#1902 Chicago Eyes

Summary

Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1902 – “Chicago Eyes”

Host: Scott Benner | Guest: Svetlana (Chicago)
Date: July 14, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this engaging and candid conversation, Scott welcomes Svetlana, a 39-year-old attorney from Chicago living with type 1 diabetes for over three decades. The episode explores the challenges, evolutions, and unexpected realities of long-term type 1 diabetes management—particularly surrounding complications, technology adoption, and the emotional journey. Svetlana shares her diagnosis story, her experiences navigating outdated treatments, her embrace of modern technology, and the profound impact of developing diabetic eye complications even after years of diligent care.

The episode is packed with honest reflection, practical insights, and lighthearted banter on health, technology, and life’s curveballs (including Scott’s epic Metallica ticket debacle). It’s a testament both to the importance of community and the resilience required to live “Bold with Insulin.”

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scott’s Metallica Ticket Saga & Setting the Mood

• [02:12–08:49] Scott opens with a humorous but relatable rant about losing his long-awaited Metallica concert tickets due to a confusing ID verification process. Svetlana lightens the mood, and the conversation kicks off with warmth and mutual commiseration.
  • Notable quote:
    Scott [04:42]: “I'm up, I'm up this morning making children’s songs to help them learn about their diabetes at 6am when I get an email that says, here's your money back. Your order's been canceled.”
  • Svetlana offers her legal expertise and humor to cheer Scott up.

2. Svetlana’s Diagnosis & Early Years with Diabetes

• [12:00–17:38] Diagnosed at age 8 after severe illness; had little family or community support, coming from an immigrant family where parents focused on providing but were “too busy to be all on board.”
• Diabetes management in the 1990s: no pumps, no CGMs, limited education from doctors—just finger pricks, MDI (multiple daily injections) and the “messed up food pyramid.”
  • “I don't remember seeing pumps on people…your podcast is like my community. I think they're all my friends, but they don't know I'm alive.” [15:28]

3. Technology: Reluctance, Transformation & The Power of Information

• [18:03–29:39] For decades, Svetlana used MDI and did not adopt a pump or CGM, partly due to lack of exposure or encouragement from doctors.
• A turning point came when her family doctor referred her to a forward-thinking endocrinologist. Initial feedback was blunt: “On paper you look like a smart person, but like, you're kind of like stupid and not using the technology that's out there.” [15:23]
• Going on Dexcom (CGM) was life-changing: “If there’s only one tool I could have, it would be the CGM, because you can just see things real time.” [21:26]
• Explored inhalable insulin (Afrezza), even doing her own custom mini-doses at home, but developed rare retinal crystal deposits, possibly a side effect.

4. Rare Complication: Retinal Crystal Deposits After Afrezza

• [24:24–31:36] Svetlana described a mysterious eye complication that occurred while using Afrezza.
  • The eye doctor found crystal-like deposits usually associated with IV drug use, leading to discontinuation of Afrezza. No correlating cases found in literature/medical circles.
  • Svetlana: “It was the most normal I ever felt because…Afrezza worked so quickly. I felt like I had a working pancreas.” [28:08]
  • “If you find out the answer and I'm able to go back on Afrezza, I would owe you my life.” [28:25]

5. Embracing Pumps: Omnipod & Getting the Most Out of Tech

• [31:45–34:24] Svetlana adopted Omnipod (tubeless pump) and prefers manual mode over the default algorithm for tighter control.
  • Shares practical tips on infusion set placement and adaptation after 30+ years of injections.
  • Enjoys the community aspect—drawing ideas and support from Juicebox’s Facebook group.

6. Living With & Responding to Complications: Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

• [42:21–59:41] Despite exemplary A1C results (mid-6’s), Svetlana was diagnosed with early proliferative diabetic retinopathy during a routine screening, triggering significant emotional turmoil.
  • Dramatic moment [46:55]:
    “There's only, like, two times in my life I can clearly remember, like, just hearing something and getting physically sick…That call I've been trying to avoid and work so hard, like, all these years not to get.”
  • The news was devastating, as Svetlana worked hard to prevent complications—leading her to question if her best was ever “good enough,” wrestling with guilt and regret.
  • Significant comfort came from hearing similar stories from others (notably Erica, a recurring Juicebox guest).
  • Key practical insight: even well-controlled blood sugars for years can’t always prevent complications that begin with older, less effective insulin regimens and lack of early technology.

7. Treatment Experiences: Injections & Laser Therapy

• [59:07–64:38] Svetlana details the realities of eye injections and laser therapy:
  • “Neither one of them are pleasant procedures, but…it is what it is. This is the hand…the deck of cards you got handed.” [56:53]
  • Technology and early detection are emphasized as positive developments—treatment now is much better than two decades ago.

8. Reflections, Support, and Community

• [65:21–72:01]
  • An open discussion on the emotional impact, resilience, and importance of finding community—especially when confronting complications.
  • “I just hope that, like, other people know if this is hitting them, you know, in their 30s, they’re not the only ones.” [71:56]

9. Innovation Mindset: The Future of Diabetes Care

• [72:42–76:38] Svetlana is hopeful and proactive about trials and advances—interested in everything from islet cell therapy to participating in research studies:
  • “I am very positive about the future. And honestly…I think I personally feel like there are some benefits to having diabetes: it really made me a responsible, organized person…” [74:20]

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Notable Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the emotional gut-punch of complications:
  “There’s only…two times in my life…I remember just hearing something and getting physically sick…That call I’d been trying to avoid.” [46:55]
• On being an empowered, resourceful patient:
  “I put together a PowerPoint presentation…She was like, okay, let’s do it.” [22:04]
• On using community/support:
  “Your podcast is like my community. I think they’re all my friends, but they don’t know I’m alive.” [15:28]
• On never feeling ‘safe’ from complications:
  “I just didn’t even know that I should be on the lookout for something like this if I was so well-controlled.” [64:54]
• Humor in adversity:
  “You gotta trust that your hips don’t lie.” [37:15] (Scott, referencing infusion sites and Shakira)
• On using CGM as a motivator:
  “I give myself like a score every week…If I’m like 91% [in range], that’s an A-.” [42:01]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:12–08:49] – Scott’s Metallica ticket woes (warm-up, humor, legal banter)
• [12:00–17:38] – Svetlana’s diagnosis and early management challenges
• [18:03–29:39] – Endocrinologists, technology adoption, CGM turning point, Afrezza experiment
• [24:24–31:36] – Rare eye complication with Afrezza; deep dive into investigative journey
• [31:45–34:24] – Switching to Omnipod, algorithms, connecting with community
• [42:21–46:55] – Discovery of retinopathy and emotional impact (“the call I’d been trying to avoid”)
• [59:07–64:38] – Experience with injections, laser treatments, emotional and logistical realities
• [65:21–72:01] – Role of support, representation, community, and hope
• [72:42–76:38] – Svetlana’s hope for future cures, her advocacy for research and embracing the positive side

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Tone & Style

• Conversational, honest, and witty: Both host and guest blend vulnerability and humor throughout, making serious medical discussions more accessible and empowering.
• Community-driven: There’s a continuous thread of connection—drawing strength from others’ stories, participating in research, and finding humor in shared struggles.

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Summary Takeaways

• No amount of ‘perfect’ diabetes management can always guarantee freedom from complications, especially for long-timers who began before modern tools.
• Regular, thorough eye screenings are vital—even if you feel fine and are well-controlled.
• Being proactive and informed, self-advocacy, and finding supportive clinicians and community can make all the difference in outcomes and mental health.
• The diabetes world is changing rapidly: new tools appear, and real-world stories like Svetlana’s show how embracing change—and each other—empowers everyone to live “bold with insulin.”
• Emotional grace is important: When setbacks happen, it's crucial to resist self-blame and instead focus on adaptability and seeking the support you need.

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Transcript

[Scott Benner]

Welcome back, friends, to another episode of the Juice Box Podcast. If you're new to type 1 diabetes, begin with the Bold Beginnings series from the podcast. Don't take my word for it. Listen to what reviewers have said. Bold Beginnings is the best first step. I learned more in those episodes than anywhere else. This is when everything finally clicked. People say it takes the stress out of the early days and replaces it with clarity. They tell me this should come with the diagnosis packet that I got at the hospital. And after they listen, they recommend it to everyone who's struggling. It's straightforward, practical, and easy to listen to. Bold Beginnings gives you the basics in a way that actually makes sense. 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. If you're looking for community around type 1 diabetes, check out the Juice Box Podcast. Private Facebook group juicebox podcast type 1 diabetes but everybody is welcome. Type 1, type 2 gestational loved ones. It doesn't matter to me. If you're impacted by diabetes and you're looking for support, comfort or community, check out Juice Box podcast type 1 diabetes on Facebook. This episode of the Juice Box Podcast is sponsored by the Contour Next Gen Blood Glucose Meter. Learn more and get started [e-mail] Juicebox Today's podcast episode is sponsored by MiniMed, the innovators behind the Mini Med Flex system, a small, sleek and discreet insulin automated delivery system controlled from an app. Nothing comes close to freedom you can feel. To learn more, visit minimed.com juicebox hello,

[Svetlana]

my name is Svetlana and I am 39 years old and I live in Chicago.

[Scott]

And I have just informed Svetlana that she has chosen the worst day in the world to make the podcast with me. So I'm just gonna start off by complaining and then we'll move.

[Svetlana]

We're gonna turn this around, Scott.

[Scott]

Oh, yeah, we're gonna turn this around.

[Svetlana]

I hope so.

[Scott]

My brothers and I, who have never, as adults gotten together by ourselves and done something, saved and pulled money together and we have tickets to see Metallica at the Sphere next year.

[Svetlana]

We got amazing.

