0:00 A cure for type 1 diabetes is something that every T1D has thought about at one time or another. But what if it actually happened? What would that feel like? Well, today I'm speaking with a patient from the Vertex 880 trial who received a lab-grown islet cell transplant and is now functionally cured from type 1 diabetes. Welcome to the show. I'm Justin. I have type 1 diabetes and on here I talk all things diabetes tech, news, and research with industry leaders those creating the tech and running these clinical research trials and those using the tech or part of the trials. Today we are speaking with Patty Collam. Patty was diagnosed with diabetes 40 years ago at the age of 8 and over that period of time has used the
0:45 ever-evolving insulins and technology over the years. She's here to share her experience living with type 1 diabetes, her journey to find the trial, and the aftermath of a type 1 diabetes-free lifestyle both the emotional impact of living with this new normal and the freedom she has gotten back. Patty's story is emotional, relatable, and inspiring. And I am so excited for you to hear it. This really had an impact on me and it it gave me a sense of hope that I haven't been holding out for but I didn't realize I want. Keep in mind that anything here on the show is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your health care team before making changes to your treatment.
1:30 All right. Let's hear it. Patty, welcome to the show. It's so special to have you. I'm I can't wait to to get into all of this with you. How are you doing? >> Good. I'm doing great. I'm glad you're having me on today. >> Oh yeah, I was so happy to bump into you on the dance floor at Friends for Life which is just a such a special conference. The fact that it's a conference with a dance floor. I mean, it's families, uh a lot of kids. I gave a couple talks to all the kids about how to make Tik Toks. That was really special. What was your experience like at Friends for Life? Had you been there before? >> I had never been to Friends for Life, but it felt like diabetes camp. Um, like that last night of diabetes camp got extended. >> [laughter] >> The prom dance and everybody's celebrating and dressing up and just being real. So, I I loved it.
2:18 >> How old were you when you were diagnosed with type 1? >> I was eight. So, 8 years old and I'm 48 now. >> How would it have felt to you if you had experienced something like Friends for Life at that time when you were diagnosed or when you were a kid? >> Well, that that would have been amazing. I, you know, I we didn't even know what diabetes was when I was eight, so back in '86. But we um I want to say fourth grade, nine is my first year at diabetes camp. So, you know, after my first year I was able to to meet some some kids that had diabetes. So, that was that was life-changing and it still is for me when I see the same faces. Now, a lot of us work in diabetes. I actually saw two of my campers at at the conference. They
3:03 were working tables. >> Oh, wow. >> Mhm. And then we've known each other since we were kids and we were all doing something special at at the conference in Florida. But it would have been amazing if I had I had that the entire time. But I did have a piece of that, I think, with going to diabetes camp. >> Yeah. What was life with type 1 like growing up? Kind of like Give us just a little overview of your journey. >> Well, um, you know, I was the only kid that I knew advocating for myself at school was a challenge. My mom and my parents were a big support and so was my sister. And you know, I didn't have any aids at that point. So, there was, you know, big
3:49 blood sugar meters and big drops of blood and um and I was on, you know, multiple daily injections. And we didn't have short-acting insulin. So, it's really changed, and I've been through all the changes. So, you know, I really thought um short-acting insulin was kind of like a cure because I could eat whatever I wanted. We did exchanges versus carb counting. Um and it was it was very different, but um it all kind of mushes together now. It It all makes sense, but at the time everything was called something different. Um and it was a lot more medical for me than it was um real life, you know? Uh that it didn't seem catered to me. Like diabetes feels a lot more catered where we can customize things like
4:35 stickers, and we can choose to wear an insulin pump or a CGM. We didn't really have a choice at the time. So, uh maybe colored lancets. Maybe they everything they're all blue. Something [laughter] like that. It just wasn't the same. Um it wasn't the same. >> Did you use MDI multiple daily injections like the whole time? Did you ever use a pump? >> So, yeah, I used a pump uh I want to say in the late '90s. So, when I was going to college, um that's when short-acting insulin was created uh for the Um or it was you know, I guess I should say created. It was when I had access to short-acting insulin like Humalog and Novolog. Um and so, as soon as I had
5:20 that I I was on a pump. Um it was my first year of college, I think. >> And how did that feel? What was that change like from pre-pump to using a pump? >> Well, I gained a lot of weight cuz I could eat whatever I wanted. >> [laughter] >> So, for me I I it was it it was like I was cured in a way. I really felt like short-acting insulin was uh a life-changer um because I could correct uh a high sugar really quick. I could bolus for my meal, and I could eat a larger meal, or I could eat more than a slice of pizza. Uh and I was at college, so it was a college experience with short-acting insulin in a pump. I also lived alone, so I wasn't afraid. I was very brave. Uh we didn't have a CGM at the time, so I was checking my blood sugar and wearing a pump. And and I made it all I made it
6:07 living on my own and going to college and nobody seeing my blood sugars but my doctor on my visits. And then, you know, my parents or whatever asked, you know, on occasion, but >> Wow, what an exciting time to experience that shift from like before and after short-acting insulin. I mean, I was diagnosed 5 years ago, so I I haven't known a time without that. And I had that on MDI. Of course, my pump is providing me that short-acting insulin and long-acting insulin just in its own little burst of basal and bolus. Uh but yeah, like I I I guess I've been able to eat whatever I want in >> the whole time. Yeah. Yeah, for me, it almost felt like I was on a type 2 diet or our diabetes diet, if you will. Um you know, measuring out everything. And
6:52 And now, you know, um or before uh the past 2 years for me, it was the same. You know, I would still have to count carbs and um but I wasn't wearing a pump. I actually had switched. I'd I wore my pumps and I wore my aids, but um in the past uh few years, I was on multiple daily injections and and still able to get my A1C where I wanted it. It was just a preference for me. Since I had always known that. Yeah. >> Why do you think that preference existed for you? >> You know, I I was in distress, like the diabetes distress. It just You know, there's only so many ways you can take your insulin. >> [laughter] >> So, you know, like, do I want to take it in a shot? Do I want to take it in a pump? Do I want to take it earlier or later? Um use a calculation? And And I learned
7:38 a lot of rudimentary things, which is curious because I'm in in this high research now, but uh at the time or the past 10 years I've had a diabetic alert dog. And so I've had so many low blood sugars and my alert dog Auto was tapping my leg all the time. And I was actually checking my blood sugar um >> [gasps] >> with a glucose meter. And so I just went back and I got an a CGM which I had worn before and I liked, but I just didn't know what technology. So I had a dog just telling me if I was under 80 or over 150. And then I'd take action. But I just had managed it in so many ways and I had a preference and it was
8:23 I didn't want to be connected. Um you know, as so I didn't enjoy and I'm an Android user too. So I'm just I don't love all the technology. Um really because it's it's just another way to take insulin. >> [laughter] >> So I wasn't a big advocate for it. When I first was wearing a pump I told everybody to wear a pump. When I was on a CGM I told everybody to wear a CGM and then when I was off I felt a lot of freedom too. Maybe some fake freedom, but I I did feel freedom. >> I know what you mean. I realize I'm diabetic and I talk about all all the amazing things of tech about with technology, but my goal with the technology is to not use the technology. And what that means is I want the technology to be so good that you don't need to monitor it. You don't need to
