Getting Off the Diabetes Roller Coaster with Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport aka ‘Diabetes Psyche’ has worked as a social worker and psychologist specializing in diabetes for twenty-eight years. 

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport shares advice for getting off the roller coaster with time outs, structure, talking, using professionals, boundaries for people living with diabetes in this video:

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD joins us on April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 6 -7:30 PM, EST. Tune in with this LINK.

Country music’s brightest star, Maren Morris inspires us to stay strong as we face the challenges of living with diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic. Podcast guests include Author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries: Vivien Chien, Lorraine Brooks, Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE,  Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Alexis Gray.


Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Maren Morris’s Girl album courtesy of SONY Music.

Noodle Shop Mysteries Author Vivien Chien Guests on April’s Diabetes Late Nite

Author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries Vivien Chien guests on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.

Noodle Shop Mysteries

Vivien Chien first started writing simple stories about adventures with her classmates when she was in elementary school. As she grew up, her love of books and the written word increased, leading to the attempt of her first novel at age 16. After many struggled beginnings and several different genres, she found her passion in the mystery world. She currently lives in Cleveland where she is hard at work on the fifth book in her Noodle Shop series and writes side-by-side with her toy fox terrier.

Author Vivien Chien

Speaking of noodles … you’ll find glass noodles on the menu at many popular Asian restaurants. Glass noodles are known by different names including cellophane noodles, mung bean threads, and mung bean noodles. While glass noodles seem lighter than other types of pasta, they have about the same amount of carbs as regular spaghetti and more than whole-wheat spaghetti. It takes about 54 grams of dehydrated noodles to yield a 1-cup serving of prepared glass noodles. This portion contains 47 grams of total carbohydrates, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Because the recommended dietary allowance for carbohydrates is 130 grams daily, you’ll get 36 percent of your daily carbs from one serving of glass noodles.

Glass noodles are gluten free, fat free and a 1/2 cup serving dishes up 8% of your daily requirement for iron.

If you have diabetes, you can still enjoy glass noodles. Just be sure to keep an eye on your portions.

Vivien Chien

Murder Lo Mein (A Noodle Shop Mystery Book 3) by Vivien Chien

Lana Lee’s stake in her family’s Chinese restaurant is higher than ever now that she’s been made manager. So when she enters Ho-Lee into Cleveland’s Best Noodle Contest, Lana makes it her business to win—at all costs. But when a local food critic receives a threatening note in a fortune cookie and is later found dead, face-down in a bowl of lo mein, all bets are off. . .

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Diabetes Late Nite

Country’s brightest star, Maren Morris inspires talk about coping with the coronavirus and diabetes on Diabetes Late Nite scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 6 PM, EST. Guests include Author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries: Vivien Chien, Lorraine Brooks, Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE,  Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Alexis Gray. 

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Maren Morris’s Girl album courtesy of SONY Music.

TUNE IN

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport’s Coping with Coronavirus Anxiety for People With Diabetes

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport aka ‘Diabetes Psyche’ has worked as a social worker and psychologist specializing in diabetes for twenty-eight years. 

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport shares advice for coping with coronavirus anxiety and stress for people living with diabetes in this video:

Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport started working with the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School, beginning under Dr. Jay Skyler,when he was one of the first physicians to recognize that there was an emotional and behavioral aspect to the management of diabetes. The world is slowly catching up to realizing that knowing what you have to do to take care of yourself is not nearly as difficult as being able to do it everyday!

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maria Callas

We’re talking about how to minimize the drama in our diabetes lives with music from the ultimate diva, Maria Callas on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast (available on demand).

Maria Callas changed the way we listen to opera—and charged the ambition of the singers who followed her.  Her ability to interpret a wide variety of different roles truly set her apart, establishing her as a phenomenon, an operatic diva. She was able to fully exploit the dramatic strength of her low vocal range as much as the high and bright notes of her high range.

