#1782 Charlotte Must Hate You - Part 1
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Jen recounts her T1D diagnosis at age 29 and opens up about the emotional challenges of navigating family dynamics lacking understanding and support.
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Scott Benner (0:00) Friends, we're all back together for the next episode of the Juice Box podcast. (0:04) Welcome.
Jen (0:14) Well alright. (0:15) Well, hey, everybody. (0:16) I'm Jen, and I'm a type one. (0:19) I was diagnosed when I was 29, and I'm now 52.
Scott Benner (0:24) If this is your first time listening to the Juice Box podcast and you'd like to hear more, download Apple Podcasts or Spotify, really any audio app at all. (0:33) Look for the Juice Box podcast and follow or subscribe. (0:36) We put out new content every day that you'll enjoy. (0:40) Wanna learn more about your diabetes management? (0:42) Go to juiceboxpodcast.com up in the menu and look for bold beginnings, the diabetes pro tip series, and much more.
Scott Benner (0:49) This podcast is full of collections and series of information that will help you to live better with insulin. (0:57) How would you like to share a type one diabetes getaway like no other? (1:01) Join me on Juice Cruise 2026. (1:03) You may be asking, what is Juice Cruise? (1:05) It's a week long cruise designed specifically for people and families living with type one diabetes.
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Scott Benner (2:06) Please come with me. (2:07) You're going to have a terrific time. (2:09) You can learn more or set up your deposit at juiceboxpodcast.com/juicecruise. (2:15) Get ahold of Suzanne at cruise planners. (2:17) She will take care of everything.
Scott Benner (2:19) Link's in the show notes. (2:20) Link's at juiceboxpodcast.com. (2:23) Nothing you hear on the juice box podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. (2:27) Always consult a physician before making any changes to your health care plan. (2:33) This episode of the Juice Box podcast is sponsored by US Med, usmed.com/juicebox, or call (888) 721-1514.
Scott Benner (2:44) Get your supplies the same way we do from US Med. (2:48) Today's episode is also sponsored by Omnipod five. (2:52) Omnipod five is a tube free automated insulin delivery system that's been shown to significantly improve a one c and time and range for people with type one diabetes when they've switched from daily injections. (3:04) Learn more and get started today at omnipod.com/juicebox. (3:08) At my link, you can get a free starter kit right now.
Scott Benner (3:11) Terms and conditions apply. (3:12) Eligibility may vary. (3:14) Full terms and conditions can be found at omnipod.com/juicebox.
Jen (3:18) Well alright. (3:19) Well, hey, everybody. (3:20) I'm Jen, and I'm a type one. (3:23) I was diagnosed when I was 29, and I'm now 52. (3:28) And so I'm pretty sure that was twenty three years ago Wow.
Jen (3:30) If I'm doing my math right. (3:31) Yes. (3:32) So
Scott Benner (3:33) It sounds right to me.
Jen (3:34) Here today.
Scott Benner (3:34) Because if I get 29, I add 10, I get 39. (3:37) Then I add 10 more, I get 49. (3:39) Then I start counting by ones. (3:40) So I get 20, and then I go 5051, 52. (3:44) That's three.
Scott Benner (3:44) I add the 20 and the three together, I get 23.
Jen (3:46) Yay. (3:47) Okay.
Scott Benner (3:47) It's that easy. (3:49) People might have thought because of your southern accent, you couldn't add, but that would just be a rude, rude misconception.
Jen (3:54) Wouldn't that be so rude? (3:55) I know. (3:56) Mhmm. (3:56) I know. (3:57) I am worried about the accent, but you tell me if you don't understand something I'm saying.
Scott Benner (4:01) You think I'm not gonna understand something you're saying?
Jen (4:03) Well, it may be something well, I wanted to say this to you. (4:07) You know, when you say very, like very Mhmm. (4:10) You you use a u. (4:11) You're like very. (4:12) And then I just think it's really cute.
Jen (4:14) I just want you to you to know that.
Scott Benner (4:15) Well, thank you. (4:16) I don't
Jen (4:16) You're very welcome.
Scott Benner (4:17) I have no idea what I'm doing.
Jen (4:19) I do. (4:20) But, like, you always say very, like, v u r y instead of very.
Scott Benner (4:24) You sound you sound like I'm checking into a hotel on my way to visit somebody in the South.
Jen (4:29) Exactly.
Scott Benner (4:30) I want you to tell me that there's a warm cookie in my room right now.
Jen (4:34) For sure.
Scott Benner (4:36) Born and raised there? (4:38) You?
Jen (4:39) Yeah. (4:39) I'm in yeah. (4:40) I live in Charlotte, North Carolina. (4:41) And so I was I grew up in a small town outside of Charlotte. (4:45) So
Scott Benner (4:46) You were born there? (4:47) Yes. (4:48) Are you guys tired of our people coming and overtaking your state?
Jen (4:52) Tired of it. (4:52) It's ridiculous. (4:54) Yes. (4:54) I'm so tired of it.
Scott Benner (4:56) Can I tell you? (4:56) No kidding. (4:57) People I've known, like, my whole, like, adult life, like, kids played softball with my daughter and baseball with my son and they're just fantastic people. (5:07) And one day, a for sale sign goes up in the yard. (5:10) And I stopped by and I go, what what what's happening?
Scott Benner (5:13) You know, I'm I'm like, if you leave, what does that mean? (5:16) I I gotta go. (5:17) You know? (5:18) And there's a note where their last kid they have four kids. (5:22) Their last one is playing softball in North Carolina.
Scott Benner (5:25) And they're like, we're just gonna move there and go to softball games for a couple of years until she graduates because she's been down there for a little while already.
Jen (5:33) Mhmm.
Scott Benner (5:33) And, then we think we're gonna stay.
Jen (5:35) Wow.
Scott Benner (5:36) And I said, it seems kinda quick. (5:39) They said, not just quick. (5:40) We have to move into an apartment. (5:41) We don't have a place to live.
Jen (5:44) That's funny.
Scott Benner (5:45) I go, where are you gonna move to? (5:46) Like, you know, you must you know the area, obviously. (5:48) No. (5:49) No. (5:49) We have a friend that moved there, said this one area is pretty nice.
Scott Benner (5:52) We're just gonna go there, rent an apartment, then we'll look around and find a house later.
Jen (5:55) Wow.
Scott Benner (5:55) And I was like, the people of North Carolina must hate you.
Jen (5:59) Wait. (5:59) Yeah. (5:59) Well, it's it's like Charlotte doesn't look the same at all. (6:03) Like, ten year and just in the last ten years, it's changed so much. (6:06) So
Scott Benner (6:07) I wouldn't imagine. (6:08) Yeah. (6:08) Well okay. (6:09) Well, I don't know what to do. (6:10) I can't I mean, I can command everyone to come back, but I don't think they're gonna listen.
Jen (6:14) I don't think so either. (6:16) It's okay. (6:17) It's okay.
Scott Benner (6:17) In fairness, I was looking at a house in Tennessee the other day. (6:20) So What? (6:22) Yeah. (6:23) It's a very reasonable tax situation in Tennessee. (6:25) I don't know if you're under
Jen (6:26) It is fair better, but it's definitely humid here. (6:28) I know I don't like humidity. (6:29) So
Scott Benner (6:30) But I gotta decide what do I like better, humidity or money? (6:33) You know? (6:34) Or
Jen (6:34) snow. (6:35) Mhmm. (6:36) Yeah.
Scott Benner (6:36) Anyway, I'm seriously considering it. (6:38) There's no there's no income tax in Tennessee.