9:10 open up your phone. You don't need to press a button on your device. You don't need to look at a screen. You you don't need to wear a watch. You don't get alerts. I don't want any of that and that's my goal with technology. That's where I wanted it to get us and I just got back from a much needed vacation. I I I can't remember the last time I took over 4 days of vacation and I took over 10 days of vacation. And part of that part of what I that vacation and I'm very thankful. It was a very chill vacation. It's not like I was like running around a ton doing sporty things which would cause a lot of you know issues with your diabetes. Of course I was eating new foods, but it was also like Mexican food. Like I'm pretty I know Mexican food pretty well. So
9:57 I felt so free during this vacation. Not only because I wasn't thinking about work, but because my technology was doing its job and I wasn't looking at my phone a lot and I was leaving my phone behind. And that it was just so freeing. So I I I completely understand what you're saying. >> Not having all the alerts or the beeping. Um and so you know, I would take a break um you know, every decade or so I would do something different. I'd go back to maybe using pens. One time I I just wanted to have the needle and draw it up like I did when I was a kid. Um and so I So I asked for bottles of insulin just so I could I could have that experience again, but um yeah, I I absolutely love research and and I do like all the aids, but I I stopped getting as excited about
10:44 them. Um I just did. It was after 40 years. I just was like hm okay. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, and just for listeners who don't know when Patty says aids, she's saying AID systems, automated insulin delivery systems, pumps that are automating insulin. >> So you know, anything that was you know, telling me you know, um giving me insulin or uh telling me my blood sugar. I just thought man, I got to wear it on my body and I had jumped in the pool with a pump before and it went it >> [laughter] >> wasn't under warranty. Which is >> Oh no. >> Yeah, and I could get that may have started it too back in the day. >> Would you recommend a diabetes alert dog to others? >> No, I've had Auto for 10 years and he saved my life and and it's been amazing.
11:30 Um but it's not covered under insurance, so it was like a $15,000 upfront cost. And there's a lot of attention. And even as an extrovert, I would go into public and everybody would want to pet my dog. And my dog was not the the that was not his training, so nobody pet him. So we had to have a sign that said, "Do not pet my dog." But he was really cute. He still is cute. And everybody wanted to pet him, so I was constantly instead of like having any privacy at all. I knew I'd get more attention. I mean bringing a dog into a restaurant or on an airplane, it's more attention in general. But I didn't foresee that. I just thought he's going to save my life. And he did. He saved my life even when I was wearing
12:16 a CGM. He could check my or he could smell my glucose changing about 20 minutes prior. But I don't I I don't recommend getting a diabetic alert dog. I just don't. I think it's you think you could leave it home. You can't. The The dog goes with you everywhere. You don't get to choose to leave him at home to go to school or to leave him at home for a party. Like every interview I went on there was a dog with me. It just felt like my disease and or disability was on display even more than wearing a CGM. So, that's why. But people ask me all the time and I say it's amazing. I've had a great experience, but I started to go inward because it was
13:02 I I stopped wanting to go to the supermarket. I live in the South and people are very friendly here in North Carolina and when I went up north to New York, I didn't have people approach me. But here in the South, it was it was everybody. No privacy at all in the supermarket. And often times if Auto, my dog, was alerting me, I didn't want to talk. I had to treat my blood sugar. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, and it's the same conversation. It's like, yeah, it's sweet when someone is finds it interesting and wants to learn more. Like, that's really kind. I understand it, but when you're having that conversation everywhere you go. Oh, who's this dog? Oh, there you are. And then you're giving the same spiel over and over and over again. That's That'll cause distress. Like, I don't want to
13:48 talk I don't want to talk about the same thing over and over again. I don't want to talk about myself all the time, let alone this condition I live with, you know? Of course, I like I love my dog, but I don't need to be talking about who my dog is at all hours of the day. >> And and you know, some diabetic alert dogs may be trained so you can touch them or you can affectionately rub them, but that's mine was not. So, it was um he was a medical device for me. In fact, I didn't treat him like like a dog and my husband put his arms behind his back when he came in the house so he didn't pet him. If I didn't have treats, uh I would give him physical attention. That's why uh it was a reward. Um but we got to retire him um last year. And so, he's he's at home
14:34 with another dog now and he's living his best life. And I really do think he was living his best life with me before because he went everywhere with us. Um he was at work with me. We went to Disney together. He was he even flew first class. Um he's been he's been everywhere. He's been on uh Ferris wheels and things like that. So, um I had a great life with him, but no, I would not recommend a diabetic alert dog. I would recommend a CGM first. Um because a diabetic alert takes a lot of um it's a lot of money, but it's a lot of time, too. Uh and you don't get a break. It's like bringing a toddler with you everywhere. >> Leading up to the Vertex trial, what was your relationship or
15:20 understanding of a cure for type 1 or the possibility for a cure for type 1. >> I had no hope. Um in fact, I told my parents to stop going on the walks. Uh stop donating money. Um I would still donate my time to diabetes camp. And you know, uh funding to maybe send a camper to camp, but uh I I really didn't feel like I had any hope. It must have been like a smoldering fire um under there somewhere, but I really didn't think that it was going to happen. Um when I was a child and first got diagnosed, I I did kind of think as we all say the in 10 years kind of a thing. But after 40 years, I I just thought I would be living with diabetes. I I had even imagined myself on a you know, like
16:07 if I had to get a nursing home, like I hope they're nice if they give me my shots and like I had foreshadowed that. Even like if you get kidnapped, I thought, "If I get kidnapped, where's my insulin? What am I going to I mean, my whole life even like my creative thoughts of you know, what if I had to go to jail or what if something I had misidentity, how would I treat my diabetes? So, I really did not have hope or I didn't foreshadow not having diabetes. That's kind of where I was at. >> If you were in that place, how did you find this opportunity? >> That's a great question. So, um I had I was looking for support when I was
16:54 losing weight. So, I wanted to get uh in shape. I work in um the health department and uh and I actually teach uh a lot about nutrition and type 2 where I work. And I just wanted to start even before that um to lose some weight. And so, I looked online for diabetics that were exercising. Because every Every I exercise, I just have all these lows. and then I would treat it with glucose tabs, and there goes 100 calories, and I had might have two or three lows a day as I adjusted my insulin, and it was um and it's really challenging, and I wasn't wearing a pump, and so I couldn't just change my basal or boluses. Um It was very challenging for me to lose weight as a type 1 um on multiple daily injections
17:39 and no CG. So I started to to look online, and I found um something about islets online just in a deep dive one night, you know, before bed looking for support. Um the fitness apps on my phone, they didn't have anything for type 1s. Um and so I on the free apps at least. So I couldn't even you know, people were talking about losing weight, and I'm going, all right, um how many calories should I save in my 1,400 or 1,200 to 1,400 calorie day for low blood sugars? And it really changed how I ate, and so that was That was a big factor, but I found out about islets online, and I looked into it a deeper dive, and I found a number for Vertex,
18:26 and I called them. Um and I was rejected, actually, right away. I was rejected um during my screening call um because of my weight. And they said that my BMI was too high. Um but it's something that you can change. Um and so I thought, oh, everything else fits, but I can change my BMI. So how am I going to do this? It was the only factor that I needed to change that I was aware of. And so I was like, oh my gosh, how am I going to how am I going to do this? Um so they just said, call me back. They They said, call me back when um your BMI is lower. I think I had to have a 29 or under BMI uh to get accepted into this trial, and I did it.