[Scott]

You would think you fly out and see the see a concert on Thursday, I believe, and then Friday you have the day off. On Saturday you see another Metallica concert with completely different music and you leave on Sunday. It was almost impossible to get those tickets, but I did it. And then about, I don't know, a couple weeks ago, I got this email that looked like a phishing email that Asked for a picture of my driver's license, and I deleted it. And then one came again, as phishing emails do, and I deleted. Deleted it again. Then the third one came, I was like, oh, what in the hell? Like, am I gonna have to like, block this or unsubscribe? And then I looked really hard at it and I'm like, this might be real. So I emailed the company, Vibey, if anybody's interested in knowing. And I said, I said, I'm sorry. Like, this looks fake, you know, like, is there a. An account that I've set up that I could log in through to make sure this is real? Or blah, blah, blah. But then I got a response back, and they were able to respond with my order number this time. And I was like, okay, this is real. I'll. I'll do the thing. Except my driver's license was. Was like being renewed and it. And I. So I was like, I'll just. I'll just wait till it comes in. So it did come in a few days ago while I was away at the ADA helping people with diabetes. That's okay. And then apparently while I was at the ada, I got an email that said I had like seven days or something. And then, you know, I don't know. Anyway, I'm up this morning. I think this is important because it shows that karma is not a real thing. Um, I'm up, I'm up this morning making children's songs to help them learn about their diabetes at 6am When I get an email that says, here's your money back. Your order's been canceled.

[Svetlana]

Stop it.

[Scott]

Swear to God. So I responded to that email and said, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, Kyle, everybody. You know, I don't know what I said. I was like, please don't do this. I dug out the email about the ID verification, sent the ID in because the driver's license downstairs on the counter right now. Also, if I'm in the middle of complaining, Svetlana, one more second. The state of New Jersey was supposed to use a new photo of me, but instead used a seven year old photo that I'm fat in. So thanks, New Jersey, and thanks for all.

[Scott Benner]

It's okay.

[Svetlana]

The worst day.

[Scott]

No, no, no, Mother. And so anyway, I. Then I get a response back from Vibey, and it's Kurt. And I'm like, you know the word short, not pleasant. And I'm like. So I respond back again. I'm like, hey, like I said a note. I'm like, hi, I don't want My tickets canceled. Like, what are we doing? And all they sent was like, legalese back to me. So I, so I thought it was a, like a, like a, an auto response. So I responded back in, I'm like, can somebody please read this down? Then I get an email back. I did read your email. And I'm like, oh my God. So, Jesus Christ. So then I called and left a message on their machine. So they like, look, I'm a real person. I'm trying to get together with my brothers for the first time. And like, you had our money. Like, what? You had the money. Just keep it. If I don't, if I don't send you the id, like, what? Nevertheless, they say they're going to try to reticket them, but they can't promise anything. And now I have to wait for that. And I also sent a fat picture of myself to somebody I don't know. This is what's happening.

[Svetlana]

Is that, is that the part that upsets you the most?

[Scott]

It's hard, it's hard to parse the whole thing. Okay, but, and I just had to text my brothers and tell them. So anyway, karma.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I mean, that doesn't even come close to what you just described to me. I mean, I would just say let's believe in karma. Let's hope that they will turn this around. You have a pretty compelling story.

[Scott]

Yeah, they don't know me. They, they just, they think I'm some guy who didn't respond to an email.

[Svetlana]

But they're reading your emails though, so I think you should like, you know, write a longer email about everything you just said to me or you already did.

[Scott]

Oh, don't worry. It's, it's, I, I mean, I shortened it up a little bit, but yeah, it's there. I, I, I, I like low key, begged a little. I threw in the part about my brothers because it is true. Do you know I'm 54. I'll be 55 this summer by the

[Svetlana]

time you still have your whole life to love.

[Scott]

Well, that's lovely of you. By the time I, by the time I go to that, well, excuse me. By the time I would have went to that concert, I would have been just about 57 years old. And my brothers and I as adults have never gone away together once.

[Svetlana]

That should have been your email right there. Listen, if they don't get back to you with tickets, you let me know and I will throw some special legalese back at them and you guys will go.

[Scott]

You have. Wait, are you a lawyer?

[Svetlana]

I happen to be a lawyer.

[Scott]

Oh, well, let's find out about you. This is much more interesting. Okay, give it to me. When did you get that diabetes? I'm going to try to let this go, but my chest is heavy right now, and I don't usually feel like this. I'm not a good.

[Svetlana]

No, I feel for you. That's such a nice thing to do. Like, your brothers get together like this, and then, like, these bad people just, you know, take it away from that.

[Scott]

Yeah, I'm trying. I'm not trying to. Shame.

[Scott Benner]

I.

[Scott]

Listen, apparently it was. I didn't do the thing, but, like, what's the rush?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, you've got. Seriously, what's the rush? And in your defense, they look like phishing emails.

[Scott]

The first couple of them. Who asks you for a picture of your driver's license after you buy a ticket from them for a concert?

[Svetlana]

For sure I would have deleted it. You can't be the only one that has this issue. So we could just like, round up, like a class action of all the other people. Just happened to think I got ideas for you.

[Scott]

Think we could get Metallica to play in my backyard? What's going on?

[Svetlana]

I'm not a miracle worker, but, you know, let's say hi. Let's see what we can do.

[Scott]

I'm not. I'm not joking. Like, it was. It really was. By the way, this is not a cheap excursion.

[Svetlana]

Oh, I can imagine.

[Scott]

Okay. Like, we. We literally had to scrape money together for this. And.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

So it's. I mean, what do they think? Like, I'm not going to get them. They've got. They've got thousands of dollars of money. Like, they think I'm not going to get around to it.

[Svetlana]

Yeah. Seems unnecessary, you mean.

[Scott]

Yeah. I'm sorry. Let me start over. I'll slap myself. The vest. Hold on.

[Svetlana]

No, no, you're okay.

[Scott]

No, this happened before you jumped on. It's not your fault.

[Svetlana]

My gosh. It's my Jewish luck, you know? It happens. That's what happens.

[Scott]

Oh, your last name. I can't believe you're Jewish.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Ah, Surprise.

[Scott]

Anyway, tell me a little bit about when you're diagnosed.

[Scott Benner]

Let's be honest, most of us would love to spend less time thinking about diabetes. That's exactly what Minimed had in mind with the new Minimed Flex system. It's small and sleek. You can control it from an app. And it uses the trusted SmartGuard technology that automatically adjusts insulin every five minutes. Less juggling.

[Svetlana]

Less.

[Scott Benner]

Less micromanaging, more freedom. That's the MiniMed Flex system, available [e-mail] juicebox and number two, if you're a parent of a child with diabetes, you know nighttime can be one of the hardest parts of the day. You go to bed wondering where their blood sugar is headed. You wake up to check numbers wondering if everything is going to stay steady until morning. The new MiniMed Flex system from Minimed uses the same trusted automation people already know now in MiniMed's smallest pump yet and fully controlled from your phone. And here's something that really stood out to me. People using recommended settings achieve 91% overnight time in range. Think about that for a second. Not because it's a statistic, because every hour they stay in range is one less thing to worry about while you're trying to sleep. Learn [e-mail] Juicebox the contour next Gen blood glucose meter is sponsoring this episode of the Juicebox Podcast and it's entirely possible that it is less expensive in cash than you're paying right now for your meter through your insurance company.

[Scott]

That's right.

[Scott Benner]

If you go to my link contour next.com juicebox, you're going to find links to Walmart and Amazon, Walgreens, cvs, Rite Aid, Kroger and Meijer. You could be paying more right now through your insurance for your test strips and meter than you would pay through my link for the Contour Next Gen and Contour Next test strips in cash. What am I saying? My link may be cheaper out of your pocket than you're paying right now, even with your insurance. And I don't know what meter you have right now. I, I can't say that. But what I can say for sure is that the Contour Next Gen meter is accurate, it is reliable, and it is the meter that we've been using for years. Contour next.com juicebox and if you already have a Contour meter and you're buying test strips, doing so through the Juice Box podcast link will help to support the show.

[Svetlana]

Okay, so I was diagnosed when I was 8. So I've had it for about, for more than 30 years now. And so this isn't like the cool part of my story or anything like that. It's pretty like, like standard what we've, what we hear a lot. I was a kid, I was sick. I don't know. I can't remember what I had. And my parents, like wouldn't know what I had either. I tried asking them, you know, because I was trying to see if it was with like the hand, foot and mouth or other common things that tend to bring on diabetes, but I. I don't know what it was.

[Scott]

Are you telling me you've asked them recently and they're like, we don't know?

[Svetlana]

No, I asked them like, a while ago.

[Scott]

A while ago?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I asked them a while ago and they were like, what? I. I don't know. Who are you? You're our child. Whatever. So, yeah, they. They don't remember that kind of history, but I remember it was in April. I don't have the date, but I remember it was in April. I was very sick. Like, I was 8 years old and maybe like 33 pounds, like, like, severely underweight. And maybe after, like, a week of, like, letting me sleep on the couch, my mom was like, yeah, we should take you to the doctor. And they tested my blood sugar right away, and they're like, yep, you're going to the er. So, like, not a super eventful story. Like, pretty standard.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

This was back in, what, like, 1993? 1984.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

So, you know, spent a week in the hospital, learned how to give injections on an orange, all that, you know, learned the old messed up food pyramid. And, you know, they bring you, like, cereal, a muffin, an apple and orange juice for breakfast at the hospital. So, like, had that whole, like, typical experience.

[Scott]

But this wasn't the cool part of your story. That's the part I like. What. What is there. There is a cool part of your story?

[Svetlana]

No, but I guess, like, an interesting part of, like, my diabetes experience of, like, why I want it to be on the podcast, like, what. What I can maybe bring to others through my experience.

[Scott]

Your diagnosis was just pretty mundane and average, pretty boring. Yeah. Okay, well, what happened next then? Let's go. Let's do it that way.

[Svetlana]

Um, so no, so, I mean, typical teenager, so, I mean, back in the 90s, like, we didn't have. I remember, like, somebody was telling me about, like, the c. What would be a CGM and what would be an insulin pump. But, like, they weren't, you know, I didn't have, like, great endocrinologists. Like, they were. Okay. Endocrinologists. I wouldn't call them sort of like diabetes type 1 experts. And so I. I didn't use a CGM or a pump until, like, maybe the last six, seven years. So I was MDI and finger poking until then.

[Scott]

Okay.