Jen (6:42) Oh, I didn't know that.
Scott Benner (6:43) Uh-huh. (6:44) No. (6:44) Think about how much money you make, and then think about how much money you pay in income tax to the state, and then decide what would that be like if it was yours.
Jen (6:51) Yeah. (6:52) So when you're sitting in the humidity in July, you go, I'm saving money.
Scott Benner (6:55) You know, like that money and and turn the air conditioner on with it. (6:58) That's what I was gonna do. (6:59) Anyway
Jen (7:00) alright. (7:01) I love it. (7:02) Okay.
Scott Benner (7:02) 20 not you know, is a an interesting age. (7:06) You would think you felt probably pretty settled. (7:08) Had you had other health issues leading up to that, or was it just like a bell rang and you had diabetes?
Jen (7:14) Yeah. (7:15) I had really no issues before then. (7:18) I had no seasonal allergies. (7:20) Started about age 18.
Scott Benner (7:22) Mhmm.
Jen (7:22) So what? (7:23) Eleven years of that? (7:24) That's really it. (7:26) And so I remember when, like, the weekend before I was diagnosed, I was I felt sick, but I didn't have a fever. (7:36) You know?
Jen (7:36) I was like, I'm I'm not sick, but I'm sick. (7:39) And it was Memorial weekend, I remember. (7:42) And I remember I had a chance to go out on a boat. (7:45) Yeah. (7:46) And I didn't feel like going on a boat.
Jen (7:47) I'm like, something's wrong with me. (7:48) And and I was like, no. (7:50) I just don't have the energy. (7:51) And back in the day, in 2002, we still had Blockbuster. (7:55) So I thought, you know what?
Jen (7:56) I'm gonna go to Blockbuster. (7:57) I'm gonna rent some movies, you know, and because I'm so old. (8:00) You know? (8:01) And I remember driving, and all of a sudden, I couldn't see. (8:05) I couldn't read the street sign.
Jen (8:06) Like, it was blurry. (8:07) And I went, oh my god. (8:08) This is weird. (8:09) And and I also, like, on that little excursion, I remember I went to Target just to grab grab a couple things. (8:17) And I've always been really healthy, never drank sodas, anything like that.
Jen (8:21) And I look in the aisle, and there's a Mountain Dew code red. (8:25) And I went, oh my god. (8:27) I've gotta have this thing. (8:28) And I never had anything like that before. (8:31) So I'm, like, in the car in the parking lot.
Jen (8:33) I'm down on this Mountain Dew. (8:35) And that weekend, I had a whole gallon of milk by myself. (8:37) I had a whole thing of orange juice by myself. (8:40) I lived with my sister at the time, so it was just me and her. (8:43) And and so, I mean, I'm drinking all this, you know, just the normal stuff.
Jen (8:47) And I remember about three weeks prior to this, I was losing weight. (8:51) I'm like, dang. (8:52) I'm starting to look good. (8:53) Like, you know, like, I could see my muscles, you know, and all this stuff. (8:56) And I had just started playing tennis in May, you know, April, May, and I thought, wow.
Jen (9:00) Tennis. (9:01) Where has it been my whole life? (9:02) This is what I should have been doing this whole time.
Scott Benner (9:05) The missing ingredient.
Jen (9:06) Missing ingredient is tennis. (9:08) Tennis and
Scott Benner (9:08) Mountain Dew.
Jen (9:10) And Mountain Dew. (9:11) And so, anyway, so I remember, you know, I lost the weight. (9:15) I'm eating really, you know, a lot. (9:16) I'm like, this is great. (9:18) Tennis you know, again, tennis is a thing.
Jen (9:20) And and so then I'm back to the weekend. (9:23) I'm drinking all this, you know, using the bathroom all the time, the whole thing. (9:26) And then I I don't know. (9:29) I had this this suspicion when I put it all together. (9:32) I didn't know anyone's any anyone with diabetes.
Jen (9:35) And I thought, do I have diabetes? (9:37) And I'm like, why would I think that? (9:39) And then I remembered I have a friend who grew up with a type one, and I remember her talking about her years ago. (9:45) And I thought, So I called my friend, and she I talked to her about it. (9:50) She goes, it does sound very interesting.
Jen (9:52) You know? (9:53) I think you need to talk to my friend Gina who lived in Charlotte where I live. (9:57) And so I was like, okay. (9:59) So the next morning, I went to this stranger's house and, you know, I don't know, ten minutes down the road, and she had texted me and said, don't eat anything. (10:09) Don't you know, like, just come over to my house.
Jen (10:11) And it was, like, 08:30 in the morning. (10:12) I'm like, okay. (10:13) So I go over to her house. (10:14) It was a Monday morning, and she checks my blood sugar. (10:18) And I think it was, like, upper three hundreds, 400.
Jen (10:21) I don't know. (10:21) And it was I was fasting. (10:23) And she looked at me, and I still remember. (10:26) She looked at me. (10:27) She looked down and she looked at me.
Jen (10:28) She said, I'm sorry to say, but you've got type one diabetes. (10:33) And I went, what? (10:34) And, you know, I didn't even know what it meant, obviously. (10:37) And she said, uh-huh. (10:38) And I'm going to I want you to leave your car here at my house, and I'm gonna take you to the ER.
Jen (10:43) And I'm with the ER. (10:45) And she goes, mhmm. (10:46) And she said, I can smell your I know I know you don't understand this, but your breath is fruity. (10:51) And so that's telling me you need to go to the hospital. (10:55) Right?
Jen (10:55) I'm like, what? (10:56) And, I mean, I was on my way. (10:57) I was a a server. (10:59) I was a waitress at the time. (11:00) I'm like, I'm on my way to work.
Jen (11:01) I gotta shift to work. (11:02) Shoot. (11:02) I gotta lunch to work. (11:03) And she's like, no. (11:04) No.
Jen (11:04) No. (11:04) You're not going into work. (11:06) So that's how it started, how I ended up in the hospital in the ER. (11:11) And I remember, you know, in the ER, the doctors I'm sure they were residents. (11:16) This is a teaching hospital, but they came in and they I remember them saying, you're too skinny to be a type two.
Jen (11:24) I mean, oh, yeah. (11:25) Type two, but you're too old to be type one. (11:28) And I'm like, okay. (11:29) Cool. (11:29) You know?
Jen (11:30) And then finally, I they, you know, they finally said I don't know what they did to test it, obviously. (11:37) I don't I didn't understand anything back then, but they did finally decide I was a type one. (11:41) I had to spend the night, the whole thing. (11:44) And so part of the reason I wanted to come on this podcast, one, because I love this podcast. (11:48) And when I signed up months ago, you were, like, looking for people, and that's, you know, that's really I was like, oh, well, I have a story.
Jen (11:54) I can tell it. (11:55) But I feel like being an adult, single, you're I'm old enough to kind of, you know, be on my own, but I was clueless. (12:04) There was hardly any support for me. (12:07) I was in the hospital. (12:08) I was in for a day.
Jen (12:10) I remember they came in with the orange and the syringe and made sure I could do that. (12:15) And the doc I think the endo came in and talked to me and said, these are the pins you're gonna take home. (12:21) And all I remember is, you know I I just remember going, I don't know what to eat. (12:26) You know, like, I was so afraid to go home.
Scott Benner (12:29) Yeah.
Jen (12:29) But I did. (12:30) I went home, obviously. (12:32) And like I said, I was waiting tables, no insurance. (12:37) It was not good, but that's how it started out. (12:40) So it was very, very scary
Scott Benner (12:42) Wow.
