Juicebox Podcast: "This Is Happening" (Episode #1673)
Date: November 7, 2025 | Host: Scott Benner | Guest: Sydney (T1D Mom)
Theme: Navigating a Young Child’s Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis—Learning, Managing, and Finding Balance
Overview
In this candid conversation, Scott Benner welcomes Sydney, a mother just 10 months into her son's Type 1 diabetes journey. The episode dives deep into the raw realities, steep learning curve, emotional adjustments, and practical solutions faced by families of newly diagnosed T1D toddlers. Sydney shares her personal experiences—from recognizing her son’s symptoms to the steps taken for diagnosis, and how the “This Is Happening” mindset shaped her approach. The discussion covers emotional transitions, parental roles, technology adoption, and hopes for the future—all anchored by Sydney's blend of medical know-how, faith, and honest reflection.
Key Discussion Points & Timelines
1. Diagnosis Story: From First Suspicions to Hospitalization
- Recognition of Symptoms
- Sydney noticed her 16-month-old son's excessive thirst, urination, and lethargy after a cold. Her ER background raised red flags, especially after detecting fruity breath.
- “His breath stunk, too. Smelled like ketones to me or smelled fruity to me, which I knew was a sign of type one from being in the er.” — Sydney [05:22]
- The Glucometer Moment
- A mistaken initial reading (94 instead of 594) at her grandfather's home led to immediate action.
- “I was reading the glucometer upside down… and grandpa like turns it around and shows me it was 594. I had missed the five.” — Sydney [07:19]
- Hospital Admission & Early DKA
- They drove directly to a children’s hospital; her son was in mild DKA but reversed quickly, thanks to their swift response.
- Scott contextualizes with cautionary stories about late diagnosis and outcomes. [08:59–09:58]
2. Coping and the “This Is Happening” Mindset
- Putting Emotions Aside and Taking Action
- Sydney describes how her ER experience and personality let her “compartmentalize” and act decisively in crisis, although the emotional toll was significant.
- Scott shares a volunteer firefighter story to draw parallels with “stepwise problem solving” under pressure.
- “It’s not like I wasn’t emotional during this process… but it was just like, okay, we have to get this done.” — Sydney [11:21]
3. Parental Identity Shift: Function vs. Nurture
- Struggling to Stay “Mom” While Being the Pancreas
- Sydney opens up about missing the nurturing aspect of motherhood, feeling like a nurse or technician rather than a mom.
- “I have to save his life every single day. I have to be his pancreas… I wasn’t ‘mom’ right there. I was just, oh, this is just a patient.” — Sydney [13:41]
- Scott discusses how this can become “transactional” and “dehumanizing” if not checked. [14:45–15:41]
4. Early Management: Adapting Tools and Routine
- CGMs, Pumps, and Technology
- The early days involved manual injections (MDI), then a rapid move to Dexcom CGM and an Omnipod insulin pump—a crucial improvement for fine-tuning small doses.
- “Our MDI month was scary. Our time and range was we were just surviving. But once we got a pump, we were able to just dial him in…” — Sydney [18:09]
5. Learning and Flexibility: Carb Counting & Individualization
- “I’m horrible at carb counting… but I now start with a base number for his plate and then adjust for life and what’s going on.” — Sydney [18:09]
- Emphasis on learning how glycemic index, time of day, and other life factors change insulin needs.
6. Sibling and Family Risk—To Test or Not Test?
- Debating Antibody Checks for Siblings
- Sydney candidly explores her ambivalence: she sometimes fingersticks her 4-year-old daughter, but hasn't pursued antibody testing due to anxiety about “waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
- Scott guides her through her mixed feelings: “Is it possible you’re not all the way to your answer on this question yet?” — Scott [25:30]
7. Marital Dynamics and Teamwork
- Division of Labor & Support
- Sydney recognizes her husband’s growth from squeamishness to full participation in T1D care—a source of pride and gratitude.