19:11 >> Yeah, tell me about that. Like you had this new goal, this mission. Like what was that like? >> I was hyper-focused on the mission because in that moment, um, hope started coming back. And I said, "What if this is an actual cure? What if What if getting an organ What if this What if this cures me?" And it just all of a sudden I had I had hope. I I I don't know where it came from. It just It stirred up stirred up in me. Uh, I was so fo- focused. Nothing could shake me. No diet in the world that I had ever tried. No Atkins, no rice diet, no whatever, you know, exercise, just calorie deficient, whatever, you know. Um, this was totally motivating. Um, and I actually got in a clinical
19:58 trial uh to lose weight with a GLP-1 because you can't take a GLP-1 as a type 1 or not at the time. And so I got in a clinical I love clinical trials. Um, I got in a one to lose weight and I told them, "The only reason I'm in this trial is so I can lose weight to get into another trial." And they're like, "Okay, whatever." And I lost about 20 lbs right away. It was a double-blind study, but it was obvious that I had a GLP-1. Uh, and so that started um, it gave me some hope that I could lose the rest of the weight. And I lost the rest on my own. Uh, yeah. And then, um, I was on Instagram. And I saw them on Instagram. Uh, anybody can be my friend on there. And on
20:45 Instagram I saw someone that had a pound signed islet cells on a diabetes support group. I We all have tons of diabetes as well as you guys that, you know, you follow for support and and interesting tips. And I direct messaged, uh, a stranger and said, "Is this Like are you in the same trial that I'm trying to get into? And they said, "No, but I know the doctor doing that." And they gave me an email to the doctor I have now. And I emailed the doctor through an Instagram contact, and um Dr. Ricordi emailed me right back, and then he gave me a phone call. And he said, "It sounds like you screened in." Um
21:31 It was It was amazing. It still took a longer time to do all the screening, but having the surgeon that would in the future change my life give me a chance on the phone. Uh it was it was quite It was It was amazing. >> Yeah, that's really special. It It comes down to I mean, I think the biggest lesson I've learned in life is just ask. Like, what's the worst thing that's going to happen by asking or reaching out? And And you did that, and look what happened. And it's just another example of that. >> It It is amazing. So, uh Hannah is actually who I reached out to. She ended up becoming an employee of um Dr. Ricordi's, and she ended up becoming my nurse. It was meant to be. I mean, I really felt like um like God put us in in
22:17 alignment with each other. Um But she had received cells um more than once, uh but not in this trial. She had received some other cells. So, um she just started telling me about her experience, and I said, "Well, you're not in your exact trial, but I can tell you about getting islet surgery." So, um so, she was a great support, and she still is for me. And uh she's one of the nurses in Chicago. >> This episode is sponsored by Omnipod. I recently tried a tube pump, and honestly, it reminded me of my diabetes very often. Unclipping to go to the bathroom, holding it while getting dressed, disconnecting for a shower or a swim, and even waiting around for it to charge. With Omnipod's tubeless, waterproof design, I can forget about my
23:04 diabetes more often. And it lets me focus on my day, not my pump. See if you're eligible for a 30-day trial by visiting omnipod.com/diabetic. For full safety and risk information and trial terms, also visit omnipod.com/diabetic. >> Was there something specific about the Vertex trial that intrigued you? I know that there there These are lab-grown cells right? >> Yes. So, um at the time, um this was the only one that I I knew about or, you know, so it wasn't like right now, a lot of people know about this trial. At the time, there was there was not many people. Nobody I knew was talking about it. My endocrinologist didn't tell me about it. >> When was this? >> Um this would be 2 years ago
23:51 um that I found out about it. And in fact, there was a Vertex facility in Virginia or facility that like a hospital that was doing this trial in Virginia, but they changed um I think they changed hands as far as management goes. And so, they weren't calling me back um just because of what was going on at that site. And so, I've been very lucky to have the Chicago site. Um I didn't even think that was an option that I could get cells in a different um a different state. But I I knew very little about these cells. Um I didn't know Nobody told me about it. So, I just I learned on my own by going on the site and and, you know, just kind of looking at the qualifications. But I was very
24:38 ignorant about um any cell surgery. >> [sighs and gasps] >> I kind of thought you could only be like near death to get islet cells. Um So, you know, how how can I get them? I'm not dying. I'm just living with diabetes. So, so I really didn't I didn't know much. I just thought, you know, if you're dying they might give you a new pancreas or something like that, you know. >> To your knowledge, are there any benefits to lab-grown stem cells versus cadaveric stem cells, which are cells harvested from a deceased donor? >> Yeah, um they're they're replicable. So, you can make more of them. Um versus having to match um you know, usually it takes about two cadavers to
25:26 um like two people have to pass for you to obtain enough cells. Um because the it really depends where the pancreas comes from, but the larger the person, the more cells they're having in there. But, there's a lot of healthy people that are passing too in different countries uh like the UK have really healthy bodies. And so, their pancreases um you know, produce less cells. And so, in America we're a lot heavier. And so, when people die here um their pancreases are larger. And so, there's more cells that you can obtain from a cadaver. I know that's just kind of a curious thing, but it usually takes two people. Um and you have to be a blood type that matches. And uh it's amazing. It's amazing, but there's not enough bodies
