Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1730 "Fat Beagle" – Summary

Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Megan (mother to 7-year-old Edison, diagnosed with Type 1 in February 2025)
Release Date: January 7, 2026

Overview

This episode features Megan, a mom navigating the first year after her son Edison's recent Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Scott and Megan candidly discuss the family's diagnosis journey, emotional challenges, practical decisions about diabetes management, and the ripple effects of chronic health issues on caregivers. The conversation is marked by humor, blunt honesty, and heartfelt guidance for parents of T1D children—especially those facing sensory, mental health, or systemic hurdles as they advocate for their child and themselves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Edison's Diagnosis Journey

Early Missed Signs and Diagnosis (04:37–11:15)

• Megan noticed symptoms as early as October 2024, including frequent urination, weight loss, and vomiting.
• Both Megan and her mother's encounters with healthcare (her mom has Type 2 and had DKA episodes) primed her to be vigilant.
• Diagnosing Edison was difficult due to lack of family history and an initial urgent care visit where staff were dismissive of Megan's suspicions, even as Edison's blood sugar was unreadably high.
• "I’m a big research person... it really isn’t that hard." (09:57, Megan)
• The urgency was compounded by Edison's distress over missing a promised Taco Bell outing due to being routed to the ER instead.
• “Edison was pissed because we had promised him Taco Bell…” (11:28, Megan)

Hospital Admission and Early Management (13:02–18:24)

• After the ER, Edison is admitted and eventually transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
• Megan describes feeling both vindicated and frustrated at delayed recognition by medical staff.

2. Coping With the Diagnosis—Child and Family

Adjustment Issues for Edison (18:05–23:08)

• Edison has struggled emotionally, expressing “diabetes stresses me out, I don’t want to eat today, I’d rather just not get a shot.”
• He reacted negatively to insulin pumps (esp. Omnipod): “He just said, I hate it. It’s heavy. He’s like, I don't like having all the devices.” (19:24, Megan)
• He sometimes prefers finger sticks over CGM for a break from devices, but his hypoglycemia unawareness makes CGM critical.

Sensory Issues & Psychology (23:18–25:00)

• Edison’s aversion to devices may have sensory roots—further evidenced by preferences with clothing and socks.
• Megan observes similar sensory tendencies in herself and realizes the importance of exploring this for both.

Therapy and Acceptance (21:16–21:55; 22:02–23:08)

• Edison is in talk therapy to support processing the diagnosis and life changes.
• The family’s focus: helping Edison accept diabetes as a lifelong reality, not just a temporary disruption.

3. Megan's Own Health & Caregiver Dynamics

Chronic Health Overlaps & Medical System Frustration (25:00–47:47)

• Megan details her struggle to get adequate attention for her own thyroid issues, recounting symptoms of hyperthyroidism/Graves’ disease (hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, blurry vision).
• Scott pushes her to advocate and schedule care—tying her well-being to her role as an effective caregiver.
• Key Scott quote:
  "When you learn about yourself, you’re going to be able to help him better." (30:59, Scott)
• Systemic hurdles are discussed including repeated referrals on military bases and inconvenience of specialist access.
• Both acknowledge how chronic caregiver stress and undiagnosed physical issues can impact parenting, household dynamics, and emotional health.

Family Roles and Marital Support (35:27–40:18)

• Megan is the primary health advocate/manager due to husband’s work (active duty military, frequent absences).
• While she’s competent, she feels anxiety being the “default” parent for health logistics.
• Scott breaks down how “I trust you to manage everything” can be both a compliment and an unspoken burden (“here’s another job for you to do” – 39:43, Scott).

4. Practical T1D Management & Advocacy

Transition to Tech & Device Preferences (31:54–34:28; 48:02–49:22)

• Initial diabetes management was with injections and fingersticks; CGM started ~1 month post-discharge, pump added months later.
• Delays in getting a CGM and insurance/clinic hurdles are noted.
• Edison is currently using a CGM and is transitioning to a Medtronic 780G pump with 7-day wear infusion sets and 15-day CGM—a solution aligning better with his sensory needs.
• “I've always been like, my, my children advocate for themselves... My kids advocate for themselves very well.” (49:22, Megan)

Parental Advocacy Lessons (50:11–51:03)

• Megan emphasizes fostering self-advocacy in her children rooted in her own experience of lacking it as a child.
• She teaches her kids to express needs/fears and participate in decision-making, especially around diabetes care.

