Ep. 15: Managing Holidays with T1D

What's the history of type 1 diabetes since insulin was discovered in 1921?

We have come a long way from animal-sourced insulin and needles that had to be sharpened after multiple uses. 

Sometimes it's mind-boggling to think that T1D was a straight-up death sentence just over a hundred years ago.

With that in mind, Jessie walks us through diabetes research and milestones decade by decade, including our own diagnoses. 

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Taralyn Jamieson was diagnosed at 8 years old and spent most of her 28 years with T1D trying to ignore her blood sugars.

It wasn't until she settled down in her personal life that it became a priority to get her health under control, but by then it was too late to avoid complications.

Taralyn shares why we need to talk about the reality of diabetes complications that are difficult to hear about, but harder to deal with if you actually have them.

Connect with Taralyn on Instagram: @taralynjamieson

What to do next...

1. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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Have you ever wondered what exactly we mean when we say "support system"? 

In this episode, we break down what T1D support systems are, why they're important, and what ours look like.

What to do next...

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Dr. Maureen Michele, an MD and parent to a T1D kiddo who also had pediatric neuroblastoma, joins us to shed light on why it's so important for parents to understand and embrace resilience.

As scary as it is to see your child diagnosed with T1D, it's also scary to navigate it while dealing with fear, overwhelm, and grief from it.

Dr. Maureen shares practical tips for parents of kids with chronic illness to calm the overwhelming thoughts and be an advocate both for their kids and themselves.

What to do next...

1. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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With the changing of the years comes a new set of annual goals, and this year is no different. 

Join us in this episode as we review what happened for us in 2023, both on the T1D front as well as the rest of our busy lives, and as we talk about our plans for 2024.

Listen to the end for an important announcement!

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The honeymoon period happens right at diagnosis, if it happens at all. 

In this episode, Jessie and I talk about what the honeymoon period is, how long it lasts, who gets it, and why it only happens once.

This is an MVP episode from our very first year of podcasting.

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1. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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The last two months of the year can feel like a whirlwind of "let's just throw out all our routines" because Halloween kicks off the season of candy, food, get togethers, more food, family drama, even more food... you get the point.

By the time we land in the week between Christmas and New Year's (AKA what I call "black hole week") it feels like all is lost because we just spent the last two months ignoring good habits and indulging in the season. 

So today (in real time, the day after Christmas) we're coming to you with some tips on getting back into routine after the holidays, sort of purposefully timed with everyone's favorite: New Year's Resolutions.

What to do next...

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Diagnosed at age 6, Richard Vaughn has lived with it for over 75 years now. Richard joined us on the podcast to talk about his experience with so many years of T1D.

The most surprising thing I learned? Richard did not know his blood sugar for 40 years.

Now, age 81, he has very few complications or health problems related to T1D. Richard is a wealth of information for any T1D and their families.

He’s one of the most positive voices I see in the diabetes Facebook groups. He regularly posts long-form posts about his life with type 1, the lessons he’s learned, with pictures to go along with it!

This episode was originally aired on August 31st, 2021.

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Who do you talk to about partying safely? 

Intimate relationships? 

How weed and alcohol affect your BGs? 

The Diabetes Link has "answers to even your most cringe questions, shared by people with diabetes (and reviewed by medical experts)." 

As they say, it's overwhelming to look for resources on topics you probably won't feel comfortable asking your care team, so The Diabetes Link did it for you and collected it all in the Resource Hub.

What to do next...

1. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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Do you experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter months?

As T1Ds, we can be impacted far more than the average person by the physical symptoms of SAD. 

Learn more about Seasonal Affective Disorder, the symptoms, what causes it, what can help, and strategies as T1Ds you can use to mitigate the effects of SAD in your winter.

What to do next...

1. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
2. Join the Half-Dead Pancreas Club
3. Follow the Pod on Instagram
4. Follow Colleen on Instagram
5. Follow Jessie on Instagram
6. Follow us on TikTok