26:13 um for the world living with diabetes. Um and that's a big that's a big soul-searching thing too to receive from somebody else. Uh I think they're both amazing. I I advocate for both for people because um how wonderful of a family allows their their loved one to to you know, their [snorts] body to be used for science. But, I think the benefit of the one I'm in is the only, you know, one I really understand is that if I needed more cells later, I could get like a top-up. So, I could get more cells um right away. Um I think that's pretty amazing. >> Absolutely. Where do you You live in North Carolina? >> Yes, I live in North Carolina and I
27:00 travel to Chicago for all of my clinical trial. In fact, I was there last week. >> How often are you going between >> So, this is my It's been 1 year actually since I took short-acting insulin last weekend. So, >> Wow. >> It's amazing. Um, >> Happy 1 year. >> And just about a half a month, it'll be a full year of of all insulin. I think I was on like eight units of of background long-acting like Lantus for a few more weeks before they said, you know, I didn't need to take any more. Initially, I had to go a lot more frequently. Now, I go every 4 months. Um, so it's, you know, I go So, the next time I I go will be in October. >> And what is it you're doing when you're
27:46 there? >> I give them my blood. So, that's the arrangement. So, they can So, they want the data, and so they check everything. And I do um, this last visit I had an abdominal ultrasound, and they were looking at my heart, my pancreas, and my liver, and gallbladder. And they want to make sure all the structures and the veins and the capillaries everything are doing great and they have good flow, especially at the transplant site, which was the portal vein of my liver. So, it was like on the right side, like right here. Um, where they put the needle in and they threaded it into into the my liver there. Um, and that didn't hurt at all. If anybody asks, but that [clears throat] didn't hurt. Uh, it was more about like getting my
28:33 immunity lower so I could accept a foreign body into, you know, into my body and it not reject it. So, I am on immunosuppressants, and a lot of people say, "Oh, no, immunosuppressants. Well, wait till you don't have to be on immunosuppressants. I'm glad I didn't wait. My life has changed in the past year and a half. It it is changed fully. It is so profound. I'm so glad that I'm doing I I always say I'm taking one for the team, everybody. So I can't wait till this is an option for more people and um that's why I'm such a big advocate for. If if you're if you're a risk taker uh like me um jump in a clinical trial. Uh some are low risk, some are higher risk. This was a higher risk. Um
29:19 you know, to get a transplant. >> When you say your life has changed, what do you mean? >> Oh. How I think. Um how I think about food. Uh I I no longer carb count. It it it is stopped. >> [laughter] >> Uh I used to always just look at something and know it and I still can. But it's not coming up before I eat now. Like I'm actually like pouring food or serving myself and I'm not thinking about the carbs. I can still do portion sizes and healthy plate things, but I'm not thinking now that's 48 g and that's 50 g or you know, and that's a free food. I I don't it's not first for me anymore.
30:05 Uh travel's changed. How I interact with my husband. He says to my husband David, we've been married it'll be 19 years this year. Um and he said you're having moods just because uh you you have He said you're having real feelings. And he acknowledged it right away. He said you're sad cuz you're sad. Not because you're having a low blood sugar. So before I would cry when I was having a low blood sugar and then I'm like, oh, it's just a low blood sugar. Never mind. It was I wasn't sad about anything, you know? And now I'm like, oh, I'm feeling I'm feeling something. What is this? What am I feeling? So, my moods are um noticeable. It It's really great. They're not
30:50 directed by my blood sugars. Before I really felt my feelings were directly related to my blood sugar. I was irritable cuz I had a 300. Um you know, I was feeling woo-woo cuz my sugar was 50. I was more creative at this time, you know, I was I was punchy because I hadn't eaten yet. Whatever. Um Now I feel lighter. Um I'm I'm addressing my moods in a in a way different way. Um I even decided I'd I'd go see a therapist to see what was going on. My relationship with food is actually changed. Um I get full. Um I'm making amylin now, which is like
31:38 a by-factor of insulin production. So, I actually get full and I push food away. I don't think I had ever really done that unless I didn't like the way it tasted. I'm tasting food. >> [laughter] >> I'm not just eating it cuz I'm like, "Get in my body. My sugar's low or high." You know, you're hungry when it's both, you know? But I actually have a more moderate appetite. Um I think that is That's so weird to me to feel full. I I felt full for the first time that I could recognize. >> [snorts] [laughter] >> Is it emotional? >> She did a Yeah. >> It's very emotional. I I make most moms cry. Uh and get goosebumps. Um it
32:24 The best part, I think, is uh not having to pee all the time. Um we went on a car ride and I think I went like 3 hours without a pit stop. My husband's like, "Wow, look at us go." >> [laughter] >> And uh of course we needed to, you know, get up and you have to walk and and to prevent blood clots and everything, but we went to Disney and waiting in lines was easy. I didn't think, "Oh, where's the bathroom?" It was always like, "Where is the bathroom?" Everywhere I went, every person's house, I I'd been in their bathroom. It I just live with my type 1, you're always thirsty. I always have like two two drinks. And now I have to remind myself to drink. I do. But that's a big change.