[Svetlana]

Just because I didn't have anyone who, like, really pushed me to it, you know, they're just kind of like, you're. You're Doing fine. You're doing okay. No, my. I wouldn't say I was doing okay. Like, my A1Cs were like 7 or 8, so it's not like ideal, not compared like what I have now. But I wasn't like being pushed by anyone to like, not live under a rock until maybe seven or eight years ago when I went to my like gp, my, my family doctor. And she was like, you know, you really should see this one endocrinologist I know, like, she could like, change your life. And I went to see her and she was kind of like, you know, objectively on paper you look like a smart person, but like, you're kind of like stupid and not using the technology that's out there.

[Scott]

Wait, wait, wait. So you just kind of came up though, in a time where like pumps weren't very, very common then?

[Svetlana]

No, they weren't. I never, I don't remember seeing them on people. Like, really, Honestly, growing up, I feel like I didn't know that many other diabetics. I don't remember seeing pumps on people. Maybe I just wasn't looking or maybe I was just like, so in my own world about things, but I just like, I, I didn't. I still don't have like many diabetic friends. Like, your podcast is like my community. They just like, you know, I think they're all my friends, but they don't know I'm alive. But like, I don't really have real, in real life friends who are diabetic.

[Scott]

It's interesting, isn't it, that there was a, a frame of time around type 1 diabetes where just having an endo. Who said you should try a pump made. They meant they were a great forward thinking endo.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Mine didn't. Mine would just be like, okay, let's like look at your numbers. Okay. We'll try to keep this down. Or like, you know, get more exercise. Okay, See you in. Here's your prescriptions. See you in a year. Bye. So, yeah, it's, it's crazy now. I mean, I listened to like all the parents on your podcast. I'm like, oh my gosh. They were like, they're so in it to win it. Like, I just, I don't know, I just didn't. That wasn't my experience, like growing up in the 90s.

[Scott]

So even if I asked you if like your parents were trying to help you or anything like that, there was nothing to help with. Really.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, yeah. And I mean, so, so my, my family immigrated from the former Soviet Union in the 90s and the early 90s. And so, like, my parents, like, I mean, they were just too busy to, like, be sort of all on board. Like, it was kind of like, we'll, we'll work to get you your medicine, and you, you, you figure it out. Best of luck.

[Scott]

This one needs more than the other ones.

[Scott Benner]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Do you have brothers and sisters?

[Svetlana]

I do. I have an older sister.

[Scott]

Does she have any autoimmune stuff?

[Svetlana]

She doesn't. She, she's lucky. Um, she not, not any autoimmune that's, like, visible to us right now, but, but we do have diabetes in the family. My, My father's mother, so my paternal grandmother was type one, but she had a, like, later onset in life. Like, I have, I have small, minor memories of her, like boiling needles and giving herself insulin.

[Scott]

Wow.

[Svetlana]

So I, I, I remember that a little bit back when we still, like, lived in Ukraine, and she passed away very early. Like, she passed away maybe, like, in her early 60s. And then my maternal grandmother had type 2 diabetes. But, like, I mean, that was completely, like, I think lifestyle choices.

[Scott]

Right.

[Svetlana]

That brought that on. But, no, we don't really have any other autoimmune that, that I'm aware of in my family.

[Scott]

How about you? Do you have other stuff?

[Svetlana]

I. Well, we could get to that. Cause I need your professional diagnosis, Scott here. I don't think you should call it

[Scott]

professional, but go ahead. All right.

[Svetlana]

It's the best I've heard. I'm, I'm pretty sure I have a thyroid condition, but, like, not. Nobody wants to believe me, but I think you will believe me. I think you will agree with me.

[Scott]

Well, yeah, I believe all thyroid. That's what, that's the saying, isn't it?

[Svetlana]

I know, I know. And you know, so I, I, in preparation from this call, I pulled my medical records to see what my THS was. And I know you say, like, anything over two, you should get medic. And my endo won't do it. She won't do it. She keeps telling me I'm within the normal range. And so last year it was like 3.84. And this is how sick I am right now. I'm like, I'm hoping it's going to be over four. So she finally, like, believes me and, like, will treat me for it, but it's been, like, up and down. Like, there's some years it's like 1.74. There's some years it's 2.5. There's. Then it goes back to, like, 1.9. So it's like, not consistent.

[Scott]

Are you symptomatic?

[Svetlana]

I think so. I think I'm, like, tired all the time, but it could just be that I'm a bad sleeper. But I do think I, I, I know the list that you usually go to. So no dry hair or nails. That's a no. I do have tiredness. I am tired quite often. My biggest one is sort of as I've gotten into my 30s. Like, I haven't changed anything about sort of my eating habits or my workout, but I am just like, I am gaining weight for, like, no reasons.

[Scott]

Yeah, well. And, and so you tell the end of all this. And what's the answer to that? Like, let's say, okay, it's, you know, they're going to ignore your tsh. She doesn't think it's your thyroid. What does she say?

[Svetlana]

It just says you're fine. You're just work out more if you think you're putting on a few.

[Scott]

What about the tiredness?

[Svetlana]

Like, you're an attorney. You might be stressed. You know, it's fine. Just get more sleep.

[Scott Benner]

Oh, no.

[Scott]

Where did they buy that degree at that they have.

[Svetlana]

No, she's actually amazing. I don't want to. I don't want to.

[Scott]

How is that possible? I'll say. Of all the things that flummoxes me about making this podcast, if she's not helping you with something this simple, how is she amazing?

[Svetlana]

She's amazing in other ways. I will tell you that. She's the first ender. Who can I talk to? I'll. I won't.

[Scott]

I want you to tell me because it feels like you're saying to me, well, he doesn't hit me like, yeah,

[Svetlana]

so I know this is not sounding well. I know. Yeah, this doesn't look good. Let me try to turn this boat around. So this is the one thing where, where we've kind of butted heads and I haven't gotten my way on. Is, is this that she's like, like objectively, your test results don't, don't indicate to me that, like, you need to be medicated for a thyroid condition. But she has been the first one to actually listen to me and okay, maybe this is the part where my story gets a little bit more interesting. So when I met her that six or seven years ago, when she basically called me stupid and I was like, yeah, I think maybe, like, you're right. You have a point. One of the first things that we did was we went on a Dexcom and I still stayed mdi. But I went on a Dexcom and that was like so life changing. I agree with everything that you say about the cgm. Like there's only one tool I could have would be the cgm, because you could just see things real time. And so that was really cool. And I, I didn't love a pump. I didn't love the idea of having something attached to me. I would, for some mental reason, I was against it. I remember like years before then a, a different endocrinologist tried to like put like a CGM on me and I like fainted. Like I had this kind of weird reaction to anything being attached to me really. So she wasn't going to push me to get a pumpkin.

[Scott]

Okay.

[Svetlana]

And we stayed with the, with the cgm. And then of course, me being me, I'm like, okay. She told me I need to be smarter. So like I start like, just like diving in about all kinds of research and I, and I was very intrigued by the inhalable insulin. Right. Afrazza, I think I'm saying. Is that how you say it?

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

And so I was super interested. And then so my, my whole thing about like using technology is like, I want to use technology, but only if it makes my life easier. Right. If like that tab doesn't work well, I don't necessarily like want to use it or, or if I have to take more steps in a day, like with a pump. Like, you know, you're constantly putting like, like you have tabolis for it and you're putting things in and you're checking your phone. And so I was like, what if I can have a CGM but then use Afrezza as sort of my short acting insulin.

[Scott]

Sure.

[Svetlana]

And take once a day long acting insulin. I was on Treceba.

[Scott]

This is the thing people do. Yeah, yeah, right.

[Svetlana]

And so she, she's like, I don't have any patience on Afrezza. And so I put together a PowerPoint presentation. I'm like, I really think you should patient. She's like, okay, let's do it. So she was like very open to like, you know, once I made a compelling case of like why I want to do it, she sort of, she, she helped. And it was, it wasn't easy with insurance. Like you need all these prior pre approvals and all these things. But like she, she did it for me and we went on it and she was like so supportive of it and she was like as interested as I am. And with a freza, you know how you have those doses, they come Sort of like, I don't remember. It was like 4, 8 12.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

Yes. And it was too big. Like if you just want a light snack, like you couldn't take one of them. So I became one of those people where like I bought like a little kid scientist like kit and I would like break up the doses. So like, if you didn't know what I was doing, like, you would have think you would think I was doing like, you know, illegal things. There's like white powders and I'm like breaking them into smaller doses and putting it back in and then inhaling them. And so. But she was like, she was really intrigued that I was doing it. And she was like, show me how you do this. Oh, this is how you break the doses. So she's, she was really like supportive of me finding like treatment that worked for me the way I wanted it to work. And so that meant a lot to me because I, I've never had sort of endocrinologists take such a keen like, interest in how I'm managing my diabetes. And so she, and she was open to like me not wanting a pump and let's try this. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. I had this weird reaction to a frazza that nobody has been able to explain to me. Like, I've contacted like a lot of endocrinologists, my doctor has contacted a lot of endocrinolog. Can I tell you what it is? Are you, do you want to know?

[Scott]

It's not a cough, is it? It's.

[Svetlana]

No, it's not a cough. It showed up. My eye doctor was the one that found it. I was, I go to the eye doctor like three times a year just because, you know, I've had diabetes for 30 years. I'm OCD about not having diabetic changes. And like, I don't know, maybe a year after being on this regime of Afrezza and a long lasting insulin, he, he like looks at me, he's like, we've known each other for a while, right? And I'm like, yeah. And he was like, are you, can I ask you a question? Are you like using drugs? And I was like, yeah, insulin. Like, I'm a diabetic. He's like, no, I'm like talking about illegal drugs, like intravenous drugs. And I was like, what? He's like, you know, I'm seeing these changes, these crystals in your eyes and they're. Sometimes I see this when people are using intravenous drugs. And I was like, like non starter.

[Scott]

He's like, he's like, you're not using heroin, are you? That's what he was asking you.

[Svetlana]

I was like, we were like staring at each other because we were both like, not understand. Like I thought we were speaking different languages each other. I was like, I was like, you think I'm using, like really?

