European Diabetics Doing America with Barbara Saemann

[00:00:00] Rob Howe: Welcome to the Diabetics Doing Things podcast. We're back with new episodes in 2017 telling the amazing stories of type 1 diabetics across the world. I'm your host, Rob Howe, and if you'd like to get involved with Diabetics Doing Things, all you have to do is shoot me an email or reach out via Instagram. Hey everyone, before we get started, I just wanted to say thank you for listening. We had a great first year of the podcast, but none of it would have been possible without you and your support. I love getting messages, emails, and comments from type 1 diabetics all over the world. It really makes my day. So keep sharing, searching, and commenting, and I'll keep tracking down the people behind the amazing type 1 stories out there. Now, let's get back to the episode. Hello and welcome to another episode of Diabetics Doing Things. We're back with more episodes in 2017. Today my special guest is Barbara Gruhl, and her story is especially compelling, and I can't wait to get into it. Barbara, thanks so much for coming on the show. Yeah, thank you for having me. So Barbara, you found me through Instagram, I believe, through the Medtronic takeover earlier this week. Tell me a little bit about yourself. Well, my name is Barbara. I come from

[00:01:16] Barbara Saemann: Germany, from Bavaria more specifically, and I just recently moved to Minnesota last year in August because I got married to my husband who goes to medical school here.

[00:01:31] Rob Howe: Well, fantastic. We're always glad to add another member of the type 1 diabetic family to the U.S., so welcome.

[00:01:38] Barbara Saemann: Thank you.

[00:01:40] Rob Howe: And I think we're going to talk a lot about transitioning from a healthcare perspective coming from Germany to the U.S., but tell us a little bit about your story as a type 1 diabetic, diagnosis and everything else around that?

[00:01:58] Barbara Saemann: Sure. Well, I got diagnosed in February of 2009. I had just started my first semester going to college for English and Spanish to study English and Spanish. and I had just been in my first or I believe second week of semester break and that is when kind of it all started with the diagnosis where I went to the doctor and yeah and it all went from there.

[00:02:36] Rob Howe: So tell me a little bit about that experience. I mean obviously you were away at college and so a little bit older than away from home and everything. What was that like? You obviously went through the usual symptoms, but socially, what was that like with your friends and your classmates and things like that?

[00:02:59] Barbara Saemann: Yeah, so it's kind of been hard because I come from a very small town in Bavaria, and so I moved about two hours away to Bamberg, Germany, to study. and my first semester has been pretty hard because while adjusting to everything to studying and I just also felt very exhausted all the time and I just thought that's probably because I study all the time now and I just didn't have that many friends yet the first semester is just always kind of hard getting to know people first. And so it's been a challenge. It's been a challenge,

[00:03:46] Rob Howe: definitely. Well, and I think that's something that often goes overlooked in a diagnosis is socially the response. And like you said, your first semester away at college is always challenging and new and exciting in its own way. And then throwing a diagnosis in there, just that's a lot of emotional and physiological and just new experiences all at once.

[00:04:12] Barbara Saemann: Yes, definitely.

[00:04:15] Rob Howe: So from there, now we fast forward a few years and you're here in the U.S. and I know that you have a specific story that you are telling of what it's like to be a type 1 diabetic coming to the U.S. from Europe. Tell me a little bit more about that.

[00:04:33] Barbara Saemann: Yeah, so I got diagnosed in spring of 2009. And my dream has always been to study abroad in the US for a year. And that was kind of why I got into studying English in the first place. So that was very devastating for me to find out I have such a disease, a chronic illness, and I just thought things aren't possible anymore. And I can't possibly go abroad anymore. with this. But that's at the same time kind of what got me through the first half year with this disease because I just thought I have something to work towards now. And so, yeah, I applied for the scholarship to come to the U.S. for a year and I actually got it. So I was able to study and in Minnesota at Concordia College 2010 to 2011. And that's also where I met my now husband.

[00:05:38] Rob Howe: Oh, that's fantastic. And what a cool story, you know, working and overcoming that adversity to get to the U.S. and then meeting your husband. And now you're here full time. So you're on like a permanent study abroad now, right?

[00:05:52] Barbara Saemann: Yes, kind of. But yeah, I now finished my, well, in Germany two years ago, I finished my studies with a bachelor's degree and kind of equivalent to a master's degree in those two languages. And so now I'm basically a teacher and I'm still, well, I'm hoping to teach here too. We're still waiting for paperwork to go through, but that's the hope.

[00:06:16] Rob Howe: That's fantastic. And congratulations, by the way. That's a tremendous accomplishment in a very short amount of time. So you said that you had come to the U.S. for the first time on that study abroad program in 2010? Yes. So roughly a year, not even really a full year with type 1 diabetes, and you already had overcome that first obstacle to get to the U.S.