33:10 I'm still living it. It's not like over for me. I felt the same way um as other recipients right away. And I did interview with some other people, but nothing kind of went out. Um Vertex is very protective of the information. And so and I want to be mindful of of what I share as well because it's an active clinical trial. My results are with the FDA right now. Um right now to get approval. So that's why you won't see my results. You'll see like 2025's results, but my results are are are out there, too. They're just not public yet. So I can't wait to see it. Everybody that um I think there was only 12 people at the
33:55 time that are reported on publicly, but there's going to be 52 of us total in this trial. >> [snorts] >> And at my site in Chicago, they have transplanted 14 and I'm patient seven. So I'm the seventh person that had the Zalmoxis cell um from Vertex. But yeah, my life has changed. I'm still processing it. It's very emotional. It's very much Initially I was elated and I was screaming from the rooftops and then it became more real. Um my suffering has been taken from me. >> [snorts] [laughter] >> I'm like it's hard for me to even like I'm just letting you talk cuz I I haven't been able to um but you but
34:43 also because I really am just so like fascinated by everything you're saying and um you know this is a this is a I have I spoke to Katie Beth. She came on the show as well and it's just it's I'm so happy for both of you. And I've never thought about the cure really. I I I was diagnosed 5 years ago. I feel like I was diagnosed at a time when everyone was like okay the cure's not coming. Like let's just let's just focus on you know the tech right? Like I wasn't promised 5 to 10 years. So I never had this hope. I never did I've never been on a diabetes walk. I'm sorry I I haven't. I'd like to go on a walk. I I've never I've never gone on a walk. Um
35:28 and so I don't I've never sat around thinking about the cure. I've only sat around thinking about the tech. But but I I'm so glad that there is hope um and I feel that today. And um >> [clears throat and snorts] >> I guess like I've never sat around hoping that I'd be cured. I I I but >> [gasps and sighs] >> and I don't want to you know? Like I I want to take this information and be excited and hopeful, but it's not something that I think that is healthy for me to like hold out for you know? Uh but 52 people that's incredible and >> And they've all been screened in right
36:13 now. So when I first um when I first received the transplant so in February of 2025 um I had to wait until September 3rd to fully not need insulin. So so it was a longer journey and I can't speak for Katie Beth, but I know that she has shared a lot. I wanted to do something similar. But I I don't know. Now's the time I think for me. I think I wanted to wait for that year mark as well. Cuz it was almost like waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm one of the only people in the world that has stem cells that make insulin. In the whole world, it's it's not like
37:00 in my state, it's in the whole world. So I have have often said People say, "Oh, you're a pioneer." I'm like, "No, I was desperate." I was desperate. I would I felt like it was all for me. And now I'm like, "Well, now it's for you guys, too." But really, I just was how can I get this? I will do anything to get this. Get out of my way. I'm going to In fact, my father passed away it'll be 3 years this year and >> [snorts] >> when he was in the hospital, I said, "Dad, I'm going to get the cells." And I had not been screened in yet. And I really spiritually kind of felt that he was there for me the whole time. Cuz some when you're in the I was in the hospital with
37:45 my service dog and we were all working remote. So I was working remote, my husband was working remote. But my service dog was in the hospital the whole time cuz I was there for quite quite a while. You know, good portion of the month while I waited and I screened in. But it wasn't as easy as saying like, "I have diabetes and I want this." >> [laughter] >> That that was hard. Cuz I want everybody to have the opportunity. But it was so many screen it was so much. It wasn't just my weight, it was my blood type, it was my height, how long have I had diabetes? Um Have you had a surgery? Were Were in the clinical trial? It was so many factors. >> You know, especially at Friends for Life, I would and I'm sure you we were able to meet so many parents that this deeply
38:31 affects them because their child has to live with this. Uh What do you think this would mean to your father? >> [laughter] >> I mean, I'm very faithful. I feel like he directed it. I feel like he was like, "Hey God, I feel like he asked for a favor." >> [laughter] >> That's that's that's my true feeling. Um He always thought he gave it to me. You know? So, just >> he feel that way? >> I I I think he just thought it might have been in his family. We just, you know, we didn't know. Um but he just had that feeling. Um And so he's, you know, very protective of of me and I'm the youngest. It's just my sister and I.
39:17 But uh I have I've had a lot of support. So, I I've been lucky to have like a two-parent family that were both interested or two-parent My parents were married in the whole time and, you know, until my dad passed. And I just felt the support the entire time. Uh for me and for my diabetes. I felt a lot of love. I was very lucky to have loving parents that I respected. And um and my sister, too. So, that's not always the case in family units. And um So, I I just have feel like I've gotten very lucky and very blessed um with that, you know, um to be able to for them to have support. They were very scared for me to go into
40:02 a clinical trial that required surgery. And they did ask, "Are you sure you want to do this?" And I was like, "Are you kidding?" And for me emotionally it was, "Well, if it doesn't work, I already have diabetes. I already know what that's like. Okay, so if the cells don't work, I still have diabetes. That's like the worst case, right? Well, technically obviously immunosuppressants could hurt other organs and I can die, but I could die other ways, too. So, I just The logic for me it was more emotional than logical for me to get in this. >> I'm a very positive person. I I and and if if I were you, I would, you know, be very positive about this and and just believe that this is the rest of my life, but there's still that trauma that you experienced, this life that you
40:49 lived. It's It's been a year, but it's only been a year. >> Exactly. So, initially everybody asked for, you know, are you waiting for the shoe to drop? And yeah, I am, but now I feel um I feel like it's a success. My labs show it's a success. Um I got to meet um Eli Lilly and founder at Friends for Life cuz he was also a speaker. And I told him I said, "I can't wait to be on your immunosuppressants." >> [laughter] >> I can't wait. And how dare I even ask for You know what I mean? How dare I even consider that, but um when I want everybody to to be able to even screen in, right? But now I'm here, I'm like, "What's next?" It's It's
41:36 immunotherapy. It's how am I going to keep these cells uh happy for the rest of my my days and um and so there's going to be research and there is like, you know, for me to have Katie's uh um immunosuppressants that she's on um that'd be great. And that's that that's going to be next for me after I get out of this trial, so. >> If you've been following me for a while, you know I spent the last year traveling across the world. Packing diabetes supplies and ordering the right amount for that next adventure is one of the most stressful experiences of diabetes. From extra applicators to transmitters, we're always hedging our bets on how many replacements we need until we're back home. The Eversense 365 CGM
42:21 eliminates a lot of those worries, and it lasts a year. This is the transmitter, and it's rechargeable. You just need to bring a charging cable and adhesives, and then you are set. Eversense 365 can save you on stress and a heck of a lot of space in your suitcase. Trust me. To learn more, visit eversensecgm.com/diabetec. >> Can you tell us about what the immunosuppressants are that you're on, and kind of when you were given them? >> Yes. So, I started the immunosuppressants a few days before I got my cells. So, it was almost like a Like I started on the 8th of February, and I got my cells on the 11th. And so,
43:08 for 3 days, I was on heavy immunotherapy that was through my arms. It was like a you know, like an IV. And it was like having the flu kind of like for a few days, and I was very aware of all the side effects. Um and I just signed yes to everything. >> [laughter] >> I was like, yes. I was like, I don't need to read the contract. Okay, I can die. Okay, and I'll sign. That's just how I was. I was I was there. I didn't want anything to get in my way. Um And so, I did it. I was so focused that I was never going to say I was having a bad day cuz I was in the hospital going to get these cells. That was it. I mean, there was no complaining. And even now when I say that I'm going through a lot of emotions, it's changing me.
