August 23, 2022 • 50 mins
Who's ready to think like a pancreas?! This is the tenth episode in our 10 week, Think Like a Pancreas Book Club Series and today I am covering chapter TEN called, Resources for Everything and Anything Diabetes. My guest for this one is Tamara, a gentle and kind mama of two type 1 warriors. This chapter offers a wealth of resources for those living with or loving someone with diabetes. From websites to books to products and more! Take a listen and, as always, let me know what you think!
Listen, if you have type 1 diabetes or your kid has type 1 diabetes or someone you love has diabetes or perhaps you have type 2 diabetes and are taking insulin, I can confidently say you need to own a copy of this book and actually read it. I call it my diabetes bible and refer back to it often! It will teach you how to manage your insulin better and empower you to make all those hundreds of daily diabetes decisions faster and with more confidence. I sure do hope you will follow along with us. See links below to get your copy from Amazon or get your signed copy from the author, Gary Scheiner, on his company's website, integrateddiabetes.com. Enjoy!
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OTHER INFO MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Episode with Elizabeth Forrest, founder and CEO of Touched by Type 1!
https://www.sugarmamaspodcast.com/66-touched-by-type-1-with-founder-elizabeth-forrest/
Episode on Children with Diabetes and their Friends for Life conferences!
https://www.sugarmamaspodcast.com/46-children-with-diabetes-and-friends-for-life-with-marissa-and-leigh/
Follow the show on Instagram @sugarmamaspodcast
Come join the Facebook Group!
Visit the Sugar Mama's Podcast Website
Donate to the show through Buy Me a Coffee!<
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Katie (00:00):
Hey everybody.
It's episode 82 of the sugarmama's podcast.
And today my guest is Tamara.
Another awesome type one.
Mama.
She actually has two boys withtype one diabetes.
and today, Tamara and I aregoing to be discussing chapter
10 of think like a pancreaschapter 10 is called resources
for everything and anythingdiabetes.
(00:22):
In this chapter, the authortalks about associations and
organizations, apps, diabetes,experts, financial resources,
products, Facebook groups,websites, blogs, and recommended
books.
That would be helpful foranybody living with diabetes or
Who loves someone with diabetes?
you guys, this is week 10 of our10 week series.
(00:45):
We got through the whole bookseries on think like a pancreas.
I'm sure you all know by now,but this is definitely my
favorite diabetes managementbook that I have read so far.
I call it my diabetes Bible andit has been a huge help to me
and my family in helping tomanage my daughter's blood sugar
better.
Don't forget to get your veryown copy.
(01:06):
So you can follow along with usas we go through this book
series.
If you're getting ready to startat the beginning, or maybe
re-listen starting from thebeginning.
I love having a hard copy ofthis book because I go back to
it and refer back to it.
Often I am going to do one extrabonus episode on this book.
It might not be next week.
(01:26):
It might be a few weeks fromnow.
We'll just have to see, but wayback in chapter.
Three, which was called beyondthe basics.
There was a whole section ofthat chapter that went over the
other diabetes medications, youknow, the ones other than
insulin, there was just way toomuch to cover at the time.
Chapter three already had somuch great information in it
(01:49):
that I just didn't think that Ihad the time to go over all the
other medications.
But I do think they'reimportant.
I think they're veryfascinating.
Most of them are for type twodiabetics.
Many of them are for both typeone and type two diabetics.
And I had a diabetes educatoronce tell me that.
A diabetes educator who had typeone herself that she really
(02:09):
didn't start to understand howto manage her own diabetes
better until she learned aboutall these other medications that
both type one and type twodiabetics can take to help
manage blood sugar.
So I think it's important.
So we're gonna do it.
So be on the lookout for that inthe next couple weeks.
All right.
I think you guys are reallygonna love this episode.
(02:29):
Enjoy the conversation betweenme and Tamara and as always
check out the show notes forlinks to other episodes and
products that are mentionedthroughout the show.
All right.
Without further ado, let's getstarted.
You're listening to the sugarmamas podcast, a show designed
(02:52):
for moms and caregivers of typeone diabetics here.
You'll find a community oflike-minded people who are
striving daily to keep theirkids safe, happy, and healthy in
the ever-changing world of typeone.
I'm your host and fellow T one Dmom, Katie Roseboro.
Before we get started.
(03:12):
I need you to know that nothingyou hear on the sugar mamas
podcast should be consideredmedical advice.
Please be safe, be smart, andalways consult your physician
before making changes to the wayyou manage type one diabetes.
Thanks.
Everybody.
I am here with Tamara today andTamara and I are, we are
(03:36):
rounding third and coming intohome.
This is the last chapter ofthink like a pancreas.
This is chapter 10 and the titleof it is resources for
everything and anythingdiabetes.
So Tamara came on today just to,to talk with me about chapter
10.
It's definitely in my opinion,The easiest chapter to, it was
the easiest chapter for me toreview and, and outline cuz
(03:59):
it's, it's not nearly as medicaland technical as the other
chapters.
Surprisingly though, when Iinterviewed the author for the
first episode, he said it wasthe hardest chapter for him to
write because he just had to doso much research on what was out
there and then, you know, writedown the lists of, of websites
and other resources and booksand everything.
And he just said, it took him areally long time to write
(04:20):
chapter 10.
So I thought that wasinteresting, but I would love
it.
If you would introduce yourselfTaira and just tell the
listeners a little bit aboutyourself and then how you're
connected to the world of typeone diabetes.
Tamara (04:32):
Okay.
So I'm Tamara harden Brook, andI have two boys who actually
have type one diabetes.
My first chance was diagnosedback in September of 2020.
And we don't have anybody in ourfamily that has type one
diabetes prior to our kids.
We didn't know anything aboutit.
So basically he.
(04:52):
Just kind of always thirsty andhungry and that kind of stuff.
And then he was wetting the bedmultiple times throughout the
night.
Little did I know those weresigns of diabetes?
So when we took him in two weeksafter noticing these things he
was, he was diagnosed with typeone with a blood sugar of over
800 on high keytones.
(05:14):
So that's how we discoveredchance.
Was diagnosed.
And then eight months later, mysecond was diagnosed.
And basically how we discoveredthat he had zero signs.
I was finger checking all of mykids cuz I was scared to death
and we, we checked, we fingerchecked him Jackson and.
Two like two 80.
(05:35):
So I knew in my gut and myfamily thought I was crazy.
No, he's fine.
He's fine.
A few days later he came downand said, can you check, can you
finger check me?
And he was four 80 and I, I knewmy heart broke.
We were here.
We are again, eight months intoit and we have another one.
Um, So here we are 20 monthswith both of them diagnosed and
(05:58):
we're.
Living every day, you know,it's, it's hard, it's hard.
So we do have a four year oldwho we did do the genetic, the
antibody test and he has zerosign, zero antibodies, nothing,
everything was negative.
But I still freak out.
Katie (06:17):
Yep.
Yep.
I've had my, I've had done trialnet on my two boys.
Sarah's in the middle and myoldest son is 11 year older than
Sarah.
And then my youngest one iseight and I've done trial net
for both of them.
They were both negative for anyof the antibodies, which I know.
doesn't necessarily mean they'renot a hundred percent out of the
woods cuz I've heard of peopletesting negative and then still
(06:39):
getting diagnosed.
But it definitely gave me atleast peace of mind for the, the
time being
Tamara (06:44):
It does.
Yeah.
A small piece of mind, but it'sstill, you know, like my little
one, he wet the bed the othernight, the first time ever.
And I panicked, so we fingerstuck him.
He was 96.
I'm like, okay.
You know, but still.
I think forever, I'm gonna freakout,
Katie (07:02):
oh, no, you're not alone.
I do it too.
I, my youngest, I actually thinkthis is awful, but I feel like
we've given him a little bit ofanxiety about going to the
bathroom because like anytime hegoes to the bathroom more than
like a couple, you know, acouple times in a, in a couple
hours span, I'm always.
(07:22):
You know, I, I start payingattention more and I'll check
I'll like check his keytones orevery now and then I'll do a
finger prick.
And he's always been fine.
His, his blood sugar's alwaysbeen like, yeah, like right
around 90 or a hundred.
And but I feel like he has alittle bit of anxiety about it,
cuz he has come up to me and he,you know, mommy I've been going
to the bathroom more often.
Can you check, can you check mykeytones?
(07:44):
Or I don't know.
I'm like, I feel like I'vecreated a complex within him, so
I apologize.
Youngest son, if you'relistening to this, when you're
older and you're in therapy forthe for the anxiety your mom
gave you.
Tamara (07:54):
I, you know, I think I did the same with mine and
that's why, you know, Jacksonwas like, can you check me
something doesn't feel right.
So, and especially now when mylittle um, can I have some
water?
I.
Would've thought asking forwater is alarming, but yes, now
to me, anytime he's thirsty, Ipanic.
Katie (08:12):
Yeah, no, I'm the same way.
I'm the same way.
I, how did you how did you goabout it when you found out your
youngest son was negative?
Because we got the results backin the mail and you know, I, my
heart was like, oh, okay.
You know, Bri, I was able tobreathe the sigh relief, but I
didn't wanna like announce thatin front of everybody.
Like, I didn't know how tohandle it.
(08:32):
So I, I even let a couple weeksgo by and I didn't even say
anything to them.
And then my oldest son askedabout it one day.
He's like, Hey, did you ever getthose test results back?
And I just kind of pulled themboth to the side quietly.
And I was like, Hey, like Idon't, I don't really wanna be
like celebrating this in frontof Sarah.
I don't really know how tohandle this because like, I
don't.
I don't know how she would evenfeel about it.
I, I don't know.
So I just was like, let's justkeep it, keep it low key.
(08:54):
You both were negative.
But I, I don't wanna be likecelebrating that in front of
Sarah's face.
How did you handle it?
Tamara (09:00):
You know what both my boys Jackson and chance who are
the, the T one DS definitely didnot.
Sawyer our four year old to, tohave diabetes have any of the
antibodies.
So it wasn't something that Iwas like scared to like hide
from them results.
You know, we were terrifi I wasterrified.
I know.
I, my husband, he's more, youknow, it's gonna be fine, but I
(09:21):
was terrified.
It was, I think it was thelongest two weeks of my life
waiting for the results.
Um, and they happen happen toactually call my husband to tell
him the results.
And I heard him on the phone andhe's like, okay.
So that's it.
And like, I remember feelinglike my heart San.
I don't know what the outcome'sgonna be and what he told.
He told me everything wasnegative.
(09:41):
I remember crying just, and youknow, I can't even tell you
right now if it was happy tearsor sad tears or what it was mix
of everything.
So telling the boys, they were,they were just so excited.
They did not, they do not wantSawyer to have to, to deal with
what they do, what they do withdaily.
And to, to lead up to that myboys just went to the diabetes
(10:03):
camp.
This was their first year.
And when we dropped them off,Sawyer was like, oh, when I'm
eight and I get diabetes, I cancome here.
And his brothers were like,Sawyer, no, we don't want you to
have diabetes.
So.
It doesn't, it makes them happyto know that he's, he's not in
the same boat right now.
So for me, it was, you know, wewere excited and, a sigh of
(10:26):
relief and there was no, I thinkbecause the two, my two boys who
do have it are 16 months apart.
And so they're so close and theyjust, they didn't want, they
don't want Sawyer to have todeal with it.
So it was,
Katie (10:40):
Isn't that sweet.
Isn't that so sweet.
I mean, there's just somethingso sweet about that for, to see
your siblings or your kidslooking out for their siblings.
I know my oldest son, both myboys honestly, are very sweet
and they.
They look out for Sarah, likewhen we were on our trip to
Arizona a couple weeks ago andSarah was so sick, we ended had
to end up taking her to the ER.
I mean, it was, it was real bad.
(11:01):
And she had to get fluids andanyway they were so concerned
about her.
There, there was even, you know,they would just like, is
everything okay?
Like, is there anything seriousgoing on?
Like, I think they thought shehad like cancer or something
like that.
You know what I mean?
Like they, cuz they were like,why are you taking her to the
hospital?
Like this is crazy.
But it's, you know, it's such ascary circumstances, but it's
(11:22):
just, so it is so sweet to seeyour other kids like being so
concerned for your.
Your Your other type onediabetic or, or just for each
other in general?