Jen (12:43) To try to manage.
Scott Benner (12:44) Did that stranger stay with you in the hospital, or did they go, okay. (12:47) Well, goodbye.
Jen (12:48) Oh, yeah. (12:49) That's a good point. (12:49) She did stay with me.
Scott Benner (12:50) Very nice.
Jen (12:51) Yeah. (12:52) Until
Scott Benner (12:53) Your sister.
Jen (12:53) My family got there. (12:54) Yeah. (12:55) I've got three sisters. (12:56) They showed up. (12:57) My mom, my dad, they all showed up.
Jen (12:59) You know, everybody showed up in the ER, and they were very supportive and were with me. (13:03) And then Gina, the lady who helped me, she obviously left because, you know, she's like, I think you're good now. (13:10) You know?
Scott Benner (13:10) I I was just testing your blood sugar for a friend. (13:13) I didn't I
Jen (13:14) wasn't really planning on being in the ER all day.
Scott Benner (13:17) I wasn't looking for all this, but I am gonna go to I am gonna head over to the the Red Lobster and pick up a shift. (13:22) So Exactly. (13:23) Right? (13:24) I I they're looking for people.
Jen (13:25) Oh my god.
Scott Benner (13:26) Wow. (13:26) That's and that does that feel like it just happened, or does it feel like a million years ago?
Jen (13:31) Both. (13:32) It feels like a different lifetime. (13:34) You know? (13:35) Like, I I don't know. (13:36) It just feels almost like a dream back then, but I can remember every second of it at the same time.
Jen (13:42) I remember I remember being in the hospital, and my you know, it's sort of like our pattern. (13:48) My sisters and I, we laugh a lot, which is a great thing, obviously. (13:52) And I remember the doctors coming in going, y'all were, like, the happiest people. (13:55) Like, you're the happiest type one I've ever met. (13:57) You know?
Jen (13:57) Like, because we were just laughing and, you know, just they were trying to keep me upbeat. (14:02) And I think I was in shock, and, of course, my blood sugars are high, I'm not thinking clearly. (14:07) Yeah. (14:07) And I didn't really know what anything meant, but I do remember that. (14:11) You know, there was just a lot of laughter, laughter, a lot of
Scott Benner (14:13) Support.
Jen (14:14) You know, oh, dear. (14:15) How are we gonna handle this? (14:16) There was support, but I think that's all they knew to do, which was great.
Scott Benner (14:19) What what is it? (14:20) Both your parents are they together at that point?
Jen (14:23) They they divorced when I was 13, 14.
Scott Benner (14:27) Which one comes to the hospital?
Jen (14:29) They both came.
Scott Benner (14:30) They both did. (14:30) Yeah. (14:31) But it must have been fun.
Jen (14:32) Yeah. (14:33) Well, they actually get along fine. (14:34) You know? (14:35) They yep. (14:36) There's they're very civil.
Jen (14:37) We still do holidays together, believe it or not. (14:39) But yeah. (14:41) So they were fine. (14:42) Yep. (14:42) And and everything.
Scott Benner (14:45) Do you ever have any conversations with them? (14:46) Like, either of them, honestly. (14:48) Like, you're 29. (14:49) You're, you know, pretty you know? (14:51) Like you said, it it's interesting.
Scott Benner (14:52) Like, you're grown, but in your mind, you're like, I'm I'm not that grown. (14:56) I don't know a lot still.
Jen (14:57) Right.
Scott Benner (14:58) You know? (14:58) But do your parents feel like, did they slip back into being parents? (15:03) Or do they just go like, well, good luck. (15:05) Let us know how it goes? (15:06) Or do they feel like, gosh, do you need help?
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Jen (16:31) it works.
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Jen (17:29) They did not. (17:30) They I love my parents. (17:32) They're young parents. (17:33) They're only twenty years older than me. (17:34) So and I'm the oldest, so I've always been very responsible.
Jen (17:37) Mhmm. (17:38) So they're kinda like, oh, good. (17:39) It's Jen got diabetes. (17:41) You're not the other three. (17:42) Yeah.
Jen (17:42) She'll be fine.
Scott Benner (17:43) And, god, it wasn't that one. (17:45) Oh my god.
Jen (17:46) Wasn't that one.
Scott Benner (17:46) Yeah. (17:47) Yeah. (17:47) Get in trouble.
Jen (17:48) Yeah. (17:48) So I had been my own parents since I was, like, 12 or 10 or whatever. (17:53) So I see. (17:53) No. (17:54) They and they so they love me, but they still even twenty three years later, that's part of what I wanted to mention on this too.
Jen (18:01) I don't wanna bounce around too much.
Scott Benner (18:02) But You're fine.
Jen (18:03) Part of my the hard part of this is feeling even though I have this community and I'm on the Facebook group and the whole thing, I still feel very alone within my family. (18:14) Mhmm. (18:15) You know? (18:15) And, like, one sister's gluten free and has been for about the same amount of time as me, you know, the twenty years or whatever. (18:22) And they're all they're knocking over the door to make her a gluten free, you know, meal or dessert or whatever.
Jen (18:29) And for me, they're not doing anything. (18:31) Even when I was new into this, you know, not knowing what I was doing or how to use insulin. (18:35) Yeah. (18:36) You know? (18:36) So that hurts a little bit.
Jen (18:37) I'm like, her stomach just hurts. (18:39) I could die. (18:40) You know? (18:40) So
Scott Benner (18:41) Do you think are they they just feel like you have the sugars? (18:45) Is it, like, oversimplified?
Jen (18:47) They're not that ignorant. (18:48) No. (18:49) They know. (18:49) But I think it's just, unfortunately, I've always been so responsible. (18:54) Oh.
Jen (18:54) And I will admit, I, you know, I I like I mean, I like people thinking I'm responsible, so that's part of it. (19:01) I don't ask for help a lot, and and it's hard for me to admit when I need help. (19:06) And so I that I'm part of the problem, and I do admit that. (19:11) And I know that about my personality.
Scott Benner (19:12) It's partially that they think, oh, Jen's got this. (19:17) She's always got it. (19:18) But it's also because they probably learned to be okay with that because you kept them at arm's length at times?
Jen (19:23) Yes.
Scott Benner (19:24) Okay.
Jen (19:24) For sure. (19:25) Yeah. (19:25) Yeah. (19:25) Yeah. (19:25) For sure.
Jen (19:26) And I didn't want to burden anybody, you know, because it's it's like, being type one, it's sort of like your whole life, but you don't wanna make it your whole life. (19:35) You know? (19:36) Because it's not. (19:36) It is and it's not. (19:38) And so it's it's like, I don't know in the beginning, and still, I don't wanna over talk about it, but sometimes I do wanna talk about it because it's a you know, I go through stuff.
Jen (19:49) And then when I try to talk about it or, like, the other day over the holiday, I had to change I wear the Omnipod Dash, and I use the Trio system. (19:59) And so I I my sugars were going up, and I'm like, oh, shoot. (20:03) I I I this is about the end of this pod. (20:05) I probably need to go ahead and change it. (20:06) So we're all sitting around playing games, and I just pull out my pod and my insulin and the whole thing.
Jen (20:13) And my nine year old nephew is looking and, you know, wondering kinda what I'm doing. (20:19) And I've shown him before, but I was trying to explain it to him. (20:21) This is my insulin pump and the insulin and blah blah blah. (20:26) And he was listening a little bit, but the rest of the family, I don't know. (20:29) They just sort of go, whatever.