[00:06:39] Barbara Saemann: Yes.

[00:06:40] Rob Howe: So what was that like? What did you have to do as you were learning about your new life with type 1? talk a little bit about that process and kind of how you got to you went or went from diagnosis to you know being comfortable enough to travel for a long period of time in that short amount of time

[00:07:01] Barbara Saemann: well I have to mention that I had the great it was it was really great I found a very good endocrinologists were close to where I live and a very great nurse as well or specialist with diabetes. And with their help, they kind of supported me with everything. And I told them right away that I was hoping to go study abroad and I'm applying for this. But I was at the same time very hesitant because I thought, I'm just not sure if that will work, if I can go overseas with this and I just I was very insecure and I was happy to have someone who actually told me and my endocrinologist who just supported me and said absolutely Barbara you can do whatever you want to do and this shouldn't keep you from from from doing that so that's kind of what what got me through the first couple of months. And I want to focus on that for a second,

[00:08:07] Rob Howe: because that is such an essential piece of being successful as a type 1 diabetic. Not, not everybody has that supportive environment from their doctor or from their family. I was very fortunate. And I talk about this a lot. But Children's Medical Center in Dallas is one of the best hospitals, one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world. And that's where I was diagnosed. And I, and so I had a amazing experience and my doctors were all so encouraging. And I'm really glad that you have a, that you found a doctor that also was supportive of your dreams and was like, Hey, we're going to make this happen. Because a lot of people don't have that opportunity or that, you know, they're in an area that doesn't have very many endocrinologist to choose from or a very rural area. What were those conversations like with your doctor initially? And you said, and I think we should focus on, you know, you were hesitant

[00:09:02] Barbara Saemann: to ask because you weren't sure that it was going to be possible. Yes, exactly. I also should probably add, so when I was first diagnosed, my family doctor, where my family still lives now, was out of town on vacation. So I had to go to another doctor. And he kind of told me about what was going on. I had a blood sugar of, I think, I believe over 700. So and I had probably been with that blood sugar for many, many months. And so he made sure that I was able to go to a diabetes hospital. Um, it's in Bad Mergentheim in Germany. Um, and they, I stayed there in the ICU for, um, a day and then afterwards, um, for two weeks there to kind of get adjusted to everything. And they, um, they kind of forwarded me to my then endocrinologist. So yeah, they really helped me connect to her, my doctor.

[00:10:11] Rob Howe: And that hospital is specifically focused for diabetes?

[00:10:17] Barbara Saemann: Yes.

[00:10:18] Rob Howe: Is that fairly common in Europe?

[00:10:23] Barbara Saemann: I'm not sure about Europe, but in Germany it is. There are a couple major big hospitals that specialize in type 1 diabetes and children where pregnant women can go with type 1 diabetes or other issues concerning diabetes. And it's a great place to kind of get to know other people with diabetes and be able to talk with them about it and hear their stories.

[00:10:55] Rob Howe: Yeah. Yeah, that is fantastic. And I think, again, just like having that extra focus and support to go through those issues that, you know, just regular medical concerns that when you have type 1 can be a little bit more challenging. And we've, I've done episodes with, with mothers and they've talked about their, their journey through pregnancy with type 1. That's, so that's very good. I'm really glad that, and it's great to learn about other countries that really offer those resources for type ones, because sometimes in the U S it's not, not necessarily an area of

[00:11:31] Barbara Saemann: focus. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm especially thankful that they were able to find a great endocrinologist and be able to recommend someone to me who lived close to where I was at that time. So I just kind of, it just felt, it just felt right. And I felt like I was in good hands because I'm, I'm very much a perfectionist and it was it's just kind of a struggle to get to know um what you're supposed to do um what things like what a1c would be the good the best for me and so for me it's just important to have someone who also looks a little bit closer not just the numbers but also um yeah if if i'm happy with that or yeah things like that and you bring up a good point i think

[00:12:25] Rob Howe: Like, diabetes is so much more than just the numbers. And like you said, you've got to make sure that your life balance is where you want it to be. I want to talk a little bit about as you transitioned, literally transitioned over to the United States, and, you know, leaving your endocrinologist behind in Germany, and then coming over to the U.S. and sort of experiencing a whole new healthcare and practice and maybe getting introduced to a new doctor. What was that process like for you?