It goes both ways.
But even last night I was, wewere having a frustrating kind
of diabetes afternoon and I wastalking on the phone to my mom
about it.
And my oldest son heard me andhe just came up to me later and
(11:45):
he's like, mommy, is thereanything that I can do to help
you?
you know, just, I feel like as awhole.
Really prefer not to have anytype one diabetes in the family,
but as a whole, I feel like it'smade me and especially my
children, like just moreempathetic towards and
sympathetic towards other peoplewithin our family and outside of
(12:05):
our family.
So that's a, a blessing indisguise, I guess you could say.
Tamara (12:09):
Yes.
No, I completely agree.
Yeah, definitely.
Katie (12:12):
Okay.
I guess we should, I reallywanna ask you, like, how was
camp for your son?
Did they have a good time?
Tamara (12:17):
They had the best time.
They, it was such a greatexperience and I was, I was on
the fence of sending them.
I was terrified, you know, cuzyou don't get to see numbers or
anything.
And, and I'm the one who managesthe 24 7.
So this was like, I don't knowif I can do this.
And, you know, they have,they've spent nights away from
us.
They've gone out of town for aweek, at the time with my
(12:38):
parents prior to diabetes.
You know, but I was always ableto talk to them on the phone,
say goodnight or whatever.
So it was.
So hard for me to do, but theyhad the best time they made the
best friends.
It was even though they haveeach other and they're both T
one D it was nice for them tomeet other kids and other adults
(12:59):
who have it.
And just to live normal as adiabetic, it was, it was so
great for them.
They're they're ready to go backnext year.
Katie (13:07):
I was just talking with some other moms about sending
Sarah next year, somewhere.
I need to research like what isclosest to us.
But they were on board too.
They're like, yeah, we wannasit, we'll send them together.
You know, send them as a groupof friends.
So where, where, where did theygo?
What was the name of
Tamara (13:21):
They went to it's AZDA so it was up in Prescott,
Arizona.
Katie (13:26):
Oh, okay.
Yeah, no, that's nowhere nearus, but for anybody in that
area, a Z D a look into that one
Tamara (13:34):
Friendly Pines camp.
Yes, it was so great.
Katie (13:38):
Friendly Pines.
I'm writing it down just so I,I, maybe I should make, start
making a list for listeners ofcamps that are around the
country.
Tamara (13:46):
Yeah.
Katie (13:46):
Yeah.
Okay, let's talk about chapter10, so resources for everything
and anything diabetes.
The author broke down theresources into a little list of
different categories.
So the categories areassociations in organizations.
So, you know, and obviouslyresources.
When, when he says resources, hemeans really anything that would
(14:08):
be helpful to a type onediabetic or the caregiver of a
type one diabetic.
So the first category he startswith is associations and
organizations.
And then there, he has acategory for awesome apps.
He has a category for clinicaldiabetes experts and then
financial resources which Ithought was great.
And then the next category iscalled kick ass products.
(14:30):
Which is fun.
Suggested Facebook groups,websites, and blogs.
And then the last category hehas is recommended books.
So I, I'm not gonna, like, I'mgonna flip through as we go
along.
I'm certainly not gonna sit hereand read the list of every
single thing under thatcategory.
But what I did was kind of undereach category, I wrote down.
(14:52):
Some of those things that havehelped me that he did not have
on his list.
So, and then I, and then I askedyou to do the same, so we'll
just kinda chat through it.
And I'm curious to know what youhave and what's helped you guys,
and I will share the same.
I am gonna flip to that flip tothe beginning of the chapter
real quick, just so I can seehis list.
(15:12):
Yeah.
The first the first categoryassociations and organizations,
it's, that's probably one of thebigger ones.
But there's all sorts.
There's like nutritionists,diabetes, educators.
There's like stuff for celiacdisease, resources for those
people.
Several Americans associationsfor like heart association,
diabetes association, chronicpain all sorts of stuff.
(15:35):
You can definitely even likelook Jewish diabetes
association.
Okay.
Like that's quite a, quite aniche, you know, if you're
Jewish and you have diabetes.
So there's all sorts ofassociations and organizations.
Ones that I wrote down that havebeen so helpful to us that I did
not see on the list was touchedby type one.
(15:55):
I don't think that's on hislist.
He has him in alphabetical.
But no, I didn't see that onhere.
At least not in this category,but touch by type one is like
it's for, basically for parentsreally and caregivers of type
one diabetics and just how toeducate yourself.
So you can feel empowered andmake better management decisions
and, you know, very similar tothe podcast, just so people know
(16:16):
that they're not alone on thisjourney.
They also have a really awesomedancing for diabetes program
that you can.
They put on this huge dancingshowcase at the end of the year
in November.
And if you're in the Orlandoarea, you can go and watch it
and buy a ticket.
It, we went last year and it'samazing.
And then you can stream itonline too.
So and I have interviewedElizabeth Forrest, who's the CEO
(16:39):
and founder of touch by typeone.
So that's a really greatorganization.
Um, JDRF JDRF certainly had tobe on his list.
I.
Juvenile.
Yeah, of course it is juvenilediabetes research foundation.
That's been a huge help to, tous.
We just went on our first um,JDRF one walk hooked up with
several families there actuallyjust two days ago at my house.
(16:59):
I had a group of 10 year oldgirls that we had met through
JDRF over to the house and they,they just swam and hung out and
played.
It was great.
It was beautiful.
It was great.
We're gonna, and we are, youknow, of course are gonna do it
again.
And then children with diabetesis the other organization that
I've really enjoyed following.
Again, it's very geared aroundlike parents and caregivers of
(17:23):
type one diabetics just.
Any resource that would behelpful to them.
They have several different,like really good online you
know, like virtual webinars thatyou can tune into frequently
that just kind of cover a verywide variety of topics, all
about type one diabetes.
They have annual conferences toocalled friends for life that
meet.
All around the country and,well, not, not all around the
(17:45):
country, but like three or fourdifferent spots around the
country.
And those, those conferences area big hit.
I've also interviewed a fewpeople from children with
diabetes.
I'll have to leave the links toall these episodes I'm
mentioning in the show notes.
Yeah.
But they're great.
So what did you have that he didnot list in the book
Tamara (18:03):
You know what I,
Katie (18:05):
yeah.
Tamara (18:05):
to be honest with you, the only one that's ever like
helped us, that we've beeninvolved with and that helped,
helped us was JDRF.
You know, and of course he hadthat listed, but you know, with
us being in Tucson, Arizona,there isn't too many.
Organizations and stuff.
So they happen to be hostingsomething out here, back in
(18:26):
January at the Arizona U of aArizona Wildcats women's
basketball game, they werehosting a little event for kids
with type one to, you know, meeteach other and stuff because two
of the players on the teamactually have type one.
So we.
Knew nothing that they had twoplayers on the team.
So we were excited to go.
(18:46):
So the boys could meet theseplayers.
Of course, when we got there,we, we learned that we wouldn't
be able to meet the playersbecause of COVID.
But yeah, I know and all of theother, the families who had, who
were there were from Phoenix,which is about hour and a half
away.
But it, it was fun to watch thegame and, you know, for our boys
to see two players that do havetype one.
(19:07):
That are living their best lifeand they're, they're out there.
They're athletes.
So I actually happened to tagone of the players on my
Instagram while we were at thegame.
And she, she reached out KateReese, number 25.
She reached out and said, youknow what?
I'm sorry, we couldn't meet youguys.
Come to another game.
I'd love to meet your boys.
Katie (19:27):
Oh,
Tamara (19:27):
So we went to the next home game and we actually got to
meet her and.
Kate Reese is actually one ofour best friends.
Now we hang out with her all thetime.
We've gone to so many games.
She gets a, you know, the boysadore her and knowing that she
has type one and she's beenliving with it for six years and
she's an athlete has been suchan amazing.
(19:51):
Experience for us just to watchher you know, and how she lives
with it and how she manages itis completely different than how
we do it because she's all MDI.
She does not have any GCM,anything.
She does it all,
Katie (20:05):
Oh, really?
Tamara (20:06):
manually.
So us, we have, you know, theCGMs, we have the Omnipod, we do
it that way.
So it's so interesting to seehow she does it that way.
And.
She just lives like she'snormal.
It's great.
And like I said, she's over allthe time.
She's one of our best friends.
Katie (20:25):
I love that.
How cool is that?
Tamara (20:27):
and we would not have known about this if it wasn't
for JDRF to host that, you know,I wouldn't have known that there
was a player on the team with,with type one.
Katie (20:36):
Yeah.
Oh my gosh.
That's so cool.
That's so awesome.
And I love that she doeseverything the old school way,
like that's pretty rare thesedays, I feel like,
Tamara (20:44):
and she actually, her sister who is 11 months older
than her also has, has diabetesas well.
So the same thing, you know, thesisters and they both come over.
They're both doing it manually.
It's, it's, it's veryinteresting,
Katie (20:59):
Wow.
Okay.
I, I feel like I need to followup with you on that.
I'm like, why did they, why dothey choose that?
I mean, Hey, to each their own,
Tamara (21:06):
you know?
Kate's reason is just, shedoesn't want anything on her
body and I get it playingbasketball.
It could get knocked off andstuff.
It her sister, Allie, same thingjust doesn't wanna have anything
on their body.
I guess when you're 22, 23, youdon't as a girl, I get it.
But still it's, it's crazy to beable to manage it that way and
(21:26):
just do it,
Katie (21:28):
yeah.
Especially as an athlete.
I, I would think if I, if I wasan, an athlete, which I'm not
that I would wanna be able to atleast have a CGM and see my
numbers, but,
Tamara (21:37):
Right, but and during games, you know, every 30
minutes you see her go out anddo a finger stick and stuff, but
it's just, it's crazy.
Katie (21:45):
I love that.
I love that.
Okay.
Yeah, JDRF, I just I've saidthis a few times on the podcast
already, but if you're notconnected with a, a group, I
mean, JDRF has a chapter.
In almost every major cityaround the country hopefully at
least within driving distanceof, you know, an hour of driving
distance from where people live,but, you know, get connected.
(22:05):
And I know a lot of people we'vejust come out of two very weird
years where everybody was kindof hold up in their home.
And I feel like people have alittle bit lost their motivation
to like interact with society.
And just, I don't know.
It's interesting, but I wouldeven if you feel awkward and,
and weird about it, like I wouldreally encourage people, just,
just be awkward and be weird,but go to a picnic or go to a
(22:26):
walk or go to whatever sort ofmeetup they're having and
introduce yourself, you know,and get connected with people,
try to find, you know, parentsfor, for you that you can
connect with.
And definitely some, somefriends for your kids that they
can connect with.
Cuz that's made a, it's made areal big difference in Sarah's
life.
Tamara (22:45):
Yes.
I agree.
Katie (22:47):
Yeah.
All right.
The next category is awesomeapps and he, he listed several
the ones that I wanted tohighlight that either he
mentioned, and I have reallybenefited from, or that he
didn't mention that I, I thinkare awesome.
I wrote down happy, Bob.
Which is, it's an app that it,it's kind of like Dexcom, like
(23:07):
it'll show you your glucosenumbers.
But it will send you textmessages depending on what your
number is.
Like, if you're in range, it'llsend you like a congratulations,
you know, like an encouragingtext message.
And it's funny.
So like, if you have a sense ofhumor and you have diabetes,
This is for you.
So if you're low, it'll send youlike a funny text message that
it says like funny, cleverthings about having low blood
(23:29):
sugar.
So it's, it's kind of a funnyway to remind you to like, oh,
you know, you're doing a greatjob or you need to treat your
low or you're running high.
And I've heard that there'sdifferent modes.
I actually, we have notdownloaded happy, Bob, but.
I think it's an app I'll put onSarah's phone when she's like a
teenager, but there's a couplemodes and I know one of the
modes is snarky mode and I'veheard that that's very popular
(23:50):
with teens because it willhappy.
Bob will send you very snarky,sarcastic test text messages
about your blood sugar.
So it's just kind of a fun,funny way to keep a, keep an eye
on your numbers and stuff.
And then there's sugar mate,which I don't use sugar.
I, I have sugar mate on my phoneand really the reason why I have
it is because sugar mate, youcan, first of all, it's only, I
(24:12):
it's only on iPhone.
Unfortunately you can set it upon a computer if you.