Jen (20:31) It's no big deal. (20:33) And and I had some family members that aren't my immediate family were there, and I said, yeah, guys. (20:39) I could if I don't have this insulin, I could die in a day or two. (20:42) Know, I was just trying to be and they were just like,
Scott Benner (20:44) Okay. (20:44) Fascinating.
Jen (20:45) And fat no. (20:46) They just kept going. (20:47) And I'm like, seriously? (20:48) And I just had the big the next day, I just cried and cried and cried to my wife. (20:54) And I was like, I know I sound like a big baby, but it just hurts sometimes when something is, I don't know, so important and yet it's also in the background.
Jen (21:05) And it I don't know. (21:05) So I have this weird relationship with diabetes and my family. (21:09) And so I
Scott Benner (21:10) you know? (21:11) Let's pick let's pick through it a a second. (21:13) So Yeah. (21:13) Yeah. (21:13) You have a weird relationship with diabetes, which means
Jen (21:16) Yes.
Scott Benner (21:16) You don't want it to be anything people think about, but it would be nice if somebody thought about it once in a while.
Jen (21:23) Ridiculous. (21:23) Right? (21:24) But yes.
Scott Benner (21:24) No. (21:24) I I I understand what you're saying. (21:26) You don't wanna be begging for it, but it would be nice if once in a while they looked over you. (21:30) I so I'll share. (21:33) Right?
Scott Benner (21:34) The other day
Jen (21:36) Mhmm. (21:36) Mhmm.
Scott Benner (21:37) I I don't know. (21:39) Jen, listen. (21:40) I don't get high. (21:42) I don't drink. (21:43) I don't cheat.
Scott Benner (21:44) I don't hit people. (21:45) Like, all the stuff that happen I hear people's lives every day. (21:49) Like, I get up, I do the thing I'm supposed to do, I save money, I plan for the future, I put people before me. (21:56) I'm in the middle of doing something. (21:58) Arden says to me, hey, can you come here?
Scott Benner (22:00) I drop what I'm doing. (22:01) I go with her. (22:02) My son says to me last night, I gotta go to the airport for my job. (22:05) I said, when do you gotta leave? (22:07) He said, 05:30AM.
Scott Benner (22:09) No problem. (22:09) Went to bed early, got up at five, was there waiting for him at 05:30, got in the car, drove him an hour to the airport, drove an hour back. (22:17) I'm gonna go back and pick him up again tomorrow night. (22:19) I don't think twice about it. (22:20) Wow.
Scott Benner (22:21) I don't expect them to say thank you. (22:23) I don't want them to say thank you. (22:25) I believe that I am being myself in this situation. (22:29) However, I look at the rest of the world once in a while, and I think, you're all pretty lucky. (22:35) This is who I am.
Scott Benner (22:36) I I don't need you to tell me. (22:37) I don't even want you to tell me, but goddamn, no one ever says it. (22:41) Is that how you feel? (22:42) Is that how you feel? (22:43) Yes.
Jen (22:43) Yes. (22:43) It's exactly how I feel. (22:44) Yeah. (22:44) And, you know, I your kids are so lucky. (22:48) Those They're
Scott Benner (22:49) so Yeah. (22:50) Goddamn right. (22:51) Well, I hope they're listening.
Jen (22:52) Oh, I do too. (22:54) Shame on them for not listening. (22:55) Yeah.
Scott Benner (22:56) I need the downloads. (22:57) What's their problem?
Jen (22:57) Seriously, dudes. (22:58) Come on. (22:59) But yeah. (23:00) So, like, when I first started listening, my friend Kelly, she was on your podcast, talked about Afrezza Mhmm. (23:05) About a year ago.
Jen (23:06) But, anyway, she told me about you about two years ago. (23:09) I never even once thought about listening to a diabetes podcast. (23:12) I don't know why, but I didn't. (23:13) And now I'm obsessed. (23:14) But I started she said, the pro series a thousand to a 25 or whatever.
Jen (23:18) I'm like, okay. (23:19) And so I did it. (23:20) But at the time when I listened, I was on Afrezza. (23:24) And, you know, you know, you're not big on Afrezza. (23:27) And so like, well, this has nothing to do with me.
Jen (23:29) He's talking about prebolasane and having to worry about insulin being in your system when you exercise, and that had that's not how it is with Afrezza.
Scott Benner (23:36) Right.
Jen (23:36) And so I'm like, ugh. (23:38) And I tried, but I just I I couldn't get a whole lot out of it. (23:42) And and so I was a little bit resentful that there was nothing else besides normal insulin. (23:47) And then I heard how good you what a good parent you are. (23:51) And I'm like, dang it.
Jen (23:53) Like because we're, the same age. (23:54) You're, like, a year older than me. (23:56) And I'm like, I want him to I don't want you to be my dad, but I want you to have a dad like you. (24:00) You know? (24:00) And I'm like, wow.
Jen (24:01) Those kids have no idea what this man does for him, for them.
Scott Benner (24:06) Jen, my point is is that I and I mean this genuinely. (24:09) I'm not looking for anybody to say thank you.
Jen (24:11) Not. (24:12) I know you're not. (24:12) I I understand that. (24:14) I know that's not why you do it. (24:15) But every once in a while
Scott Benner (24:17) Right.
Jen (24:17) Thank you, dad. (24:19) Thanks.
Scott Benner (24:19) And I'm not gonna say it doesn't every like, I wasn't where was I with Cole recently? (24:24) And he Cole said something that made me realize he's didn't say it, say it, but what he was saying was, man, I recognize that making that podcast as big as it is is pretty extraordinary. (24:38) Like, he kind of gave me that for a half because he didn't use all the words, but he get like, he gave it to me. (24:42) And I was like, oh, he's proud of me, And that's nice. (24:44) You know what I mean?
Scott Benner (24:45) Like or he recognizes what hard work does or being diligent, you know, whatever. (24:50) Mhmm. (24:51) But, yeah, I don't know I don't know. (24:53) Like so my point is this, is that I think I feel like I understand what you're saying, which is I do my thing. (25:01) I take care of my diabetes.
Scott Benner (25:02) I don't want it to be my whole life. (25:04) I am not even looking for you to mention it, but, man, there are moments when how come you can't see how much I need you to say you're doing a great job? (25:15) Or, wow. (25:15) That is really something, Jen. (25:17) We're all over yucking it up playing Yahtzee, and you're strapping your man made, you know, pancreas on.
Scott Benner (25:23) So my question to you is, so you've ever said that to anybody? (25:26) Mm-mm. (25:27) Like, how would they know? (25:29) If you're projecting strength all the time and I got it, I got it, I got it, why would they think you needed, like, the that a boy?
Jen (25:36) Yeah. (25:36) I knew you're gonna ask that. (25:38) But well okay. (25:39) So indirectly because, you know, I'm southern. (25:41) We we're indirect.
Jen (25:42) I, you know, I have the supplies out. (25:44) And so it's sort of like to me, I'm like, hey. (25:48) I'm showing it to you. (25:49) I'm not in a bathroom. (25:51) You know what I mean?
Jen (25:52) Like, I'm not over here, like, hiding this. (25:54) And so I feel like Mhmm. (25:58) That is a perfect time for just just for them to ask to have some curiosity. (26:02) That's all I'm ask you know, like, to ask about it.
Scott Benner (26:05) What's southern passive aggressiveness called? (26:07) Does it have a name?
Jen (26:09) I don't know. (26:10) What it called
Scott Benner (26:11) What is it called when you guys go, oh, bless your heart?
