October 13, 2021 • 30 mins
Today I got to chat with super mom, Vanessa Messenger! Vanessa was diagnosed with T1D as a young adult at the age of 24. She is a hard working mother of TWO pandemic babies, one currently 15 months old and the other just a few weeks old. Whew! I'm tired just typing that! Vanessa is also a business woman and works as a product lead at everyone's favorite search engine, Google! BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE! Vanessa recently published an adorable T1D children's book entitled, Teddy Talks; a Paw-sitive Story about Type 1 Diabetes.
Vanessa's adorable and fluffy Pomeranian, Teddy, was the inspiration behind the book.
Find Vanessa on her Website! https://www.messengerpublishingbooks.com/
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE BOOK
On Target
On Barnes and Noble
On Amazon (affiliate link)
WHERE YOU CAN FIND TEDDY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @teddythet1dog
TikTok: @teddythet1dog
Click HERE to learn more about the diabetes research done by Dr. Faustman
Follow the show on Instagram @sugarmamaspodcast
Come join the Facebook Group!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Katie (00:01):
Hey everybody it's episode 41 of the sugar mamas
podcast.
And today I have the pleasure oftalking with Vanessa messenger.
Vanessa was diagnosed with typeone diabetes as a young adult at
the age of 24, and has recentlywritten a children's book called
Teddy talks.
A positive story about type onediabetes.
Teddy talks was inspired byVanessa's real life pet, an
(00:24):
adorable white Pomeranian puppynamed of course.
Not only that, but Vanessa isthe hardworking mother of two.
She has a 15 month old and justgave birth to her second child
just weeks ago.
We also get to hear a little bitabout Vanessa's job outside of
the home.
As a product lead for Google.
Vanessa is a hard workingenergetic mother, wife, author,
(00:47):
and business woman.
And today she's going to share alittle bit about her type one
journey thus far.
At the end of the show, I'll letyou know where you can find
Vanessa's book and where you canfollow the real life.
Teddy on social media.
Enjoy.
You're listening to the sugarmamas podcast, a show designed
(01:09):
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.
(01:35):
Before we get started.
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.
Hey everyone.
I am here with Vanessa messengertoday and Vanessa, we're just
(01:57):
going to jump right on in.
So first things first, I'm goingto have you introduce yourself
to the listeners and tell uswhat your connection is to type
one day.
Vanessa (02:05):
Yeah.
Hi Katie.
Thank you so much for having me.
Uh, So I was diagnosed later onin life, the type one diabetes,
and that was about 24 years old,which I know is a little bit
unusual.
Um, And the circumstance that Ifound out that I was diagnosed.
Also a little unique, so we cango into that as well.
But um, I'm a mother of twobaby.
Number two is literally on theway any day now.
(02:28):
And.
I've been thinking a lot abouthow can I explain the condition
to my kids in a way that they'llbe able to understand.
And there's really an optimisticway of explaining type one
diabetes.
So I wrote a, a children'sinspirational picture book
called Teddy talks, a positivestory about type one diabetes.
(02:49):
And I'm so excited to share itwith every.
Katie (02:51):
Oh, yeah.
I'm excited to ask you questionsabout the book.
I've had the opportunity to readit and.
Great.
The illustrations are great.
The story is wonderful.
So we'll, we'll talk about thatin just a sec, but I want to ask
you about your diagnosis story.
Cause you said you werediagnosed as an adult and um, I
just, I just want to know aboutthat because most people I talk
(03:12):
to are, are caregivers of typeones.
So they have kids that werediagnosed at a young age.
So what was that like for youbeing diagnosed as.
Vanessa (03:21):
Yeah, definitely.
So it was really interestingbecause I fortunately didn't
have any sort of really.
Traumatic event that led to mydiagnosis.
It was more so I noticed I wasreally sluggish.
I was always tired.
I was constantly thirsty and,you know, giving credit to my
(03:42):
mom as moms do.
They're like, we need to get youinto a doctor.
And I went to anendocrinologist.
I didn't even really know whatan endocrinologist was at the
time.
And they were kind of puzzled.
They were like, it doesn't seemlike you would have diabetes.
Um, And they weren't really surewhat to think.
(04:02):
Uh, But they tested me for theantibodies and they came back
positive and I was fortunatelystill in the honeymoon phase.
And I was like, you know, Stillproducing insulin at the time.
Um, But it was certainly a bigshift, you know, I know that
there's kind of two differentperspectives on undiagnosis.
I think that, you know, whenyou're really young and
diagnosed, of course is sochallenging, but in some ways it
(04:25):
can be a blessing because that'sall you've ever known growing up
and having this routine and thisregimen.
Um, And then, you know, to bediagnosed later in life, Is uh,
you know, also very different,but in some ways uh, you know,
it kind of flips your worldupside down because I didn't
really know anything aboutdiabetes or so many
misconceptions around it.
(04:46):
Uh, My family and friends and I,we were just so in the dark.
And so it was really just divingin and learning everything we
could about.
Katie (04:53):
Yeah.
Uh, I can't even imagine I did.
So when you left the hospital,did you feel prepared?
Because I feel like I've heard.
A lot of people who werediagnosed later in life, you
know, that the doctors just kindof are like, here's your insulin
and good luck.
So how did you feel leaving thehospital or maybe you weren't
even hospitalized since you werediagnosed so early on.
Vanessa (05:15):
I wasn't actually got the news.
I remember it very vividly.
I was in my car.
It was like nine o'clock atnight.
And I got a call from my doctor.
I was sitting in the parking lotof my apartment complex in
Chicago, and she told me, youknow, we found the antibody and
you have type one diabetes.
Let's get you in, and this iswhat you need to do, but I, you,
you know, I have these distinctmemories of like being on the
(05:39):
couch and YouTube being that,how to prick my finger and test
my blood sugar and being sofrustrated and going through
strip after strip, after stripbeing like, why is this not like
getting, why am I not gettingthis?
Right?
So it was a lot of trial byerror.
Um, You know, it was a lot ofjust learn as I go and I feel.
(06:01):
Now, you know, approximately 10or so, years later, I I've
developed more confidence aroundit and I really have to
attribute it to the communitythat I fall into online and
finding a support group there.
And really ducks Tom hascompletely changed my life.
So having a continuous glucosemonitor has just been an
(06:21):
absolute game changer.
Katie (06:22):
Oh, yeah, us too.
I mean, we only lived like halfa week without a continuous
glucose monitor, but I can't, Ijust can't imagine not having
it.
It's such a blessing.
It's such a
Vanessa (06:32):
Oh, my gosh.
Yeah.
It's like so grateful for theseadvancements because I just
would be so lost without it,like you said.
Yeah.
Katie (06:40):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Okay.
Well, I mean, you've, it soundslike you've did a lot of uh,
learning on the job, I guess youcould say when.
T one D management.
Yeah.
Uh, That, that must've beenrough.
I don't know.
I guess they just expect older,you know, young adults and older
adults to just kinda know whatto do.
(07:01):
I don't know.
I even, your endocrinologist wasstumped.
It sounds like about yourdiagnosis.
Vanessa (07:06):
she got, she.
was, and you know, it, it can,of course be so overwhelming and
isolating and you just really.
You know, or are you don't leaninto it right away?