Android devices.
So you can see it on yourcomputer, but if you want the
app, it's only available oniPhone.
At the moment, I was told bysomebody who works within sugar
mate, that they are developingan Android app that hopefully
will be out later this year, butsugar.
Mate's awesome because you can,sugar mate will call you if your
(24:35):
child is out of range,especially low.
I love it at night because it.
Sometimes I don't, for whateverreason, sometimes Dexcom alerts
don't come through.
But sugar mate does.
And it'll call you to say, yourkid is out of your kid is low
and you need to treat their lowblood sugar.
And you can decide what numberyou want sugar mate to call you
(24:56):
at.
And then there, we use calorieking app to look up carbs for.
All the foods, all the fastfoods, all the restaurant foods.
I mean, not every single thingis on there, but calorie king
really has a huge library offoods and that's been very
helpful to us.
I do not use my fitness pal, butI've heard a lot of people do
use my fitness pal for the samething to look up carbs and
(25:20):
figure out card counts that wayto bolus.
So what about you?
What apps do you guys.
Tamara (25:25):
My husband has had the sugar mate.
I don't have that one on myphone.
I didn't have patience to set itup.
But yes, you know, it will dothe, the.
You or whatever, especially whenyour follow app doesn't work
calorie king, we all use it.
The, the boys, especiallychance.
He's very good at looking up.
If he doesn't know carbs onsomething, he is gonna look it
(25:46):
up.
He's gonna find a way to look itup.
I do use my fitness P though.
I did have it prior to themhaving diabetes.
So it was just something that Iknew I could look up something
and it would tell me the carbs.
So I would say I use that onequite often, to be honest with
you.
Because it does have a lot,especially a lot of foods that
we normally eat that I'vealready saved in there.
(26:07):
So it's just an easy access tolook it up.
Katie (26:11):
Nice.
So you can save it.
You have like a favorites list.
Tamara (26:13):
Yes.
Yeah.
So, I mean, it has all my thingsfrom the past.
I'm like, oh, well, they eatthat.
So I know what it is.
Those are, those are our bigones that there isn't anything,
you know, the happy Bob, somehowJackson had it on his phone
after he came back from camp,but it's not set up.
So it was interesting.
So I like how it sends you text.
So I have to look into that one.
(26:33):
That
Katie (26:34):
yeah.
Tamara (26:34):
sounds kind of fun.
Katie (26:36):
I have not.
I love the idea of it.
I don't know if there's likeannoying in-app purchases or, I
mean, I'm pretty sure it'sclean.
You know what I mean?
Like they're not gonna begetting some sort of
inappropriate text aboutdiabetes but but anyway, it's
one to look
Tamara (26:52):
Cause I don't know if, if your daughter is like my
boys, but they tend to ignoretheir alarms sometimes, or
they're too busy and they knowthey're low until mom says, Hey.
Are you gonna do something aboutit?
So just other ways to maybealarm them to alert them would
be kind of, I think,
Katie (27:08):
Yes, absolutely.
And entertaining ways.
I think kids are respond well tolike, you know, something that's
fun or, or funny.
Yes.
I wanted to say too, I didn'twrite this down, but you
reminded me of it.
The night scout.
App, it's actually really moreof a website.
But if you have an iPhone, youcan also have the night scout
app.
The only reason I have nightscout is because Sarah is doing
(27:31):
the DIY loop hybrid closed loopsystem.
And if I wanna monitor herremotely, so if I wanna see.
If she did insulin, how muchinsulin did she do?
What's her blood sugar now.
I mean, at night scout tells youa lot of information.
That's very, very useful.
Yeah, so I love it because.
You know, if she's at school orsomething, I'll tell her, do
(27:53):
this amount of carbs for lunch.
And I can go back in and see,did she actually do it?
Did she enter the right amount?
Did she enter too much?
You know, whatever the case maybe.
I can see whether or not herloop is.
Connected.
So if it's like working properlynow night Scouts of pain because
you have to build it yourself.
And the instructions are prettycomplicated.
I actually did not build my ni Ibuilt my, our, our loop app
(28:16):
myself which was one of the moststressful things I've ever done
in my life, just FYI.
But I did it.
But then after that I was like,well, now I want night scout,
but I really don't think I haveit in me to build it.
There's actually a servicecalled T one P.
That's T one P a L.
And they will build a nightscout website for you and
maintain it and rebuild it if itneeds to be rebuilt, because
(28:36):
that happens every now and then.
And it's like, I think it's like$10 a month, which I know is not
in the budget for everybody.
But I was like, I'm gonna paythat$10 a month.
Like I even, I even went in andlike canceled some of my other
subscriptions that I had.
Cause I'm like, I'm gonna giveup this so I can have this
instead.
uh, Cuz it was, it was worth itto me.
Tamara (28:55):
yes, definitely.
Katie (28:56):
All right.
And then of course the booklists several other apps that we
didn't mention, but people cantake a look.
All right.
So clinical diabetes experts isthe next category and I just
listed integrated diabetesservices under this one.
I have not, I integrateddiabetes services is the author
of the book.
Think like a pancrea, scaryShiner.
That is his company.
(29:17):
They treat people.
In house and virtually worldwideto help them manage their type
one diabetes.
And I've heard amazing things.
I'm actually consideringscheduling a few appointments
with them to kind of make surethat our DIY loop settings are
dialed in.
The best that they possibly canbe.
I haven't done that yet, butI've heard amazing things.
(29:39):
Jenny Smith, who is a veryfrequent guest of the juice box
podcast, she also works forintegrated diabetes services.
So they're very well known inthe type one community.
I really have not other thanjust having to call the
endocrinologist and talking tothe educators there, I really
haven't sought out any other.
(29:59):
Diabetes experts.
But what about you?
Do you,
Tamara (30:02):
Nope, we have, I have nothing for you there.
No other, you know, other,again, other than your Indo, you
know, that's usually my go to,and it, you know, maybe because
we're in a smaller area, so weget ahold of them so easily.
So that's usually our go-toreaching out to them.
Katie (30:20):
I have found, I guess these would be considered
diabetes experts, but I havefound reps from companies like
whatever gadgets you use, likereps from we I've had to call
mostly Omnipod.
Those I've had to call Omnipodrep reps several times and
Dexcom reps.
But they are often like,especially if I'm having an
issue with insurance, they, Ihave found.
(30:42):
Are really the most helpful,like I can call insurance all
day long and I feel like I'mjust running around in circles.
But when I actually call like arep from Omnipod or Dexcom,
that's when I feel like, okay,now we're getting somewhere
because they will go to bat foryou.
They will fight.
They will fight for you.
They will call your insurancefor you.
They will help you figure thingsout.
So that's worth mentioning.
(31:02):
Call your rep from your, whetherit's tandem, Medtronic, whatever
it is call, call a rep from thatcompany.
And they they're usually veryhelpful.
Have you had to reach out to arep?
Tamara (31:12):
My husband does all of that.
So yes, we have several times.
Katie (31:17):
Well, very good.
Okay.
Um, Financial resources is thenext category.
We have not had to, we, we havehealth insurance feel very
fortunate to have healthinsurance.
So we haven't had to tap in it.
Into any of these financialresources.
But I love that he has thiscategory in the chapter because
I know that there are a lot ofpeople out there who, who need,
(31:38):
you know, need extra supportfinancially when it comes to
getting all their diabetessupplies.
You know, and this, this, thisis something to consider too,
like, Not just, if you can'tafford your insulin, but like
scholarships in the future youknow, for kids going into
college, there's lots and lotsof scholarships out there.
You gonna have to do yourresearch to, to find them.
I know the website beyond,beyond type one, they have like
(32:00):
a whole blog post on all thedifferent scholarships that are
out there for type onediabetics.
So that's something to keep inmind, but if you are in need of
some financial resource take alook at this category.
It starts on page 3, 0, 4 of thebook.
Any thoughts on that?
Tamara (32:13):
I would say you know, we haven't used any or needed any,
but I've noticed like, in a lotof the Facebook groups, if you
even just explain yoursituation, they give you so many
resources of what's worked forthem try this or that.
So I would definitely recommendthat if you're really in the
need for it or our Indo, youknow, they've given us ideas.
(32:34):
If we need something, you.
To help financially.
You know, cuz we, our insuranceis DME, so it's not
prescription.
So it's basically all out ofpocket until we, we meet our
deductible.
So, you know, they tell us, youcan call your insurance and you
can fight it.
We haven't had any luck, but youknow, I know that there's just
always resources.
(32:54):
It's just finding them or doingthe legwork to get.
Katie (32:58):
Mm-hmm mm-hmm yeah.
Yeah.
Good point.
Tamara (33:01):
because it's not gonna take five minutes, you know,
it's gonna be a lengthy process.
So finding the time and justreally not giving up, I think is
probably key.
Katie (33:09):
Yes.
And I've heard just callinginsurance in general, like call
in the middle of the day on aweekday or in the morning on a
weekday.
Because if you try to call atlike four 30, when you're
driving home from work or fiveo'clock, that's usually when
they're the busiest, cuzeverybody's has the time to
call.
So if you
Tamara (33:27):
And Fridays don't do Fridays.
Katie (33:29):
Yes.
I've heard Monday in the morningis the best time to call.
So mm-hmm yeah, I love that youmentioned the Facebook groups
because people are so for themost part, people are so kind
and helpful in those groups.
And I even I've even seen peopleget on there and be like, Hey,
we're complete.
We're getting ready to run outof no vlog or Humalog, like.
Anybody near me that has extra,that they could let us have for,
(33:52):
you know, until we can re refillour prescription.
And people are always so quickto be like I do.
I do.
I do.
You know?
It's a very helpful communityout there.
The type one community.
All right.
Let's see.
So the next category is theproducts, the kick ass products.
He has a whole list of greatsoftware, different like
(34:12):
products to make injections hurtless.
You know, Kind of like more for,for kids or anybody who's scared
of needles to kind of make thatwhole process easier, especially
in the beginning.
He lists like some reallyawesome glucose meters glucose
monitors, if you're not familiardifferent injection ports
insulin pins and accessories.
So kind of all the productsthat.
(34:34):
Helping people take some of theburden off of managing diabetes
supply cases.
I know our favorite supply casecompany is sugar medical.
We have owned a few sugarmedical bags, anybody, any,
anytime anybody gets diagnosedand somebody reaches out to me
asking, like, what can I do forthis family?
I always say, get them a sugarmedical bag.
Cuz somebody got that for Sarahwhen she was first diagnosed.
(34:56):
And I was just the greatestgift.
And then another product that wehave that I think is awesome is
glow glucose.
And that's the little, it's likea little bedside lamp that glows
different colors, depending onwhat my daughter's blood sugar
is.
You like hook it up to herDexcom data.
It doesn't make any noise.
It's just quiet and all it doesis glow.
It doesn't blink.
It's not like a strobe light.
It's just like this soft glowand the colors change depending
(35:17):
on where her number is.
And I love that thing.
so it's just, I just love.
It's behind our couch right now.
And I can just peek back therewhile we're watching TV or if
I'm do.
Yeah.
If I'm doing a workout video, Idon't have to like stop and
check my phone.
I can just look back there andsee what the color is.
And then one, one other productthat has been great that I think
is awesome is mial.
I actually interviewed thecreator of mial on one of my
(35:39):
previous episodes, but it is.
All natural adhesive remover andit it's a, it's a great product
and it smells amazing.
It's made with all thesedifferent essential oils and it
really does work really well.
So if you're kind of looking forsomething that's gentle on the
skin to get those sticky devicesoff and it's all natural then
mial is a great product to lookat.
(35:59):
So what about you?
What products have you guys usedthat you just love?
Tamara (36:03):
I would have to say my, my go to is skin tech, that's,
it's a must.
In fact, my, my one son, Jacksondidn't want to replace his
Dexcom at camp when it went, itexpired Friday because he knew
they didn't have that.
And he said, no, I don't want iton without that, because I know
it will fall off, which we don'tknow that it will fall off.
We've just always used it fromday one.
(36:26):
So that is, that's what theyknow.
You know, and of course like theexpression, meds, tape, those
are fun.
But the sugar medical bags.
Yes.
We love those.
They're fun prints.
We use all of those, but Ireally wanna get that lamp.
Katie (36:40):
yeah.