43:55 Uh it's just it's changing me. Um Initially, I was all butterflies and jumping off the roof, but now the reality's setting in that um who my identity has shifted. Um I'm not really covered by the ADA anymore or you know, the Disability Act. Um So, that's kind of changed and that's you know, it just feels more vulnerable really. I even said can I can I still hang out with them all my diabeties? At the Friends for Life they had I kind of have had a a moving moment like we had Justin and it was they give out different bracelets or you know, wristlets and one is like you're a
44:41 diabetic and one is you're you're a friend of one or whatever. And I said I didn't know which one to take and I said I can't wait in the future there's going to have one for like I used to have diabetes and we'll have more than just me asking for that. But I did ask them I was like can you make me like a different one? I was like I don't have diabetes now but I had it and I feel like I've had more years I've had 40 years being you know living with diabetes being diabetic I always said being diabetic. I don't know if I'm going to live another 40 years so I'll probably live longer with um type one that I will without but who knows what my life's going to look like. I could I could max that out so um >> Wow. How has how has that mindset changed? Like you know, whenever I have
45:26 a stubborn high there's a thought in my head that's I just lost a day of my life and it's not in I'm not having this intense like you know, I'm not worrying about it but it's a it's a thought that pops up you know, and and I actively I'm trying not to have those stubborn highs so that I can live longer and take care of my body. >> Yes. Well, um you know, I never wanted to really think about how our life could be shortened by diabetes. I always thought that was type twos just to be honest and then now I work with type twos and it's I I think it's like we have so much um and that's not the case cuz we never know when we're going to pass, but just statistically with living with a chronic illness, it takes a toll. So, I have thought perhaps I'd have more
46:13 years of adding to my life. Um But, I don't know how the immunosuppressants are going to you know, what what those are going to do in my body, but it's definitely um I would rather risk that um trying different immunosuppressants and and any side effects. Cuz I'm on mild immunosuppressants. It's not um it's not like total. It's not like when you're having a cancer treatment and they want to kill everything. It's just, you know, it's mild. So, I take similar things that other people have. So, the side effect list is really long. >> [sighs] >> You know, um also any anytime I have any kind of side effect, I tell my doctor. So, they're going to list it. You know, if I have if I burp too much, I'm going to put it on there. >> [laughter] >> Anything that is um that I think could be a side effect. And
46:59 it really might just be, you know, me going through life and aging and everything, but uh I definitely want to note anything for someone in the future that might take this medicine. Uh and they don't have and they're not killing everything off. They're just trying to keep their cells happy. >> What What was the regimen with these immunosuppressants? Like, did you have to go into hiding for a while? Like, what And now, what is, you know, what is the situation? Tell us about that whole workflow, I guess. >> So, initially, um I had a lot of different types of drugs. So, they did an IV one to get me prepared. And then before I left the hospital, I was on an antibacterial and antiviral. Um I was on a shot. I took like a a laundry list of protect patty.
47:46 Um and they tapered me off after, I want to say, 3 to 6 months. I was on different medications, and now I'm only on two. So, I take two immunosuppressants. Um I take uh and they're pills and I take like four in the morning and four at night or two in the morning and two at night. So, I just call them my magic pills. So, I take my magic pills twice a day. I take them with my vitamins. Um and right now I'm on I wrote them down. Prograf and Myfortic. So, um those are two drugs I take. They're different. They're both immunosuppressants and they work with my body. So, I was on one other one, but it had side effects that um my doctor said, "We don't want you to have any side effects that that are going to make your
48:32 life harder. So, you know, we'll keep trying different drugs for your body." So, right now I'm on I'm on those two. >> And so, you Okay, so you said Feb It was February 8th. >> February 8th is when I got it. >> Of 2025. So, about a year and a half, a little over a year and a half ago that you got your initial immunosuppressants transplant. When it came to the immunosuppression, did you need to live or did you need to adjust your lifestyle at all? >> I went right back to work and I was wearing a mask initially cuz I felt vulnerable. I felt um man, just I had lost some weight in the hospital too. Um and I just felt a little bit weaker. Um and
49:17 so, like even like pushing a door. I mean, I had a lot of There's so much blood work um for this trial specifically. So, I had blood work every day. Um I had uh catheters in my veins in both arms. Um and they were always taking my blood. It It was around-the-clock taking my blood and they would switch arms and things like that. That was probably the worst for me as far as like pain goes or change of life. But, when I got home, I was like wrapping my arms and icing my arms and putting bruise cream on my arms. So, for me I was just recovering with my arms. I don't know if that's, you know, other people in the trial how their arms did, but mine were really sensitive and that bothered me the most. I was always so scared of blood draws.