Opera takes any type of dramatic story and tries to make it more exciting and more believable with the help of music. Symptoms and situations related to diabetes are often dramatic and come on very suddenly. But how do you react to them? Are you ‘drama queen’?

If there’s drama in multiple areas of your diabetes life, be honest with yourself—you’re the constant. Are you creating it? We don’t do anything repeatedly unless there’s something in it for us, so, what’s the payoff?

Every time we find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, we have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Grandiose Stimmen: Maria Callas album courtesy of SONY Music.

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Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport – Diabetes Psyche

My Doctor’s My Heart Health Champion!

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure himself, Rob Taub, 63, changed his lifestyle and lost more than 60 pounds with encouragement from his doctor. Rob shares how important the right doctor is in motivating you to face your diabetes challenges head on on January’s Diabetes Late Nite.

Rob Taub is a national volunteer ambassador for Know Diabetes by Heart, a collaboration with the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association to raise awareness between the link between type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke and empower people living with diabetes to reduce their risk. Rob has enjoyed an eclectic career television, radio, journalism and real estate. He has interviewed everyone from pop stars to presidents and has written for People Magazine, Newsmax, SI/Cauldron, The Huffington Post and Thrive Global.  Rob’s work has encompassed everything from scripted comedies to World Wrestling Entertainment, and his distinctive voice can be heard in commercials and movies, including the Coen Brothers Miller’s Crossing and Barton Fink. He is known for playing the role of weatherman Russell Carlton on The Onion News Network and has made more than 300 appearances as a political and sports pundit on television. Follow him on Twitter @robmtaub or at www.RobTaub.com.

Living with type 2 diabetes puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Here are the Top 4 Questions to Ask Your Doctor:

  1. What changes can I make to take care of my heart?
  2. What can I do before my next appointment?
  3. How will I know if the changes I’ve made are making a difference?
  4. What resources can help me learn more?
Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maria Callas

We’re talking about how to minimize DRAMA in our DIABETES LIVES with music from the ultimate diva, Maria Callas on January’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

If there’s drama in multiple areas of your diabetes life, be honest with yourself—you’re the constant. Are you creating it? We don’t do anything repeatedly unless there’s something in it for us, so, what’s the payoff?

Every time you find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, you have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Grandiose Stimmen: Maria Callas album courtesy of SONY Music.

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Are You A Drama Queen? On January’s Diabetes Late Nite

We’re talking about how to curb tendencies to be a DRAMA QUEEN on tonight’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Maria Callas.

Maria Callas, the soprano whose intensely dramatic portrayals made her the most exciting opera singer of her time. Her ability to interpret a wide variety of different roles truly set her apart, establishing her as an operatic diva.

Symptoms and situations related to type 1 and type 2 diabetes are often dramatic and come on very suddenly.

But how do you react to them? Are you a ‘Drama Queen’?
Every time we find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, we have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better. 

Guests include: Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Grandiose StimmenMaria Callas, an album by Maria Callas courtesy of SONY Music. 

TUNE IN

https://youtu.be/sLcbfF9ypmM

How I Lost 100 Pounds – Amazing Weight Loss Stories

November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Autumn Reed, who is living with type 2 diabetes, has successfully lost and maintained an amazing 100+ pounds. Autumn, the self-confessed “The Queen of Meal Prep” shares her journey and advice for others interested in transforming their diabetes health exclusively with Divabetic:


Q: Describe your lifestyle before you began your weight loss journey? (Habits, work schedule, priorities, activity level, meals, etc.)

Autumn’s response: My lifestyle before I began my weight loss journey is best described as lazy. I could always come up with an excuse not to eat healthier or exercise. I worked 40+ hours a week, I had my family to feed, this or that body part hurt and my favorite… I’m too tired. My activity level was beyond sedentary. On weekends I would take a nap between breakfast and lunch. I thought exercise was a punishment and why on earth would I want to eat something green.

Q: Have you tried to lose weight in the past? If so, please describe what stopped you. 