[00:13:01] Barbara Saemann: Well, in 2010, when I first went over here, it was all very, very exciting. I mean, I didn't know at all what was going to happen. And my doctor made sure that I was able to bring all the supplies that I needed for the year from Germany to the U.S., which was a big, big help. And I'm still very thankful because it's just been it's been very complicated and getting everything figured out. So, yeah, she made sure I have everything that I could possibly need. and back at Concordia College I had a great nurse and she made sure she looked at my A1C regularly and she talked to me if there's any concerns anything that I would want to talk about um yeah I felt in good hands but at the same time I really miss my my endocrinologist back home it's just kind of a I feel like if you have a great doctor it's not not easy to let go

[00:14:05] Rob Howe: it really isn't uh and you know that's they always say there's never a great time to take a great risk right so uh you know you have to leave uh leave some of that comfort zone behind and um you know props to you for having the courage to do that yeah thanks so um so as you're adjusting uh to life in the u.s and uh you know you said that you've been here about six months or so. What are you hopeful for? What are you looking forward to? Tell me more about your journey here and trying to educate diabetics about the journey to the U.S.

[00:14:45] Barbara Saemann: So yeah, last year in, well, my now husband and I were in a long distance relationship for about five years after my study abroad. And that hasn't always been easy. But then last year in August, we got married and I moved here permanently for now. And my hope is just to get even more comfortable. I feel like the past five months, I've already been able to settle down and I now have a good endocrinologist here in the cities and I feel like I'm in good hands um I just it's just it's still a bit different I feel like life here is different from life in Germany so there's just small things that I still need to figure out and I feel like once I figure those out I'll be able to do even better with my diabetes.

[00:15:47] Rob Howe: What would you say is the biggest difference between the U.S. and Germany as it relates to diabetes or healthcare for you? What has been the biggest difference for you?

[00:15:57] Barbara Saemann: Yeah, sure. So in Germany, I was very lucky because we have healthcare so that basically everything is free. So you only have to pay about 10 euro to get insulin and then you just get the pump supplies for free and insulin for free and the pump for free. And just it's just all it's very different coming here and learning that different health insurances cover different insulin types and different lancets and different whatever you can think of. And it's been quite a challenge getting through that jungle of things that I really didn't know at first at all. And so that has been the greatest challenge, I think, to figure out how to be able to afford insulin here, for example, or to afford the pump supplies, which has been a challenge itself because I have a Medtronic pump from Germany. And it turned out that I need, for liability reasons, I needed an American pump to receive pump supplies. So it's just been a little bit challenging at times.

[00:17:13] Rob Howe: And it's one of those things where you sort of don't know what you don't know, right? So when you come over here, you're like, yeah, I have everything I need. And then it sort of all changes. Yes. I find it fascinating to learn about different coverage all over the world for diabetes because it sort of makes me wonder. There's so many different hoops to jump through for the U.S. that we don't really have even close to the best coverage, especially for type 1 diabetes. The U.K. and Germany, especially, and Australia as well. um man they just have great uh great coverage for for diabetes and great awareness i think in the you know in their legislation in the u.s it's just not the total opposite we just don't know we don't have really anything it's it's awful yeah um but however there's a great organization based out of the uk called T1International um and i'm not sure if you've had any connections with them, but they're doing a great job fighting for insulin reform specifically. So across the world, you know, some of our diabetic brothers and sisters in countries like Syria and Ethiopia and Kenya, I think they do a great job of spreading awareness of, you know, that they need our help and that they need insulin. And they have a hashtag, it's like #insulin4all. and they do an awesome job raising awareness for, you know, the fight against type 1 diabetes across the world. And, you know, so in the U.S., my big challenges are that sometimes my prescriptions get delayed at my pharmacy, but in, you know, Syria and Ethiopia, people have to literally hike for miles and their insulin is expired and they don't have the resources that we have here in the U.S. I say that the U.S. is tough from a healthcare coverage perspective, but I don't really even know the half of what a real struggle is across the world.

[00:19:18] Barbara Saemann: Definitely. It breaks my heart thinking of all the people that don't even have, as you said, the possibility to even reach insulin or very those life-saving things. So it's, yeah, I just, I try to remind myself of that every day too. Yeah.

[00:19:41] Rob Howe: Definitely. So I want to do some fun kind of quick fire questions for you real quick. Starting with, you know, when you travel, and I've been fortunate to travel pretty extensively. When you leave, what do you always carry with you? What do you make sure that you have, either when you're leaving the house for the day or going to the gym or getting on a plane to go overseas? What are your big checklist options?

[00:20:09] Barbara Saemann: So my number one checklist option is definitely my pump, my insulin pump. I carry that with me everywhere I go, obviously. um other than that I too often forgot forget my um meter for some reason I just always find myself going out and about and not having my meter with me so I really have to get better at that um other than that when I travel always something to eat um always something like fast acting sugar and glucose, whatever, and, yeah, things like that, passport, obviously. Yeah.