Jen (26:14) Bless their heart.
Scott Benner (26:15) Yeah. (26:15) What is that? (26:15) What what is that? (26:16) That's
Jen (26:17) That's just us being very sarcastic. (26:19) Okay. (26:19) Like, we're saying bless your I don't really say that, but bless your heart, and we're really judging you at the same you know, we're really judging you, but we're saying, well, bless them.
Scott Benner (26:27) Yeah. (26:27) Look at this idiot. (26:28) Is that what that means?
Jen (26:29) This idiot. (26:29) Yeah. (26:30) It means, oh my god. (26:31) They are so ridiculous. (26:32) Yes.
Jen (26:33) Yes. (26:34) So I understand. (26:36) I I I guess okay. (26:37) This is what I have done. (26:38) K?
Scott Benner (26:38) Go ahead.
Jen (26:39) Okay. (26:39) Okay. (26:39) One sister who's two years younger than me, I have asked her to follow me. (26:43) Okay? (26:44) Like, she and my wife follow me.
Scott Benner (26:46) Okay.
Jen (26:46) And she started doing that because my wife used to, you know, leave for two weeks for work, and I'd be by myself. (26:52) Mhmm. (26:53) And they were worried about me, and so my sister Jill would would follow me. (26:58) And it it you know, and so every once in while, she'll text me and say, hey. (27:03) You're heading straight down.
Jen (27:04) Are you good? (27:05) You know? (27:05) And so That's beautiful. (27:06) I do like that. (27:07) I really do appreciate that.
Jen (27:09) She's probably the one family member that's really made some sort of effort about it. (27:15) But if I really start not complaining, but talking about the hard parts of it, she will will shut me down. (27:23) Like, oh my god. (27:24) You're complaining. (27:25) Or Mhmm.
Jen (27:26) You know what? (27:26) I don't know how to explain it, but it's it's like they want me to be responsible. (27:31) They want me to be okay. (27:32) And when I'm not okay,
Scott Benner (27:34) prefer if you shut up and kept it to yourself.
Jen (27:36) Yes. (27:36) Yes. (27:37) They don't know how to handle that because this is the dynamic. (27:39) Jen's okay all the time.
Scott Benner (27:41) Does she have any health issues?
Jen (27:43) She's the one that has the, gluten intolerance, but that's it.
Scott Benner (27:47) Do you ever do you let her talk about that with you? (27:49) Like, if she starts complaining about that, do you go, oh, come on. (27:51) Your stomach just hurts, do you
Jen (27:53) Of course, I listen to her. (27:54) Yes. (27:55) I listen. (27:55) I I give what I wanna receive. (27:57) So yes.
Jen (27:58) And I listen to her recipes that she bakes and all the things, and I try her stuff and say, wow. (28:03) Can't even tell it's gluten free. (28:05) Yes. (28:06) Mhmm. (28:06) Very, very, very supportive.
Jen (28:08) And I'll talk to her about, wow. (28:09) It must be hard when you travel, if it's just salads or you know, like, I try to I do. (28:14) I just try to do do that. (28:16) And you're right. (28:16) I could literally just say to my family, hey, guys.
Jen (28:21) Every once in a while, if you wanna ask about my diabetes, that would be great with me. (28:26) You know, I I guess I could say that. (28:28) I feel like that is so vulnerable for me to do, but I feel like I could and see I think I'm so afraid to do it.
Scott Benner (28:35) What do you think could go wrong?
Jen (28:37) Well, they could just be the same and just go, what?
Scott Benner (28:40) Just go, I'm not I'm not interested. (28:42) I won't be asking you. (28:44) Yeah.
Jen (28:44) I'm just not gonna ask you. (28:45) Then I'm really good at them for sure. (28:47) They don't care. (28:48) So right now, I can still pretend that they I know they care. (28:51) I don't know how to explain it, but I just like, when you like, when I hear the parents talk about staying up all night and checking their kids' blood sugar and looking at their sugars all day.
Jen (29:03) I'm like, if I had someone doing that for me, OMG. (29:06) That would be amazing.
Scott Benner (29:08) Well And And if that was happening for you from the beginning, you wouldn't know, and then you would just take it for granted. (29:12) I know.
Jen (29:13) I know. (29:14) Yeah. (29:14) But I'm just saying, it just I've had it one time. (29:16) I played pickleball, and I was in a pickleball tournament. (29:19) And my wife said, I'm gonna give me your phone.
Jen (29:22) I'm gonna handle your diabetes. (29:23) And I went, oh my god. (29:25) That would be amazing. (29:26) And it was the most amazing thing. (29:28) She'd come over, take two sips of this, or, hey.
Jen (29:30) You need this much insulin. (29:31) And I was I was like, this is so wonderful.
Scott Benner (29:34) You're like a fighter. (29:35) Every every couple of minutes you head into the corner and somebody just wets you down and squirts something in your mouth, and, like, go go and go do it again.
Jen (29:42) I was like, yeah. (29:43) I got this. (29:43) Yeah. (29:44) So totally. (29:44) I felt like rocky.
Jen (29:45) I was like, yeah. (29:46) It's dope. (29:47) But, yeah, it was so nice to have that.
Scott Benner (29:49) I bet.
Jen (29:50) So, anyway, I'm not trying to complain about it. (29:52) I'm just saying I think as adults who get diagnosed are sometimes the forgotten ones by the medical community because we are adults.
Scott Benner (30:02) But maybe by everybody else too.
Jen (30:05) Yeah. (30:05) By everybody Right. (30:07) For me. (30:07) Yeah. (30:07) So, anyway, that's
Scott Benner (30:09) No. (30:09) That's interesting. (30:09) It really is. (30:10) And I mean, you've and you've listen. (30:11) You're talking about this to it's not like it happened to you yesterday.
Scott Benner (30:14) You're twenty three years removed from being diagnosed, and it's still it's still impactful for you.
Jen (30:19) I know. (30:20) That
Scott Benner (30:21) Do you think that you could let it go if something happened? (30:26) Like, what if I snuck over to your mom and I was like, yo. (30:28) Call Jen and ask her about her diabetes. (30:30) And, like and and she did it. (30:32) Do you think you'd just be like, okay.
Scott Benner (30:34) Well, that part's over now and you'd move on? (30:36) Are you stuck in a spot? (30:38) Like, can you give it away even though they're not helping you take it away? (30:42) Does that make sense?
Jen (30:43) I'm gonna have to let it go if that is answering your question. (30:46) I know that I can't Yeah. (30:48) Convince them or make them do something that they don't wanna do. (30:52) And I know that they love me even though they don't ask about it. (30:55) You know, like, it's that weird dynamic.
Jen (30:58) I know. (30:59) And I guess I just wanted to share that when I have a bad day emotionally, it has a lot to do with that. (31:07) You know, just this having to deal with something nonstop Mhmm. (31:11) And people not ever asking about it. (31:15) Sometimes it's just hard.
Scott Benner (31:16) How long how long have you been married?
Jen (31:18) We've been married for eleven years.
Scott Benner (31:20) K. (31:20) So do you get any of that from her on the diabetes?
Jen (31:24) I do. (31:25) I yeah. (31:25) Oh, yeah. (31:26) Yeah. (31:26) She's definitely more supportive.
Jen (31:28) But what's funny and she told me not to tell you, but I'm gonna tell you anyway, is when we met, she she's still a physician assistant. (31:35) She's still a PA. (31:36) She worked in the ER when I met her. (31:38) And so I assumed she knew everything about type one. (31:42) And I'm showing her my Medtronic, whatever I had, you know, And and and she was clueless.