At least I didn't.
I was so scared by what I washearing and being told, and as
far as complications and all ofthis stuff, and it really wasn't
(07:29):
until I fell into this onlinecommunity and saw so many people
that are thriving with type onediabetes, where I felt really
empowered.
I was like, wait a second.
It doesn't have to be scary.
This can be something thatactually encourages you to lead
a healthy, normal lifestyle.
And ever since then it of coursepaired with the ducks time.
It's it's really helped me justmentally have a more positive
(07:53):
outlook on it.
And that's what I really hope toshare with people.
Katie (07:57):
Yeah.
Yeah, I totally agree if itweren't for the online community
and, and the podcast communitytoo.
I mean, I, I listened to juicebox podcasts.
I listened to diabetesconnections with Stacy Sims.
I mean, I I just feel likethere's really a lot of great
resources out there for the typeone community.
Vanessa (08:15):
And in some instances, I've, I've learned so much more
from, you know, thosecommunities than I would have
even in the doctor's office.
And it could just be becauseyou're overwhelmed and it goes
in one year and up the otheryear.
But when you hear it on apodcast, when you see it on a
farm, you're able to have aconversation.
It just really clicks it.
So.
Katie (08:33):
Yeah.
And you realize these people arereal humans living this
everyday, just like you.
So just helps so much.
Well, let's, let's jump intoyour book.
Um, I want to talk about Teddytalks and.
So, what was the, you kind ofalready mentioned the motivation
behind it was having a way toexplain your diagnosis to your
(08:53):
children.
Um, So, you know, did it justcome to you one day?
Have you always wanted to writea children's book?
How did it kind of.
Vanessa (09:03):
Yeah, I've always wanted to write a children's
book.
And um, when I was on maternityleave with my daughter, it was
in the thick of COVID and.
You know, I was home alone.
I had nothing to do.
I was pregnant and I was like, Ineed to find me just chase after
this dream of writing achildren's book.
And I thought, what better topicthen to, you know, show kids
(09:27):
that you can truly thrive withtype one diabetes and educate
kids.
And.
Too about the misconceptionsaround it.
And um, you know, really be agood resource for families to
have these conversations withpeople who are recently
diagnosed, or maybe just notfamiliar at all with type one
(09:48):
diabetes.
Um, And my inspiration.
So Teddy talks, Teddy is basedon my little dog, Teddy.
And uh, he is, you know, not acertified diabetic alert dog by
any means, but he certainly inmy eyes is a great support
system.
Um, And so I thought.
(10:09):
I love him so much.
I feel like he would make agreat, a great character, a
great vehicle to, I kind ofexplained the condition.
So the book is about Teddy andhis human who has a type one
diabetic.
And uh, what I love about thebook is it really showcases a
main character with a CGM.
Um, And on top of that, itbreaks out just common terms
(10:32):
that you hear when you're firstdiagnosed.
So it has a glossary with commonterms for kids to understand,
well, what does it mean ifyou're type one diabetic, what
is insulin, things like that.
Um, So I'm really excited tojust share it and have it be a
positive message that familiescan really anchor on.
Katie (10:49):
Yeah, I loved how you included that little glossary at
the beginning of the book withcommon terms and, and for people
to look at, even before theyread the story.
So when they come across a wordthey'll know, oh, this is, this
is what she's talking about.
This is what this means.
Um, And I love how Teddy in thebook.
I won't give away too much, buthe kind of like, you know,
follows his human, his type onehuman around and just relates
(11:12):
with.
She is doing to kind of how healso lives his little doggy life
every day.
And he finds similaritiesbetween their, you know, their
activities.
And it's just so cute.
It's so cute.
And Teddy is adorable.
Um, I love that Teddy isactually a real life dog.
Um,
Vanessa (11:31):
Yeah, it's been, it's been so fun because you know,
we've been in the marketing ofthe book.
We created a tic-tac for Teddy.
We didn't know that it wouldtake off so, so much he's um,
you know, touched 1.3 millionpeople around the world, and
it's been really fun to sharinghis personality and.
the fact that there is like areal entity behind the ball.
Katie (11:50):
Yeah.
That's that's awesome.
I know, I, I, of course had tohop on Tik TOK and check Teddy
out and he's so cute.
He's a D you might've alreadysaid this.
I'm sorry.
He's a Pomeranian, right?
Vanessa (12:01):
He's a Pomering and definitely is technically a
Teddy bear Pomeranian, I guess.
Um, And so very fitting to namehim, Teddy,
Katie (12:08):
Absolutely.
Yes.
He looks like a giant littlecotton ball.
He's so cute.
Um, We have a, not a Teddy bear.
We have a giant dog, a giant labnamed Henry, and he's also not a
uh, an alert dog, but uh, man,he just provides so much
emotional support, really?
Mainly for
Vanessa (12:26):
uh,
Katie (12:28):
As the mom, as the caregiver and also for Sarah,
like he tucks Sarah in everynight and he jumps on her bed
and snuggles with her and uh,not so much anymore, but at the
beginning he would like jump onour bed and be there for like
the Dexcom changes and theinjections and stuff like that.
So they just.
Vanessa (12:45):
dogs are so intuitive.
They're just so special.
Katie (12:48):
they absolutely are.
Um, So I want to let everybodyknow if you would like to check
out the real life Teddy, you canfind him on Tik TOK and on
Instagram.
Uh, His handle is the same onboth platforms.
It's at Teddy, the T1 dog, andTeddy.
All the words are capitalized,right?
Teddy, the T1 dog.
Love it.
(13:09):
Okay.
So where can we find the.
Vanessa (13:12):
So it's officially launching on October 15th,
leading up to that it'savailable for pre-order on
Amazon Barnes and noble andtarget.
Um, October 15th.
It's it's available, whereverbooks are sold.
Katie (13:25):
okay.
Wonderful.
Perfect.
I'm going to try to get thisepisode out before the launch,
so people will be ready to findit.
So Vanessa, you are ahardworking lady.
You've written a children'sbook.
You are.
Uh, A mother of one, about to bea mother of two, but you also
work at Google as a productlead.
And I know this really hasnothing to do with type one, but
(13:47):
I just am so curious to knowwhat it's like to work at
Google.
You know, that's such a huge, ahuge organization.
Vanessa (13:54):
Yeah.
You know, I've been there forI'm coming up on my ten-year
anniversary.
So I actually started working atGoogle around the time that I
was diagnosed.
So it was a lot of excitingchanges at one time, I suppose.
Um, But yeah, I basically workwith advertisers that are
specifically retailers.
(14:15):
That are looking to automatetheir marketing campaigns.
Um, And so I kind of sit inbetween our engineers and our
sales teams and just educateabout the product, influenced
the product.
And it's such an amazingcompany.
All of the wonderful things thatyou hear about Google in my
experience have absolutely been,been true.
(14:36):
And I'm so grateful for, youknow, The people that I work
with, they've been so supportivein every way.
I've had amazing teammates thathave really leaned into wanting
to know more about type onediabetes and Hey, if you're not
family, well, what should I do?
And it's just such a beautifulenvironment.
So I feel very, very grateful towork there.
Katie (14:57):
Oh, that's wonderful.
So are you guys in the buildingcurrently?