50:04 I still hate them. I still look away. I just had a 5-hour mixed meal tolerance test. You're asking earlier what I had to do in in Chicago and I I do like it abdominal ultrasound and then I do this very long Actually, it's I think it's 4 hours a 4-hour glucose tolerance test where you drink so many grams of carbs at like 60 or 90 grams of carbs and and they check my blood sugar every 30 minutes through the through the vein and through the catheter in the vein. So, I just had that done and I did great. I did amazing actually and my A1C was 5.7 this last visit. The lowest it's been so far was 5 and 1/2 and it would be lower if I wasn't like
50:50 exploring all the ways to eat rice and gummy bears. And I quickly said, "Oh man, my weight's not because of diabetes. >> [laughter] >> I'm predisposed to obesity and so I need to be careful." I just thought as soon as I didn't have diabetes, I would lose weight. I just really thought that was my problem. It wasn't. It's just it's who I am in the body I live in that I just have to monitor and be more on top of things than than the average bear. So, uh But go I went right back to work. Um Yeah, I recovered pretty well. It was for me I had to set a lot of alarms for my taking my medications and
51:40 initially I had some nausea and things like that um as a side effect, but I think it it was not just side effect from the medication. It was uh processing, you know, I think psychosomatic. A lot of the things that I was dealing with um and still, you know, some days are are more like that. Uh cuz I'm technically doing great, but some days I'm just like, "Whoa, this is so who am I?" And we always think that through our lives. Who am I? What career should I have? What's my What's my journey or what's my uh my gifts and things like that. But now I'm doing that without without this burden. >> Yeah. Got you. And if my math's correct, it would be roughly 6 months from
52:25 transplant that your insulin needs would essentially vanish or your in you know, external insulin needs. So, kind of when were you How How did that go? Did you slowly reduce insulin? >> Yes. So, the cells start to work right away. And they know this by um they're checking like a C-peptide, which is it's so it's um something that comes off just like an offshoot of of when you make insulin. So, they were checking C-peptides, but um C-peptides aren't going to be there if you're fasting and you're not like eating. So, it so it's like lower. But they're checking that to see um how much insulin I'm making. And they told me about 9 months. So, I was actually sooner. Um so, you know, 6 to 9 months I
53:11 think was the the goal for me to be off insulin. But I noticed it right away. Right away. Um as soon as I started having like a little bit hypoglycemia, um they said, "You don't need insulin anymore. You're making it." Yeah. So, cuz my blood sugar got a little bit low. I am wearing a CGM around the clock. So, I don't fully feel like I'm free. >> A- And that's a trial That's a trial requirement. >> That's a That's a trial requirement for the Vertex 880s and my own cells. Yeah, so I signed a contract for 5 years um and for the entire 5 years I'm wearing a Dexcom G7. >> Now, you're wearing a CGM. Are you looking at it? Are you getting alarms? >> No, there's no alarms. I'm a uh even 99% in range, something like that.
53:57 >> Which is no That's normal. Just so everyone knows, 99 like not people without diabetes or functioning pancreas, whatever, like they are not 100% time in range. Like what's your range? >> Well, in my mixed meal tolerance test the highest I got was 143. Um my surgeon, Dr. Skalski, said to not even look at the numbers anymore. He said they're not accurate. >> What does that mean? >> Yeah, so I'm a non-diabetic now, if I can say that, wearing a CGM. So, if So, like if anybody of my friends at work were wearing a CGM, you know, it's going to it's going to fluctuate, like you said. Um I call it small roller coaster like being on a small kiddie roller coaster versus the adult. So, I still see some fluctuations, but it's
54:44 not Before it would be like a tall triangle. Now, it's like a little curvy waves. Um I have seen it go up to like 180 before. And then it like it just goes down. It It blew my mind and this is one of the stories I told uh in Florida at the Friends for Life is that the first time I realized that Because you can say, "Oh yeah, you have the cells and they're working, whatever." But for me to have an actual moment in my life where somebody else wasn't telling me that I recognized it was when I saw uh I think it was a 70 with an arrow going down. And I'm like, "I need to treat my blood
55:30 sugar." I was laying in bed and I was like, "I didn't think this could happen, right? With uh having the cells." And I'm like, "Oh no, I'm going to have a low blood sugar. One of the qualifications for me to get in the clinical trial is I had a lot of hypoglycemia. Like, unawareness, sometimes. It was I just had so many lows, and I didn't realize that that was different than my other friends. Cuz I, you know, I hadn't lived with anybody other than a week at camp. I had so many lows. So, I'm like, I can't believe I'm having a low. Oh my gosh, there it's not working. And I put two glucose tabs, cuz that was the lowest calorie, quickest sugar that I was using. Um, and I had glucose tabs by my They had grape ones. I put two in my mouth right away. And I start chewing them, and I notice
56:18 it pops back up in front of my eyes, and so I spit the glucose tabs out. That was the most surreal moment I think I've had, um, with this. It It self-corrected. It is like, that was a moment for me. When my sugar self My low sugar self-corrected, and I had never seen that, and I'm so glad I was wearing a CGM to see it. Um, later I had seen a high blood sugar do the same thing, or a high, a 180, you know, high. I was thinking of like all the times I had 300s and 500s, and I'm calling like a a sugar in the 100s. >> [laughter] >> Um,
57:03 but to see it come down as well was and me to not feel sick. Um, I do feel a little sick a little sick if it gets to 150 and higher. Um, I start to kind of feel a little uneasy. Uh, and that's usually me, um, overeating or eating something that, you know, I'm not as mindful. Cuz I don't have to be. So, I'm like, oh, I just had three handfuls of gummy worms. Normally, I'd only have like, maybe, you know six six worms or whatever. You know, and that was usually to get my blood sugar up. You just don't eat three handfuls of gummy worms. That's like a kid. I feel like a kid again. I'm aware of this, but I'm doing it. >> You've been spending the last 18 months
57:49 of your life learning to trust your body again, which is something that you haven't done for 40 years. >> You're right. I'm learning trust again. Yeah, that's a that's a great way to think. Thank you for putting that into words for me. And that's what I said. I was like, "Who do What kind of therapist do I see for this?" Like you know, do I see someone that had like diabetes distress training? Is it just like anybody that has to go through a profound life trauma change? >> I mean, I think what if it doesn't already exist, it should, but there needs to be a a community of people post type one who can talk about these feelings because there are only so many people
58:36 25 to 55 people that have experienced this. And yes, there can be a therapist in the room can help who can help navigate that conversation but you need a community too. You had that with type one, but you're now you're you're still in need of this community beyond that. And I hope that you find it and it and it's out there and I'm I'm sure being on this show alone will will help inspire that, you know, for the others that have been affected by this. >> I've had a lot of people reach out. Um I do know a few people in the trial with me. Um I asked my first nurse uh at UChicago if she could share my number with people because it's we're heavily
59:21 like HIPAA there's the only reason you know I'm in a clinical trial is because I told you. Um but you can be as quiet as you want. So, we may not know who's in the trial in the future. Um, there people might want to be private about it. Um, I wanted to tell the world. >> [laughter] >> It's kind of like winning the lottery. It's like, do you want people to know you just won a billion dollars? >> Right. >> Maybe not. >> It It's hard. I know there's a lot of people that kind of say, "Well, I I feel jealous of, um, you and and I, um, I understand that, but this wasn't easy for me to get. I I worked very hard to, uh, just to be screened in. Um, it was not an easy thing. It It wasn't just like I said, it wasn't a
