[Scott]

And then think, like, how would. How would these people prefer to hear this? And then say it that way.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Although, you know what? I will say this. You notice they don't care about us. Like, when they're all quiet and thinking in their heads and then coming up with what they want to say and then saying it, like, do they Know that during that time, I'm sitting there going, like. Like, are you hearing this? Are you part of the conversation? Like, I'm thinking. I'm, like, thinking, why don't we talk about it?

[Laura]

Yes. Yeah, that's very true.

[Scott]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Now, I don't know how the opposite would go. Like, if you and I were married, Laura. Right. And something went wrong, would it just be, like, this big, like, I don't know, symbol, loudness of just people talking back and forth till we came up with an idea.

[Laura]

Right. That's true.

[Scott]

And would we hate that?

[Laura]

Right. Yeah.

[Scott]

Would you and I be like, one of us has got to shut the hell up so the other one can talk?

[Laura]

Probably not a good combination.

[Scott]

I don't know. That's what I'm asking.

[Laura]

I know.

[Scott]

Like, for as much as I look at my wife and our personalities and they're so different.

[Laura]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Scott]

We are pretty successful people.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

And I can look at her and say, she has gaps. I fill them. I have. I have gaps. She fills them. But you know, what I've noticed is that nobody really sees it that way.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

They just see it as like, you're wrong about the way you think about this thing.

[Laura]

Right. That's true. But you. But you're right. If you look at it that way, it is true.

[Scott]

You know, Laura, I. Say it. I'll say it again. Best part of my life, other people.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Worst part of my life, other people.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

All right, so what is this? This hour done? Do you feel good about it?

[Laura]

I do.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Laura]

I just. I hope, you know, people can learn a little bit of something in there. I. I always seem to find something in. In the episodes, you know, even if they're random, people are talking randomly. Like, I'm like, oh, that's a good idea about this, you know, And I hope that people realize that, like, for them, if. If their grief came later, because, again, I think people think, like, oh, it hits you all at once initially. But I think, you know, grief is so different for people that it can come out later on or even. Even, like, I still have moments where I just feel a little sad, you know?

[Scott]

Sure. If you told me to, you know, re. Encapsulate everything, I would have said. I hope people heard you say that, because I think that is something that most people would find crazy, like, three years later. You know what I mean?

[Laura]

But.

[Scott]

But I don't think it's probably as uncommon as you think.

[Laura]

No. Yeah. Right. Just people need to, I think, talk about it, you Know, you gotta have.

[Scott]

Somebody to talk to about it. Listen, my, My mom's been gone for a couple years now, and I texted my brothers the other night, like, we have a little group chat. And I just said, I miss telling mom about like, how I'm doing and like, what everybody's up to, you know?

[Laura]

Right. Yeah.

[Scott]

Then I said, I just. I just really needed to tell someone that, like, you don't need to respond. It's just like I'm sitting here, you know, at 9:30 on a Tuesday, and I'm like, God, let's call my mom, you know?

[Laura]

Yeah. Right.

[Scott]

And then you just, you're. You're like, what I can't believe is this is a feeling I'm having two years after her.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

And by the way, she lived into her 80s. It's not like she was taken prematurely or anything, you know?

[Laura]

Yeah. Right.

[Scott]

So nevertheless, it's very valuable to say that you could be struck by things like that. Many, many years pass when you expect that.

[Laura]

Absolutely right. That's very true.

[Scott]

Well, I think you. I think you lended the podcast a lot of interesting conversation today, Laura. I really appreciate it.

[Laura]

Yes. And I did want to say one last thing to you, please. Because I. I was born near Philadelphia, so I appreciate how you say water instead.

[Scott]

Thank you.

[Laura]

Instead of.

[Scott]

People don't seem to make fun of me about it as much anymore. Although, I'll tell you, it's going to be forever. One of those words that just now, like, if you said to me, say, you know, if you showed me a glass of. And said, say this correctly.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

I don't know which is the right way.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

I think people say water.

[Laura]

Yes. Yep. That's how. Now that I'm in upstate New York, we say water, but my, My parents still say water, so I get it. Glimpses of that once in a while.

[Scott]

But I need to tell you, like, when I say water, it rattles through the front of my brain like something's really wrong.

[Laura]

Right.

[Scott]

Like it sounds wrong to me. And then, and then I say it, and then my kids are like, that's the right way. And I'm like, no, I think it's not. I doesn't sound. It's such a ridiculous thing, you know?