Tamara (36:40):
That sounds so fun.
Even though I have boys, itsounds fun.
Like, you know, it's not, it'smore for me to look at.
Katie (36:48):
Oh yeah.
Oh no, it's totally, it'stotally more for me.
Absolutely.
I thought about putting it inSarah's bedroom, but I, I kind
of feel like it might keep herup at night with the.
The lights, you know, it's, it'spretty bright, especially if the
room is dark.
But it's not girly at all.
It's just a circle.
It's it looks like a crystalball and the bottom of it is
white and the top of it is whatglows the different colors.
(37:09):
So yeah, checked out glowcoast.com.
It's a really great product.
I'm trying to think of like,we've never used skin tech.
But I know some people swear byit.
I do love expression, medpatches.
Those are definitely myfavorites for like all the fun
designs.
I will say though, if you need apatch, that is, I mean, really
gonna stick.
Through like an Armageddonsituation of like heat and sweat
(37:31):
and beach and sand the SIM patchpatches, which you can just buy
on Amazon.
I mean, those, I think they'llsurvive like a nuclear war.
They are so.
Sturdy.
And they work so, so well, we'venever had a device fall off, I'm
talking water skiing heavy,heavy beach days, heavy water
park days.
They hold'em on really.
The only bad thing is thatthey're so good that when you do
(37:51):
take them off, you have to gothrough a lot of adhesive
remover to get all thestickiness off because it's real
sticky, but they do the job.
So.
Okay.
Suggested Facebook groups is thenext category.
I'm involved in a coupleFacebook groups.
The podcast has a Facebookgroup.
I'm gonna be perfectly honest.
I feel like I'm a lot moreactive on Instagram than I am in
my Facebook group, but theFacebook group is growing and it
(38:14):
is becoming more active.
So if people wanna check thatout but I mean, I'm a part.
Moms of type one diabetics onFacebook.
There's the looped group isgreat.
If you're thinking about maybetrying out the DIY loop
situation, that's a really goodgroup on Facebook.
Juice box podcast group is very,very busy.
There's like 20,000 people inthat group.
So you're gonna get all sorts ofadvice and all sorts of
(38:35):
opinions, which, you know,sometimes I appreciate, and
sometimes I don't, but it's a,it's a good group.
Lots of good info in there.
What about you?
What groups either Facebook orInstagram, have you found
helpful?
Tamara (38:46):
for Facebook, you know, obviously moms of type one, the
juice box podcast, Facebook, oneI'm on my husband is actually on
T N D mod squad.
And he likes, he likes that one.
And he's gotten some goodinformation from that one.
I'm big on Instagram too,obviously how I found you.
So there's just such a bigcommunity on Instagram that we
(39:08):
don't even real, you know, I'vefound so many just from my.
My small business, Instagram, mycustomers are like, oh, this
person has T one D follow thisperson.
And that's how I found, found somany including you.
So I think, you know, if youjust search T one D so many
things pop up, it's justincredible.
(39:31):
And then also my boys have a, anInstagram the highs and lows
bros, and that's.
Just because it's incorporatedwith T one D we've found so many
other, you know, resources andgroups through that too.
Katie (39:44):
Mm-hmm oh, wonderful.
I I'm not sure.
Am I following them?
Like, I'm gonna get my phone outright now and see I feel like
that would be something I'd befollowing.
Hold on, cuz you're your smallbusiness is while I'm looking
for them.
Tell listeners what you do, cuzI love, I love the name of your
tell'em your Instagram handle.
Tamara (40:01):
It's Tam's design jungle and I make customized drinkware
shirts, bracelets, all kinds ofstuff.
Now it's, it's more of a smallbusiness to help support T one D
my boys, you know, and all ofour medical expenses, it started
off just something fun for me todo, but now obviously it's a
(40:22):
little bit about supporting themand that kind of stuff.
Katie (40:26):
Yeah, that's wonderful.
I know you've got some reallycute stuff.
I was looking at it the otherday.
I'm now following Jackson andchance at the highs, highs and
lows bros.
I love the name.
So fun.
Yeah.
You guys check out both of thosethings.
Both of those Instagram handles.
All right.
I'm trying to, yeah, Instagram.
I feel like Instagram is greatfor the like, Facebook is good.
More for like advice.
(40:47):
I feel like, like, if you have aquestion, I go to Facebook.
But I feel like just the supportand encouragement and like humor
and just knowing you're notalone.
Like that's where I go more
Tamara (40:57):
Even snack ideas, all kinds of stuff like that, new
places to put your Dexcom orOmnipod.
Just so many things that, that Iwouldn't think about that I can
find on Instagram.
Katie (41:10):
Yes.
That's very true.
Lots of good recipes and yeah, Ifeel like if your kid needs to
see some other kids puttingdevices in different spots.
Yeah.
You're right.
That's a great place for that.
Okay.
Websites and blogs.
Again, the book lists lots ofdifferent websites and blogs.
I'm not gonna sit here and readthem all, but you know, just
kind of glancing at the list.
I'm very familiar with some ofthem.
His website integrateddiabetes.com is on there.
(41:33):
Oh, there's children withdiabetes.
He listed that one beyond typeone.
That's obviously very popular.
Let's see.
I, I feel like anytime I do aGoogle search for some type one
thing, I usually end up on thebeyond type one website.
I just have like, they havequite a wealth of.
Blog posts that cover a lot ofdifferent topics.
And I just feel like I usuallyend up there a lot.
(41:56):
So that's a great website thatI've used a lot.
The college diabetes network hassome really great information.
So what about you?
Where do you usually findyourself?
Tamara (42:05):
Probably beyond type one is probably the biggest but you
know what, to be honest withyou, I try not to search for a
lot of things because I feellike I see a lot of negative
stuff or what could go wrong.
So I kind of leave that up to myhusband to do that kind of
stuff.
If that makes sense.
just because I'm, I'm alwaysthinking the worst.
Katie (42:25):
Hmm.
Tamara (42:26):
So if I read something, I start freaking out.
So I try to have him be.
And do all the research stuff?
Katie (42:34):
He doesn't get freaked out nearly as easily.
Tamara (42:36):
No, not at all.
Katie (42:38):
Okay.
That's
Tamara (42:39):
so it's a good that we have that balance, like,
Katie (42:42):
absolutely.
I was just gonna say like, youknow, your role, he knows his,
like, don't tell me what's gonnaanything that's gonna make me
worry or freak me out.
That's a good.
That's a very good balance.
I like that.
I feel it's interesting cuz Ifeel like my husband is neither
of us are big worriers.
But I would say if I had to pickone, I would be the more the
overthinker worrier person.
But when it comes to like mykid's medical conditions, he's
(43:07):
more of the worrier I foundeverything else.
I usually am the one that takes.
Role, but but he gets, he getshimself pretty worked up and
I'm, and maybe it's because I'min the medical field.
I don't know.
I'm just like, it's fine.
It's gonna be okay.
Like, we're gonna figure it out.
We're gonna get it figured out.
It's gonna be all right.
But he gets, he gets a littlebit more anxious about just
making sure, you know, they aregoing to all the right
(43:27):
appointments that they need to,they're tapping into all the
different resources and whatnot.
It's interesting.
Alright.
The last category is recommendedbooks, which.
I, I do love a good book.
I love to read.
I'm more of an audio book bookperson, and unfortunately, when
it comes to diabetes books,there are not very many audio
book.
Options because a lot of themare very technical and I feel
(43:50):
like the more technical a bookis the, the less likely they are
to have an audio book option,just because, you know, they're
not gonna sit there and read agraph to you or describe a
chart, you know?
So that stinks because thatmeans I actually have to sit
down and read the book which Idon't have a whole lot of time
to do.
So the one book that I have readliterally three times now is
(44:10):
this one, which is think like apancreas it's been the most
helpful.
I refer back to it all the time.
I highly recommend.
If you or someone you love hastype one diabetes to get a copy.
I currently own a copy of sugarsurfing.
I've heard great things.
I have not read it yet.
That's gonna be next on my list.
Let's see, diabetes sucks andyou can handle it.
I've interviewed the author ofthat book, mark Haman, and
(44:33):
that's very new.
Like it just came out a couplemonths ago.
Great book.
I would say that's a, a reallygreat book.
If you are struggling mentallyand emotionally and, and more
psychologically with all of thediabetes management stuff.
That is a great book to take alook at raising teens with
diabetes.
I have read that one.
Actually.
I have read that one and that'sa fantastic book.
(44:55):
If you have a teen or a tween.
With diabetes.
You're going to want to, to takea look at that one.
The author Mora McCarthy isjust, she's just a no nonsense
kind of mom.
She went through lots and lotsof struggles with her teen teen
daughter going through Manydifferent challenges related to
diabetes.
And she just has some reallygreat wisdom and insight when it
(45:17):
comes to raising teens withdiabetes.
And then the last one on thelist that I haven't actually
read, but I love the title andI've interviewed the author.
It's the world's worst diabetesmom by Stacy Sims and Stacy Sims
has her own podcast calleddiabetes connections, which is a
news podcast.
So like, Anything that's comingout in the news related to
diabetes and diabetes technologyand research and all that.
(45:40):
She, her podcast specializes inthat and she wrote a book called
the world's worst diabetes mom,which I think we can all relate
to that if you're the mother ofa type one diabetic.
So I, I feel like that would bea good read too.
What about you?
Do you have any books that hedidn't list or that have been
really helpful to.
Tamara (45:58):
So I don't have any diabetes books and I'm like, you
I'd love to listen to audiobooks.
So I have researched on thereand there was never any, so it's
good to know the reasons why.
So.
I am actually gonna check out afew of the books that you've
recommended because now thatit's summertime have a little
bit more free time.
(46:19):
Cuz I do, I do think that all ofthose resources would be good.
Katie (46:23):
yeah, yeah.
Especially like the raisingteens.
Like I said, that one that one'sa little out of date to be, to
be honest, like not, notcompletely, but like the chapter
that's on tech, on the diabetestech you know, she wrote that
book.
10 years ago or something.
And so that's almost completelythat one needs to be updated,
but but everything else in thebook still holds true.
(46:43):
You know, everything else likedealing with the emotional
challenges of raising a teenwith diabetes and kind of some
of the more like socialchallenges and stuff like that.
Driving, drinking, she coversthat You know, giving, launching
your kid into adulthood, givingthem more freedom.
Like that's all in the book andthat's still, that's not out of
date.
But that, that was a great book.
I really liked that one.
And I actually had my Kindleread that one to me, cuz that's
(47:07):
an option.
I don't know if you guys knowthis, if you, if you have a
certain type of Kindle and Iforget what it is and actually
my, it wasn't even mine.
It was my kids, but I downloadedthat book to my Ken kids Kindle
and then there, I had theoption.
To read it to me.
So I could do that while I wascleaning or washing dishes or
whatever it might be.
It's not the best because itsounds pretty robotic reading it
(47:29):
to me, but it gets the job done.
All right.
Well that is it for thediscussion on resources for
everything in anything diabetes.
I mean, there was, there is aton more in the book than what
we talked about today.
So again, encourage people toget your own copy.
So you have those resources atyour fingertips.
(47:51):
You know, and it it's kind ofresources for like you and I are
parents of younger type onediabetics, but the resources
that he lists in the books arefor anybody of any age living
with type one diabetes.
So what we think was great andimportant to us and what we use
might be totally different thanwhat somebody else would find
helpful and what they would use.
(48:12):
So check out.
The chapter.
It's a, it's a quick, easy toskim through that one for sure.
Well, is there anything elseyou'd like to, to say or add
before we, before we sign off?
Tamara (48:23):
Nope.
I think, I think you covered alot of stuff with a lot of good
information that I'm gonna goand add to my notes and.
Start doing some more researchand get some books.
Katie (48:35):
I'm gonna be honest.
I didn't know you had two typeone diabetics when you, when we
started the interview.
So that was a surprise.
My hat's off to you.
I can't imagine having more thanone.
I know that lots and lots ofpeople do it.
Some people have more than, youknow, two some people have three
or four and I, I truly cannotimagine.
But I know that you are a veryhard working mama and thanks for
(48:57):
taking the time to out of yourI'm.
Sure.
Busy schedule, come and chatwith me.
Tamara (49:01):
Thank you so much for having me.
Bye.