Are you, or did you ever workfrom home during the pandemic?
Vanessa (15:04):
We've been working from home and we actually just got
extended uh, to work from homeuntil January, which, you know,
I don't maternity leavecurrently.
So um, I won't be going in for,for quite some time as is, but
um, you know, they're, they'rereally kind of wanting to.
Yes, absolutely safe aspossible.
And um, you know, I'm excited tobe reunited with everyone, but
(15:26):
at the same time, it has been ablessing because, you know, I
was a type one diabetic, likethe long commute and then not
having any sort of childcare formy little wine.
It's kind of been, it's been alot.
So I've been very fortunate tobe able to work from home and,
and uh, you know, just try touse the time wisely.
Katie (15:44):
Oh my goodness.
Yes.
How old is your.
Vanessa (15:47):
She's 15 months.
Katie (15:49):
Oh, my goodness, Vanessa.
So I have, my oldest two arebarely 16 months apart, so
Vanessa (15:57):
Oh, wow.
Are they close then?
Katie (16:00):
they're very close.
It's a, my oldest is a boy andthen Sarah, who's my, who's my T
one D um, they're very, veryclose and it was, I'm not gonna
lie.
It was very hard when they were,when they were little, I mean, I
don't even like, I'm pretty sureI just went into a coma for
about three years and then woke,woke back up when my third child
(16:21):
is born.
I'm like, oh, okay, here we are.
Vanessa (16:24):
I know, isn't that funny as moms, you just like
that instinct kicks in andyou're like, I think I blacked
out for the last two years, butwe pulled it off somehow.
Katie (16:32):
sure did.
Yeah, you sure did.
I mean, but it's great now.
Like it's, it's wonderful tohave, they are very close and,
and um, yeah, they've, they'vealways been friends because
they've never known a life.
Without each other.
Now my daughter and my thirdchild, my other son, they're
(16:53):
going to grow up.
They're going to grow up to loveeach other so much one day.
But right now they, they areworking through some sibling
rivalry.
I know it most, half the time.
I just sit back and laugh attheir squabbles.
And like, you guys areridiculous, but one, one day
you're going to work it out.
I know it, there they are alittle over two years apart.
Um, But yeah, well, I'm excitedfor you.
(17:14):
Congratulations on the
Vanessa (17:15):
Thank you.
Katie (17:16):
second.
Um, I got to know too, justwith, when you guys were in the
building or even now withconference calls and stuff,
like, have you ever, have youever had to, you know, run out
of the room for a T one D quoteunquote emergency or are people
just used to hearing your Dexcomalarms?
Or how does that
Vanessa (17:34):
Oh, my gosh.
Yeah.
Katie, I'm like in the middle ofthese hesitations and it's like,
my going off?
And I'm like, sorry, everyone.
Just so you know, the type ofeverything's okay.
Having a preface it, butthey're, they're so great.
I mean, they just, I don't know,maybe they have a great poker
face, but they just let it, youknow, totally pass on through.
(17:55):
And you might be able to evenhear going off in the back.
Amazing how pregnancy affectsyour blood.
Sugar's too.
I'm like constantly just havingto be like glued to my Dexcom
and I, and I'm manual uh, or,you know uh, MDI.
So I've just like had my Humalogpen, my decks, Tom, 24 7, right
(18:16):
by me.
Katie (18:17):
Yeah.
I want to know about that too.
So you've been through twopregnancies now with type one.
Vanessa (18:22):
Yeah.
Katie (18:22):
I mean, if you could kind of summarize what it's like, I
know everybody's different, butfor you, what has it been like
managing type one during apractice?
Vanessa (18:30):
Yeah.
So, you know, technically it isa higher risk pregnancy and I
have a team of amazing doctorsthat have been so helpful.
And, you know, there, there is abit more to it in terms of.
Uh, Weekly sending in your bloodsugar is having to track a
journal of where your bloodsugars are when you're fasting
(18:50):
two hours after you eat how muchinsulin you're giving yourself.
Um, I met the phase now whereI'm having to go into the
doctor's office and do twice aweek.
Non-stress.
I don't know if people arefamiliar with those, but
essentially you have to laythere and have a monitor on your
belly and they want to see thatthe baby is reaching a certain
(19:11):
heartbeat and staying there forat least 15 seconds twice within
a 20 minute period.
Um, And it was really funnybecause um, one of the times
when I was doing my non-stresstests with uh, with my baby uh,
this time he wasn't getting tothe point that they needed to
get added, they were like, wemight have to bring the buzzer
(19:32):
out.
I'm like, what is the buzzer.
And um, it's a littlecontraction that they actually
like buzz your stomach and itdoesn't hurt.
It just kind of like scares thebaby.
But I had this sweetest nursewho um, her son actually was a
type one diabetic, so we becamefast friends and she was like,
well, before the buzzer, there'sthis little hack, you can put
(19:52):
your all phone up to your bellyand play this Mozart song.
And sometimes that does thetrick.
And um, sure enough, like, I, I,I put my phone up to my stomach
and he was just like, movinglike crazy.
So from then on, I was like, Iwill swallow my AirPods and just
bump Mozart 24 7 if I need tomove these NSDs along.
(20:14):
But I've been very fortunate.
It's worked out really well.
Um, Our, our first uh, you know,with the birth of our daughter,
it was.
Uh, A pretty dramatic experiencewhen we, we call it.
Although like in the moment,like we were kind of talking
about before with even justraising the babies, you, you
just kept it into this instinctmode.
(20:36):
Um, But uh, you know, with theinduction.
Um, I spiked a fever and weweren't really sure what was
going on and they want you on aninsulin drip by we couldn't get
the IVN and you're just likeattached to all of these tubes
and wires.
You feel like a married or not.
Um, But really like it turns outbeautifully and I wouldn't have
(20:59):
changed a thing.
I would just feel very gratefuland I'm just praying every
single day that it's a goodexperience for baby.
Number two.
Katie (21:05):
oh, absolutely.
I'll be praying the same thing.
Goodness,
Vanessa (21:08):
Thank you.
Katie (21:09):
like literally any day, maybe number two, like you might
have to leave in two minutes togo give birth to your second
child.
Vanessa (21:17):
Exactly right.
Yeah.
And it's so interesting becausethe first time around, you know,
I was just assuming like, okay,well it's in the movie.
It's like in the movies, yourwater breaks.
And then you go to the hospitaland I found out maybe a few
weeks before my due date.
They're like, oh, well, no, no,no, we have to induce you.
Cause you're a type onediabetic.
So, you know, 30.
(21:38):
37 30, 8, 39 weeks.
We want to induce you.
And so I was like, oh, that wasa surprise.
Um, And so at least this timearound, we were, you know,
expecting that where they don'treally want to see you go
beyond, you know, 39 weeks atthe very most.
But it is interesting becausethe first trimester you're in.
(22:00):
Which I guess it sounds likeit's fairly common.
According to my doctor, yoursugars tend to get very low.
You drop a lot.
And so your insulin needs kindof less than a bit second
trimester, your insulin needsskyrockets.
So I was really thinking moreinsulin than I was accustomed
to.
Um, Third trimester.
Now things have kind of leveledout a little bit, but it's the,
(22:22):
body's just amazing how itreacts to things.
