Today’s guest never expected that after her daughter’s cancer recovery, that she would later be diagnosed with T1D as a teenager. Dr. Maureen Peterson, a pediatrician and life coach, surely thought lighting couldn’t strike twice, but what they thought was a UTI turned out to be so much more. Maureen shares her wild story and encourages us, especially parents of kids with T1D, to practice modeling open communication and vulnerability. Maureen’s unique experience has equipped her with resiliency and emotional processing skills that all of us can benefit from. You’ll want to journal your feelings after this one!
Time Stamps:
- (03:31) Every challenge we have a choice
- (05:14) Her lightbulb moment as a pediatrician and a parent
- (08:06) Am I gonna die? Her daughter’s cancer diagnosis followed by a T1D diagnosis in the bathroom
- (13:24) Self Care: Maureen’s response to the T1D diagnosis
- (16:40) Cancer prepared me
- (19:11) Resilience, vulnerability, and modeling behavior for your kids
- (22:29) Having a hormonal teenager with T1D and creating open communication
- (27:29) Her advice for the parent whose kid doesn’t want to take care of themselves
- (29:43) Plot Twist: Maureen learns that Lauren’s dad was diagnosed with T1D
- (31:40) Archie the diabetic dog
- (33:05) What inspired her to write her book and the emotional process
- (36:30) The power of journaling and your homework assignment
What to do now:
- Learn more about Maureen HERE and read her book Reclaiming Life: A Guide for Parents of Chronically Ill Children
- Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop for when new episodes drop.
- Learn more about our coaching programs HERE.
Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.