Katie (49:05):
All right.
You guys, that is it for ourshow today.
I just wanted to mention again,the summer camp that Tamara said
her boys went to was calledfriendly Pines in Arizona.
I will leave a link to that inthe show notes.
There were two episodes.
That I had mentioned in thisshow, uh, two previous episodes
that I had recorded that youmight wanna go back and take a
(49:25):
listen to the touched by typeone episode with Elizabeth for
as well as the children withdiabetes episode, where we talk
all about their friends for lifeconferences.
there were obviously lots andlots of products and websites
mentioned in this show.
I am not gonna link to everysingle one of them in the show
notes.
Again, another reason to haveyour own copy of the book,
(49:47):
because it lists them all outfor you there.
All right.
You guys have a fabulous week.
I will chat with you soon, butuntil then stay calm and on.
Hey everybody.
It's episode 82 of the sugarmama's podcast.
And today my guest is Tamara.
Another awesome type one.
Mama.
She actually has two boys withtype one diabetes.
and today, Tamara and I aregoing to be discussing chapter
10 of think like a pancreaschapter 10 is called resources
for everything and anythingdiabetes.
(00:22):
In this chapter, the authortalks about associations and
organizations, apps, diabetes,experts, financial resources,
products, Facebook groups,websites, blogs, and recommended
books.
That would be helpful foranybody living with diabetes or
Who loves someone with diabetes?
you guys, this is week 10 of our10 week series.
(00:45):
We got through the whole bookseries on think like a pancreas.
I'm sure you all know by now,but this is definitely my
favorite diabetes managementbook that I have read so far.
I call it my diabetes Bible andit has been a huge help to me
and my family in helping tomanage my daughter's blood sugar
better.
Don't forget to get your veryown copy.
(01:06):
So you can follow along with usas we go through this book
series.
If you're getting ready to startat the beginning, or maybe
re-listen starting from thebeginning.
I love having a hard copy ofthis book because I go back to
it and refer back to it.
Often I am going to do one extrabonus episode on this book.
It might not be next week.
(01:26):
It might be a few weeks fromnow.
We'll just have to see, but wayback in chapter.
Three, which was called beyondthe basics.
There was a whole section ofthat chapter that went over the
other diabetes medications, youknow, the ones other than
insulin, there was just way toomuch to cover at the time.
Chapter three already had somuch great information in it
(01:49):
that I just didn't think that Ihad the time to go over all the
other medications.
But I do think they'reimportant.
I think they're veryfascinating.
Most of them are for type twodiabetics.
Many of them are for both typeone and type two diabetics.
And I had a diabetes educatoronce tell me that.
A diabetes educator who had typeone herself that she really
(02:09):
didn't start to understand howto manage her own diabetes
better until she learned aboutall these other medications that
both type one and type twodiabetics can take to help
manage blood sugar.
So I think it's important.
So we're gonna do it.
So be on the lookout for that inthe next couple weeks.
All right.
I think you guys are reallygonna love this episode.
(02:29):
Enjoy the conversation betweenme and Tamara and as always
check out the show notes forlinks to other episodes and
products that are mentionedthroughout the show.
All right.
Without further ado, let's getstarted.
You're listening to the sugarmamas podcast, a show designed
(02:52):
for moms and caregivers of typeone diabetics here.
You'll find a community oflike-minded people who are
striving daily to keep theirkids safe, happy, and healthy in
the ever-changing world of typeone.
I'm your host and fellow T one Dmom, Katie Roseboro.
Before we get started.
(03:12):
I need you to know that nothingyou hear on the sugar mamas
podcast should be consideredmedical advice.
Please be safe, be smart, andalways consult your physician
before making changes to the wayyou manage type one diabetes.
Thanks.
Everybody.
I am here with Tamara today andTamara and I are, we are
(03:36):
rounding third and coming intohome.
This is the last chapter ofthink like a pancreas.
This is chapter 10 and the titleof it is resources for
everything and anythingdiabetes.
So Tamara came on today just to,to talk with me about chapter
10.
It's definitely in my opinion,The easiest chapter to, it was
the easiest chapter for me toreview and, and outline cuz
(03:59):
it's, it's not nearly as medicaland technical as the other
chapters.
Surprisingly though, when Iinterviewed the author for the
first episode, he said it wasthe hardest chapter for him to
write because he just had to doso much research on what was out
there and then, you know, writedown the lists of, of websites
and other resources and booksand everything.
And he just said, it took him areally long time to write
(04:20):
chapter 10.
So I thought that wasinteresting, but I would love
it.
If you would introduce yourselfTaira and just tell the
listeners a little bit aboutyourself and then how you're
connected to the world of typeone diabetes.
Tamara (04:32):
Okay.
So I'm Tamara harden Brook, andI have two boys who actually
have type one diabetes.
My first chance was diagnosedback in September of 2020.
And we don't have anybody in ourfamily that has type one
diabetes prior to our kids.
We didn't know anything aboutit.
So basically he.
(04:52):
Just kind of always thirsty andhungry and that kind of stuff.
And then he was wetting the bedmultiple times throughout the
night.
Little did I know those weresigns of diabetes?
So when we took him in two weeksafter noticing these things he
was, he was diagnosed with typeone with a blood sugar of over
800 on high keytones.
(05:14):
So that's how we discoveredchance.
Was diagnosed.
And then eight months later, mysecond was diagnosed.
And basically how we discoveredthat he had zero signs.
I was finger checking all of mykids cuz I was scared to death
and we, we checked, we fingerchecked him Jackson and.
Two like two 80.
(05:35):
So I knew in my gut and myfamily thought I was crazy.
No, he's fine.
He's fine.
A few days later he came downand said, can you check, can you
finger check me?
And he was four 80 and I, I knewmy heart broke.
We were here.
We are again, eight months intoit and we have another one.
Um, So here we are 20 monthswith both of them diagnosed and
(05:58):
we're.
Living every day, you know,it's, it's hard, it's hard.
So we do have a four year oldwho we did do the genetic, the
antibody test and he has zerosign, zero antibodies, nothing,
everything was negative.
But I still freak out.
Katie (06:17):
Yep.
Yep.
I've had my, I've had done trialnet on my two boys.
Sarah's in the middle and myoldest son is 11 year older than
Sarah.
And then my youngest one iseight and I've done trial net
for both of them.
They were both negative for anyof the antibodies, which I know.
doesn't necessarily mean they'renot a hundred percent out of the
woods cuz I've heard of peopletesting negative and then still
(06:39):
getting diagnosed.
But it definitely gave me atleast peace of mind for the, the
time being
Tamara (06:44):
It does.
Yeah.
A small piece of mind, but it'sstill, you know, like my little
one, he wet the bed the othernight, the first time ever.
And I panicked, so we fingerstuck him.
He was 96.
I'm like, okay.
You know, but still.
I think forever, I'm gonna freakout,
Katie (07:02):
oh, no, you're not alone.
I do it too.
I, my youngest, I actually thinkthis is awful, but I feel like
we've given him a little bit ofanxiety about going to the
bathroom because like anytime hegoes to the bathroom more than
like a couple, you know, acouple times in a, in a couple
hours span, I'm always.
(07:22):
You know, I, I start payingattention more and I'll check
I'll like check his keytones orevery now and then I'll do a
finger prick.
And he's always been fine.
His, his blood sugar's alwaysbeen like, yeah, like right
around 90 or a hundred.
And but I feel like he has alittle bit of anxiety about it,
cuz he has come up to me and he,you know, mommy I've been going
to the bathroom more often.
Can you check, can you check mykeytones?
(07:44):
Or I don't know.
I'm like, I feel like I'vecreated a complex within him, so
I apologize.
Youngest son, if you'relistening to this, when you're
older and you're in therapy forthe for the anxiety your mom
gave you.
Tamara (07:54):
I, you know, I think I did the same with mine and
that's why, you know, Jacksonwas like, can you check me
something doesn't feel right.
So, and especially now when mylittle um, can I have some
water?
I.
Would've thought asking forwater is alarming, but yes, now
to me, anytime he's thirsty, Ipanic.
Katie (08:12):
Yeah, no, I'm the same way.
I'm the same way.
I, how did you how did you goabout it when you found out your
youngest son was negative?
Because we got the results backin the mail and you know, I, my
heart was like, oh, okay.
You know, Bri, I was able tobreathe the sigh relief, but I
didn't wanna like announce thatin front of everybody.
Like, I didn't know how tohandle it.
(08:32):
So I, I even let a couple weeksgo by and I didn't even say
anything to them.
And then my oldest son askedabout it one day.
He's like, Hey, did you ever getthose test results back?
And I just kind of pulled themboth to the side quietly.
And I was like, Hey, like Idon't, I don't really wanna be
like celebrating this in frontof Sarah.
I don't really know how tohandle this because like, I
don't.
I don't know how she would evenfeel about it.
I, I don't know.
So I just was like, let's justkeep it, keep it low key.
(08:54):
You both were negative.
But I, I don't wanna be likecelebrating that in front of
Sarah's face.
How did you handle it?
Tamara (09:00):
You know what both my boys Jackson and chance who are
the, the T one DS definitely didnot.
Sawyer our four year old to, tohave diabetes have any of the
antibodies.
So it wasn't something that Iwas like scared to like hide
from them results.
You know, we were terrifi I wasterrified.
I know.
I, my husband, he's more, youknow, it's gonna be fine, but I
(09:21):
was terrified.
It was, I think it was thelongest two weeks of my life
waiting for the results.
Um, and they happen happen toactually call my husband to tell
him the results.
And I heard him on the phone andhe's like, okay.
So that's it.
And like, I remember feelinglike my heart San.
I don't know what the outcome'sgonna be and what he told.
He told me everything wasnegative.
(09:41):
I remember crying just, and youknow, I can't even tell you
right now if it was happy tearsor sad tears or what it was mix
of everything.
So telling the boys, they were,they were just so excited.
They did not, they do not wantSawyer to have to, to deal with
what they do, what they do withdaily.
And to, to lead up to that myboys just went to the diabetes
(10:03):
camp.
This was their first year.
And when we dropped them off,Sawyer was like, oh, when I'm
eight and I get diabetes, I cancome here.
And his brothers were like,Sawyer, no, we don't want you to
have diabetes.
So.
It doesn't, it makes them happyto know that he's, he's not in
the same boat right now.
So for me, it was, you know, wewere excited and, a sigh of
(10:26):
relief and there was no, I thinkbecause the two, my two boys who
do have it are 16 months apart.
And so they're so close and theyjust, they didn't want, they
don't want Sawyer to have todeal with it.
So it was,
Katie (10:40):
Isn't that sweet.
Isn't that so sweet.
I mean, there's just somethingso sweet about that for, to see
your siblings or your kidslooking out for their siblings.
I know my oldest son, both myboys honestly, are very sweet
and they.
They look out for Sarah, likewhen we were on our trip to
Arizona a couple weeks ago andSarah was so sick, we ended had
to end up taking her to the ER.
I mean, it was, it was real bad.
(11:01):
And she had to get fluids andanyway they were so concerned
about her.
There, there was even, you know,they would just like, is
everything okay?
Like, is there anything seriousgoing on?
Like, I think they thought shehad like cancer or something
like that.
You know what I mean?
Like they, cuz they were like,why are you taking her to the
hospital?
Like this is crazy.
But it's, you know, it's such ascary circumstances, but it's
(11:22):
just, so it is so sweet to seeyour other kids like being so
concerned for your.
Your Your other type onediabetic or, or just for each
other in general?
It goes both ways.
But even last night I was, wewere having a frustrating kind
of diabetes afternoon and I wastalking on the phone to my mom
about it.
And my oldest son heard me andhe just came up to me later and
(11:45):
he's like, mommy, is thereanything that I can do to help
you?
you know, just, I feel like as awhole.
Really prefer not to have anytype one diabetes in the family,
but as a whole, I feel like it'smade me and especially my
children, like just moreempathetic towards and
sympathetic towards other peoplewithin our family and outside of
(12:05):
our family.
So that's a, a blessing indisguise, I guess you could say.
Tamara (12:09):
Yes.
No, I completely agree.
Yeah, definitely.
Katie (12:12):
Okay.
I guess we should, I reallywanna ask you, like, how was
camp for your son?
Did they have a good time?
Tamara (12:17):
They had the best time.