- “He is great. He does pod changes and finger sticks and… sometimes he does it better than I do.” — Sydney [28:13]
- Generational Reflections on Spousal Recognition
- Scott humorously laments generational differences in spousal appreciation, leading to lighthearted banter about marriage expectations. [30:44–36:08]
8. Adjusting Care Plans as Kids Grow
- Dealing with Change: Growth Spurts, Settings, and Endo Relationships
- Sydney struggles with plateauing numbers and pump settings as her son gains weight, highlighting the need for continual adjustment.
- Scott’s practical tip: fully resetting the pump algorithm after significant changes in body mass or insulin needs.
- “Sometimes you just need to leap forward, not slowly matriculate… sometimes a reset is needed.” — Scott [43:35]
9. Faith, Family Culture, and Building Resilience
- Faith as a Support System
- Sydney shares how faith provides structure, mantras, and hope for her son’s future as both a coping strategy and life lesson.
- “I just pray… that the Lord would just cure him from this… but I don’t want him growing up thinking, like, okay, that’s the goal… we also will just trust God every single day that this is who God created him to be…” — Sydney [45:23]
- Giving Her Son Agency
- Even at 2, her son is asked where his devices go, and the family makes blood sugar checks a group activity to reduce stigma.
10. Homeschooling and Life Beyond Diabetes
- Why Homeschool?
- Motivated by wanting intentional control over educational content, flexibility, and family time—Sydney shares how her own background informs her approach.
- Preparation and State Requirements
- Navigates plans for reporting, testing, and graduation while schooling at home. [56:32–59:24]
11. End Reflections: Progress, Perspective, and Growth
- Letting Go of Perfection
- Scott assures Sydney that with experience comes skill, and encourages her to focus on the “bigger picture,” balancing numbers and well-being.
- “Where you are now is nowhere near where you’re going to end up… the bigger picture stuff ends up being just as important as the numbers.” — Scott [63:04]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I was reading the glucometer upside down… and grandpa like turns it around and shows me it was 594. I had missed the five.” — Sydney [07:19]
- “It’s not like I wasn’t emotional during this process… but it was just like, okay, we have to get this done.” — Sydney [11:21]
- “I have to save his life every single day. I have to be his pancreas… I wasn’t ‘mom’ right there. I was just, oh, this is just a patient.” — Sydney [13:41]
- On husband’s teamwork: “He is great. He does pod changes and finger sticks and… sometimes he does it better than I do.” — Sydney [28:13]
- “Sometimes you just need to leap forward, not slowly matriculate… sometimes a reset is needed.” — Scott [43:35]
- “I just pray… that the Lord would just cure him from this… but I don’t want him growing up thinking, like, okay, that’s the goal…” — Sydney [45:23]
- “Where you are now is nowhere near where you’re going to end up… the bigger picture stuff ends up being just as important as the numbers.” — Scott [63:04]
Sectional Timestamps
- Diagnosis & First Steps: [02:30–10:56]
- Managing Emotional, Functional Roles: [13:09–16:00]
- Technology, Pump, and CGM Transition: [18:09–21:06]
- Fear for Siblings, Family Discussions: [21:06–27:18]
- Teamwork and Marital Dynamics: [28:00–36:08]
- Adapting to Change—Tech and Growth: [36:50–43:58]
- Faith and Child’s Resilience: [43:58–48:44]
- Homeschooling and Future Planning: [55:57–59:24]
- Summing Up—Advice and Encouragement: [63:04–63:18]
Summary
This heartfelt episode offers newly diagnosed T1D families practical strategies and emotional validation through Sydney’s story—highlighting the importance of acting swiftly, adapting continuously, sharing the load, and nurturing both the person with diabetes and their family as a whole. Technology is framed as a tool, not a panacea, and faith—alongside self-compassion and continuous learning—anchors daily life.
Listen to the episode for rich, relatable discussion, tactical diabetes management tips, and a compassionate look at the journey of loving a child with T1D.