[Scott]

Of all the things high. And you're like, what's this guy talking about here?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I was like, of all the things I could do with my time and money, that is not what I would do. And so he's like, okay, like I, I want you to stop using it because if that's the only thing that you're doing different, like any new medication, then we need to figure out what this is because, like, these, these findings shouldn't be showing up when I dilate your eyes. And so he called my endocrinologist immediately and she called me immediately, like all freaked out. And she's like, don't use it. Like, go back on, I think I was using Novolog at the time. She's like, go back to that and stop using. And so we were never like, you know, she called around her contacts, he called around his contacts and we were. And I mean, I even asked the mankind representatives, they said they had never heard of it.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

But we were never able to get to the bottom of it. And like, maybe for like two years after that, I was like, can I try it? And they'd be like, no, like non starter. Like, like you don't want to mess with your vision. But it was, I mean, if I'm

[Scott]

not having, I'm not having any luck finding anything about that.

[Svetlana]

Me either, Scott. I, I, I, I asked my endocrinologist to reach out to this group of endocrinologists out in San Diego who have done a lot of work on Afrezza and nobody has ever seen this reaction. But because there was nothing else I was doing at the time, like that was the only sort of difference, like objective finding that was different from my last exam. Like he couldn't rule it out. And I mean, I'm not going to risk my vision if it was what caused it.

[Scott]

You had it checked since then?

[Svetlana]

Yes, so. So the crystals have sort of left over time. They're smaller and smaller deposits of them over time, but that's because I never used it again.

[Scott]

Well, you maybe.

[Svetlana]

What do you mean maybe I didn't use it.

[Scott]

No, no, no, I'm, no, maybe that's the reason there's less, fewer crystals. I'm saying maybe it's something else.

[Svetlana]

Exactly.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

Like, I mean, it could have been something else. Yeah, it could have been something else, and that's what I'm saying. But, like, I'm not comfortable to sort of, like, try using it again.

[Scott Benner]

I hear you.

[Scott]

Yeah. Y. No one had an idea about the eye doctor didn't say what else it could be. Why. Why would.

[Svetlana]

We went through, like, all. I was like, here are the vitamins I'm taking. Like, here's this that I'm doing. He's like, no, nothing other than maybe this is what could have caused it. So I was heartbroken. It was, like, the most normal I ever felt because. Right. I was just taking my placebo once a day, and then I would be taking the freezer right after I eat, so, like, I would see what I actually ate and then dose for it right after. Cause it worked so quick. It was just so amazing. I. I felt like I had a working pancreas.

[Scott]

Did the doctor call this thing calc retinopathy or embol embolic crystalline retinopathy? No, no, no. Okay.

[Svetlana]

No, it was just. I think the language used was. Were crystal deposits.

[Scott]

Crystal deposits, yeah.

[Svetlana]

If you find out the answer and I'm able to go back on a frazza, I would owe you my life.

[Scott]

I don't know that I want to be in charge of your eyes, but. But I'm just trying to figure out, like, what else? Like, did the AFREZZA Bring your A1C way down or your average blood sugar's way down? Did it make any.

[Svetlana]

It just easier.

[Scott Benner]

You like?

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

I had a normal life. I felt just a normal. Like, you know, I wasn't constantly sort of, like, checking my phone to see how the insulin was or how my blood sugar was doing because it just worked so quickly. I didn't have as many lows, too, because the lows would rebound really quickly, too.

[Scott]

Mm. Were you on any other medications back then?

[Svetlana]

No, I wasn't using anything else, just. Except my placebo.

[Scott]

Hmm.

[Svetlana]

I know. It's. It's. I mean, it's like the greatest tragedy

[Scott]

of my life, because you weren't. You were really enjoying it.

[Svetlana]

I was really enjoying it.

[Scott]

And there's no indication for what you said here. Like, I can't. I mean, listen. No, I can't find. Using the Internet and half a brain while I'm listening to you talk. I can't find any indication around a phrase that.

[Svetlana]

No.

[Scott]

Something like that.

[Svetlana]

Nope. Nobody's ever heard of it. None of the other endocrinologists in my doctor's network had ever had patients report anything like that.

[Scott]

Was it dangerous?

[Svetlana]

Well, that's why he couldn't tell. He's like, I don't know, but these deposits shouldn't be here. And so, like, if you wanna risk it, you can, but I wouldn't feel comfortable sort of you doing that. And the other thing he said to me is, like, not everyone's like, OCD about going to the eye doctor and getting their eyes dilated and checked for things like you are. So this could be happening to other people, but, like, they're just not, you know, religiously getting their eyes, you know,

[Scott]

I can tell you this. I'm pretty sure someone from mankind's gonna hear this, so. Oh, well, they can reach out if they have something they want to say. I can put them in touch with you.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I mean, for sure. I would love to hear from them. You know, they. They did reach out, like, right afterwards. And, like, I didn't know if, like, I should be talking to them or anything. I mean, I will get. I will. I mean, I. I think it's a great product. I wish it had worked for me. The customer service there was amazing. Like, the specific rep that trained me on it was incredible. Like, I actually really miss him. You know, like, we became friends. Like, he would. He would check in on me all the time because there weren't that many patients on it. I'm trying to think. This was like, back in 2020, they didn't have as many sort of patients using it the way I was using it. And so they were amazing. I have only great things to say about them. And like I said, I'm heartbroken that, like, I can't use their product.

[Scott]

They just got their indication for younger people.

[Svetlana]

I know. I've been following. I Even remember in 2020, when I first started using it, sending you an email, being like, you need to do a topic about a freza, because it's the best thing ever.

[Scott]

I did remember. I did a fair amount of them, too. And. Yeah, and I. I mean, I found myself thinking last week, if this younger indication for younger people, if that. If the indication for younger people doesn't have a freza blow up. Like, I. I wonder if it ever is going to, because again, everyone who I talk to who uses it really, really likes it.

[Svetlana]

I really, really loved it. But, you know, again, like, my biggest fear in life is, like, losing my vision, so I wasn't going to mess with it. And if, like, I couldn't use it, then I couldn't use it. And then headphone.

[Scott]

No you're fine. Such an interesting situation to get put into. Like, you don't know that that's what was happening, but it's also too big of a risk that.

[Svetlana]

Exactly.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, exactly. With your vision. And so that, that's when, like, so then I went back to, like, mdi and, and then I was like, okay, let's try. Because with mdi, you can't like, like micro dose, you know, my. I can't, like, do 1.2. I have to just, you know, guesstimate what 1.2 is. So I did go on the Omnipod and I do love the Omnipod. I have good experience. I don't have any qualms about it or anything. Negative. I, I, I did think that their algorithm is not aggressive enough. So I run my. I keep mine in manual mode.

[Scott]

You see, they just updated it.

[Svetlana]

I did.

[Scott Benner]

I did.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

I did.

[Scott]

I'm already hearing from people. They're enjoying the new lower target and some of the.

[Scott Benner]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Some of the changes they made to the algorithm. The new.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna try. I'm gonna try.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

Yes, I think I'm gonna try. I mean, what. Well, it was one time before, so a hundred. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not convinced it's gonna be, like, aggressive enough for me because I'm, I'm like one of those low riders. I like to be on, you know, I like to be on the lower side.

[Scott]

At least, unlike your eyes. You could just turn it on and see how it goes.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

You know.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, yeah.

[Scott]

Just if you're, Just make sure the settings that you're using currently. I mean, well, you're in manual, so if you're having good success, I mean, it would be as easy as flipping it over and letting it run and see what happens.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, Yeah, I think I am going to try. I'm gearing myself up to giving it a go.

[Scott]

I can tell you something, because this won't come out in any amount of time where this won't be a problem. But I, I was honest. They made a commercial to, to, like, announce the 100 target. It's really, and it's really cool if you, if you find it. It's as short as, like, 30 seconds long, but it's like a bunch of actual Omnipod users at a pool. And they're all, they're all just sort of like looking at each other, saying 100, like, to each other and, oh, that's cool. And it's, it was a lot of fun. And then at the very, very. I'm like an Easter egg at the very, very end of the. Of the.

[Svetlana]

The commercial. You're in the commercial.

[Scott]

Yeah, but so after you get done seeing, like, young, attractive people, then I. I come in to balance that all out at the end and make you. Make you realize the reality of the world and then.

[Svetlana]

Stop it.

[Scott Benner]

Then.

[Scott]

Then it ends.

[Svetlana]

That's so cool. That's amazing.

[Scott]

Yeah, it was. It was a good time. It was. It's weird because it's like, you know, like a real, like, filming set where, like, you stand there for nine hours and work for 15 minutes. But it was. It was a good time. I get to see some people I hadn't seen in a while in person and everything. Joy and I.

[Svetlana]

That's amazing.

[Scott]

So that's out now. I think it's on their YouTube, but they haven't, like. They haven't used it yet in their social media where they're going to. I guess it's coming.

[Svetlana]

Okay, I'm gonna look this up when we get off the phone.

[Scott]

Yeah, yeah, it's. It's hilarious. Let me. Let me just say that the. The makeup person comes up to me and says, I'm trying not to completely give it away, but I had to put zinc on my. They had to put zinc on my nose. Like, the. You know, the white.

[Svetlana]

The like the white powder stuff that

[Scott]

cream, like, for being at the beach, like in the old days. So she comes up to me, she goes, they want me to put, like, a stripe of, like, zinc on your nose. Are you okay with that, by the way? I. You gotta love California. Everyone's always asking if you're all right. Are you okay with that? Is that okay? And I'm like, yeah, yeah. I mean, I'm here, right? I said, I do this. Like, let's go.

[Svetlana]

No, I think they're legally required.

[Scott]

Oh, my God.

[Svetlana]

It has, like, all, like, an extra law for everything. We actually. My husband and I just spent the last three years before we moved back to Chicago in la. And I mean, anywhere you go, like, if you. If you're in a garage anywhere, there's like, all these signs that remind you that carbon monoxide can be bad for you. And you're like, yeah, I'm in the garage.

[Scott Benner]

Figured that.

[Scott]

Thanks. Yeah. She's like, can I, you know, can I put it on your nose? And I'm like, yeah, yeah, sure. She puts a line down the middle of my nose and she goes, they want it to be, like, a comical amount. Is that okay. And I went, I. And I go, yeah, I guess so. Go ahead. But then I couldn't see myself afterwards, you know? And then I saw the commercial and I was like, well, she was right. It was a comical amount.