So it's been a crazy experience.
Katie (22:27):
I know it has been interesting for me to watch my
daughters numbers and how, howthey react to certain foods.
And, and it just makes me thinkabout my own body, even though
I'm not a type one diabetic, I'mlike my body's doing the same
thing.
It's just that my pancreas.
Working and, and, you know, can,can tackle those spikes, but it
(22:48):
really is amazing how, yeah.
How our bodies are designed andhow uh, how efficiently they
work when they work.
And it's, it's just crazy.
Um, So I'm curious to know, oh,go ahead.
Vanessa (23:00):
I was just gonna say, I was listening to, you know, a
previous episode of yours, likeyou were saying, your daughter,
when she gets so excited, hersugars tend to get low and it's
just so fascinating.
Cause you would never thinkabout that, you know, until you
experience it and have to nowconsider all of these elements
of not just, you know, what I'mgetting, what I'm doing, but how
(23:20):
am I feeling emotionally andmentally?
Katie (23:24):
Yeah, absolutely.
Because that plays a big role inblood sugars, too, you know,
emotional and.
Wellbeing and stress levels andeverything like that.
So I'm curious to know, in yourfirst trimester, you said your
insulin, your numbers werepretty low on the lower side.
And did you have any nausea oranything like that?
Like, I, I was horribly sick formy first trimester, especially
(23:46):
with my first
Vanessa (23:47):
Um, No.
Katie (23:49):
I know, I just feel like if you're, you know, if your
numbers are low and then you'realso nauseous, it'd be tricky.
Did you experience any.
Vanessa (23:58):
You know what I was pretty fortunate.
The nausea was for the most partkept at bay.
So that was definitely ablessing, but I mean, that would
be a huge challenge.
Absolutely.
So I, I just, I can't imaginelike that on top of it.
Katie (24:14):
No.
I know.
I know.
Well, I'm glad you didn'texperience any of that.
That's good.
Vanessa (24:18):
Yes.
Thank you.
Katie (24:20):
Yes.
So, Anything else you want toadd?
I'm I will put links toeverything we talked about in
the show notes, links to Teddy'sTik TOK and his Instagram.
And I'll go ahead and put a linkum, on Amazon, if you would, if
that's what the site you'dprefer.
I know you mentioned Barnes andnoble and target too, but
whichever website you wouldprefer that people be directed
(24:41):
to, to pre-order the book, allput a link to that in the show
notes as well.
Vanessa (24:45):
Oh, perfect.
Katie (24:47):
but
Vanessa (24:48):
Yeah.
Thank you
Katie (24:49):
you want to add?
Vanessa (24:50):
Um, Yeah, I'd love to talk a little bit about just the
partners that we're workingwith.
Um, You know, I'm, I'm soexcited for this book to come
out.
I feel like it's been a labor oflove and I'm just so excited to
finally share this witheveryone.
We've been really fortunate thatit's already received a gold
spawn choice award.
(25:11):
So it's globally recognized asyou know, a symbol representing
the Boston family friendlyproducts.
And we received our firstreview, which is a five-star
reader's favorite review uh, forthe book means simple but
informative approach to teachingyoung readers about type one
diabetes.
And because of that, we'rereally excited to donate a
(25:31):
hundred.
The children's hospital ofMichigan and also partnering
with an amazing nonprofitdiabetes youth services um, that
works to provide educational andsupportive resources for young
people to be with type onediabetes across Ohio and
Michigan.
Um, And then also don't donatethe portion of the proceeds to
benefit clinical trial isunderway uh, at Dr.
(25:53):
Crossman's lab who is workingtirelessly, tirelessly to find a
cure for type one diabetes.
So we're really excited to bepartnering with these amazing
foundation.
Katie (26:03):
Hmm, that's wonderful.
I was curious, speaking of uh,research and, and all that.
When you, when you mentionedearlier about being diagnosed in
the early, early stages, likestill being in honeymoon and
with the, with just havingtesting positive for the auto
antibodies, did they try to getyou in any type of a clinical
trial?
Vanessa (26:23):
yeah.
You know, I was, I wasinterested in participating and
there wasn't too much at thetime that.
Really were pushing me towards,which I think was interesting
thinking back in and kind oflooking back in hindsight, but
um, you know, I'm reallyencouraged by the work that Dr
Boston's doing, and I'm, I'm soexcited to see their work and,
(26:47):
you know, hope that there aremore clinical trials available
and that we can, you know,eventually find a cure.
Katie (26:54):
Where does he work out of?
Vanessa (26:56):
So she is
Katie (26:57):
Oh, she I'm sorry.
I don't
Vanessa (26:58):
a massive.
No, no, no worries.
Competency.
So she is based out of um,Massachusetts, Massachusetts
general hospital.
Katie (27:08):
Okay.
And what is she, what type ofresearch does she do?
Is it with the beta cellencapsulation or how does
Vanessa (27:16):
Yeah, so it's um, immunology.
So she is uh, well, so, so it'san immuno biology lab and they
are working to understand the.
Human immune system plays a rolein autoimmune diseases and she's
conducting multiple clinicaltrials using BCG, which is a
(27:37):
generic vaccine as a treatmentfor established type one
diabetics.
Katie (27:42):
Hmm.
Okay.
Wow.
That's very interesting.
I have, I haven't heard of
Vanessa (27:47):
She's very impressive.
Katie (27:48):
know.
You'll have to, maybe if youhave one, you'll have to send me
a link so I can check out herwork.
Okay.
Vanessa (27:53):
Yeah, absolutely.
Katie (27:55):
Okay, well, thank you so much for coming on today,
Vanessa.
I really appreciate your timetaking your time out of your
work day and your mom day tocome chat with me while I guess
you're on maternity leave rightnow, but still busy as a mom.
I know how
Vanessa (28:07):
you so much for you.
Yes.
Yes, definitely a full-time job.
I really appreciate you havingme on and it's been so great
chatting with you
Katie (28:15):
yeah, it's really, it has been really fun.
I really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much.
You have a
Vanessa (28:19):
you might hear Teddy now in the background
Katie (28:21):
Oh, I know Teddy.
Um, I will, you'll have to sendme some pictures of Teddy that I
can share with um, with peopleonce the episode goes,
Vanessa (28:30):
will.
Yeah.
definitely.
Please let me know.
And if there's any promotionalmaterials that I should share,
definitely let me know.
Katie (28:36):
Okay.
Yeah.
I mean, if, if your publisher isokay with like a picture of the
cover of the book, I mean, I'dlove to put that out there too,
so people can know what it lookslike.
Vanessa (28:46):
Yeah.
I am self publishing so I cangive you the green light for
that right here.
Katie (28:52):
Great.
Perfect.
Love it.
Vanessa (28:55):
Thank you so much, Katie.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Katie (28:58):
you too.
Bye.
Vanessa (29:00):
Talk soon.
Bye.
Katie (29:06):
Well, that is it for our show today, as always, I will
link to everything in the shownotes where you can find
Vanessa's book, which launchesofficially tomorrow on October
15th, it will be on AmazonBarnes and noble and target.
I will put those links in theshow notes.
Please go find Teddy onInstagram and Tik TOK.
(29:26):
He is seriously the cutest thingyou will ever lay your eyes
upon.