[00:20:50] Rob Howe: Yeah, I think it's interesting to see sort of what everybody brings and how they approach either their day-to-day or when they're traveling. Yeah, because I had a low blood sugar. I always bring like a Larabars. I don't know if you've had those, but I love Larabars to treat my lows. And so I always have like two or three of them in my bag when I go on an overseas flight because you never know. You might have low blood sugar in the middle of the night and, you know, the flight attendant is asleep or something or is not available. So you've got to be able to treat your low on your own.

[00:21:26] Barbara Saemann: Yes, and it's such a challenge. I feel like it's always – I've flown so much now the past years between the U.S. and Germany and it just never gets boring traveling with diabetes. I feel like it's just always interesting as to what you get there on the plane, what you can eat and what they have, what they offer to eat and then how excited you are. That kind of influences your blood sugars again and yeah, how you're able to sleep on the plane, things like that. It's always, it never gets boring.

[00:22:03] Rob Howe: yeah there's never a dull moment with type 1 that's for sure um let's see do you have any uh any sort of crazy stories or fun stories about uh you know highs or lows in in uh in strange places

[00:22:16] Barbara Saemann: or at inopportune times i have to think so i've never really had a very um dramatic low thank god

[00:22:27] Rob Howe: Which is great.

[00:22:29] Barbara Saemann: Yeah. But I mean, I had lows and highs and in moments where I shouldn't have had them, for example, at the airport. Once I go through security and things take a long, long time and I have a low and I don't have anything and it's just kind of exciting enough. and then you have all those security guards around you and you have to explain what the insulin pump is and that you just want to keep it on. I feel that has happened twice. But other than that, no, not really.

[00:23:09] Rob Howe: Oh, that's good. Obviously, you want to make sure that we stay in balance And, you know, and really, you know, it's only been almost not even really eight years for you. What was the date of your diagnosis?

[00:23:23] Barbara Saemann: The 18th of February.

[00:23:25] Rob Howe: Oh, so you're coming up on your anniversary. You're about to be about to be eight years. Congratulations.

[00:23:31] Barbara Saemann: Thank you.

[00:23:32] Rob Howe: Yeah, I just celebrated my 12 year in on January 1st. So New Year's Day is my is my anniversary.

[00:23:41] Barbara Saemann: That's exciting.

[00:23:42] Rob Howe: Yeah, it is. it's like happy new year right yeah um this is a this is my favorite question i always i always like to ask um my guests and uh that is if if you had to tell if you could tell one thing to someone who was recently diagnosed with diabetes or was struggling with their type 1 um what's the one

[00:24:03] Barbara Saemann: thing that you would tell them? I would say to hold on and keep going. Things will eventually get better. I always remember the first night in the hospital, in the diabetes hospital, in the ICU, and I just felt completely devastated. And I just didn't even know what was happening. I've never heard of that disease before no one in my family has it and I was just laying there and I I couldn't even wrap my head around it but then there was this um very this young doctor and he throughout the night he came and he said so later when once I have time I'll come and I'll talk you through it and I'll explain everything to you don't be afraid it'll get better and he just he was so busy there is so much going on that night so he couldn't really make it all night through and so at five in the morning he finally came he sat next to me and he talked me through it he explained what exactly was happening and he answered my questions in the middle of the night and he just also told me that it will get better and yeah and just to keep going and not give up And I feel like that's the most important advice that I would give.

[00:25:29] Rob Howe: I totally agree. And thank you so much for sharing. And thank you so much for coming on the show and for reaching out. I know you're relatively just getting your journey started here in the U.S., but we're happy to be a part of that journey and really can't wait to see where we are and a year and five years from now and on from there.

[00:25:56] Barbara Saemann: Yes. Thank you so much for having me.

[00:25:59] Rob Howe: And Barbara, if our guests want to connect with you on social media or online, where can they find you?

[00:26:05] Barbara Saemann: They can find me on Instagram and on Facebook, Sweethearts for Diabetes. I also have my own website, the same name, Sweethearts for Diabetes, where I talk about my life with diabetes here, how it affects my every day, Yeah, just everyday tips that I can share with other people.

[00:26:29] Rob Howe: Well, fantastic. And obviously when we release the episode, we'll tag Sweethearts for Diabetes. But thank you so much for all the work that you're doing here and all the great positive energy that you put out. And I'm really glad that we were able to connect.

[00:26:44] Barbara Saemann: Yeah, thank you. I'm very glad as well.

[00:26:47] Rob Howe: Thanks for listening to Diabetics Doing Things. Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly emails and behind-the-scenes content. And if you or someone you know has an amazing story to share, send an email to rob at diabeticsdoingthings.com.