Autumn’s response: I tried and succeeded in losing weight in the past, only to gain it all and then some back. Ten years before my diagnosis I lost 125 lbs doing the low carb diet, like the Keto, under a doctor’s supervision. It’s certainly not a diet you can live on forever. 

Q: What triggered this weigh loss? Did any celebrities inspire you? Books?

Autumn’s response: This time my weight loss was triggered by my need to live. My diagnosis of diabetes was my wake-up call to better health. Finding an online support group that promoted “the plate method” was a huge factor in my success.

Q: When were you diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? What were your initial thoughts? 

Autumn’s response: I was diagnosed with type 2 on 12/4/2016 (for the second time).  Approximately 10 years prior my doctor did blood work, gave me Byetta for 3 months, redid my blood work and then said, “go about life as usual”. I was never told how serious it is. I was never told that once you’re diabetic, you’re always diabetic. I wasn’t smart enough back then to stop and realize that I needed to find out about diabetes and change my life. I’m guessing that was probably my lazy, sedentary lifestyle talking.

Q: How did or does your type 2 diabetes factor into your decision to lose weight? How has your self-care routine changed? 

Autumn’s response: My first thought this time around was I would spend the rest of my life never eating what I wanted, ever again.  How could I never eat a cookie or pizza?  My type 2 diabetes factored into my weight loss when I reached 281 lbs. I experienced high glucose crankiness, had no energy and was out of breath tying my shoes or walking from the car to the store.  I knew it was time to change. My self-care has changed tremendously… meal prep is my new middle name.  I also started exercising at least once a day and sometimes twice. Injuries have gotten in the way and caused me to slow down but not stopped me.

Q: Name 1-2 obstacles in your weight loss journey and describe how you managed to overcome them.

Autumn’s response: The 2 major obstacles in my weight loss journey have been a broken ankle and a torn meniscus, which caused my activity level to decrease immensely. It’s very frustrating not being able to enjoy my exercise routines. 

Autumn Reed profiled in Diabetes Forecast Magazine

Q: List 1-3 tips that have worked for you to lose weight and maintain your weight loss. 

Autumn’s response: My tips for weight loss:

1.        Plan meals or plan ahead.I use MyFitnessPal to calorie and carb count my meals, I bought a Fitbit fitness tracker and if I go out to eat, I look at the menu ahead of time.

2.       Hold yourself accountable. Nobody is perfect. If you eat something or do something that makes you feel guilty, own up to it with yourself instead of being hard on yourself. It’s easier to screw up once and move on then to keep repeating it.

3.       Find a support system. Enlist family, friends, a local group or online support – it’s the only way. 

To maintain my weight loss:

1.        Plan meals.

2.       Celebrate every goal met.

3.       See a dietitian. 

Q: Who’s on your team?  Name 1-2 people (friends/family and/or health professionals) and describe the role they have played in helping you manage your health.

Autumn’s response: My husband has been so supportive throughout my journey. He helps with meal prepping and his lunches are the bomb – no more drive-throughs, lol. The online support group Type 2 Diabetes Plate Method Support has been my biggest support of all. Cindy Lou, Ansley Dalbo and Rick Storm just to name a few have been key players in my success. They’ve taught me so much about diabetes, food, my body and exercise. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone who living with type 2 diabetes seeking to lose weight?

Autumn’s response: My advice to any type 2 seeking to lose weight would be talk to your doctor, see a dietitian and do as much reading and research as you can because this is YOUR body. Holidays at first were the worst! Now I just factor in what I WANT to eat and roll with it. If I eat a little extra, I don’t punish myself –  I just know it’s only one meal or snack and move on. No more dwelling on enjoying things I like to eat. 

Q: The holiday season is just around the corner, what tools do you use to navigate the holidays and stay on track with your health?