Jen (31:48) She had she knew nothing. (31:50) And now I know they don't know a whole lot about it, but she was so clueless. (31:54) And I had I've I felt a little resentful, like, I'm having to teach you, like, carbs and fats and proteins and all the things, and she didn't know. (32:03) And and so now, I mean, almost once a week, she'll say, wish I could take this from you. (32:08) You know?
Jen (32:09) And I'm like, no. (32:10) You're ADHD. (32:10) This would be worse if you had this. (32:12) But I'm like, don't take it from me. (32:13) But, you know, it's yeah, she definitely is very supportive.
Jen (32:17) But like we were saying before we started recording, she she just started I've always wanted her to listen to this podcast and just have a little bit better understanding. (32:27) Because every once in while, she'll give a, like, hey, babe. (32:29) Do you need to da da da? (32:31) I'm like, no. (32:32) You know, that's not what I need.
Jen (32:33) Right. (32:33) That's backwards.
Scott Benner (32:34) You know?
Jen (32:35) Oh my god. (32:35) And so I get frustrated with her. (32:37) And so she knew I was gonna be on this today speaking with you. (32:42) And so she's been listening to the podcast. (32:44) You know?
Jen (32:44) She's like, tell him I'm not a podcaster, but I've been listening for, like, the last week. (32:48) And I was like, okay. (32:49) I'll tell him.
Scott Benner (32:50) Well, because of that, because she's trying, I won't ask if you met at softball.
Jen (32:54) We did not. (32:55) You little booger. (32:56) We did listen. (32:57) We both played softball in high school, but no.
Scott Benner (32:59) I know you did, but that's not my point. (33:01) Of course. (33:02) Right?
Jen (33:03) I love to generalize too. (33:05) No. (33:05) We met in choir,
Scott Benner (33:07) and Uh-huh.
Jen (33:08) That's where we met. (33:09) Isn't that cute? (33:09) Yeah. (33:09) Was, like, community choir, and that's where we met. (33:12) So
Scott Benner (33:12) Oh, that's really lovely. (33:13) You're just out trying to meet people and have a good time, and you met each other.
Jen (33:16) Totally. (33:17) I was. (33:17) Yeah. (33:18) I was just I'm not really a great singer, but I grew up in choir. (33:20) So I was like, yeah.
Jen (33:21) I'll go join a choir. (33:22) I need to get out. (33:23) And she's actually really good. (33:24) She was like a voice major in college. (33:26) And before she switched to medicine, and so I told the director because I was overwhelmed, I said, I need to sit beside a strong alto.
Jen (33:34) Do you have anybody? (33:36) And he went, I do. (33:37) And her name's Jen as well. (33:38) So that's funny. (33:39) She's like he's like, yeah.
Jen (33:40) Jen. (33:40) And I'm like, okay. (33:42) And and so we sat I mean, like, the next day or whatever, next week, she sat beside me, and we I was like, oh my gosh. (33:50) She can sing. (33:51) And if I if you can sing beside me, I can match it.
Jen (33:54) You know, I can't really read the music, but I can hear it and match it. (33:57) And we had so much fun. (33:58) I'm like, oh my god. (33:58) This is so cool. (34:00) That's awesome.
Jen (34:00) And that's kinda how it started.
Scott Benner (34:02) That's nice.
Jen (34:02) Do you
Scott Benner (34:02) think that person was setting you up, or do you think they actually thought they they could cover your voice for you?
Jen (34:07) I think it was a little bit of both because he kinda raised his eyebrows like, oh, you could sit beside Jen. (34:12) Like that, I'm thinking, what's Jen? (34:14) You know? (34:14) But, anyway yeah. (34:16) Yeah.
Jen (34:17) Yep. (34:17) Yep.
Scott Benner (34:17) People love matchmaking. (34:18) They love it.
Jen (34:19) I know. (34:20) I do. (34:20) I know they do.
Scott Benner (34:21) Yeah. (34:21) Yeah. (34:22) Yeah.
Jen (34:22) Like But, you know, you haven't asked me, and I have written it down
Scott Benner (34:26) What?
Jen (34:26) About does anybody have autoimmune in your family?
Scott Benner (34:29) I mean, I'm waiting for it, but I also wanna ask about the Afrezza, but let let's do that thing first.
Jen (34:34) There's a lot to talk about, Scott. (34:35) You know, my my goal is to have a part one and part two, just so you know. (34:39) I told Kelly, if I get a part two, I've made it.
Scott Benner (34:43) Rob right now is like, listen. (34:44) It's the beginning of the year. (34:45) Just stop talking around an hour. (34:47) Would you please?
Jen (34:49) Don't make me work more. (34:50) I'm kidding. (34:50) You you yeah.
Scott Benner (34:51) I'll Well, no. (34:52) And you said your sister had celiac, so I was gonna get around to, like, ask him what else was going on.
Jen (34:57) Yes. (34:57) Well, yeah, sooner talk about that, and then we'll do Afrezza. (35:00) So so I didn't know any of this when I was diagnosed. (35:04) Obviously, I was clueless about type one or diabetes or autoimmune. (35:09) But listen to your podcast and and learning about that, I'm like, oh, yeah.
Jen (35:13) So I did ask my mom, and she's like, oh, yeah. (35:15) We had we I have or had two great aunts who had MS and then another great aunt who had type one, but she got it late in life. (35:25) Like, she was, like, 50 or 60 when she got that. (35:28) And then on my dad's side, RA, my dad has rheumatoid arthritis. (35:34) His mom had it, and his sister has it.
Jen (35:37) And then I have three second cousins once removed who have type one diabetes, all on my dad's side. (35:45) And they're all female, and they're all firstborn.
Scott Benner (35:48) Wait. (35:48) Wait. (35:48) There's type one on your mom and your dad's side?
Jen (35:51) Yeah. (35:52) Ain't that crazy?
Scott Benner (35:53) Yeah. (35:53) It's crazy that only you got it.
Jen (35:55) It's crazy that only know. (35:56) I keep I know. (35:58) A really bad part of me it's such a bad part of me. (36:01) Mhmm. (36:01) Wishes my one of my sisters would get it for, like, just for no.
Jen (36:05) Listen.
Scott Benner (36:05) Listen. (36:06) Just
Jen (36:06) for a week. (36:07) No. (36:07) Listen. (36:07) Just for a week.
Scott Benner (36:08) Okay.
Jen (36:08) Just for a week, and then they'd have some empathy, and then they'd take it away again. (36:12) That is a really horrible part of me, but just to have some empathy. (36:16) But
Scott Benner (36:16) What
Jen (36:16) They're not. (36:17) They're they're fine. (36:18) But I did wanna ask you
Scott Benner (36:19) Hold hold on. (36:19) Wait. (36:20) Wait. (36:20) Give me one second. (36:21) Give me one second.
Scott Benner (36:22) Yeah. (36:22) Hold that thought. (36:24) Okay. (36:24) What if instead of wishing that they could have diabetes for a week, what if you did day of diabetes with them? (36:30) What if you said to them, I really wish you understood this more.
Scott Benner (36:34) I know that sometimes you feel like I might be complaining, and that breaks my heart because I just I need somebody to talk to about it. (36:40) I don't have anybody to understand. (36:42) I was wondering if you could spend twenty four hours understanding better what diabetes is. (36:48) Like, what if I texted you every time I had to think about diabetes for one day?
Jen (36:55) Oh my gosh. (36:55) Okay. (36:56) Yeah. (36:56) I could do that.