They, it was such a greatexperience and I was, I was on
the fence of sending them.
I was terrified, you know, cuzyou don't get to see numbers or
anything.
And, and I'm the one who managesthe 24 7.
So this was like, I don't knowif I can do this.
And, you know, they have,they've spent nights away from
us.
They've gone out of town for aweek, at the time with my
(12:38):
parents prior to diabetes.
You know, but I was always ableto talk to them on the phone,
say goodnight or whatever.
So it was.
So hard for me to do, but theyhad the best time they made the
best friends.
It was even though they haveeach other and they're both T
one D it was nice for them tomeet other kids and other adults
(12:59):
who have it.
And just to live normal as adiabetic, it was, it was so
great for them.
They're they're ready to go backnext year.
Katie (13:07):
I was just talking with some other moms about sending
Sarah next year, somewhere.
I need to research like what isclosest to us.
But they were on board too.
They're like, yeah, we wannasit, we'll send them together.
You know, send them as a groupof friends.
So where, where, where did theygo?
What was the name of
Tamara (13:21):
They went to it's AZDA so it was up in Prescott,
Arizona.
Katie (13:26):
Oh, okay.
Yeah, no, that's nowhere nearus, but for anybody in that
area, a Z D a look into that one
Tamara (13:34):
Friendly Pines camp.
Yes, it was so great.
Katie (13:38):
Friendly Pines.
I'm writing it down just so I,I, maybe I should make, start
making a list for listeners ofcamps that are around the
country.
Tamara (13:46):
Yeah.
Katie (13:46):
Yeah.
Okay, let's talk about chapter10, so resources for everything
and anything diabetes.
The author broke down theresources into a little list of
different categories.
So the categories areassociations in organizations.
So, you know, and obviouslyresources.
When, when he says resources, hemeans really anything that would
(14:08):
be helpful to a type onediabetic or the caregiver of a
type one diabetic.
So the first category he startswith is associations and
organizations.
And then there, he has acategory for awesome apps.
He has a category for clinicaldiabetes experts and then
financial resources which Ithought was great.
And then the next category iscalled kick ass products.
(14:30):
Which is fun.
Suggested Facebook groups,websites, and blogs.
And then the last category hehas is recommended books.
So I, I'm not gonna, like, I'mgonna flip through as we go
along.
I'm certainly not gonna sit hereand read the list of every
single thing under thatcategory.
But what I did was kind of undereach category, I wrote down.
(14:52):
Some of those things that havehelped me that he did not have
on his list.
So, and then I, and then I askedyou to do the same, so we'll
just kinda chat through it.
And I'm curious to know what youhave and what's helped you guys,
and I will share the same.
I am gonna flip to that flip tothe beginning of the chapter
real quick, just so I can seehis list.
(15:12):
Yeah.
The first the first categoryassociations and organizations,
it's, that's probably one of thebigger ones.
But there's all sorts.
There's like nutritionists,diabetes, educators.
There's like stuff for celiacdisease, resources for those
people.
Several Americans associationsfor like heart association,
diabetes association, chronicpain all sorts of stuff.
(15:35):
You can definitely even likelook Jewish diabetes
association.
Okay.
Like that's quite a, quite aniche, you know, if you're
Jewish and you have diabetes.
So there's all sorts ofassociations and organizations.
Ones that I wrote down that havebeen so helpful to us that I did
not see on the list was touchedby type one.
(15:55):
I don't think that's on hislist.
He has him in alphabetical.
But no, I didn't see that onhere.
At least not in this category,but touch by type one is like
it's for, basically for parentsreally and caregivers of type
one diabetics and just how toeducate yourself.
So you can feel empowered andmake better management decisions
and, you know, very similar tothe podcast, just so people know
(16:16):
that they're not alone on thisjourney.
They also have a really awesomedancing for diabetes program
that you can.
They put on this huge dancingshowcase at the end of the year
in November.
And if you're in the Orlandoarea, you can go and watch it
and buy a ticket.
It, we went last year and it'samazing.
And then you can stream itonline too.
So and I have interviewedElizabeth Forrest, who's the CEO
(16:39):
and founder of touch by typeone.
So that's a really greatorganization.
Um, JDRF JDRF certainly had tobe on his list.
I.
Juvenile.
Yeah, of course it is juvenilediabetes research foundation.
That's been a huge help to, tous.
We just went on our first um,JDRF one walk hooked up with
several families there actuallyjust two days ago at my house.
(16:59):
I had a group of 10 year oldgirls that we had met through
JDRF over to the house and they,they just swam and hung out and
played.
It was great.
It was beautiful.
It was great.
We're gonna, and we are, youknow, of course are gonna do it
again.
And then children with diabetesis the other organization that
I've really enjoyed following.
Again, it's very geared aroundlike parents and caregivers of
(17:23):
type one diabetics just.
Any resource that would behelpful to them.
They have several different,like really good online you
know, like virtual webinars thatyou can tune into frequently
that just kind of cover a verywide variety of topics, all
about type one diabetes.
They have annual conferences toocalled friends for life that
meet.
All around the country and,well, not, not all around the
(17:45):
country, but like three or fourdifferent spots around the
country.
And those, those conferences area big hit.
I've also interviewed a fewpeople from children with
diabetes.
I'll have to leave the links toall these episodes I'm
mentioning in the show notes.
Yeah.
But they're great.
So what did you have that he didnot list in the book
Tamara (18:03):
You know what I,
Katie (18:05):
yeah.
Tamara (18:05):
to be honest with you, the only one that's ever like
helped us, that we've beeninvolved with and that helped,
helped us was JDRF.
You know, and of course he hadthat listed, but you know, with
us being in Tucson, Arizona,there isn't too many.
Organizations and stuff.
So they happen to be hostingsomething out here, back in
(18:26):
January at the Arizona U of aArizona Wildcats women's
basketball game, they werehosting a little event for kids
with type one to, you know, meeteach other and stuff because two
of the players on the teamactually have type one.
So we.
Knew nothing that they had twoplayers on the team.
So we were excited to go.
(18:46):
So the boys could meet theseplayers.
Of course, when we got there,we, we learned that we wouldn't
be able to meet the playersbecause of COVID.
But yeah, I know and all of theother, the families who had, who
were there were from Phoenix,which is about hour and a half
away.
But it, it was fun to watch thegame and, you know, for our boys
to see two players that do havetype one.
(19:07):
That are living their best lifeand they're, they're out there.
They're athletes.
So I actually happened to tagone of the players on my
Instagram while we were at thegame.
And she, she reached out KateReese, number 25.
She reached out and said, youknow what?
I'm sorry, we couldn't meet youguys.
Come to another game.
I'd love to meet your boys.
Katie (19:27):
Oh,
Tamara (19:27):
So we went to the next home game and we actually got to
meet her and.
Kate Reese is actually one ofour best friends.
Now we hang out with her all thetime.
We've gone to so many games.
She gets a, you know, the boysadore her and knowing that she
has type one and she's beenliving with it for six years and
she's an athlete has been suchan amazing.
(19:51):
Experience for us just to watchher you know, and how she lives
with it and how she manages itis completely different than how
we do it because she's all MDI.
She does not have any GCM,anything.
She does it all,
Katie (20:05):
Oh, really?
Tamara (20:06):
manually.
So us, we have, you know, theCGMs, we have the Omnipod, we do
it that way.
So it's so interesting to seehow she does it that way.
And.
She just lives like she'snormal.
It's great.
And like I said, she's over allthe time.
She's one of our best friends.
Katie (20:25):
I love that.
How cool is that?
Tamara (20:27):
and we would not have known about this if it wasn't
for JDRF to host that, you know,I wouldn't have known that there
was a player on the team with,with type one.
Katie (20:36):
Yeah.
Oh my gosh.
That's so cool.
That's so awesome.
And I love that she doeseverything the old school way,
like that's pretty rare thesedays, I feel like,
Tamara (20:44):
and she actually, her sister who is 11 months older
than her also has, has diabetesas well.
So the same thing, you know, thesisters and they both come over.
They're both doing it manually.
It's, it's, it's veryinteresting,
Katie (20:59):
Wow.
Okay.
I, I feel like I need to followup with you on that.
I'm like, why did they, why dothey choose that?
I mean, Hey, to each their own,
Tamara (21:06):
you know?
Kate's reason is just, shedoesn't want anything on her
body and I get it playingbasketball.
It could get knocked off andstuff.
It her sister, Allie, same thingjust doesn't wanna have anything
on their body.
I guess when you're 22, 23, youdon't as a girl, I get it.
But still it's, it's crazy to beable to manage it that way and
(21:26):
just do it,
Katie (21:28):
yeah.
Especially as an athlete.
I, I would think if I, if I wasan, an athlete, which I'm not
that I would wanna be able to atleast have a CGM and see my
numbers, but,
Tamara (21:37):
Right, but and during games, you know, every 30
minutes you see her go out anddo a finger stick and stuff, but
it's just, it's crazy.
Katie (21:45):
I love that.
I love that.
Okay.
Yeah, JDRF, I just I've saidthis a few times on the podcast
already, but if you're notconnected with a, a group, I
mean, JDRF has a chapter.
In almost every major cityaround the country hopefully at
least within driving distanceof, you know, an hour of driving
distance from where people live,but, you know, get connected.
(22:05):
And I know a lot of people we'vejust come out of two very weird
years where everybody was kindof hold up in their home.
And I feel like people have alittle bit lost their motivation
to like interact with society.
And just, I don't know.
It's interesting, but I wouldeven if you feel awkward and,
and weird about it, like I wouldreally encourage people, just,
just be awkward and be weird,but go to a picnic or go to a
(22:26):
walk or go to whatever sort ofmeetup they're having and
introduce yourself, you know,and get connected with people,
try to find, you know, parentsfor, for you that you can
connect with.
And definitely some, somefriends for your kids that they
can connect with.
Cuz that's made a, it's made areal big difference in Sarah's
life.
Tamara (22:45):
Yes.
I agree.
Katie (22:47):
Yeah.
All right.
The next category is awesomeapps and he, he listed several
the ones that I wanted tohighlight that either he
mentioned, and I have reallybenefited from, or that he
didn't mention that I, I thinkare awesome.
I wrote down happy, Bob.
Which is, it's an app that it,it's kind of like Dexcom, like
(23:07):
it'll show you your glucosenumbers.
But it will send you textmessages depending on what your
number is.
Like, if you're in range, it'llsend you like a congratulations,
you know, like an encouragingtext message.
And it's funny.
So like, if you have a sense ofhumor and you have diabetes,
This is for you.
So if you're low, it'll send youlike a funny text message that
it says like funny, cleverthings about having low blood
(23:29):
sugar.
So it's, it's kind of a funnyway to remind you to like, oh,
you know, you're doing a greatjob or you need to treat your
low or you're running high.
And I've heard that there'sdifferent modes.
I actually, we have notdownloaded happy, Bob, but.
I think it's an app I'll put onSarah's phone when she's like a
teenager, but there's a couplemodes and I know one of the
modes is snarky mode and I'veheard that that's very popular
(23:50):
with teens because it willhappy.
Bob will send you very snarky,sarcastic test text messages
about your blood sugar.
So it's just kind of a fun,funny way to keep a, keep an eye
on your numbers and stuff.
And then there's sugar mate,which I don't use sugar.
I, I have sugar mate on my phoneand really the reason why I have
it is because sugar mate, youcan, first of all, it's only, I
(24:12):
it's only on iPhone.
Unfortunately you can set it upon a computer if you.
Android devices.
So you can see it on yourcomputer, but if you want the
app, it's only available oniPhone.
At the moment, I was told bysomebody who works within sugar
mate, that they are developingan Android app that hopefully
will be out later this year, butsugar.
Mate's awesome because you can,sugar mate will call you if your
(24:35):
child is out of range,especially low.
I love it at night because it.
Sometimes I don't, for whateverreason, sometimes Dexcom alerts
don't come through.
But sugar mate does.
And it'll call you to say, yourkid is out of your kid is low
and you need to treat their lowblood sugar.
And you can decide what numberyou want sugar mate to call you
(24:56):
at.
And then there, we use calorieking app to look up carbs for.
All the foods, all the fastfoods, all the restaurant foods.
I mean, not every single thingis on there, but calorie king
really has a huge library offoods and that's been very
helpful to us.