He is a white, fluffy littlepuppy who.
I can't help, but smile, whenyou look at them.
So you can find Teddy, like Isaid, on Instagram and tick-tock
at Teddy, the T1 dog.
I'm also going to put a link inthe show notes to the diabetes
research that Vanessa mentionedtowards the end of the show that
(29:47):
Dr.
Faustman is involved with asalways thank you guys so much
for tuning in, and I hope youhave a fabulous week living your
life as the amazing insulinninjas that I know you are chat
with you soon.
Bye.
Hey everybody it's episode 41 of the sugar mamas
podcast.
And today I have the pleasure oftalking with Vanessa messenger.
Vanessa was diagnosed with typeone diabetes as a young adult at
the age of 24, and has recentlywritten a children's book called
Teddy talks.
A positive story about type onediabetes.
Teddy talks was inspired byVanessa's real life pet, an
(00:24):
adorable white Pomeranian puppynamed of course.
Not only that, but Vanessa isthe hardworking mother of two.
She has a 15 month old and justgave birth to her second child
just weeks ago.
We also get to hear a little bitabout Vanessa's job outside of
the home.
As a product lead for Google.
Vanessa is a hard workingenergetic mother, wife, author,
(00:47):
and business woman.
And today she's going to share alittle bit about her type one
journey thus far.
At the end of the show, I'll letyou know where you can find
Vanessa's book and where you canfollow the real life.
Teddy on social media.
Enjoy.
You're listening to the sugarmamas podcast, a show designed
(01:09):
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.
(01:35):
Before we get started.
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.
Hey everyone.
I am here with Vanessa messengertoday and Vanessa, we're just
(01:57):
going to jump right on in.
So first things first, I'm goingto have you introduce yourself
to the listeners and tell uswhat your connection is to type
one day.
Vanessa (02:05):
Yeah.
Hi Katie.
Thank you so much for having me.
Uh, So I was diagnosed later onin life, the type one diabetes,
and that was about 24 years old,which I know is a little bit
unusual.
Um, And the circumstance that Ifound out that I was diagnosed.
Also a little unique, so we cango into that as well.
But um, I'm a mother of twobaby.
Number two is literally on theway any day now.
(02:28):
And.
I've been thinking a lot abouthow can I explain the condition
to my kids in a way that they'llbe able to understand.
And there's really an optimisticway of explaining type one
diabetes.
So I wrote a, a children'sinspirational picture book
called Teddy talks, a positivestory about type one diabetes.
(02:49):
And I'm so excited to share itwith every.
Katie (02:51):
Oh, yeah.
I'm excited to ask you questionsabout the book.
I've had the opportunity to readit and.
Great.
The illustrations are great.
The story is wonderful.
So we'll, we'll talk about thatin just a sec, but I want to ask
you about your diagnosis story.
Cause you said you werediagnosed as an adult and um, I
just, I just want to know aboutthat because most people I talk
(03:12):
to are, are caregivers of typeones.
So they have kids that werediagnosed at a young age.
So what was that like for youbeing diagnosed as.
Vanessa (03:21):
Yeah, definitely.
So it was really interestingbecause I fortunately didn't
have any sort of really.
Traumatic event that led to mydiagnosis.
It was more so I noticed I wasreally sluggish.
I was always tired.
I was constantly thirsty and,you know, giving credit to my
(03:42):
mom as moms do.
They're like, we need to get youinto a doctor.
And I went to anendocrinologist.
I didn't even really know whatan endocrinologist was at the
time.
And they were kind of puzzled.
They were like, it doesn't seemlike you would have diabetes.
Um, And they weren't really surewhat to think.
(04:02):
Uh, But they tested me for theantibodies and they came back
positive and I was fortunatelystill in the honeymoon phase.
And I was like, you know, Stillproducing insulin at the time.
Um, But it was certainly a bigshift, you know, I know that
there's kind of two differentperspectives on undiagnosis.
I think that, you know, whenyou're really young and
diagnosed, of course is sochallenging, but in some ways it
(04:25):
can be a blessing because that'sall you've ever known growing up
and having this routine and thisregimen.
Um, And then, you know, to bediagnosed later in life, Is uh,
you know, also very different,but in some ways uh, you know,
it kind of flips your worldupside down because I didn't
really know anything aboutdiabetes or so many
misconceptions around it.
(04:46):
Uh, My family and friends and I,we were just so in the dark.
And so it was really just divingin and learning everything we
could about.
Katie (04:53):
Yeah.
Uh, I can't even imagine I did.
So when you left the hospital,did you feel prepared?
Because I feel like I've heard.
A lot of people who werediagnosed later in life, you
know, that the doctors just kindof are like, here's your insulin
and good luck.
So how did you feel leaving thehospital or maybe you weren't
even hospitalized since you werediagnosed so early on.
Vanessa (05:15):
I wasn't actually got the news.
I remember it very vividly.
I was in my car.
It was like nine o'clock atnight.
And I got a call from my doctor.
I was sitting in the parking lotof my apartment complex in
Chicago, and she told me, youknow, we found the antibody and
you have type one diabetes.
Let's get you in, and this iswhat you need to do, but I, you,
you know, I have these distinctmemories of like being on the
(05:39):
couch and YouTube being that,how to prick my finger and test
my blood sugar and being sofrustrated and going through
strip after strip, after stripbeing like, why is this not like
getting, why am I not gettingthis?
Right?
So it was a lot of trial byerror.
Um, You know, it was a lot ofjust learn as I go and I feel.
(06:01):
Now, you know, approximately 10or so, years later, I I've
developed more confidence aroundit and I really have to
attribute it to the communitythat I fall into online and
finding a support group there.
And really ducks Tom hascompletely changed my life.
So having a continuous glucosemonitor has just been an
(06:21):
absolute game changer.
Katie (06:22):
Oh, yeah, us too.
I mean, we only lived like halfa week without a continuous
glucose monitor, but I can't, Ijust can't imagine not having
it.
It's such a blessing.
It's such a
Vanessa (06:32):
Oh, my gosh.
Yeah.
It's like so grateful for theseadvancements because I just
would be so lost without it,like you said.
Yeah.
Katie (06:40):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Okay.
Well, I mean, you've, it soundslike you've did a lot of uh,
learning on the job, I guess youcould say when.
T one D management.
Yeah.
Uh, That, that must've beenrough.
I don't know.
I guess they just expect older,you know, young adults and older
adults to just kinda know whatto do.
(07:01):
I don't know.
I even, your endocrinologist wasstumped.
It sounds like about yourdiagnosis.
Vanessa (07:06):
she got, she.
was, and you know, it, it can,of course be so overwhelming and
isolating and you just really.
You know, or are you don't leaninto it right away?
At least I didn't.
I was so scared by what I washearing and being told, and as
far as complications and all ofthis stuff, and it really wasn't
(07:29):
until I fell into this onlinecommunity and saw so many people
that are thriving with type onediabetes, where I felt really
empowered.
I was like, wait a second.
It doesn't have to be scary.
This can be something thatactually encourages you to lead
a healthy, normal lifestyle.
And ever since then it of coursepaired with the ducks time.
It's it's really helped me justmentally have a more positive
(07:53):
outlook on it.