Autumn’s response: I have been involved in a few online support groups. Diabetes-What to know, Type 2 support and Type 2 Diabetes-Plate Method Support. My goal is to help educate other type 2 diabetics on this disease and let them know that diabetes is a word… NOT a sentence.  My October went very well despite its challenges of health and family issues. This month I plan to research and find more recipes that are health and holiday friendly. I’ll be honest, the online support that I’ve found has really changed my health and my entire life. I help admin in a group and find that I learn just as much from them as they do from me.  I’m not sure about someone I’ve helped directly but it sure does feel amazing to see others posting their weight loss or A1C on the group page. I know to a lot of those people we are their only support. They look forward to the informative and educational posts. We can even lighten the mood with some diabetes “funnies” occasionally. 

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Jennifer Hudson

We’re sharing amazing weight loss journeys & ways to help overcome fears related to Hypoglycemia with guests: Vanessa Hunter, Dr. Wendy Rapaport PsyD, Dr. Stewart Harris, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Autumn Reed on Novembers’ Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Jennifer Hudson

LISTEN NOW

Autumn Reed shares how small changes added up to big results in weight loss in Diabetes Forecast Magazine.

Her A1C went from 7.3 to 5 percent, and she was able to come off her diabetes medications completely. Best of all, she’s less interested in sitting around the house. “I feel like a different person—like the person who was inside all this time but couldn’t get out.”

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100 Pound Weight Loss with Type 2 Diabetes on Diabetes Late Nite

November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Autumn Reed share her hundred weight loss story with listeners on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 6 PM, EST

Autumn told Diabetes Forecast magazine that she recognizes she wasn’t always pleasant to be around. “I weighed almost 300 pounds,” she says. “I had aches and pains. I was always crabby and tired.” Even short walks—just to the car parked in the driveway—would lead to a loss of breath, making it difficult to leave the house.

Autumn Reed in Diabetes Forecast Magazine

A 2016 diagnosis of type 2 diabetes helped Reed make sense of her health: The exhaustion and moodiness were a result of chronic high blood glucose. “Having diabetes could make you feel so miserable,” she says. “I finally realized that wasn’t who I really was.” With the cause identified, she decided to do something about it.

READ MORE

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Jennifer Hudson

We’re talking about Weight Loss Journeys & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Jennifer Hudson in honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month on Diabetes Late Nite scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 6 -7:30 PM, EST.

We’ve watched Jennifer Hudson soar to stardom as her powerhouse pipes have taken her from American Idol back in 2004 to coveted roles in film, theater and TV, including as a judge on The Voice. Throughout that journey, the singer has also had another major life change: She went from a size 16 to a size 6, dropping 80 pounds. The star followed poor dieting practices and finally chose to approach her weight loss in a healthy way after giving birth to her son, David.

While studies show most people who drop significant pounds regain the weight they lose, Jennifer Hudson has managed to keep her svelte figure for the past nine years.

“I’m very careful and cautious of what I’m eating, so I just try to pace those meals throughout the day,” said Jennifer Hudson.

Jennifer Hudson supports the Barbara Davis Center (BDC). BDC’s mission is to provide state-of the-art care to children and adults with type 1 diabetes and to teach patients how to prevent or delay complications. Their research is devoted to finding prevention, cure, and most effective treatment of diabetes and associated disorders.

Guests include Vanessa Hunter, Dr. Wendy Rapaport PsyD, Dr. Stewart Harris, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Autumn Reed.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Jennifer Hudson’s  self-titled album, ’Jennifer Hudson’ courtesy of SONY Music.

Jennifer Hudson Helps Us Lift Every Voice for Diabetes Awareness

We’re talking about Weight Loss Journeys & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Jennifer Hudson in honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, November, on Diabetes Late Nite on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 6 PM, EST. 

Jennifer Hudson

We’ve watched Jennifer Hudson soar to stardom as her powerhouse pipes have taken her from American Idol back in 2004 to coveted roles in film, theater and TV, including as a judge on The Voice. Throughout that journey, the singer has also had another major life change: She went from a size 16 to a size 6, dropping 80 pounds. The star followed poor dieting practices and finally chose to approach her weight loss in a healthy way after giving birth to her son, David.

