Diabetes Connections with Stacey Simms Type 1 Diabetes

Stacey's son started using the Dexcom G6 five days before taping this episode. She gives their first impressions and talks about an earnings call with Tandem that may give some insight into how that company is trying fastrack G6 pump integration. This episode also features a promo for a new podcast called Safe at Work. It's a fun look at workplace ups and downs, along with advice and celebrity interviews. 

People with diabetes often live with other conditions as well. Find out about a new campaign called Now You See Me, an effort by the folks at Riding on Insulin to educate about living with multiple diagnoses. Stacey talks to professional snowboarder and founder of ROI Sean Busby who lives with T1D and Lupus.

Insulin prices continue to go up with no sign of slowing down. Stacey has a frank conversation with the folks at Eli Lilly to get their thoughts, let them answer listener questions and to talk about the recent push of state legislatures asking for more price transparency. Mike Mason, Vice President Lilly Diabetes and Dr. Sherry Martin, Vice President of Medical Development answer your questions.

Dana Lewis first created #DIYPS in December 2013, just so she could better hear her her continuous glucose monitor (CGM) alarms better. Since that time Dana, and many other diabetes tech pioneers, have pushed forward with the Open Artificial Pancreas System. 5 years later we look at what Dana's doing now and what she has in mind for the future.  We also talk about what holds back many people (like Stacey) from jumping it DIY diabetes tech and why Dana says we shouldn't let our fears stop us. 

Author KJ Howe is back with another book in the Thea Paris thriller series. Skyjack, the sequel to The Freedom Broker, is an action-adventure series where the main character, a hostage rescuer and seriously tough person, also happens to live with type 1 diabetes. Howe also shares tips for aspiring writers and talks about her annual Thriller Fest in New York - this year, George RR Martin is making an appearance. 

When you don't see eye to eye with your endo, or any doctor, what are your options? An interesting conversation about getting the most from your health care provider as well as looking at disclosing diabetes at work. John Chaffire has lived with type one for more than 40 years. He has a lot of strong opinions and some hair-raising experiences to share. In our Know Better segment, Abbott gives a financial boost to Bigfoot Biomedical. 

The US FDA this week approved the Dexcom G6 system. It means a smaller sensor and is factory calibrated for 10 days of use, which means no fingerstick calibrations. Stacey talks with Dexcom CEO Kevin Sayer about the details about the system, timeline for consumer availability in the US and internationally as well as what will happen with the G4 and G5 systems already on the market (and integrated with pumps like Tandem and Animas). 

Diabetes is tough enough on a family. But when divorce is in the picture, managing T1D in two homes can be, at the very least,  complicated. Sharon Kabbas Chrisman's daughter was diagnosed at age 11, after she and her husband had been divorced for a few years. Sharon shares her experience, what she learned, mistakes she made and how her daughter, who turns 18 soon, is doing now.

Abbott gives us an update on their flash glucose monitor, the FreeStyle Libre. Stacey talks to Principal Clinical Research Manager Tim Dunn who's been working on CGM technology for 20 years.  In our Community Connection segment, how NC State is stepping up to make changes for students with diabetes.

Stephan Shaul was diagnosed with type 1 as an adult and says finding the diabetes online community changed his life. Stephan writes the blog Happy Medium and hosts the podcast, Diabetes By The Numbers. He recently joined Maryland’s Advisory Council on Health and Wellness and is part of 2018 Reader Panel at Diabetes Forecast magazine. Stacey also speaks to NBA All Star Dominique Wilkins. Diagnosed with type 2 just after he retired, Wilkins is now working with Dario to educate people about diabetes.  

Austin Basis, best known for his role on TV's Beauty and the Beast, navigates a Hollywood career while living with type 1. Now he wants to reach kids with a new comic book about high school kids with disabilities who are secretly superheroes. Austin tells us about The Kinetix and how he and a few friends came up with the idea. Now they have a Kickstarter campaign to make it happen.

Rob Howe spent 30 days using only over-the-counter, old school insulin from Walmart. Why? He has insurance, he can afford newer insulins and he normally wears the newest Medtronic hybrid-closed loop pump. But he had a scare when he thought he might not have the money to buy his regular insulin and he realized that he could educate others about how to do it. Rob is the host of the podcast, Diabetics Doing Things.

JDRF's President and CEO Derek Rapp joins Stacey for a wide-ranging interview. We talk about everything from stem cells to insulin prices to what JDRF is doing for adults with type 1. Rapp has headed up JDRF since 2014 and has a son with type 1. He shares his story and answers your questions.  In our Know Better segment, Stacey gets personal about a health procedure she had recently and talks about self care.

We're celebrating Valentine's Day with a great story. Amy & Andrew Sturniolo met and fell in love at Diabetes Camp, and that’s also where they got engaged. This week, hear the story of those now-newlyweds and find out how Andrew got all of Camp Kudzu to help him propose. In our Know Better segment, learn about Spare a Rose, Save a Child. You can help save a life for the cost of just one flower. And it's Diabetes Podcast Week!

Find out the latest from Tandem, makers of the T:slim insulin pump. Spokesperson Molly McElwee Malloy shares how close they are to a hybrid closed loop, which they're calling Control IQ, and other products.  Malloy. diagnosed with type 1 as a young adult, was  in one of the first artificial pancreas trials back in 2006 (not with Tandem). Also a nurse & a CDE, she talks about her personal story and why she's excited about this technology.