[Svetlana]

I guess that's why she asked okay four times.

[Scott]

What she meant was, now that I'm looking back on it, is it okay if I make you look ridiculous?

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

You're going, yeah.

[Svetlana]

I still would have said yes if you just said it that way.

[Scott]

You're going to be a clown. Are you up for that? Like, okay, now put this.

[Svetlana]

And you're like, I'm born for this.

[Scott]

Now put this hat on and blow this whistle and let's go clown. So anyway, and it was a great. It was really lovely to be invited, actually. Omnipod.com juicebox use my link and.

[Svetlana]

Much love. Much love.

[Scott]

Learn more about the Omnipod 5. So you, after all of this rigmarole, didn't end up finding a pump?

[Svetlana]

No, I. I know. It was all mental. It was. It must have been some kind of mental. I mean, of course I got the Omnipod because it wasn't tube. I think I. I wouldn't do well with a tube pump. I just don't. Like. I had this thing about, like, you know, extra things being attached, but I've been. You know, part of why I love your group on Facebook so much is you have all these people posting about new places to put your pod because I. I run out of real estate, you know, like, my legs don't absorb well. I don't like it on my stomach because I find it hurts more on your stomach. I find, like, the skin there where like the. Sort of the cannula. Not your favorite place for three days. Yeah, it gets, like, really sore. My hips again, I don't absorb well. I think it's because of, like, you know, 30 years of injecting there. There's probably, like, scar tissue, and it just, like, doesn't absorb well there.

[Scott]

I mean, listen, you gotta trust that your hips don't lie.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Thank you.

[Svetlana]

That's right, Shakira. That's right.

[Scott]

It's all I have today because of my goddamn Metallica tickets. That's why I said no, Scott. They're definitely.

[Svetlana]

I'm gonna try to be extra funny. I'm gonna try to be extra funny to cheer you up.

[Scott]

I had to go, Shira dad joke. That's how low I am. Okay.

[Svetlana]

No, those are. That's good comedy. I mean, that's good humor. We don't. We don't want, like, that's slapstick humor. That's not funny.

[Scott]

All right.

[Svetlana]

And the, the dark stuff is really funny. So you can like, you know, I appreciate to use your dark humor.

[Scott]

Oh, baby, when you talk like that, we might as well keep going. I could do the whole song if you want. Did she not get in trouble for like tax fraud?

[Svetlana]

Did she?

[Scott]

I don't want to speak.

[Svetlana]

That's unfortunate.

[Scott]

Hold on a second. Get found guilty. Yeah.

[Svetlana]

I don't want to have to defend you against stuff.

[Scott]

No kidding. I don't have to pay you. Although I have all that extra Metallica money back, I guess we could get.

[Svetlana]

There you go.

[Scott]

Come on, Internet. It's really looking. Look at looking. I mean, it's not that. Seriously. Yes and no. It says depends on what case. Depends on what case. I mean, for the 2000. Well, 2012, 2014 Spanish taxes case, Shakira

[Scott Benner]

was not found guilty.

[Scott]

After a trial, she accepted a settlement plea deal on the first day of the trial In November of 2023, accepted the charges, paid fines, and received a suspended three year sentence to avoid prison. For a separate 2011 Spanish tax case, she was acquitted. In May of 2026, Spain's High Court ruled that she was extra sexy and didn't have to pay. How about that? The tax authorities. Yeah. Authority had not proven she was a Spanish tax resident that year. Ooh. I was like, sounds like Shakira moves around a lot.

[Svetlana]

Trying to technicality.

[Scott]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to remember that one.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

I ever make enough money to try to defraud my taxes, I'm not up to the effort being worth the squeeze at this point.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

So anyway, so. But getting back to you, I really think that. I really think that it's interesting to see somebody diagnosed around the time you are before this technology was available and then becomes available, but it's not plentiful or a thing that people are really doing. You're probably have doctors who grew up without any of this.

[Svetlana]

Exactly.

[Scott]

They're not thinking to even tell you about it. And then eventually someone, you know, knights you with, hey, go talk to this lady. She's very forward thinking. And all she says was, you should get a pump. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so. And does that make a big difference in your life? Do you see a night and day difference between your A1Cs, your outcomes, how you feel?

[Svetlana]

Yes.

[Scott]

Yeah, it does. Yeah, tell me. But at the same time, I guess the, the extension of my question here is the time between when you knew pumps existed and when you Actually got one. You were aware of them then, but didn't want a thing on your body?

[Svetlana]

Yes.

[Scott]

Were you. Were you knowingly making a trade for variability and A1C or did you not think of it that way?

[Svetlana]

You know, you don't think of it that way, or at least I wasn't thinking of it that way. I was like, you know, I'm doing well enough. Like, you know, objectively, I. I look healthy. And, you know, back then, doctors told you like, a 7 or 8. A 1C was good. Like, that wasn't, you know, that wasn't bad. So I was like, okay, like, I'm doing what I need to be doing. You know, like I said, most people didn't know I had diabetes, so everyone just, like, thought I was, like, fit, active, things like that.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

So it never just, like, played and. And I didn't have other diabetics around me, so, like, nobody was talking about it. So it just, like, diet. I mean, I knew I was diabetic, obviously, but, like, it wasn't like, something I think about every day. I will say, sort of now that I'm leading into, like, sort of your community that you've built, which is amazing, and, like, have all this tech, I am more interested, like, I'm reading all the time about it. I'm looking at all of these studies. I'm thinking about all the, like, how different the different products are and stuff. But it could also be just because, like, I'm older, maybe it interests me more. And then back then, I was just like, okay, like, I'm in school, I'm a student, and then, you know, I'm in law school, I'm starting my career. Just wasn't top of the mind for me. I'm also reminded of it all the time now because I'm. I'm. I'm very competitive with myself where, like, I look at my numbers constantly. Like, you know, all the. All the data, all the trends. I'm. I give myself like a score every week. You know, when Dexcom sends you your weekly report, I'm like, oh, I got an A minus this week. You know, If I'm like 91%.

[Scott]

You're enjoying doing that?

[Svetlana]

Yeah. I mean, my husband thinks I'm crazy, but, like, for me, like, I'm not competing with other people. I'm just competing with myself. Now that I have this data, until you have it, you just don't think about it. But, like, when you get it and it's right in front of you, then I've taken, like, A much more interest in sort of like my diabetes over the last seven years.

[Scott]

Well, yeah, I mean, I can believe that you take more interest as you get older, but is the. Is it helping you? Like, is the paying attention, more digging in, reading about things? Can you tell me how that helps?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I mean, it kind of leads me to, like, why I wanted to be on the show today. So maybe, like, I don't know, eight, nine years ago, like, on a regular. I always confuse, like, the two different doctors. The ophthalmologist, the optometrist, the whatever. Just like the one that, you know, checks your reading glasses and your contacts.

[Scott]

The way I think of it is Steve and the other guy.

[Svetlana]

Yes. Okay, so I'll call her Dr. K. Dr. K. And then the other guy. So Dr. K is the one that checks my glasses and my contacts. She takes a look and she's. When she dilates my eyes and she's like, hey, like, you've been diabetic for a really long time. It might be worthwhile for you to go to the other guy and just for him to do, like, a deeper retinal evaluation.

[Scott]

Sure.

[Svetlana]

Just to make sure you don't have things popping up. And so I started seeing this other guy, and this other guy is like, okay, well, I could definitely tell that you're a diabetic, but I'm not seeing any sort of peripheral retinopathy or anything. And your vision hasn't affected your vision or anything. So, you know, why don't you just come see me twice a year and we'll just monitor things. And so that's what I was doing. I. I went to him. I. I think I actually went to him like, three times a year since. Since that time. And he would just do sort of more imaging of the retina to make sure. Every once in a while, he would run an angiogram. Do you know what that is for, like, your eyes?

[Scott]

For your eyes? Yeah, I don't think I do. What do they do there? What do they do with that?

[Svetlana]

I mean, it's what it kind of what. It's. As awful as it sounds, it's basically they. They. They pump like, yellow ink or a yellow dye into your vein, and then it's. It's like travels through your vessels, your blood vessels, and then at that same time, they're taking imaging of your eyes. So they could tell with this yellow dye if there are more vessels forming, which is like, sort of signs of a prolifera diabetic retinopathy. So every couple of years, he Would take those, and they were fine. And so at some point, he was like, maybe you don't need to see me as often. And I'm like, okay, like, great. I love you. But, like, if you're telling me everything's good, you know, my. My A1Cs are in the six. Like, they go between, like, six, like, five, nine, and six, three. So, like, you know, I'm doing my best. And Tor, in terms of, like, control, not a lot of what variability, too. Like, I think, like, my variability is usually 20 to 25 or something.

[Scott]

Real quick. Were you doing the IV and the arm with the stuff three times a year?

[Svetlana]

No, no, no. That's every couple of years. He would take it.

[Scott]

Okay.

[Svetlana]

Yeah. Just because that's another thorough. That's just, like, a more thorough look to make sure no new vessels are forming.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

So, like, on this last appointment, maybe at the beginning of this year, maybe January or February of this year, I go in to see him, and he's like, yeah, your things look good. The imaging looks good, but, like, we haven't had an angiogram in maybe, like, four years. Let's just do one to be safe. You know, I'm overthinking it, but let's just do one to be safe. And so I'm like, okay. Like, why not? So super fun times. So we do this angiogram, and something about, like, the tech in the office the angiogram has done is not sending the results to his office. And, like, I'm waiting and waiting. He's like, hey, just go home, and I'll call you and, like, let you know when we get the results. And so I. I come home maybe, like, four hours later, and, like, I have a bad feeling now because, you know, like, I. I thought it was no big deal, but, like, the fact that he wanted to do it today seemed weird. Even though he told me everything looks fine and he's just being overly cautious. And then I might call our I.D. i see the office calling, and I pick it up, and I'm. I'm expecting it to be one of his assistants being like, just call to give you the news. Everything's fine. See you in four months. But I hear his voice, and. Yeah, and it was like, there's only, like, two times in my life I can clearly remember, like, just hearing something and getting physically sick. Like, you're gonna throw up. And this was. This was one of the times, like, I couldn't talk to him. Like, as soon as he started talking and, like, said something along the lines Like, I'm so sorry. We found something. Like, I had to put myself on mute because I was gonna throw up.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

And then I took myself off mute and I was like, I'm so sorry. Can I call you tomorrow? Like, I just, I, I, I'm like, I wasn't sound to, like, listen to what he had to say because, like, it was like that call I've been trying to avoid and work so hard, like, all these years not to get. And then when I finally did talk to him, he was like, hey, it's more likely than not to have prolo. That's what it is. It's prolifera diabetic retinopathy. He's like somebody who's. And the reason why I check you so often is because I was expecting this. Like, when someone has it for 30 years, it's more likely than not that there will be changes. And it's manageable. There's. You can get injections, you can get laser treatments, but, like, up until that point, I had just never heard anyone talk about it. And so I felt like, like, wtf? Like, why didn't I know this was, like, a thing? And why am I the only one who has it? And funny enough, that day I was listening to your podcast and you had an episode on with, oh my gosh, I'm blanking on her name right now. The woman in California, the therapist.