Jennifer Hudson

While studies show most people who drop significant pounds regain the weight they lose, Jennifer Hudson has managed to keep her svelte figure for the past nine years. 

“I’m very careful and cautious of what I’m eating, so I just try to pace those meals throughout the day,” said Jennifer Hudson. 

Jennifer Hudson supports the Barbara Davis Center (BDC). BDC’s mission is to provide state-of the-art care to children and adults with type 1 diabetes and to teach patients how to prevent or delay complications. Their research is devoted to finding prevention, cure, and most effective treatment of diabetes and associated disorders. 

November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Vanessa Hunter, Dr. Wendy Rapaport PsyD, Dr. Stewart Harris, Patricia Addie-Gentle, and Autumn Reed. 

Jennifer Hudson’s Debut Album

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Jennifer Hudson’s  self-titled album, ’Jennifer Hudson’ courtesy of SONY Music.  This 2008 self-titled debut album reflects Jennifer’s high-powered soulful style voice which is transcendent and timeless. Guests features on the album include Fantasia on “I’m His Only Woman”, Ludacris on “Pocketbook”, plus the highlights version of “And I am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls. Jennifer first gained notice as one of the finalists on the third season of the FOX television series American Idol. She went on to star as Effie White in the 2006 motion picture adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls for which she won numerous awards including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA and a SAG Award. 13 tracks. BUY NOW

‘The World is Ours Today’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

‘The World is Ours Today’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

the world gives us a day
but for us it’s every day.
Diabetes affects us all in each and every way.

The world has not a clue.
The world assesses you.
Diabetes makes our world feel sad and lonely too.
The world says this and that
The world tells us we’re fat
We know they don’t know exactly what they’re looking at.
The world can’t understand
The needs and the demands
The pains and stress that diabetics often do withstand.
But our worlds are alright
We keep our numbers tight.
And in our world we stay prepared in case we have to fight.
Our world is very real
So listen to how we feel.
We aren’t trying to be perfect or ideal.
Our world has ups and downs.
A lot of smiles and frowns.
We do have setbacks, big and small, but we do rebound.
On World Diabetes day
Our worlds are bight and gay.
We thank the world for taking time to help us be OK.
But please make sure that you’re
A help to us for sure.
And stick by us not just one day, but ‘till there is a cure.

Enjoy Divabetic’s special World Diabetes Day celebration with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin on Diabetes Late Nite.

The Queen of Soul’s own health journey is sparking a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Some of the other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity and certain genetic syndromes.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong’s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup”Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, Coach  the Cure Trisha Artman, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.”

How Coach The Cure with Health Educator, Trisha Artman 

We’re excited to announce our special line-up for Divabetic’s World Diabetes Day edition of Diabetes Late NiteCoach The Cure Health Educator, Trisha Artman will stop by the studio to share her experience coaching families on how to live their best life with diabetes and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin will provide musical inspiration. Join us here on Wednesday, November 14 from 6 – 7:30 PM.
 
 
Trisha is a Board Certified Educator, Health Coach and Writer. With personal diabetes experience, compassion, and professionalism, she nurtures trusting relationships—promoting healthy changes in an empowered environment.” Since the theme for World Diabetes Day 2018 ‘the Family and Diabetes’ we reached to Trisha for advice about dealing with emotions and diabetes prior to our podcast interview.
 
Q: Let’s talk about your family and diabetes. Can you share your own experience of how your family dealt with your initial diagnosis as well as how it might have changed over the years?
 
Trisha Artman: My diagnosis was a shock to my entire family. As my health quickly declined prior to diagnosis, I can remember my Mom rattling off a list of possible reasons for my dramatic weight loss, constant urination, unquenchable thirst, etc. None of which was Diabetes! It didn’t run in my family and was definitely not present in every day commercials as it is today.
 