[Laura]

Yeah. And we're going to see the Phillies in a. In another month, so.

[Scott]

Well, I'll tell you right now, I said to my son the other day, is there a way we can get into a time machine and start the playoffs right now? Because we'd win this. Win the World Series.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Scott]

They're so good at the moment.

[Laura]

They are. They're doing a little type one event, so we're gonna meet up with some. We don't have much around our area for community, so I think that was another part of my grief, is that we just don't have much around here. So we're connecting with some people from Philly.

[Scott]

So wait, Phillies? Like, the Phillies are having a type one event or there's an event?

[Laura]

Well, there's like a section for people. Right.

[Scott]

Oh, I know. They do that every year, right? Yes.

[Laura]

Yeah. Yeah. So we're gonna go. I met some moms at a mom's night out last year at Cherry Hill, so some of us might meet up there.

[Scott]

Look at you. Oh, that's awesome.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Good for you.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Scott]

And you'll see a great baseball game.

[Laura]

I know. Absolutely.

[Scott]

Unless it's the one night when they suck and you'll be like, I know.

[Laura]

That's very true.

[Scott]

You ever do that? Like, you finally have a moment and you've, like, we have games on in our house constantly, but, like, when I actually sit to watch it, I seem to be able to pick the one. They'll win, like, three out of four, and I'll find a way to sit and watch the one game where everybody sucked. I don't know how I do that.

[Laura]

But we did that last summer. We went last August, and my daughter was so excited, and they lost, and she literally cried. Yeah, she was crying, and I was actually happy because it was so hot that day. I just wanted to leave. And I was like, if they start doing extra innings, I'm gonna die. It's so hot.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Laura]

My daughter's crying, and I'm like, yay, we're done.

[Scott]

I'm not gonna lie to you. It's hard. It's hard to go into that stadium. July and August sometimes.

[Laura]

Yeah. Oh, it was so hot. Yeah.

[Scott]

So weather's turning. It's getting cooler on the east Coast a little early this year.

[Laura]

Yeah, it is.

[Scott]

Well, you'll have a great time. I appreciate. Appreciate you. I really do.

[Laura]

Appreciate chatting with me. Absolutely. I appreciate it.

[Scott]

It's a pleasure.

[Laura]

Definitely.

[Scott]

Hold on one second for me. Okay, sure.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Scott]

The conversation you just enjoyed was brought to you by usmed usmed.com juicebox or call 888-721-1514. Get started today and get your supplies from us Med Dexcom sponsored this episode of the Juice Box podcast. Learn more about the Dexcom G7 at my link dexcom.com juicebox this episode of the Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by the Omnipod 5. And at my link omnipod.com juicebox you can get yourself a free. What'd I just say? A free Omnipod 5 starter kit. Free. Get out of here. Go click on that link omnipod.com juicebox check it out. Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions can be found@ omnipod.com juicebox links in the show notes [e-mail] 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. If you're looking to meet other people living with type 1 diabetes, head over to juiceboxpodcast.com juicecruise because next June. That's right, 2026, June 21st. The second juice cruise is happening on the Celebrity beyond cruise ship. It's a seven night trip going to the Caribbean. We're going to be visiting Miami, CocoCay, St. Thomas and Saint Kitts. Yeah, the Virgin Islands. You're going to love the Virgin Islands. Sail with Scott in the Juice Box Community on a week long voyage built for people and families living with type 1 diabetes. Enjoy tropical luxury, practical education and judgment. Free atmosphere. Perfect day at Coco Bay, Saint Kitts, St Thomas. Five interactive workshops with me and surprise guests on Type 1 hacks and tech, mental health, mindfulness, nutrition, exercise, personal growth and professional development. Support groups and wellness discussions tailored for life with Type one and celebrities. World class amenities, dining and entertainment. This is open from every age. You know, newborn to 99. I don't care how old you are, come out. Check us out. You can view staterooms and [e-mail] JuiceCruise the Last Juice Cruise just happened a couple weeks ago. A hundred of you came. It was awesome. We're looking to make it even bigger this year. I hope you can check it out. Hey, what's up, everybody? If you've noticed that the podcast sounds better and you're thinking, like, how does that happen? What you're hearing is Rob at Wrong Way Recording, doing his magic to these files. So if you want him to do his magic to you. Wrongwayrecording.com. you got a podcast, you want somebody to edit it, you want Rob?