And that's what I really hope toshare with people.
Katie (07:57):
Yeah.
Yeah, I totally agree if itweren't for the online community
and, and the podcast communitytoo.
I mean, I, I listened to juicebox podcasts.
I listened to diabetesconnections with Stacy Sims.
I mean, I I just feel likethere's really a lot of great
resources out there for the typeone community.
Vanessa (08:15):
And in some instances, I've, I've learned so much more
from, you know, thosecommunities than I would have
even in the doctor's office.
And it could just be becauseyou're overwhelmed and it goes
in one year and up the otheryear.
But when you hear it on apodcast, when you see it on a
farm, you're able to have aconversation.
It just really clicks it.
So.
Katie (08:33):
Yeah.
And you realize these people arereal humans living this
everyday, just like you.
So just helps so much.
Well, let's, let's jump intoyour book.
Um, I want to talk about Teddytalks and.
So, what was the, you kind ofalready mentioned the motivation
behind it was having a way toexplain your diagnosis to your
(08:53):
children.
Um, So, you know, did it justcome to you one day?
Have you always wanted to writea children's book?
How did it kind of.
Vanessa (09:03):
Yeah, I've always wanted to write a children's
book.
And um, when I was on maternityleave with my daughter, it was
in the thick of COVID and.
You know, I was home alone.
I had nothing to do.
I was pregnant and I was like, Ineed to find me just chase after
this dream of writing achildren's book.
And I thought, what better topicthen to, you know, show kids
(09:27):
that you can truly thrive withtype one diabetes and educate
kids.
And.
Too about the misconceptionsaround it.
And um, you know, really be agood resource for families to
have these conversations withpeople who are recently
diagnosed, or maybe just notfamiliar at all with type one
(09:48):
diabetes.
Um, And my inspiration.
So Teddy talks, Teddy is basedon my little dog, Teddy.
And uh, he is, you know, not acertified diabetic alert dog by
any means, but he certainly inmy eyes is a great support
system.
Um, And so I thought.
(10:09):
I love him so much.
I feel like he would make agreat, a great character, a
great vehicle to, I kind ofexplained the condition.
So the book is about Teddy andhis human who has a type one
diabetic.
And uh, what I love about thebook is it really showcases a
main character with a CGM.
Um, And on top of that, itbreaks out just common terms
(10:32):
that you hear when you're firstdiagnosed.
So it has a glossary with commonterms for kids to understand,
well, what does it mean ifyou're type one diabetic, what
is insulin, things like that.
Um, So I'm really excited tojust share it and have it be a
positive message that familiescan really anchor on.
Katie (10:49):
Yeah, I loved how you included that little glossary at
the beginning of the book withcommon terms and, and for people
to look at, even before theyread the story.
So when they come across a wordthey'll know, oh, this is, this
is what she's talking about.
This is what this means.
Um, And I love how Teddy in thebook.
I won't give away too much, buthe kind of like, you know,
follows his human, his type onehuman around and just relates
(11:12):
with.
She is doing to kind of how healso lives his little doggy life
every day.
And he finds similaritiesbetween their, you know, their
activities.
And it's just so cute.
It's so cute.
And Teddy is adorable.
Um, I love that Teddy isactually a real life dog.
Um,
Vanessa (11:31):
Yeah, it's been, it's been so fun because you know,
we've been in the marketing ofthe book.
We created a tic-tac for Teddy.
We didn't know that it wouldtake off so, so much he's um,
you know, touched 1.3 millionpeople around the world, and
it's been really fun to sharinghis personality and.
the fact that there is like areal entity behind the ball.
Katie (11:50):
Yeah.
That's that's awesome.
I know, I, I, of course had tohop on Tik TOK and check Teddy
out and he's so cute.
He's a D you might've alreadysaid this.
I'm sorry.
He's a Pomeranian, right?
Vanessa (12:01):
He's a Pomering and definitely is technically a
Teddy bear Pomeranian, I guess.
Um, And so very fitting to namehim, Teddy,
Katie (12:08):
Absolutely.
Yes.
He looks like a giant littlecotton ball.
He's so cute.
Um, We have a, not a Teddy bear.
We have a giant dog, a giant labnamed Henry, and he's also not a
uh, an alert dog, but uh, man,he just provides so much
emotional support, really?
Mainly for
Vanessa (12:26):
uh,
Katie (12:28):
As the mom, as the caregiver and also for Sarah,
like he tucks Sarah in everynight and he jumps on her bed
and snuggles with her and uh,not so much anymore, but at the
beginning he would like jump onour bed and be there for like
the Dexcom changes and theinjections and stuff like that.
So they just.
Vanessa (12:45):
dogs are so intuitive.
They're just so special.
Katie (12:48):
they absolutely are.
Um, So I want to let everybodyknow if you would like to check
out the real life Teddy, you canfind him on Tik TOK and on
Instagram.
Uh, His handle is the same onboth platforms.
It's at Teddy, the T1 dog, andTeddy.
All the words are capitalized,right?
Teddy, the T1 dog.
Love it.
(13:09):
Okay.
So where can we find the.
Vanessa (13:12):
So it's officially launching on October 15th,
leading up to that it'savailable for pre-order on
Amazon Barnes and noble andtarget.
Um, October 15th.
It's it's available, whereverbooks are sold.
Katie (13:25):
okay.
Wonderful.
Perfect.
I'm going to try to get thisepisode out before the launch,
so people will be ready to findit.
So Vanessa, you are ahardworking lady.
You've written a children'sbook.
You are.
Uh, A mother of one, about to bea mother of two, but you also
work at Google as a productlead.
And I know this really hasnothing to do with type one, but
(13:47):
I just am so curious to knowwhat it's like to work at
Google.
You know, that's such a huge, ahuge organization.
Vanessa (13:54):
Yeah.
You know, I've been there forI'm coming up on my ten-year
anniversary.
So I actually started working atGoogle around the time that I
was diagnosed.
So it was a lot of excitingchanges at one time, I suppose.
Um, But yeah, I basically workwith advertisers that are
specifically retailers.
(14:15):
That are looking to automatetheir marketing campaigns.
Um, And so I kind of sit inbetween our engineers and our
sales teams and just educateabout the product, influenced
the product.
And it's such an amazingcompany.
All of the wonderful things thatyou hear about Google in my
experience have absolutely been,been true.
(14:36):
And I'm so grateful for, youknow, The people that I work
with, they've been so supportivein every way.
I've had amazing teammates thathave really leaned into wanting
to know more about type onediabetes and Hey, if you're not
family, well, what should I do?
And it's just such a beautifulenvironment.
So I feel very, very grateful towork there.
Katie (14:57):
Oh, that's wonderful.
So are you guys in the buildingcurrently?
Are you, or did you ever workfrom home during the pandemic?
Vanessa (15:04):
We've been working from home and we actually just got
extended uh, to work from homeuntil January, which, you know,
I don't maternity leavecurrently.
So um, I won't be going in for,for quite some time as is, but
um, you know, they're, they'rereally kind of wanting to.
Yes, absolutely safe aspossible.
And um, you know, I'm excited tobe reunited with everyone, but
(15:26):
at the same time, it has been ablessing because, you know, I
was a type one diabetic, likethe long commute and then not
having any sort of childcare formy little wine.