[Scott]

Erica.

[Svetlana]

Erica, yes. I can't believe I forgot her name. She's so amazing. And she was telling about how she had laser treatments for her eyes, right? And I was like, maybe it was confirmation bias, you know, Like, I just wasn't paying attention to it when people talked about it before. But now that it affects impacted me, I was like, oh, my gosh, now I'm seeing it everywhere. And just hearing her talk about that it, like, happened to her too, and that she had these treatments. I was like, oh, okay. So, like, it wasn't me who just, like, f'd up, you know, like it happened.

[Scott]

Would you rather hear that news or this sentence? Vibey has refunded your Metallica 2 show concert and hotel experience, February 2027 destination.

[Svetlana]

Okay, that is more nauseous.

[Scott]

Which made you more nauseous. Okay. No, no, I'm joking. Ob.

[Svetlana]

No, no. I mean, it's a close call. It's a close call. Yeah. I don't know. Both would make me. That'll be the third time in my life.

[Scott]

My brothers and I have a playlist of songs we're excited about.

[Svetlana]

I know.

[Scott]

It's okay.

[Svetlana]

This is all. This. This will all help bolster that letter that I'm going to write on your behalf.

[Scott]

Your sir, madam, who am I concerned.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

No, no, listen. If you write a letter, I'm definitely not getting my tickets. They're going to be like, no, no,

[Svetlana]

no, no, no, no. You would get your tickets. I'm a very good letter drafter.

[Scott]

How often do you do this to get things? Like, do you do it when the bags aren't right?

[Svetlana]

Or like, no, no, I'm not ridiculous.

[Scott]

Constantly that you're like, let me just lay this on you.

[Svetlana]

No, I'm just, like, very good. Explaining to people why sometimes what they've done is unreasonable and they should reconsider.

[Scott]

What kind of law do you practice?

[Svetlana]

So I don't even practice law anymore. I work in what we call alternative dispute resolution. Basically, we help people and companies not resolve their differences. But not in court. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Exactly. But I used to be an insurance litigator, so.

[Scott]

Oh, wow. That sounds boring as hell. And, like, a lot of. Like, a lot of reading is what it sounds like.

[Svetlana]

Actually, there was reading, but I was, like, a trial attorney, so I got to, like, be in front of juries and, like, you know, try to tell them how my client, who is ridiculous, isn't so ridiculous.

[Scott]

Oh, wow.

[Svetlana]

So it was kind of fun.

[Scott]

Oh, you like that? You can't handle the truth, people. I got you.

[Svetlana]

Maybe not as dramatic.

[Scott]

Not that dramatic. I mean, is court not like Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise yelling at each other? I can't believe my gosh.

[Svetlana]

I wish I was. But most of the terror reasons are horrible. Like, actually, court is, like, very awful because a lot of attorneys are just, like, bad attorneys, and it's painful to watch them.

[Scott]

Oh, but they're bad at talking.

[Svetlana]

Yes.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

They're boring and.

[Scott]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I have to say, I was doing something the other day and I thought, what a weird skill I have. But as I looked around the room, I thought, not a lot of people have this one. They just like, reach into your head and start going. You know what I mean?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a gift. Well, you have to tell a story. Not everyone can tell a story.

[Scott]

Yeah, it's. It's crazy. I used to really undervalue it. I used to. I mean, honestly, I think I probably just felt like, if any. If I was good at something, everyone must be good at it. You know what I mean?

[Svetlana]

But no, this is really a gift, though.

[Scott]

That's bad upbringing, that's all.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, No, I. And you do have that gift of being able to talk to people and keep people's interests. And so, like, now I lead a sort of business development team. And I always tell my team, I'm like, don't be boring. Read the room. It. If nobody's reacting to you.

[Scott]

I came out of. I came out of the bathroom. I was going into the bathroom in a public place, and there was a security guard, a female security guard, probably in her mid-30s, and she was doing her paperwork between the men's and women's room. And I made eye contact and smiled at her, and she smiled back. And I said, you know what always gives me hope about humanity? And she said what? I said, in public places, the men have to walk farther. They get to the bathroom than the women do. And she, like, looked. And she goes, you're right. I'm like, no, I know in every situation, we make the men walk the extra distance to the. The farther bathroom. I was like. And it makes me happy. It makes me feel like we're still paying attention to small things that are important. And we had a whole little conversation. She's like, laughing, and we talked a little bit and we walked away. And I was with a person who kind of saw it from a distance and said, what did you. What were you just talking about with her? And I told him, he's a younger guy. And he goes, why. Why did you say that to her? And I said, I like to test my ability to talk to people and make them feel comfortable really quickly. That's.

[Svetlana]

I love that.

[Scott]

Yeah, I just, like, I think it's a good practice also. I find it really interesting. And who the hell am I going to tell about that?

[Svetlana]

And I like talking to random people. You always have something to learn from someone, too, right?

[Scott]

I swear. Yeah. Because she talked back and she. She Some things about, you know, she's like, I can't believe I never noticed that before. I'm like. I said, look, it might not be every building, but it's most of them. I think it's. It's a chivalry thing.

[Svetlana]

Honestly, I never thought about it this way, but that I'm. I will take that. I will keep that with me. Scott.

[Scott]

Yeah. Small thing.

[Svetlana]

Interesting.

[Scott]

We won't help you with your reproductive health. No one's going to look at. No one's going to look into PCOS or endometriosis. That's not happening. We do have 19 different boner pills, though, And. And that's technically for most of you, isn't it? It's probably how they argue about it in the meeting. Probably we don't help women. And they're like, this is kind of for them. Like, not really. Not after the first couple times. Right. So on. And then it's sort of.

[Svetlana]

But your bathroom is closer than the men's one, so.

[Scott]

Yeah, I like mine better.

[Svetlana]

There you go.

[Scott]

So, okay, so doctor tells you this bad news about your eyes and you finally, you pull it together and you call, is there a. What do you do then?

[Svetlana]

And he's just kind of like, hey, we expected this. Like, we were watching for this actually. So, like, it's perfect that we caught it at such an early moment. He's like, we are just seeing a couple of small new like, vessels. But like, there's treatment for this. There's injections. You know what it sounds like, an injection in your eye, like super fun times. And there's laser treatments, which I am going to go get one relatively shortly. But he said it's manageable. Like this is manageable. And like we are not going to lose your vision. Like Your, your, your A1C is good. You're in control. That and, and of course, like, you know, I fact check all of this. I Google like and I chat GPT like for the next three days to be like, was it really more likely than not? And it was. I mean the, all the data says, you know, after 30 years it's expected. But like, I just, you know, I always thought like, I worked so hard to keep my sugars and range and you know, like, but, you know, things like that, to avoid it to, to be that minority. But like, I didn't do it.

[Scott]

But in the beginning, in the beginning though, your tools weren't good. Like, I mean, you're on regular and MPH at one point.

[Scott Benner]

Right?

[Svetlana]

Right. Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

I want.

[Scott]

So I, what I would say is, you know, somebody who was diagnosed 10 years ago, I bet you they don't. They have a much better chance that this not happening to them. I think if you were diagnosed 10 years ago, that 20 years from now you wouldn't be going through this. I think it really, I think it's the regular and MPH launch, if I'm. If I guess and I don't know what you could have done about that. I, I think that the people who end up getting through the regular MPH days unscathed are probably ones who just were given a heavier dose of insulin. It's probably it, you know, because what, you weren't really adjusting, right? You weren't.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

You weren't really Bull for everything you ate, et cetera. So.

[Svetlana]

And the way you were eating back then was like. I mean, like, the food paragraph. I mean, like, yeah, I mean, all those carbs. Now that. I think after I got the cgm, I never ate a sweet potato again. Because I saw what it was the

[Scott]

first time it hit you. You were like, oh, gosh, is that what they do?

[Svetlana]

I was like, not having one of those. And I really. I really haven't had, like, a baked sweet potato ever since because, like, now I know what, like, the different foods do to me. So, I mean, listen, like, I. I get it. Like, you know, I. I think I did my best, but it's. It was still disappointing because, you know, I was.

[Scott]

I'm gonna cut you off. That doesn't help. Knowing that you did your best, but you weren't prepared with, you know, you weren't modern. That doesn't help you feel better?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, no, I think it made me feel even worse because I was like, well, clearly it wasn't my best. Right.

[Scott]

Like, I don't know about that, though.

[Svetlana]

Objective finding. Still, it's like, no, that. What, you. You start doing crazy things. Like, well, maybe I shouldn't have let my blood sugar sit high for two hours that one time. Or maybe I shouldn't have been having, like, that ice cream and stuff like that. You start doing that, like, crazy thing that you do to yourself. Yeah, like, what is it, like, the denial phase, the regret phase, whatever the five phases were. Like, you know, by the time I came in to see him, he's like, how are you doing? I'm like, well, I'm past the denial phase, and I'm into acceptance. So I just. I'm still going through it because I had about three rounds of injections and now we just started with the laser. And, I mean, neither one of them are pleasant procedures, but, like, it is what it is. Like, this is the hand of the deck of cards you got handed. Right?