Scott Benner (36:57) See, and I explained to you, like, hey. (36:58) Right now, I'm, you know, counting carbs up for a meal that I'm gonna eat twenty minutes from now. (37:04) Or I just changed my pod. (37:06) It took fifteen minutes. (37:09) You know, I had to like, here's what I did.
Scott Benner (37:12) I stopped what I was doing. (37:13) I was in the middle of working. (37:14) I stopped what I was doing. (37:15) I went to the refrigerator. (37:15) I got my insulin.
Scott Benner (37:16) I got the pump out. (37:17) I opened up the pump. (37:18) I put the needle together. (37:19) The needle, you know, drew out the insulin. (37:22) I tapped the bubbles out of it, filled the pod, primed the pod, you know, put it on, inserted it.
Scott Benner (37:28) I looked to see that, oh gosh, you know, my blood sugar is already one thirty. (37:31) The new pod is probably gonna go up. (37:33) Do I need the bolus right now? (37:34) How much? (37:34) I don't wanna get low.
Scott Benner (37:35) I have to go back to like, like, what if you like, what if they had that information?
Jen (37:40) Mhmm.
Scott Benner (37:40) And, like, just for the maybe you'd even write it down, not and and share it with them later instead of the, you know, texting it to them. (37:47) But just so you could just say to them, like, I would love for you to understand what it's like. (37:52) I don't want you to feel bad. (37:53) I'm not looking for Mhmm. (37:54) Sympathy.
Scott Benner (37:55) I can't really explain it to you, but there are times that I feel strong and that I don't want anybody to worry about me, but there are other times I wish someone understood what I was going through. (38:08) Don't you know what it's like to wish somebody understood what you were going through? (38:11) And then please tell me what's in your life that I don't understand that I could understand better. (38:17) Like, it might be an it might be a nice bonding thing for your sisters. (38:20) You know?
Jen (38:21) I know. (38:21) That sounds really nice.
Scott Benner (38:22) Don't do your mom.
Jen (38:23) Put it that way.
Scott Benner (38:24) She little
Jen (38:24) Oh, definitely not doing my mom. (38:25) Yeah. (38:25) Yeah.
Scott Benner (38:26) Yeah. (38:26) Yeah. (38:26) That that's that's that's different. (38:28) Just Yeah. (38:28) Yeah.
Scott Benner (38:29) Yeah. (38:29) She gets the coast to the end now. (38:31) Exactly.
Jen (38:33) Yeah. (38:33) We'll give her a pass.
Scott Benner (38:34) Yeah. (38:34) I remember the time I looked at my mom, and I said to my brother, it's like, it's time to stop teaching mom things. (38:39) Let's just let her go. (38:41) Whatever she thinks Exactly. (38:42) Is good enough.
Scott Benner (38:43) Like, don't let her be. (38:44) But
Jen (38:45) Oh, no.
Scott Benner (38:45) I don't know. (38:46) Like, does that sound crazy?
Jen (38:48) No. (38:48) It does not sound crazy.
Scott Benner (38:49) Interesting. (38:50) I wonder if you'll
Jen (38:50) do it. (38:50) Really helpful. (38:51) I knew you'd help me with this. (38:53) I was like, he's gonna help you.
Scott Benner (38:54) I mean, I'm pretty thoughtful.
Jen (38:55) You're very thoughtful. (38:56) You could have been a therapist for sure.
Scott Benner (38:58) Did you hear that cutting edge breakdown of did you meet in softball? (39:01) It's amazing.
Jen (39:04) I love it.
Scott Benner (39:07) So okay. (39:07) So I'm sorry. (39:08) I cut you off. (39:09) What were you gonna say?
Jen (39:10) I don't remember.
Scott Benner (39:11) I do you have ADHD?
Jen (39:13) I don't dude. (39:14) No.
Scott Benner (39:15) You jump around a little bit, so I stopped you to see if you'd remember what you were gonna say.
Jen (39:19) You are a booger. (39:20) No. (39:20) I don't have ADHD.
Scott Benner (39:22) Okay.
Jen (39:23) I don't. (39:24) I just have a long story. (39:25) Did you I've lived a long life.
Scott Benner (39:27) Did you think I was disagreeing with you when I said okay? (39:31) You're like, I don't.
Jen (39:33) Yeah. (39:33) Like, I'm feeling offended. (39:35) I'm I'm okay. (39:36) Your,
Scott Benner (39:38) spouse does. (39:39) Your wife does.
Jen (39:40) Yes. (39:41) She does.
Scott Benner (39:41) Is that a diagnosed thing, or is it just a thing she says?
Jen (39:45) No. (39:45) It's for sure diagnosed and treated.
Scott Benner (39:47) Because the because the whole world's running around saying they have ADHD. (39:50) Don't know if you noticed too. (39:51) People like to say they're autistic now too. (39:53) I know. (39:54) I know.
Jen (39:54) Yeah. (39:54) They're on the spectrum.
Scott Benner (39:55) I don't think you are. (39:56) I I I and I think people with autism would be offended if they heard you.
Jen (40:01) Right. (40:01) Yeah. (40:02) For sure. (40:02) But no. (40:03) No.
Jen (40:03) She definitely has all the the symptoms, signs, unfortunate parts of ADHD.
Scott Benner (40:10) Okay.
Jen (40:10) So yeah. (40:12) Yep.
Scott Benner (40:12) What are the unfortunate parts?
Jen (40:14) Oh, well, she is very, very hard on herself. (40:20) She always has no time, so she's always behind. (40:25) She is, like, hard for her to finish things. (40:28) So, like, just some like, a funny example, we get Amazon packages and show up in the package, but do you think she puts the package you know, like, there's the box is there, and I've I've, you know, I've it up, and I put it in the recycling. (40:41) You know, like, she those little things, it's not a big deal, but that'll happen.
Jen (40:44) But her biggest thing is, like like I said, she's a PA, and she's really good with her patients. (40:50) She's so good and empathetic and really good provider, but that's not what the medical industry wants. (40:56) Right? (40:56) They want you to be quick and hurry. (40:59) So she gets kinda penalized for being slow.
Scott Benner (41:03) Stop the right word. (41:04) People and
Jen (41:05) Yeah. (41:05) Yeah. (41:05) Yeah. (41:06) And I do again, I've already said this. (41:08) I know my part.
Jen (41:08) I'm responsible. (41:09) I've always been that way. (41:11) And so I have to be really careful to not manage her, to not mother her. (41:16) You know, like, it's that dynamic that can happen in that relationship.
Scott Benner (41:20) Mhmm.
Jen (41:21) Because it it but there'll be times where I'll be like, Okay. (41:24) Because she'll be like, hey. (41:26) You know, I think we should paint the garage, and and then we're gonna, you know, clean it out, and then we're gonna da da da da. (41:33) I'm like, no. (41:33) No.
Jen (41:33) No. (41:33) No. (41:34) No. (41:34) You know, we're gonna do this one thing.
Scott Benner (41:36) Go throw the box away. (41:38) Let's see you throw a box away before I paint something.
Jen (41:40) Box away before we clean out the whole garage. (41:42) And so I'm there to help kinda help to prioritize and to
Scott Benner (41:48) Mhmm.
Jen (41:49) Put things in a certain you know, the the the first step is this and now this and that because she will start spiraling is what they call it. (41:55) And she's spiraling very emotional, very reactive. (41:59) And so and so, like, if I'm, like, if I'm low, you know, and I'm like, oh, I gotta you know? (42:04) And and she'll kinda pick up on my crazy frantic energy if it's a bad low, like I'm dropping quick. (42:12) And she's there to help me, but I'm like, I need you to be calm.