It's kind of been, it's been alot.
So I've been very fortunate tobe able to work from home and,
and uh, you know, just try touse the time wisely.
Katie (15:44):
Oh my goodness.
Yes.
How old is your.
Vanessa (15:47):
She's 15 months.
Katie (15:49):
Oh, my goodness, Vanessa.
So I have, my oldest two arebarely 16 months apart, so
Vanessa (15:57):
Oh, wow.
Are they close then?
Katie (16:00):
they're very close.
It's a, my oldest is a boy andthen Sarah, who's my, who's my T
one D um, they're very, veryclose and it was, I'm not gonna
lie.
It was very hard when they were,when they were little, I mean, I
don't even like, I'm pretty sureI just went into a coma for
about three years and then woke,woke back up when my third child
(16:21):
is born.
I'm like, oh, okay, here we are.
Vanessa (16:24):
I know, isn't that funny as moms, you just like
that instinct kicks in andyou're like, I think I blacked
out for the last two years, butwe pulled it off somehow.
Katie (16:32):
sure did.
Yeah, you sure did.
I mean, but it's great now.
Like it's, it's wonderful tohave, they are very close and,
and um, yeah, they've, they'vealways been friends because
they've never known a life.
Without each other.
Now my daughter and my thirdchild, my other son, they're
(16:53):
going to grow up.
They're going to grow up to loveeach other so much one day.
But right now they, they areworking through some sibling
rivalry.
I know it most, half the time.
I just sit back and laugh attheir squabbles.
And like, you guys areridiculous, but one, one day
you're going to work it out.
I know it, there they are alittle over two years apart.
Um, But yeah, well, I'm excitedfor you.
(17:14):
Congratulations on the
Vanessa (17:15):
Thank you.
Katie (17:16):
second.
Um, I got to know too, justwith, when you guys were in the
building or even now withconference calls and stuff,
like, have you ever, have youever had to, you know, run out
of the room for a T one D quoteunquote emergency or are people
just used to hearing your Dexcomalarms?
Or how does that
Vanessa (17:34):
Oh, my gosh.
Yeah.
Katie, I'm like in the middle ofthese hesitations and it's like,
my going off?
And I'm like, sorry, everyone.
Just so you know, the type ofeverything's okay.
Having a preface it, butthey're, they're so great.
I mean, they just, I don't know,maybe they have a great poker
face, but they just let it, youknow, totally pass on through.
(17:55):
And you might be able to evenhear going off in the back.
Amazing how pregnancy affectsyour blood.
Sugar's too.
I'm like constantly just havingto be like glued to my Dexcom
and I, and I'm manual uh, or,you know uh, MDI.
So I've just like had my Humalogpen, my decks, Tom, 24 7, right
(18:16):
by me.
Katie (18:17):
Yeah.
I want to know about that too.
So you've been through twopregnancies now with type one.
Vanessa (18:22):
Yeah.
Katie (18:22):
I mean, if you could kind of summarize what it's like, I
know everybody's different, butfor you, what has it been like
managing type one during apractice?
Vanessa (18:30):
Yeah.
So, you know, technically it isa higher risk pregnancy and I
have a team of amazing doctorsthat have been so helpful.
And, you know, there, there is abit more to it in terms of.
Uh, Weekly sending in your bloodsugar is having to track a
journal of where your bloodsugars are when you're fasting
(18:50):
two hours after you eat how muchinsulin you're giving yourself.
Um, I met the phase now whereI'm having to go into the
doctor's office and do twice aweek.
Non-stress.
I don't know if people arefamiliar with those, but
essentially you have to laythere and have a monitor on your
belly and they want to see thatthe baby is reaching a certain
(19:11):
heartbeat and staying there forat least 15 seconds twice within
a 20 minute period.
Um, And it was really funnybecause um, one of the times
when I was doing my non-stresstests with uh, with my baby uh,
this time he wasn't getting tothe point that they needed to
get added, they were like, wemight have to bring the buzzer
(19:32):
out.
I'm like, what is the buzzer.
And um, it's a littlecontraction that they actually
like buzz your stomach and itdoesn't hurt.
It just kind of like scares thebaby.
But I had this sweetest nursewho um, her son actually was a
type one diabetic, so we becamefast friends and she was like,
well, before the buzzer, there'sthis little hack, you can put
(19:52):
your all phone up to your bellyand play this Mozart song.
And sometimes that does thetrick.
And um, sure enough, like, I, I,I put my phone up to my stomach
and he was just like, movinglike crazy.
So from then on, I was like, Iwill swallow my AirPods and just
bump Mozart 24 7 if I need tomove these NSDs along.
(20:14):
But I've been very fortunate.
It's worked out really well.
Um, Our, our first uh, you know,with the birth of our daughter,
it was.
Uh, A pretty dramatic experiencewhen we, we call it.
Although like in the moment,like we were kind of talking
about before with even justraising the babies, you, you
just kept it into this instinctmode.
(20:36):
Um, But uh, you know, with theinduction.
Um, I spiked a fever and weweren't really sure what was
going on and they want you on aninsulin drip by we couldn't get
the IVN and you're just likeattached to all of these tubes
and wires.
You feel like a married or not.
Um, But really like it turns outbeautifully and I wouldn't have
(20:59):
changed a thing.
I would just feel very gratefuland I'm just praying every
single day that it's a goodexperience for baby.
Number two.
Katie (21:05):
oh, absolutely.
I'll be praying the same thing.
Goodness,
Vanessa (21:08):
Thank you.
Katie (21:09):
like literally any day, maybe number two, like you might
have to leave in two minutes togo give birth to your second
child.
Vanessa (21:17):
Exactly right.
Yeah.
And it's so interesting becausethe first time around, you know,
I was just assuming like, okay,well it's in the movie.
It's like in the movies, yourwater breaks.
And then you go to the hospitaland I found out maybe a few
weeks before my due date.
They're like, oh, well, no, no,no, we have to induce you.
Cause you're a type onediabetic.
So, you know, 30.
(21:38):
37 30, 8, 39 weeks.
We want to induce you.
And so I was like, oh, that wasa surprise.
Um, And so at least this timearound, we were, you know,
expecting that where they don'treally want to see you go
beyond, you know, 39 weeks atthe very most.
But it is interesting becausethe first trimester you're in.
(22:00):
Which I guess it sounds likeit's fairly common.
According to my doctor, yoursugars tend to get very low.
You drop a lot.
And so your insulin needs kindof less than a bit second
trimester, your insulin needsskyrockets.
So I was really thinking moreinsulin than I was accustomed
to.
Um, Third trimester.
Now things have kind of leveledout a little bit, but it's the,
(22:22):
body's just amazing how itreacts to things.
So it's been a crazy experience.
Katie (22:27):
I know it has been interesting for me to watch my
daughters numbers and how, howthey react to certain foods.
And, and it just makes me thinkabout my own body, even though
I'm not a type one diabetic, I'mlike my body's doing the same
thing.
It's just that my pancreas.
Working and, and, you know, can,can tackle those spikes, but it
(22:48):
really is amazing how, yeah.
How our bodies are designed andhow uh, how efficiently they
work when they work.
And it's, it's just crazy.
Um, So I'm curious to know, oh,go ahead.