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

I'm at least grateful that now there are these things that you could do to manage it. And he was telling me, he's like, you know, we didn't really have. The injections weren't that good. And the laser didn't do this much until a couple years ago, too. So, like, this is. We have better tools now to manage it, too. So, like, in that regard, I feel really lucky, too.

[Scott]

Hey, your voice got dimmer a second ago. Did your hair cover your microphone or anything like that? Hold on a second. I gotta answer this call. This is gonna be.

[Svetlana]

Hold on, sure, no problem.

[Scott]

Hey, Arden. Go ahead. You're on the podcast, though. Go ahead. Okay.

[Svetlana]

Well, you blocked me in. I can't leave for the interview.

[Scott]

You can't leave for the interview? Can't you just move my car? I. I have to go.

[Svetlana]

I'm already running late. And you,

[Scott]

sweetie, can John move it or somebody else? Bye. I'm. I'm working. You can't leave the house late. Say, my car's in your way and I gotta move it.

[Svetlana]

Scott, you sound just like me. Like, I remember, like, when my parents, like, weren't. Weren't working anymore, like, full time, and. And I would, like, try to do, like, a family vacation and, like, try to, like, organize the time, and I'd be like. They'd be like, well, we're not available these times. I'd be like, I'm the only one with the job. Like. Like, why didn't you ask me when I'm available? Like, what do you mean you're not. What do you do? She's like, an itinerary.

[Scott]

I'm guessing what happened was, is, let me be clear. I went to the ADA thing. I came home, she took my spot in the garage that we have, and so I came home, parked behind the garage, and nobody's left the house in a day or so. And now she's running out the door to go to a job interview, and she opened the door and saw my car sitting there. I mean, move the car.

[Svetlana]

It's clearly your fault.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

I don't know what you're confused about.

[Scott]

Yeah, like, I gotta go. I'm like, well, go. Any idea how many times I move the other car so I can get out? Like, why?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, that's funny, people.

[Scott]

Also, she knows in the past, if she calls while I'm on the podcast, she's gonna be on the podcast. She knows that. So that's okay.

[Svetlana]

That's fair.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

But I just closed it.

[Scott]

I still tolerate. So you've had a few treatments already that you've done the needles?

[Svetlana]

Yes, I've done the injections. I've done about three rounds of them. Yeah.

[Scott]

How long's. How long you've been at that?

[Svetlana]

So from January of this year, we're talking June. So I space them out about, like, a month or about six to eight weeks apart. They have to.

[Scott]

Oh, you've only been at this for, like, six months then. Yeah.

[Svetlana]

Yeah. But the prognosis is good. He's saying, like, he's sort of seeing. You know, it's. It's sort of stopping Any growth or anything like that. And so I'm reacting well to treatment, which is like the best thing that could. He could have hoped for.

[Scott]

Is this anything you noticed in your vision?

[Svetlana]

No, not at all. That's the craziest part. Sorry. You're gonna hear the door open really quickly just cause I'm gonna get in the car, but I don't think you'll hear feedback.

[Scott]

Tell people, we'll tell people where you're going.

[Svetlana]

To the eye doctor to get my, to get my treatments. I'm so diligent about it. But that's the crazy part that it. He found this just by being over cautious. It's not because I complained of vision problems or anything like that.

[Scott]

Right. Are you there for a second? Sorry.

[Svetlana]

And you know, one of the first things that I said to him too was I, I, I sort of like confronted him. I was kind of trying to tell him that I think he's wrong about me. Wrong. And because like I, I said, I am way younger than all the other people in your office waiting to get like these treatments. And she was kind of like, what? But then I was like, like, I don't understand why, like I'm the only one my age here. And that's where he was like. Because maybe you're the, like, you're, you're abnormal in that you're so diligent about being so like, oh, they found it duty and cautious about.

[Scott]

Or you were younger when you were diagnosed and in that time frame too. You know what I mean? Because if you were 10 years older, you were diagnosed, but it was still the 90s then you'd be, you'd be 10 years older now. So. So yeah. Yeah. So. I don't know. I think it's great you're doing it. I think it's great you went and got checked. Everybody needs to do that. Especially because you know when you're a kid and you're going to endo, they look all the time. And then when you become an adult, nobody brings it up anymore.

[Svetlana]

Well, that's what I mean. It's like. And you know, and it was just because he had some kind of gut feeling. He's like, let's just run this extra test. Because he didn't see anything different when he dilated my eyes. Maybe it's just been a while.

[Scott]

Maybe he needs a boat. So he's, you know what I mean?

[Svetlana]

Yeah. He's like, you have to build something. He looks like an easy one. Yeah.

[Scott]

Hey, do you believe you're not gonna control in your eyes, by any chance? Are you not gonna Google that if I say it out loud? Are you?

[Svetlana]

I know, right?

[Scott]

So what are you having done?

[Svetlana]

It's too soon. It's too soon. I'm still upset that I can't take a frazza.

[Scott]

What are you doing today? Are you doing lasers or.

[Svetlana]

So I'm doing a laser treatment. So one. So it's a couple of different ways you could do it. You could do, like, both of your eyes, because they found it in both of my eyes, sort of these early peripheral retinopathy. So what you could do is you could do both eyes at the same time, or you could do one eye at a time because you have to be dilated. And, you know, the. The way I am, I'm like, well, what if something goes wrong? I don't want it to go wrong in both eyes, and then I can't see, so I sort of drag out the treatment for myself. I do the eyes separately because I'm too paranoid. If something were to go wrong, I wouldn't want it to go wrong in both of the eyes.

[Scott]

Okay, so just take a little longer this way.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, it takes a little longer. I mean, it was really bizarre. I had my first laser treatment last time, and I didn't know what to expect. But it's basically like. Like, they're just shining bright light into your eye for, like, five minutes and telling you to look in certain directions, and you're like, I can't see. So I don't know, like, what you're telling me to do.

[Scott]

You like, I'm doing it?

[Svetlana]

Yeah. I'm like, am I doing it? I have no ide. Idea. And does it hurt then? No. They numb your eye. So neither. Neither the laser nor the injection hurt except for, like, pressure, you know, like, you can feel the pressure of a needle going into your eye, but it's not. It's uncomfortable. But I wouldn't say, like, you shriek from the pain and the laser. You don't feel it either because your eye is numb. It's just like bright light into your eye to the point where, like, you don't see out of that eye because it's. It's so bright, but it goes away. Like, once they stop, it goes away in, like, a minute or two.

[Scott]

I was gonna say there's no recovery after the laser or anything like that.

[Svetlana]

Well, that's what, like, was scaring me so much. The first time I went to do it, like, they stopped, and I was like, I still can't say, like, you lied to me, he said, just give it a minute. Like it's kind of like when you look in a bright light and like your vision gets all messed up. Like, just give it a. And I actually made him stay with me in the room until I could see.

[Scott]

But it was. It's scary though. I mean, that's.

[Svetlana]

It was scary.

[Scott]

Yeah. There's things that are scary. Your visions gotta be is one of them list. Yeah, of course.

[Svetlana]

For me it's the top of the list. Absolutely. Thanks for understanding how I feel. Everyone is like, kind of like, it's fine, it's manageable and like, you don't understand. It's fine. I equate my vision to like my independence. Like if. If you don't have your vision, like I would have to rely on other people for like almost everything. And like that to me is like a non starter. I can't do that.

[Scott]

I don't know. I mean, it doesn't seem like it's a hard thing to understand. Losing your vision would be upsetting.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. You know what I mean?

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Whoever's saying that is just trying to be positive in the wrong situation, you know?

[Svetlana]

No. And you've had so many folks on here who have been in that situation. And like, I find their episodes so valuable and it's so interesting to hear from them kind of like how they deal with it and what their journey has been.

[Scott]

Yeah, me too.

[Svetlana]

And so. And I think where my story was like a little bit different is that like, I just didn't even know that I should be on the lookout for something like this if I was like so well controlled, you know what I mean? Like, I was like, you know, if this happened, why didn't happen during my teenage years when, you know, my A1C was probably higher. Like, why is it happening now in these. My A1C has never been better.

[Scott]

Well, because it takes. It takes time to develop. And also I have heard stories too about people like, right, your blood sugars are high for so long. And then when you get them back into range, you know that everything sort of changes about the pressure in your eye too. And maybe that can expose some stuff as well. You should ask him about that.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, he did. He did say that one time years ago where. Where I was a little bit higher. Like my A1C was maybe like an 8. And then I got on the. I got on the Dexcom and like the next time my A1C was like 5.8. Cause like, you know, now I was seeing my numbers real time and he was like, just out of curiosity, did you. Does your A1C go down significantly? And I was like, yeah. He's like, yeah, I could see that. But, you know, I could see that in your eye immediately.

[Scott]

No, that's not uncommon. I've heard people say that doctors have brought their A1Cs down very slowly on purpose because of stuff like that.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I mean, I didn't think like 79 to like 59 was that big of a drop, but I guess it was like, it was significant enough for him to, like, ask me about it.

[Scott]

Yeah, yeah. And you notice just from looking in your eye too, right?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Scott]

I think you have a good doctor.

[Svetlana]

He is so good. And, like, I'm so grateful that, like, he's so overly cautious like that as much as, like, you know, now. I was, like, so angry for a while. I'm like, I can't believe I have this and stuff. Like, he. He's right. We found it at the earliest moment and it's manageable. And like, again, this is what it is and this is what we're going to do.

[Scott Benner]

Cool.

[Scott]

You ever tried writing a strongly worded letter to diabetes, see if it would leave you alone?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I write one in my head every day. A lot of bad words.

[Scott]

I imagine that.

[Svetlana]

A lot of words.

[Scott]

Hey, real quickly, do you have any kids?

[Svetlana]

I don't have kids, no.

[Scott]

How involved is your husband with your diabetes? Does he know? Because you're. You're pretty old school. I bet he doesn't know three things about it. But I'm. But I want to hear what you tell me.

[Svetlana]

That's so funny and interesting that you say that. So my husband is like the best person on earth and he has an interest in it because I've dated other men that were just kind of like, with diabetes.

[Scott]

What?