My mom cried hysterically as the doctor told us my diagnosis, which for me at that time, meant that what I had wasn’t good. Overtime, I realized that my mom and I have very different approaches to life’s hurdles. Neither of which are wrong, just different. My mom’s first response is to express her emotions before moving into action, whereas I like to move right into action, get myself back into balance, and then release my emotions.
 
At first, I took on all of the responsibilities that come with Diabetes and did my best to make it seem like no big deal. I was seventeen and in a mad dash to get back to my “Normal” life as fast as possible. I learned what I needed to do and did my best to move on. My family let me lead the way, while they learned along and supported me.
 
As my relationship changed over the years with Diabetes, going from love hate, love hate, love…so did my relationship with my family. When I was following through with all of my health responsibilities, my family respected my privacy and independence. However, if I reached a burnout point and fell short on my health routine, my respected privacy and independence became a thing of the past.
 
Today my family and I are extremely close and Diabetes was a diagnosis for us all. We have been pushed beyond our comfort zone each and every day, both as individuals and also as a family, but we choose to keep going. We had to learn a new rhythm, build a trusted support system to deal with ALL of our emotions, and learn to clearly communicate our wants and needs.
 
Honestly, we have come a long way!
 
Q: How do you feel a diabetes diagnosis can change the family dynamic?
 
Trisha Artman: Specifically, if the parent is living with diabetes?  And if the child is living with diabetes?
 
Whether a parent or a child is diagnosed with any type of chronic illness (diabetes or different), there is a sense of responsibility that the child/family may take on. The feelings of stability and safety may become disrupted and unclear, for both the individual diagnosed and the family and can lead to feelings of fear, anger, resentment, and more. The parent or child may have to rely on their family in different ways then pre-diagnosis, both physically and emotionally.  Everyone in the family plays a different role to maintain the family’s rhythm, healthy or not.
 
Communication! Communication! Wait, did I say communication? Yes, you want more conversation now, not less! When someone you love is diagnosed with an illness, its important that everyone in the family has an opportunity to express what the diagnosis means to them. There is a grieving process that needs to happen for both the individual and the family. Life as the family knew it has changed and deserves the opportunity to be mourned before moving forward.
 
Kids especially, are so observant of what’s going on at home and know when something has changed in their environment. If left unaddressed, kids may internalize the illness of their parent as being their fault or their responsibility to fix or change. Siblings may experience rivalry over parent attention and/or the guilt of “Why not me?”
 
Parents of a child that is diagnosed may have conflict over methods of care and responsibility. They begin to place the blame on themselves for the cause of their child’s illness or on others out of frustration. Other parents may become consumed with guilt and try to take over the daily tasks of Diabetes (chronic illness), in an attempt to ease the burden or in some cases make it invisible.
 
Integrating a Healthcare professional or Coach as part of your team, right from the start, can help you avoid the unhealthy behaviors and instead, open up the lines of communication and get clear. These are skills that can be taught, learned, and practiced right at the beginning of your diagnosis. You and your family deserve to feel safe to explore and understand the impact of what has changed, and how daily life will now be moving forward.
 
 
Q: What are the pro’s and con’s for being a ‘hands off’ parent when dealing with their children’s type 1 diabetes?
 
Trisha Artman: The benefit of being a “hands off” parent has the potential to encourage responsibility and independence within your child. Parents may also feel that they have more freedom in their own daily routine. However, “Hands off” can’t be so black and white. To become successful at the “hands off“ approach, we need to introduce some highlights of grey in there.
 
Clear communication and expectations must be established between all relationships in your child’s life. This includes with you and your child, family, medical team, school, psychologist and/or coach, etc.
 
Your main job as a parent is to keep your child alive and thriving. Helping them to establish healthy relationships and expectations will encourage them to become their own self-advocate and gain the independence they want and deserve.
 
The cons of the “hands off” parenting approach are that you have no idea what’s going on with your child! Your child could be struggling in many more ways than just their blood sugar. Remember, communication doesn’t have to be overbearing, it just needs to be effective.
 