Jen (42:16) You know what mean? (42:16) Like, I don't need you to get up, you know, emotional with me. (42:20) That doesn't make me feel better. (42:21) So Yeah. (42:22) That's kinda what so there's a lot of good about ADHD, but in her profession, it's hard to be ADHD in the medical field Okay.
Jen (42:30) From what I've seen.
Scott Benner (42:31) Yep. (42:31) So I'm looking at your notes for the first time.
Jen (42:34) Oh, yeah. (42:34) Do you
Scott Benner (42:35) think coming out how wait. (42:37) I don't understand what you're saying here.
Jen (42:39) Do you think Okay. (42:39) Okay. (42:39) Okay.
Scott Benner (42:39) Go ahead.
Jen (42:40) So when I was first diagnosed, you know, they always said they would say, did you have the flu? (42:44) Did you have mono? (42:45) Were you sick?
Scott Benner (42:46) Anything stressful.
Jen (42:47) Prior, and I wasn't. (42:49) And the only thing I had was, yeah, the only thing I had was those seasonal allergies. (42:53) Right? (42:53) And I'm like, well, I have allergies, but that's it. (42:55) It's only the thing I go to the doctor for.
Jen (42:57) And so as within that first year of diagnosis, I was doing a lot of self reflection because a part of me is like, did I cause this? (43:04) Before I understood diabetes, you know, and type one. (43:07) And and I was I was like because stress well, oh, I know what I was stressed about.
Scott Benner (43:12) Yeah.
Jen (43:12) I was I didn't honestly didn't know I was attracted to women in my late twenties. (43:19) And I remember in that you know, the year before diagnosis, I had a so called best friend, and she was. (43:25) We're just best friend, platonic, no big deal. (43:27) But between you and me and a lot of people, I, you know, I had I was like, I really, really like her. (43:35) You know?
Jen (43:36) Like, it's like, I just like to be around her. (43:38) I like to you know, I just wanna talk to her all the time. (43:40) That was it. (43:41) Nothing physical. (43:43) It was just more like this emotional thing.
Jen (43:46) And then she so called broke up with me, and we stopped being friends. (43:50) And it was like a real breakup. (43:51) And I'm like, what is wrong with me? (43:54) Why does this feel like a real breakup? (43:55) Because at the time I was dating men, I've been engaged to men, you know, the whole thing.
Jen (44:00) And so it was such a stressful event that I have no idea if that is what triggered me to finally turn this gene on and, you know, get type one, but there was nothing else really going on in my life. (44:14) You know what I mean?
Scott Benner (44:15) How long? (44:17) My gosh. (44:18) So you so you dated men for the fur like, maybe you still do. (44:22) I have no idea what you do. (44:23) But, like No.
Jen (44:23) I don't. (44:24) I don't. (44:24) Don't. (44:24) But yeah. (44:24) So I yeah.
Jen (44:25) So, like, I remember I mean, in high school, I was, you know, I was athletic. (44:30) I played sports. (44:31) I had made good grades. (44:32) I was a good kid kind of thing. (44:33) Mhmm.
Jen (44:34) And I was like, well, I should be interested in boys so I have something to talk to my girlfriends about. (44:39) You know? (44:40) Like like, that's what they do, so I guess I should like boys too. (44:43) But I didn't know that that was weird or different. (44:45) Now, you know, I was like, I guess I should like boys.
Jen (44:48) And they kinda got on my nerves, but I'm athletic, so we'd pass softball or football. (44:52) And, yeah, we'd play sports, and I liked that part of it. (44:56) But I didn't like the other part of of dating. (45:00) And so but I didn't think much about it. (45:03) And but, yeah, I mean, if you guys wanna know how to get a ring on your finger, I can definitely teach you how to get a ring on your finger.
Jen (45:11) It's basically don't care about the guy, don't wanna see him for a week or two, don't have sex with him, and he wants to marry you. (45:19) So Treat
Scott Benner (45:20) boys poorly and they chase you around?
Jen (45:22) And I me I'm not trying to sound horrible, but I just wasn't that interested in them. (45:26) You know? (45:27) And I didn't understand that I wasn't. (45:29) Yeah. (45:30) And I remember when I came out, finally, my sister Jill, she said, oh my god.
Jen (45:35) I'm so glad you're gay because I thought there was something wrong with me that I like boys so much. (45:40) We So anyway.
Scott Benner (45:41) We we we did you did you did you do the have you done the deed with the boys? (45:56) This episode was too good to cut anything out of, but too long to make just one episode. (46:01) So this is part one. (46:02) Make sure you go find part two right now. (46:04) It's gonna be the next episode in your feet.
Scott Benner (46:09) US Med sponsored this episode of the Juice Box podcast. (46:13) Check them out at usmed.com/juicebox or by calling (888) 721-1514. (46:21) Get your free benefits check, and get started today with US Med. (46:27) The podcast is also sponsored today by Omnipod five. (46:31) Omnipod five is a tube free automated insulin delivery system that's been shown to significantly improve a one c and time and range for people with type one diabetes when they've switched from daily injections.
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Scott Benner (46:58) Thank you so much for listening. (47:00) I'll be back very soon with another episode of the juice box podcast. (47:03) If you're not already subscribed or following the podcast in your favorite audio app, like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, please do that now. (47:11) Seriously, just to hit follow or subscribe will really help the show. (47:16) If you go a little further in Apple Podcasts and set it up so that it downloads all new episodes, I'll be your best friend.
Scott Benner (47:22) And if you leave a five star review, oh, I'll probably send you a Christmas card. (47:27) Would you like a Christmas card? (47:34) If you're looking for community around type one diabetes, check out the Juice Box Podcast private Facebook group. (47:41) Juice Box Podcast, type one diabetes. (47:44) But everybody is welcome.
Scott Benner (47:45) Type one, type two, gestational, loved ones, it doesn't matter to me. (47:50) If you're impacted by diabetes and you're looking for support, comfort, or community, check out Juice Box podcast, type one diabetes on Facebook. (48:00) If you'd like to hear about diabetes management in easy to take in bits, check out the small sips. (48:06) That's the series on the Juice Box podcast that listeners are talking about like it's a cheat code. (48:11) These are perfect little bursts of clarity, one person said.
Scott Benner (48:14) I finally understood things I've heard a 100 times. (48:18) Short, simple, and somehow exactly what I needed. (48:20) People say small sips feels like someone pulling up a chair, sliding a cup across the table, and giving you one clean idea at a time. (48:29) Nothing overwhelming, no fire hose of information, just steady helpful nudges that actually stick. (48:34) People listen in their car, on walks, or rather actually bolus ing anytime that they need a quick shot of perspective.
Scott Benner (48:41) And the reviews, they all say the same thing. (48:44) Small sips makes diabetes make sense. (48:47) Search for the Juice Box podcast, small sips, wherever you get audio. (48:52) If you have a podcast and you need a fantastic editor, you want Rob from Wrong Way Recording. (48:58) Listen.
Scott Benner (48:59) Truth be told, I'm, like, 20% smarter when Rob edits me. (49:03) He takes out all the, like, gaps of time and when I go, and stuff like that. (49:08) And it just I don't know, man. (49:10) Like, I listen back and I'm like, why do I sound smarter? (49:12) And then I remember because I did one smart thing.
Scott Benner (49:15) I hired Rob at wrongwayrecording.com.
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