Work, School, & Logistical Adaptation (51:20–52:44)

• Megan works in the school cafeteria for flexibility and to be available in emergencies—an example of creative adaptation for diabetic parents.

5. Reflections and Acceptance

Parental Guilt and Hindsight (54:07–58:35)

• Megan reflects on missed early symptoms, feeling guilty, and how provider language exacerbated feelings of blame.
• Scott reassures her: “Hindsight is much more focused than you trying to live through it in the moment…” (58:28, Scott)
• Edison expressed gratitude: “You saved my life” (57:54, Megan), helping her move past the guilt.

Current Outcomes & Confidence

• Megan, after one difficult year, feels confident making basal/bolus adjustments (“I make changes based on what I know he needs…I’ve never felt this need to depend on asking the doctors for anything...I know my kid, I know his diabetes.” – 61:10, Megan)
• Family is achieving strong glucose management and Edison is adapting to new tech and routines.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Megan (about online research):
  "[The urgent care] kind of rolled their eyes...I was like, no, I have a computer, like the rest of the modern world." (08:06)
• Scott (on health system skepticism):
  “Did they charge you for that visit?” (10:43)
• Megan (on guilt):
  "I carried it—a lot of guilt, because I always say...I didn't know until I knew." (57:54)
• Scott (on the emotional burden):
  “What he doesn’t understand is...when he tells you that...here’s another job for you to do.” (39:43)
• Megan (on child advocacy):
  "I always tell my kids, I'm like, always advocate for yourself." (49:22)
• Scott (on caregiver health):
  “When you learn about yourself, you’re going to be able to help him better…” (30:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------| | Introduction / About Edison | 03:01–04:32 | | On symptom onset and seeking care | 04:37–11:39 | | First hospital admission & CGM delay | 13:02–18:24 | | Edison’s emotional/psychological adjustment | 18:05–25:00 | | Megan’s health issues and family pressure | 25:00–47:47 | | Parental/family roles and advocacy | 35:27–40:18 | | Technology, pumps, CGM, adaptation | 31:54–34:28, 48:02–49:22 | | Parental guilt & reflection | 54:07–58:35 | | Achieving confidence and positive outcomes | 59:00–61:10 |

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The episode mixes warmth, humor, and real talk, stripping away both medical jargon and sugarcoating. Scott—part mentor, part standup comic, part friend—urges tough self-advocacy, healthy skepticism, and emotional openness, while Megan’s vulnerability and candor make her a model for new T1D parents.

Main Messages:

• Parental intuition, research, and advocacy matter—trust yourself, even in the face of dismissiveness from professionals.
• Managing T1D in kids includes addressing mental health, sensory issues, and family dynamics—not just numbers and devices.
• Caregivers’ health impacts kids’ well-being; self-care isn’t selfish.
• Guilt over early missteps is natural but unfounded; learning and adaptation are what count.
• Empowering children (and oneself) through advocacy is transformative, both medically and personally.

Memorable Moment:
Edison finally got his Taco Bell after leaving the hospital, marking their first family attempt at carb counting—"We went with it, and he was fine." (58:41)

Recommended Actions (for Listeners):

• Advocate for early device access and appropriate therapy for children.
• Allow kids space to express how diabetes feels and impacts them daily.
• Caregivers: Prioritize your own health, both physical and mental—it’s intertwined with your child’s.
• Leverage resources like the Juicebox Podcast and diabetes communities (e.g., support groups) for both expertise and connection.

For those newly diagnosed:
This episode is a permission-slip to be bold, imperfect, and persistent, and to balance vigilance with self-forgiveness as you lead your family through the unpredictable first year of T1D.

Further Resources:

• Juicebox Podcast’s "Bold Beginning" series
• Touched By Type 1 (nonprofit featured in episode)
• Online T1D parent communities for practical support and advice