1:00:07 "I have diabetes and I'm interested." It wasn't that easy. It was, um, it was a big checklist. It was a lot of blood draws. There's a lot of angst, a lot of waiting. Um, and and sometimes I'm in pain, um, you know, with, uh, emotional, but also the, um, you know, having to take these and I I I wonder about my body, you know, about how it's going to be on the immunosuppressants. Um, so far I'm staying very positive, and that's why I call them call them magic um that it's that I'll be a positive role model for my friends with diabetes, and that I feel like I'm carrying hope for everybody, and that's what I I'd rather I'd rather have it like that, but also be real and say
1:00:54 it's not all rainbows and butterflies, but there's a lot of them. There's a lot of them. But, you know, right now I almost was hesitant cuz I thought, "Should I be authentic and tell you that it's a struggle?" Um, or should I just tell you it's amazing and I can't wait for you to have it? Um, not everybody's going to want to be on uh Not everybody's going to want to go through surgery and do this um, when it comes available. Uh, but it'll be an option. >> I can tell from what you're saying how much time you've given and thought you've given all of this and even the potential struggles that you've gone through coming out the other end. Have there been moments in the last however many months where
1:01:42 you struggled with feeling worthy of this, especially going to a friends for life conference surrounded by parents, aching parents? >> Yes. It It's hard. Um Yes. Almost like I don't know the opposite of like what is it? Survivor guilt? You know, when every That's I don't know how to put it cuz I don't I'm one of the first to have this experience. So, I'm looking around and and it's just me. >> [laughter] >> You know, or it's it's maybe Katie, but Katie's a different experience. She's in a different trial. Um my friends in my trial, they're they all have different experiences. Some are
1:02:28 are doing great, some aren't. Um you know, everybody has a different experience. And so, uh I feel like I got to the like I ran to the top of the mountain everybody's still They're on their way, but I'm looking around and like oh, I don't want to go back down. I want to keep going up, but it's lonely. Um I pray a lot. Um I do feel like uh hopefully I can hold this hope for people. And um that there's a reason why I was able to have so much grit to get in and I had so much focus. When I came back, I I have like a a list of about 10 or 12 people from camp that I sometimes group text. And uh and I've been sharing that with
1:03:15 them, but only a couple of them actually called to try to get screened in. And I thought that was really curious. Um I thought they'd all want to want it. But I think they want to wait until someone like me goes through it. Uh >> It's new. It's early. >> maybe someone that looks like them, maybe that's male or older or you know, before they make a decision like I did. It was so apparent that this was my path. Like I just knew it. >> It's about time. You know, we've we've come so far with cancer treatment. Like, you know, so many cancers were a life sentence. And they're not anymore. And now we're hearing it with diabetes. Like
1:04:00 we truly are seeing these innovations. And these innovations only exist because of trials like this. And these trials only exist because of funding. And these this funding only exists because our government is funding it. >> That's right. >> So like I just want to that people need to know that. After So I had cancer when I was 21. And after that, this I was asleep and the surgeon said to my mom that the only reason your son is alive today is because of funding for research. Just know that. And my mom my mom told me that recently. I had never heard that before. After I told her I had I had some someone from the NIH on my show.
1:04:46 These decisions I'm getting off topic. These decisions by government on funding will have an effect, do have an effect. Like this If if we all need to make sure that that fight continues. And it shouldn't even be a fight because we already have examples of this. You are living proof of of this. I'm living proof of this. >> Yeah. Yeah, both of us. And and that's what a lot of the Excuse me, that's what a lot of the the parents that I talked to, >> [sighs and gasps] >> they're so emotional and I Now I'm used to I'm used to it. People say, "You just gave me goosebumps. You just made me cry." And and I'm I'm not making them cry. Um the hope is there and I'm just I'm showing them it's I'm a real person. I
1:05:34 It's in my body. They're working and they're doing great. Um and proof of that. And I'm a risk-taker. A calculated [snorts] risk-taker and this was a risk that I had an opportunity to chase and I did. My doctors didn't tell me about this. I found it online when I was looking for support. And the door was just open. Like it was timing for me. And I want everybody on my my list to at least be interested or pique their interest. They've all supported me, but I I felt very alone. Um even with my dive my diabetes friends. Um I was in the hospital alone and really it was people that didn't have diabetes
1:06:21 that were more supportive. Just my friends that I've had for a long time. >> It's almost like this group of people are welcoming you back to their community. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Because it's like I can remember that transition from functioning pancreas community to non-functioning pancreas community. That only happened 5 years ago for me and today to this day I still struggle in rooms with people who don't have diabetes because they don't understand as much as they want to and they try. They won't. They can't. >> I felt like myself at the diabetes conference. I felt more like myself than I have. Even though I was the only one that had this.
1:07:06 I Those were my people because they do understand me and when I shared with them what I was going through, just like you, you could feel it. And they could feel it. Um and people can feel it. I don't think they're like like I said I'm really faithful. I think God's just working through me and I'm allowing I'm allowing it. I'm not stopping it. Um I do have to keep working on that because uh there's a lot of attention. It's you know, there's a lot of messages that I'm getting and the more I talk about it, the more people want and you know, when I go home, I I want to play with my dogs and hang out with my husband and garden and things like that. I don't always want to be on the computer responding, but when I do, I feel good. So I have to remind myself that people like me are are curious and
1:07:54 they need some hope and so anytime I respond, I feel good about it, but it is a lot of work. Uh just like the diabetic pillar dog. I'm like, why am I choosing these things? Um who knows, but I'm I'm very thankful to be here and and to have met you at, you know, in Florida too. Um and to have these celebrations cuz I needed that uh at that time. I really needed to celebrate um as much as I've been through that um for us, you know. They're really for me. I mean, I I I think it was really selfish really for me to be like, I'm going to like I'm getting it. You know, I want to go to the first of the line. Um but I almost didn't get in. I got rejected and I I went back. So um yeah.
1:08:42 >> It It's a great example of how we are we are always going to be our number one advocate and it's up to us to push and push and and ask for what we want and what we need because as much as our doctors and health care teams could be amazing and our support systems, our friends and our family, they have their own lives. They have their own They have 50,000 other pa- you know, thousands of other patients, whatever. It's up to us to to keep pushing. How do you feel about the future of type 1 or a cure? >> Um well, there's one in my body right now. So, I feel pretty good about it. Um hoping that
1:09:29 there's a lot more to follow me. Uh I hope that there's funding. And that people can um can get this uh or something similar. I think it started um this trial has started heavy interesting competition, which is amazing. So, you want competition. Just I always think of kind of like the vaccines in 2020. There was some competition and it was
…