I do not use my fitness pal, butI've heard a lot of people do
use my fitness pal for the samething to look up carbs and
(25:20):
figure out card counts that wayto bolus.
So what about you?
What apps do you guys.
Tamara (25:25):
My husband has had the sugar mate.
I don't have that one on myphone.
I didn't have patience to set itup.
But yes, you know, it will dothe, the.
You or whatever, especially whenyour follow app doesn't work
calorie king, we all use it.
The, the boys, especiallychance.
He's very good at looking up.
If he doesn't know carbs onsomething, he is gonna look it
(25:46):
up.
He's gonna find a way to look itup.
I do use my fitness P though.
I did have it prior to themhaving diabetes.
So it was just something that Iknew I could look up something
and it would tell me the carbs.
So I would say I use that onequite often, to be honest with
you.
Because it does have a lot,especially a lot of foods that
we normally eat that I'vealready saved in there.
(26:07):
So it's just an easy access tolook it up.
Katie (26:11):
Nice.
So you can save it.
You have like a favorites list.
Tamara (26:13):
Yes.
Yeah.
So, I mean, it has all my thingsfrom the past.
I'm like, oh, well, they eatthat.
So I know what it is.
Those are, those are our bigones that there isn't anything,
you know, the happy Bob, somehowJackson had it on his phone
after he came back from camp,but it's not set up.
So it was interesting.
So I like how it sends you text.
So I have to look into that one.
(26:33):
That
Katie (26:34):
yeah.
Tamara (26:34):
sounds kind of fun.
Katie (26:36):
I have not.
I love the idea of it.
I don't know if there's likeannoying in-app purchases or, I
mean, I'm pretty sure it'sclean.
You know what I mean?
Like they're not gonna begetting some sort of
inappropriate text aboutdiabetes but but anyway, it's
one to look
Tamara (26:52):
Cause I don't know if, if your daughter is like my
boys, but they tend to ignoretheir alarms sometimes, or
they're too busy and they knowthey're low until mom says, Hey.
Are you gonna do something aboutit?
So just other ways to maybealarm them to alert them would
be kind of, I think,
Katie (27:08):
Yes, absolutely.
And entertaining ways.
I think kids are respond well tolike, you know, something that's
fun or, or funny.
Yes.
I wanted to say too, I didn'twrite this down, but you
reminded me of it.
The night scout.
App, it's actually really moreof a website.
But if you have an iPhone, youcan also have the night scout
app.
The only reason I have nightscout is because Sarah is doing
(27:31):
the DIY loop hybrid closed loopsystem.
And if I wanna monitor herremotely, so if I wanna see.
If she did insulin, how muchinsulin did she do?
What's her blood sugar now.
I mean, at night scout tells youa lot of information.
That's very, very useful.
Yeah, so I love it because.
You know, if she's at school orsomething, I'll tell her, do
(27:53):
this amount of carbs for lunch.
And I can go back in and see,did she actually do it?
Did she enter the right amount?
Did she enter too much?
You know, whatever the case maybe.
I can see whether or not herloop is.
Connected.
So if it's like working properlynow night Scouts of pain because
you have to build it yourself.
And the instructions are prettycomplicated.
I actually did not build my ni Ibuilt my, our, our loop app
(28:16):
myself which was one of the moststressful things I've ever done
in my life, just FYI.
But I did it.
But then after that I was like,well, now I want night scout,
but I really don't think I haveit in me to build it.
There's actually a servicecalled T one P.
That's T one P a L.
And they will build a nightscout website for you and
maintain it and rebuild it if itneeds to be rebuilt, because
(28:36):
that happens every now and then.
And it's like, I think it's like$10 a month, which I know is not
in the budget for everybody.
But I was like, I'm gonna paythat$10 a month.
Like I even, I even went in andlike canceled some of my other
subscriptions that I had.
Cause I'm like, I'm gonna giveup this so I can have this
instead.
uh, Cuz it was, it was worth itto me.
Tamara (28:55):
yes, definitely.
Katie (28:56):
All right.
And then of course the booklists several other apps that we
didn't mention, but people cantake a look.
All right.
So clinical diabetes experts isthe next category and I just
listed integrated diabetesservices under this one.
I have not, I integrateddiabetes services is the author
of the book.
Think like a pancrea, scaryShiner.
That is his company.
(29:17):
They treat people.
In house and virtually worldwideto help them manage their type
one diabetes.
And I've heard amazing things.
I'm actually consideringscheduling a few appointments
with them to kind of make surethat our DIY loop settings are
dialed in.
The best that they possibly canbe.
I haven't done that yet, butI've heard amazing things.
(29:39):
Jenny Smith, who is a veryfrequent guest of the juice box
podcast, she also works forintegrated diabetes services.
So they're very well known inthe type one community.
I really have not other thanjust having to call the
endocrinologist and talking tothe educators there, I really
haven't sought out any other.
(29:59):
Diabetes experts.
But what about you?
Do you,
Tamara (30:02):
Nope, we have, I have nothing for you there.
No other, you know, other,again, other than your Indo, you
know, that's usually my go to,and it, you know, maybe because
we're in a smaller area, so weget ahold of them so easily.
So that's usually our go-toreaching out to them.
Katie (30:20):
I have found, I guess these would be considered
diabetes experts, but I havefound reps from companies like
whatever gadgets you use, likereps from we I've had to call
mostly Omnipod.
Those I've had to call Omnipodrep reps several times and
Dexcom reps.
But they are often like,especially if I'm having an
issue with insurance, they, Ihave found.
(30:42):
Are really the most helpful,like I can call insurance all
day long and I feel like I'mjust running around in circles.
But when I actually call like arep from Omnipod or Dexcom,
that's when I feel like, okay,now we're getting somewhere
because they will go to bat foryou.
They will fight.
They will fight for you.
They will call your insurancefor you.
They will help you figure thingsout.
So that's worth mentioning.
(31:02):
Call your rep from your, whetherit's tandem, Medtronic, whatever
it is call, call a rep from thatcompany.
And they they're usually veryhelpful.
Have you had to reach out to arep?
Tamara (31:12):
My husband does all of that.
So yes, we have several times.
Katie (31:17):
Well, very good.
Okay.
Um, Financial resources is thenext category.
We have not had to, we, we havehealth insurance feel very
fortunate to have healthinsurance.
So we haven't had to tap in it.
Into any of these financialresources.
But I love that he has thiscategory in the chapter because
I know that there are a lot ofpeople out there who, who need,
(31:38):
you know, need extra supportfinancially when it comes to
getting all their diabetessupplies.
You know, and this, this, thisis something to consider too,
like, Not just, if you can'tafford your insulin, but like
scholarships in the future youknow, for kids going into
college, there's lots and lotsof scholarships out there.
You gonna have to do yourresearch to, to find them.
I know the website beyond,beyond type one, they have like
(32:00):
a whole blog post on all thedifferent scholarships that are
out there for type onediabetics.
So that's something to keep inmind, but if you are in need of
some financial resource take alook at this category.
It starts on page 3, 0, 4 of thebook.
Any thoughts on that?
Tamara (32:13):
I would say you know, we haven't used any or needed any,
but I've noticed like, in a lotof the Facebook groups, if you
even just explain yoursituation, they give you so many
resources of what's worked forthem try this or that.
So I would definitely recommendthat if you're really in the
need for it or our Indo, youknow, they've given us ideas.
(32:34):
If we need something, you.
To help financially.
You know, cuz we, our insuranceis DME, so it's not
prescription.
So it's basically all out ofpocket until we, we meet our
deductible.
So, you know, they tell us, youcan call your insurance and you
can fight it.
We haven't had any luck, but youknow, I know that there's just
always resources.
(32:54):
It's just finding them or doingthe legwork to get.
Katie (32:58):
Mm-hmm mm-hmm yeah.
Yeah.
Good point.
Tamara (33:01):
because it's not gonna take five minutes, you know,
it's gonna be a lengthy process.
So finding the time and justreally not giving up, I think is
probably key.
Katie (33:09):
Yes.
And I've heard just callinginsurance in general, like call
in the middle of the day on aweekday or in the morning on a
weekday.
Because if you try to call atlike four 30, when you're
driving home from work or fiveo'clock, that's usually when
they're the busiest, cuzeverybody's has the time to
call.
So if you
Tamara (33:27):
And Fridays don't do Fridays.
Katie (33:29):
Yes.
I've heard Monday in the morningis the best time to call.
So mm-hmm yeah, I love that youmentioned the Facebook groups
because people are so for themost part, people are so kind
and helpful in those groups.
And I even I've even seen peopleget on there and be like, Hey,
we're complete.
We're getting ready to run outof no vlog or Humalog, like.
Anybody near me that has extra,that they could let us have for,
(33:52):
you know, until we can re refillour prescription.
And people are always so quickto be like I do.
I do.
I do.
You know?
It's a very helpful communityout there.
The type one community.
All right.
Let's see.
So the next category is theproducts, the kick ass products.
He has a whole list of greatsoftware, different like
(34:12):
products to make injections hurtless.
You know, Kind of like more for,for kids or anybody who's scared
of needles to kind of make thatwhole process easier, especially
in the beginning.
He lists like some reallyawesome glucose meters glucose
monitors, if you're not familiardifferent injection ports
insulin pins and accessories.
So kind of all the productsthat.
(34:34):
Helping people take some of theburden off of managing diabetes
supply cases.
I know our favorite supply casecompany is sugar medical.
We have owned a few sugarmedical bags, anybody, any,
anytime anybody gets diagnosedand somebody reaches out to me
asking, like, what can I do forthis family?
I always say, get them a sugarmedical bag.
Cuz somebody got that for Sarahwhen she was first diagnosed.
(34:56):
And I was just the greatestgift.
And then another product that wehave that I think is awesome is
glow glucose.
And that's the little, it's likea little bedside lamp that glows
different colors, depending onwhat my daughter's blood sugar
is.
You like hook it up to herDexcom data.
It doesn't make any noise.
It's just quiet and all it doesis glow.
It doesn't blink.
It's not like a strobe light.
It's just like this soft glowand the colors change depending
(35:17):
on where her number is.
And I love that thing.
so it's just, I just love.
It's behind our couch right now.
And I can just peek back therewhile we're watching TV or if
I'm do.
Yeah.
If I'm doing a workout video, Idon't have to like stop and
check my phone.
I can just look back there andsee what the color is.
And then one, one other productthat has been great that I think
is awesome is mial.
I actually interviewed thecreator of mial on one of my
(35:39):
previous episodes, but it is.
All natural adhesive remover andit it's a, it's a great product
and it smells amazing.
It's made with all thesedifferent essential oils and it
really does work really well.
So if you're kind of looking forsomething that's gentle on the
skin to get those sticky devicesoff and it's all natural then
mial is a great product to lookat.
(35:59):
So what about you?
What products have you guys usedthat you just love?
Tamara (36:03):
I would have to say my, my go to is skin tech, that's,
it's a must.
In fact, my, my one son, Jacksondidn't want to replace his
Dexcom at camp when it went, itexpired Friday because he knew
they didn't have that.
And he said, no, I don't want iton without that, because I know
it will fall off, which we don'tknow that it will fall off.
We've just always used it fromday one.
(36:26):
So that is, that's what theyknow.
You know, and of course like theexpression, meds, tape, those
are fun.
But the sugar medical bags.
Yes.
We love those.
They're fun prints.
We use all of those, but Ireally wanna get that lamp.
Katie (36:40):
yeah.
Tamara (36:40):
That sounds so fun.
Even though I have boys, itsounds fun.
Like, you know, it's not, it'smore for me to look at.
Katie (36:48):
Oh yeah.
Oh no, it's totally, it'stotally more for me.
Absolutely.
I thought about putting it inSarah's bedroom, but I, I kind
of feel like it might keep herup at night with the.
The lights, you know, it's, it'spretty bright, especially if the
room is dark.
But it's not girly at all.
It's just a circle.
It's it looks like a crystalball and the bottom of it is
white and the top of it is whatglows the different colors.
(37:09):
So yeah, checked out glowcoast.com.
It's a really great product.
I'm trying to think of like,we've never used skin tech.
But I know some people swear byit.
I do love expression, medpatches.
Those are definitely myfavorites for like all the fun
designs.