[Svetlana]

But, like, he. He's very supportive of, like, my very healthy eating habits. Like, he eats the same way, too. And he wants to know everything. Like, about my sugar is like, if he hears my alarms, he's like, do you need anything? But then he's also very into, like, food science with me, too. Like, we, you know, we. You had this one woman, Jessie. I can't pronounce her last name.

[Scott]

I can't pronounce her last name either. She was Dutch, right?

[Svetlana]

She. Or Dutch. I think she was maybe, but I'm not sure. But we got her book and we're like, all into her book about kind of like, you know, how different foods impact you and how, like, the time of day or what you eat it with and things like that. So we're both into that. And I actually, for. As a gift for, like, I don't know, our anniversary, I bought him, like, a Ducks Calm or a Freestyle Libre one time to wear for a week so he could see how different foods were impacting him. I don't think he's, like, eaten a banana since, because he was like, oh, my gosh. But so he's very, very supportive. He does think I'm a little too competitive. There's, like, this event in California every year. I think it's called some type. Oh, I can't remember the name of it, but it's run by a lot of the endocrinologists out in the UC San Diego group.

[Scott]

Okay.

[Svetlana]

And it's for adults. It's for adults with type one or type two to get together. There's a lot of programming. It's really great. But he says, like, we can't. Like, I'm not allowed to go to it anymore because I, like, become too competitive, which I didn't realize I did. But, like, you, like. He just thinks I shouldn't be around other people and, like, trying to find out, like, what their A1C is. Because then if it's, like, lower than mine, then I'm like, okay, I want to be just as good. Like, how do I do it?

[Scott]

Lana, you became a trial attorney, and you don't know. You're competitive.

[Svetlana]

I thought I was competitive with myself, not with others. I was heartbroken to hear that. Like, I, you know, give off that aura. I'm competitive with someone else. He won't come to me with. With that.

[Scott]

My. My level of competitiveness is the only thing that keeps this podcast going.

[Svetlana]

Oh.

[Scott]

Because people are always like, how do you make a podcast about diabetes for 12 years? And I'm like, I don't want to lose.

[Svetlana]

Like, yeah. I'm like, I like that. Yeah, I like that.

[Scott]

I don't know what it's about, but it feels healthy. It keeps me moving. By the way, I just want to say that Jesse, whose last name in Chesapee, but, yeah, I don't know,

[Scott Benner]

but she def.

[Scott]

But she is from France and she's French.

[Svetlana]

He's from France.

[Scott]

That I got right. Okay. So I just want.

[Svetlana]

Okay. You did.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Scott Benner]

She was interested.

[Scott]

I don't know why she's. She talks to type twos mainly. Got pretty famous, actually, for a while, but I was great. Yeah, I just had her on because she was talking about. I like the one thing she was talking about about how to eat in a certain order to change your digestion.

[Svetlana]

It's totally. And not even digested, but like, your numbers, too. Like, so we use a lot of her methods, and they work for us. I mean, for me, I don't know if my husband's. Because he's not wearing this T jam anymore, but she is right about, like, how certain foods impact you.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

So I do. I found her book. Very, very useful. I like. I like it a lot. I still have it, and sometimes we'll flip through it for things.

[Scott]

That's cool. Yeah. Listen, I once. He's not even the CEO of Dexcom anymore. His name was Kevin, but he came on years and years ago, and he's like, I wore a, you know, cgm. I don't have diabetes. He's. And he's listed off a handful of foods. He's like, I don't touch these foods anymore.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

Yeah. After seeing what they did to my blood sugar, I was like, no, thanks. I don't need this, though. So.

[Svetlana]

Yeah. And it's interesting hearing it from a non diabetic, too, because, you know, there's certain. I mean, like I said, I've never had a sweet potato since. I don't touch figs or sort of. Or dates. Oh, my gosh, dates. I mean, that is just like. You just call them diabetic killers. I don't know what else to call them.

[Scott]

Well, they're like sugar soaked in sugar.

[Svetlana]

It's just sugar. Yeah, sugar soaked in sugar sprinkled with powdered sugar and, you know, inhaled. But yeah, there's. There's a whole other group of things that. It's just not worth it to me. You know, it's not that you can't eat it. It's just, like, not worth the trouble that it comes with.

[Scott]

Yeah. When I hear people talk about it that way, what I hear is, you know, I know I can eat it and I could get through it, but sometimes, I mean, the juice isn't worth the squeeze. And I don't want to be Exactly. I just don't want to be involved in this. So I'm like, this is exactly my line. I'm drawing for myself. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

At all. All right, well, we have to let you go because you're probably. You're in Chicago. You're probably have to find a place to park your car and walk and the whole thing.

[Scott Benner]

Right.

[Svetlana]

Exactly. Exactly.

[Scott]

Are you. Did you get to say everything you wanted to say?

[Svetlana]

I did. Thank you. So much for having me on and.

[Scott]

Yeah, of course.

[Svetlana]

I just hope that, like, other people know if this is hitting them, you know, in their 30s, they're not the only ones. Like, other people have these kind of findings too, and just. I know, I know. It definitely helped me to hear from Erica that day that she had gone through it too, because I felt like I was the only person.

[Scott]

I always have that feeling. Always have that feeling. Like just a person who you think has it together starts telling you about and you're like, oh, that all happens to me too. Then I don't think to me, that should make you think, maybe I have it together too. Like, maybe I do and I'm not giving myself, like, enough grace here. You know what I mean?

[Svetlana]

Yeah, I'm not in that phase yet.

[Scott]

Well, it's only 30 years.

[Scott Benner]

You'll get there.

[Scott]

Don't worry. Yeah, that's funny. Do you. Do you have. Can I ask you, what advancements are you looking forward to? Like, when you think about, oh, I can't wait for them to do this. Is there something in mind, or do you not think about any of this that way?

[Svetlana]

Oh, no, I do. I'm constantly trying to get myself on those trials and things. Like, I was really interested in the. The. You know, you had that woman on that did the. The islet cell transplants, but they weren't. They weren't human. They were porcine.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

I don't know if I'm saying that word correctly. I was like, ooh, I wanna. I wanna do that. So I'm constantly trying to think. It's. It is. It is a lot of work finding those studies, having those people reply to you and then actually qualifying for em.

[Scott]

The qualifying is the hard part. Did you try the Eladon study? It's right there in Chicago.

[Svetlana]

So that's next on my list to investigate. Um, so I. I do think, like, you know, when I was little, and the doctors would be like, oh, there'll be a cure one day. Like, after you heard that, like, a couple of times, they're like, okay, just stop.

[Scott]

Yeah, I guess that's now.

[Svetlana]

Like, I think when people say that, I'm more hopeful that that really is the truth. Like, the amount of, like, advancement that's happened in the last five, ten years is incredible. So I. I am very positive about the future. And honestly, at the end of the day, I know this sounds crazy, but I think I personally feel like there are some benefits to having diabetes and that, like, it really made me a responsible, organized person that I don't know if I would have been that way if it wasn't for diabetes that, that has shown. Those skills have showed up in other ways. Yeah, I know my life.

[Scott]

I know what you mean. I've had thoughts.

[Svetlana]

Very productive. Yeah. Like, I'm very productive in work because I know I have to be organized because, like, you know, I have to make 50 extra decisions today.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

And things like that.

[Scott]

Well, having said that, I could have just got you a book about making your bed. It probably would have done the same thing eventually. But I hear, I do hear, I hear what you're saying. I hear people say all the time, look, I definitely don't want diabetes, but there's been a ton of positive things that have come from it, and they'll list off a bunch of stuff like that. So if, if Dr. Wachowski called you and he was like, hey, you're in Chicago. Come on over. We're going to jam some islet cells in your liver and give you this infusion. You would do it, huh?

[Svetlana]

Can you connect me?

[Scott]

Oh, I see you're ready. Um, I, he, I think he's right now looking for people who have an issue. I forget what it is. Like, you had to be, you kind of had to be pretty perfect the first time around, and now you have

[Svetlana]

to have some, some other things and see, that's the problem with my group, like, or me in general. I'm not, like, sort of none of my organs are giving out. But I'm also, like, now, let's not

[Scott]

call that a problem, but I hear what you're saying, as far as getting started.

[Svetlana]

Yeah, it's a lot of studies. You have to be sort of one or the other. And, you know, I've had it for 35 years almost, so it's like I'm not gonna qualify, but I, I, I would. I am more likely than the average person to sign up for a study.

[Scott]

You would do it?

[Svetlana]

I just, I always feel like it's, it's part of paying it forward too. Right.

[Scott]

Like, I, I take that to it, and I, I usually hear that come from longer live type ones too. Like, I'm trying to help everybody else too, and help myself if I can. So if, if, if that was the case and you had to every 21 days get an infusion to keep it,

[Svetlana]

I would do it.

[Scott]

You would do it. Okay.

[Svetlana]

No problem.

[Scott]

Interesting.

[Svetlana]

Even if I was in Chicago, I would do it. Like, I, I'm very interested in the science of it, too. I, I would love to be part of like the story of, you know, a one day possible cure because, I mean, you have to have people, otherwise we're not gonna get there.

[Scott]

No. Yeah. Every time I interview somebody who's done one of these things, you end up thanking them for just for being. Being willing to try. I'll never forget the woman that was on one time who she had that vertex pelts like, like I remember her.

[Svetlana]

And then she didn't even know if she had.

[Scott]

Yeah.

[Svetlana]

One or it was a placebo and

[Scott]

it back from her. And I thought like she knew going in they were going to take that back from her. Like that's a really selfless thing to do.

[Svetlana]

Yeah.

[Scott]

You know, so anyway. Okay, well, I'm going to let you go. I hope your appointment goes quickly today. Take yourself out for a nice lunch afterwards and, you know, try to enjoy your afternoon. Thank you so much and I really do appreciate this. Just in case anybody's wondering, before I say goodbye, Vie has not emailed me back yet, so.

[Svetlana]

Oh, man. We'll take this offline, Scott.

[Scott]

All right.

[Svetlana]

I'll talk this offline and get a letter drafted.

[Scott]

Hold on one second for me, okay?

[Svetlana]

Okay.

[Scott Benner]

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