Vanessa (23:00):
I was just gonna say, I was listening to, you know, a
previous episode of yours, likeyou were saying, your daughter,
when she gets so excited, hersugars tend to get low and it's
just so fascinating.
Cause you would never thinkabout that, you know, until you
experience it and have to nowconsider all of these elements
of not just, you know, what I'mgetting, what I'm doing, but how
(23:20):
am I feeling emotionally andmentally?
Katie (23:24):
Yeah, absolutely.
Because that plays a big role inblood sugars, too, you know,
emotional and.
Wellbeing and stress levels andeverything like that.
So I'm curious to know, in yourfirst trimester, you said your
insulin, your numbers werepretty low on the lower side.
And did you have any nausea oranything like that?
Like, I, I was horribly sick formy first trimester, especially
(23:46):
with my first
Vanessa (23:47):
Um, No.
Katie (23:49):
I know, I just feel like if you're, you know, if your
numbers are low and then you'realso nauseous, it'd be tricky.
Did you experience any.
Vanessa (23:58):
You know what I was pretty fortunate.
The nausea was for the most partkept at bay.
So that was definitely ablessing, but I mean, that would
be a huge challenge.
Absolutely.
So I, I just, I can't imaginelike that on top of it.
Katie (24:14):
No.
I know.
I know.
Well, I'm glad you didn'texperience any of that.
That's good.
Vanessa (24:18):
Yes.
Thank you.
Katie (24:20):
Yes.
So, Anything else you want toadd?
I'm I will put links toeverything we talked about in
the show notes, links to Teddy'sTik TOK and his Instagram.
And I'll go ahead and put a linkum, on Amazon, if you would, if
that's what the site you'dprefer.
I know you mentioned Barnes andnoble and target too, but
whichever website you wouldprefer that people be directed
(24:41):
to, to pre-order the book, allput a link to that in the show
notes as well.
Vanessa (24:45):
Oh, perfect.
Katie (24:47):
but
Vanessa (24:48):
Yeah.
Thank you
Katie (24:49):
you want to add?
Vanessa (24:50):
Um, Yeah, I'd love to talk a little bit about just the
partners that we're workingwith.
Um, You know, I'm, I'm soexcited for this book to come
out.
I feel like it's been a labor oflove and I'm just so excited to
finally share this witheveryone.
We've been really fortunate thatit's already received a gold
spawn choice award.
(25:11):
So it's globally recognized asyou know, a symbol representing
the Boston family friendlyproducts.
And we received our firstreview, which is a five-star
reader's favorite review uh, forthe book means simple but
informative approach to teachingyoung readers about type one
diabetes.
And because of that, we'rereally excited to donate a
(25:31):
hundred.
The children's hospital ofMichigan and also partnering
with an amazing nonprofitdiabetes youth services um, that
works to provide educational andsupportive resources for young
people to be with type onediabetes across Ohio and
Michigan.
Um, And then also don't donatethe portion of the proceeds to
benefit clinical trial isunderway uh, at Dr.
(25:53):
Crossman's lab who is workingtirelessly, tirelessly to find a
cure for type one diabetes.
So we're really excited to bepartnering with these amazing
foundation.
Katie (26:03):
Hmm, that's wonderful.
I was curious, speaking of uh,research and, and all that.
When you, when you mentionedearlier about being diagnosed in
the early, early stages, likestill being in honeymoon and
with the, with just havingtesting positive for the auto
antibodies, did they try to getyou in any type of a clinical
trial?
Vanessa (26:23):
yeah.
You know, I was, I wasinterested in participating and
there wasn't too much at thetime that.
Really were pushing me towards,which I think was interesting
thinking back in and kind oflooking back in hindsight, but
um, you know, I'm reallyencouraged by the work that Dr
Boston's doing, and I'm, I'm soexcited to see their work and,
(26:47):
you know, hope that there aremore clinical trials available
and that we can, you know,eventually find a cure.
Katie (26:54):
Where does he work out of?
Vanessa (26:56):
So she is
Katie (26:57):
Oh, she I'm sorry.
I don't
Vanessa (26:58):
a massive.
No, no, no worries.
Competency.
So she is based out of um,Massachusetts, Massachusetts
general hospital.
Katie (27:08):
Okay.
And what is she, what type ofresearch does she do?
Is it with the beta cellencapsulation or how does
Vanessa (27:16):
Yeah, so it's um, immunology.
So she is uh, well, so, so it'san immuno biology lab and they
are working to understand the.
Human immune system plays a rolein autoimmune diseases and she's
conducting multiple clinicaltrials using BCG, which is a
(27:37):
generic vaccine as a treatmentfor established type one
diabetics.
Katie (27:42):
Hmm.
Okay.
Wow.
That's very interesting.
I have, I haven't heard of
Vanessa (27:47):
She's very impressive.
Katie (27:48):
know.
You'll have to, maybe if youhave one, you'll have to send me
a link so I can check out herwork.
Okay.
Vanessa (27:53):
Yeah, absolutely.
Katie (27:55):
Okay, well, thank you so much for coming on today,
Vanessa.
I really appreciate your timetaking your time out of your
work day and your mom day tocome chat with me while I guess
you're on maternity leave rightnow, but still busy as a mom.
I know how
Vanessa (28:07):
you so much for you.
Yes.
Yes, definitely a full-time job.
I really appreciate you havingme on and it's been so great
chatting with you
Katie (28:15):
yeah, it's really, it has been really fun.
I really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much.
You have a
Vanessa (28:19):
you might hear Teddy now in the background
Katie (28:21):
Oh, I know Teddy.
Um, I will, you'll have to sendme some pictures of Teddy that I
can share with um, with peopleonce the episode goes,
Vanessa (28:30):
will.
Yeah.
definitely.
Please let me know.
And if there's any promotionalmaterials that I should share,
definitely let me know.
Katie (28:36):
Okay.
Yeah.
I mean, if, if your publisher isokay with like a picture of the
cover of the book, I mean, I'dlove to put that out there too,
so people can know what it lookslike.
Vanessa (28:46):
Yeah.
I am self publishing so I cangive you the green light for
that right here.
Katie (28:52):
Great.
Perfect.
Love it.
Vanessa (28:55):
Thank you so much, Katie.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Katie (28:58):
you too.
Bye.
Vanessa (29:00):
Talk soon.
Bye.
Katie (29:06):
Well, that is it for our show today, as always, I will
link to everything in the shownotes where you can find
Vanessa's book, which launchesofficially tomorrow on October
15th, it will be on AmazonBarnes and noble and target.
I will put those links in theshow notes.
Please go find Teddy onInstagram and Tik TOK.
(29:26):
He is seriously the cutest thingyou will ever lay your eyes
upon.
He is a white, fluffy littlepuppy who.
I can't help, but smile, whenyou look at them.
So you can find Teddy, like Isaid, on Instagram and tick-tock
at Teddy, the T1 dog.
I'm also going to put a link inthe show notes to the diabetes
research that Vanessa mentionedtowards the end of the show that
(29:47):
Dr.
Faustman is involved with asalways thank you guys so much
for tuning in, and I hope youhave a fabulous week living your
life as the amazing insulinninjas that I know you are chat
with you soon.
Bye.
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