I will say though, if you need apatch, that is, I mean, really
gonna stick.
Through like an Armageddonsituation of like heat and sweat
(37:31):
and beach and sand the SIM patchpatches, which you can just buy
on Amazon.
I mean, those, I think they'llsurvive like a nuclear war.
They are so.
Sturdy.
And they work so, so well, we'venever had a device fall off, I'm
talking water skiing heavy,heavy beach days, heavy water
park days.
They hold'em on really.
The only bad thing is thatthey're so good that when you do
(37:51):
take them off, you have to gothrough a lot of adhesive
remover to get all thestickiness off because it's real
sticky, but they do the job.
So.
Okay.
Suggested Facebook groups is thenext category.
I'm involved in a coupleFacebook groups.
The podcast has a Facebookgroup.
I'm gonna be perfectly honest.
I feel like I'm a lot moreactive on Instagram than I am in
my Facebook group, but theFacebook group is growing and it
(38:14):
is becoming more active.
So if people wanna check thatout but I mean, I'm a part.
Moms of type one diabetics onFacebook.
There's the looped group isgreat.
If you're thinking about maybetrying out the DIY loop
situation, that's a really goodgroup on Facebook.
Juice box podcast group is very,very busy.
There's like 20,000 people inthat group.
So you're gonna get all sorts ofadvice and all sorts of
(38:35):
opinions, which, you know,sometimes I appreciate, and
sometimes I don't, but it's a,it's a good group.
Lots of good info in there.
What about you?
What groups either Facebook orInstagram, have you found
helpful?
Tamara (38:46):
for Facebook, you know, obviously moms of type one, the
juice box podcast, Facebook, oneI'm on my husband is actually on
T N D mod squad.
And he likes, he likes that one.
And he's gotten some goodinformation from that one.
I'm big on Instagram too,obviously how I found you.
So there's just such a bigcommunity on Instagram that we
(39:08):
don't even real, you know, I'vefound so many just from my.
My small business, Instagram, mycustomers are like, oh, this
person has T one D follow thisperson.
And that's how I found, found somany including you.
So I think, you know, if youjust search T one D so many
things pop up, it's justincredible.
(39:31):
And then also my boys have a, anInstagram the highs and lows
bros, and that's.
Just because it's incorporatedwith T one D we've found so many
other, you know, resources andgroups through that too.
Katie (39:44):
Mm-hmm oh, wonderful.
I I'm not sure.
Am I following them?
Like, I'm gonna get my phone outright now and see I feel like
that would be something I'd befollowing.
Hold on, cuz you're your smallbusiness is while I'm looking
for them.
Tell listeners what you do, cuzI love, I love the name of your
tell'em your Instagram handle.
Tamara (40:01):
It's Tam's design jungle and I make customized drinkware
shirts, bracelets, all kinds ofstuff.
Now it's, it's more of a smallbusiness to help support T one D
my boys, you know, and all ofour medical expenses, it started
off just something fun for me todo, but now obviously it's a
(40:22):
little bit about supporting themand that kind of stuff.
Katie (40:26):
Yeah, that's wonderful.
I know you've got some reallycute stuff.
I was looking at it the otherday.
I'm now following Jackson andchance at the highs, highs and
lows bros.
I love the name.
So fun.
Yeah.
You guys check out both of thosethings.
Both of those Instagram handles.
All right.
I'm trying to, yeah, Instagram.
I feel like Instagram is greatfor the like, Facebook is good.
More for like advice.
(40:47):
I feel like, like, if you have aquestion, I go to Facebook.
But I feel like just the supportand encouragement and like humor
and just knowing you're notalone.
Like that's where I go more
Tamara (40:57):
Even snack ideas, all kinds of stuff like that, new
places to put your Dexcom orOmnipod.
Just so many things that, that Iwouldn't think about that I can
find on Instagram.
Katie (41:10):
Yes.
That's very true.
Lots of good recipes and yeah, Ifeel like if your kid needs to
see some other kids puttingdevices in different spots.
Yeah.
You're right.
That's a great place for that.
Okay.
Websites and blogs.
Again, the book lists lots ofdifferent websites and blogs.
I'm not gonna sit here and readthem all, but you know, just
kind of glancing at the list.
I'm very familiar with some ofthem.
His website integrateddiabetes.com is on there.
(41:33):
Oh, there's children withdiabetes.
He listed that one beyond typeone.
That's obviously very popular.
Let's see.
I, I feel like anytime I do aGoogle search for some type one
thing, I usually end up on thebeyond type one website.
I just have like, they havequite a wealth of.
Blog posts that cover a lot ofdifferent topics.
And I just feel like I usuallyend up there a lot.
(41:56):
So that's a great website thatI've used a lot.
The college diabetes network hassome really great information.
So what about you?
Where do you usually findyourself?
Tamara (42:05):
Probably beyond type one is probably the biggest but you
know what, to be honest withyou, I try not to search for a
lot of things because I feellike I see a lot of negative
stuff or what could go wrong.
So I kind of leave that up to myhusband to do that kind of
stuff.
If that makes sense.
just because I'm, I'm alwaysthinking the worst.
Katie (42:25):
Hmm.
Tamara (42:26):
So if I read something, I start freaking out.
So I try to have him be.
And do all the research stuff?
Katie (42:34):
He doesn't get freaked out nearly as easily.
Tamara (42:36):
No, not at all.
Katie (42:38):
Okay.
That's
Tamara (42:39):
so it's a good that we have that balance, like,
Katie (42:42):
absolutely.
I was just gonna say like, youknow, your role, he knows his,
like, don't tell me what's gonnaanything that's gonna make me
worry or freak me out.
That's a good.
That's a very good balance.
I like that.
I feel it's interesting cuz Ifeel like my husband is neither
of us are big worriers.
But I would say if I had to pickone, I would be the more the
overthinker worrier person.
But when it comes to like mykid's medical conditions, he's
(43:07):
more of the worrier I foundeverything else.
I usually am the one that takes.
Role, but but he gets, he getshimself pretty worked up and
I'm, and maybe it's because I'min the medical field.
I don't know.
I'm just like, it's fine.
It's gonna be okay.
Like, we're gonna figure it out.
We're gonna get it figured out.
It's gonna be all right.
But he gets, he gets a littlebit more anxious about just
making sure, you know, they aregoing to all the right
(43:27):
appointments that they need to,they're tapping into all the
different resources and whatnot.
It's interesting.
Alright.
The last category is recommendedbooks, which.
I, I do love a good book.
I love to read.
I'm more of an audio book bookperson, and unfortunately, when
it comes to diabetes books,there are not very many audio
book.
Options because a lot of themare very technical and I feel
(43:50):
like the more technical a bookis the, the less likely they are
to have an audio book option,just because, you know, they're
not gonna sit there and read agraph to you or describe a
chart, you know?
So that stinks because thatmeans I actually have to sit
down and read the book which Idon't have a whole lot of time
to do.
So the one book that I have readliterally three times now is
(44:10):
this one, which is think like apancreas it's been the most
helpful.
I refer back to it all the time.
I highly recommend.
If you or someone you love hastype one diabetes to get a copy.
I currently own a copy of sugarsurfing.
I've heard great things.
I have not read it yet.
That's gonna be next on my list.
Let's see, diabetes sucks andyou can handle it.
I've interviewed the author ofthat book, mark Haman, and
(44:33):
that's very new.
Like it just came out a couplemonths ago.
Great book.
I would say that's a, a reallygreat book.
If you are struggling mentallyand emotionally and, and more
psychologically with all of thediabetes management stuff.
That is a great book to take alook at raising teens with
diabetes.
I have read that one.
Actually.
I have read that one and that'sa fantastic book.
(44:55):
If you have a teen or a tween.
With diabetes.
You're going to want to, to takea look at that one.
The author Mora McCarthy isjust, she's just a no nonsense
kind of mom.
She went through lots and lotsof struggles with her teen teen
daughter going through Manydifferent challenges related to
diabetes.
And she just has some reallygreat wisdom and insight when it
(45:17):
comes to raising teens withdiabetes.
And then the last one on thelist that I haven't actually
read, but I love the title andI've interviewed the author.
It's the world's worst diabetesmom by Stacy Sims and Stacy Sims
has her own podcast calleddiabetes connections, which is a
news podcast.
So like, Anything that's comingout in the news related to
diabetes and diabetes technologyand research and all that.
(45:40):
She, her podcast specializes inthat and she wrote a book called
the world's worst diabetes mom,which I think we can all relate
to that if you're the mother ofa type one diabetic.
So I, I feel like that would bea good read too.
What about you?
Do you have any books that hedidn't list or that have been
really helpful to.
Tamara (45:58):
So I don't have any diabetes books and I'm like, you
I'd love to listen to audiobooks.
So I have researched on thereand there was never any, so it's
good to know the reasons why.
So.
I am actually gonna check out afew of the books that you've
recommended because now thatit's summertime have a little
bit more free time.
(46:19):
Cuz I do, I do think that all ofthose resources would be good.
Katie (46:23):
yeah, yeah.
Especially like the raisingteens.
Like I said, that one that one'sa little out of date to be, to
be honest, like not, notcompletely, but like the chapter
that's on tech, on the diabetestech you know, she wrote that
book.
10 years ago or something.
And so that's almost completelythat one needs to be updated,
but but everything else in thebook still holds true.
(46:43):
You know, everything else likedealing with the emotional
challenges of raising a teenwith diabetes and kind of some
of the more like socialchallenges and stuff like that.
Driving, drinking, she coversthat You know, giving, launching
your kid into adulthood, givingthem more freedom.
Like that's all in the book andthat's still, that's not out of
date.
But that, that was a great book.
I really liked that one.
And I actually had my Kindleread that one to me, cuz that's
(47:07):
an option.
I don't know if you guys knowthis, if you, if you have a
certain type of Kindle and Iforget what it is and actually
my, it wasn't even mine.
It was my kids, but I downloadedthat book to my Ken kids Kindle
and then there, I had theoption.
To read it to me.
So I could do that while I wascleaning or washing dishes or
whatever it might be.
It's not the best because itsounds pretty robotic reading it
(47:29):
to me, but it gets the job done.
All right.
Well that is it for thediscussion on resources for
everything in anything diabetes.
I mean, there was, there is aton more in the book than what
we talked about today.
So again, encourage people toget your own copy.
So you have those resources atyour fingertips.
(47:51):
You know, and it it's kind ofresources for like you and I are
parents of younger type onediabetics, but the resources
that he lists in the books arefor anybody of any age living
with type one diabetes.
So what we think was great andimportant to us and what we use
might be totally different thanwhat somebody else would find
helpful and what they would use.
(48:12):
So check out.
The chapter.
It's a, it's a quick, easy toskim through that one for sure.
Well, is there anything elseyou'd like to, to say or add
before we, before we sign off?
Tamara (48:23):
Nope.
I think, I think you covered alot of stuff with a lot of good
information that I'm gonna goand add to my notes and.
Start doing some more researchand get some books.
Katie (48:35):
I'm gonna be honest.
I didn't know you had two typeone diabetics when you, when we
started the interview.
So that was a surprise.
My hat's off to you.
I can't imagine having more thanone.
I know that lots and lots ofpeople do it.
Some people have more than, youknow, two some people have three
or four and I, I truly cannotimagine.
But I know that you are a veryhard working mama and thanks for
(48:57):
taking the time to out of yourI'm.
Sure.
Busy schedule, come and chatwith me.
Tamara (49:01):
Thank you so much for having me.
Bye.
Katie (49:05):
All right.
You guys, that is it for ourshow today.
I just wanted to mention again,the summer camp that Tamara said
her boys went to was calledfriendly Pines in Arizona.
I will leave a link to that inthe show notes.
There were two episodes.
That I had mentioned in thisshow, uh, two previous episodes
that I had recorded that youmight wanna go back and take a
(49:25):
listen to the touched by typeone episode with Elizabeth for
as well as the children withdiabetes episode, where we talk
all about their friends for lifeconferences.
there were obviously lots andlots of products and websites
mentioned in this show.
I am not gonna link to everysingle one of them in the show
notes.
Again, another reason to haveyour own copy of the book,
(49:47):
because it lists them all outfor you there.
All right.
You guys have a fabulous week.
I will chat with you soon, butuntil then stay calm and on.
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