Q: What are the pro’s and con;s for being a ‘hands on’ parent when dealing with your children’s type 1 diabetes? 
 
Trisha Artman: The benefit of being a “hands on” parent is that you are involved in the emotional and physical well being of your child. You are present to support and guide your child if needed or wanted. You may be able to prevent a problem from occurring before it happens, if the opportunity presents itself.
 
The con of being a “hands on” parent is that you have to make it a priority to carve out self care for yourself. Parents can lose sight of their own needs (to an extreme), in order to keep up with every detail of their child’s care. This behavior may discourage independence and self-advocacy within the child and leave the child unprepared to manage their health without the aid of the parent present. Too “hands on” can also create resentment within the child towards the parent, diminishing communication and encouraging the child to act out as a form of control.
 
 
Q: Best-Selling Author Brenda Novak expressed her concerns over sending her son living with type 1 diabetes to school when he was younger on a recent Diabetes Late Nite podcast because of the lack of knowledge about type 1 diabetes among  the school administration and staff. What advice can you offer to other parents concerned about this issue?
 
Trisha Artman: Parents, I’m sure you have many feelings about sending your child off to college, especially when they are living with a chronic illness. I think this means that you’re a very good parent! I say, have your feelings and really allow yourself to feel them…its what you do next that matters most! Transition yourself from a helpless position, in this situation into a place of empowerment. Set up a meeting with your child’s school nurse and administration and start building relationships. This is another partnership and one that must be successful.
 
Bring your recent medical plan from your child’s doctor with you and start the process of a 504 plan with your school. By law this requires your child’s school to have trained professionals to meet the health and educational needs of your child (don’t let them discourage you, Diabetes is included in 504 plans).
 
Bring your child to school so they can meet each teacher and professional that they will encounter throughout the school day, so you, your child, and the professional can feel comfortable to ask and answer questions. Leave feeling prepared and confident.
 
Communication is the name of the game!
 
Q: You were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 17, what advice can you offer to others who will be heading off to college soon and maybe managing their diabetes alone for the first time?
 
I suggest that they first take the time to imagine everything they want from their college experience. Really sit and enjoy the feelings that come along with this new experience. Then bring their diabetes into their visualization…what do they need in place right now with their health to make their college experience, health wise, seamless?
 
Do they need a diabetes refresher course on how to count carbs, treat low/high sugars, emotional wellness, identify burnout, nutrition, pump management, alcohol and diabetes, sex education, etc?
 
These are all real life questions and concerns and need to be addressed BEFORE vs. after they find themselves in the situation.
 
College is another time for major growth and independence. Create new relationships that keep you healthy and happy, and living the life that you choose to live.
 
Establish a relationship with your school medical team and introduce yourself. Find out if you can schedule your medicine and supplies to be picked up or delivered before you run out, etc. Take down names and numbers and make yourself feel comfortable. Set yourself up for success in every way possible!
 
*During this time especially, talk more not less!
 
 
 
Coach The Cure Trisha Artman is offering a Complimentary Breakthrough session to discuss your top health goals, and what you would like to accomplish. Additionally, you’ll have a chance to get clear on what is in your way, and how to quickly take action and experience healthy change NOW. CLICK HERE
 
 

We’re celebrating World Diabetes Day with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin on Diabetes Late Nite on Wednesday November 14, 2018, 6 – 8PM, EST.

There are many reasons that Aretha Franklin is the legend of legends, a groundbreaking singer with the fortitude to transcend race and genre, using that tremulous voice as the bulldozer to break down every barrier set up in her way.

Aretha’s own health journey is sparking a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Some of the other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity and certain genetic syndromes.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong’s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup”Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, Coach  the Cure Trisha Artman, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.”

Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast

Enjoy Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes. 

The mystery is set in the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s healthy culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges! Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.         

Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?

The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), The Happy Diabetic Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Coach The Cure’s Trisha Artman, Jillian Walsh, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones, Lorraine Brooks and Max Szadek.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes courtesy of SONY MUSIC.