Episode Details

What does life actually feel like 3 months after an islet cell transplant for Type 1 diabetes?

In this episode, I'm joined by Katie Beth Hand for an honest and hope-filled update on what life has looked like since receiving her islet cell transplant as part of a clinical trial for Type 1 diabetes.

Katie Beth was diagnosed with Type 1 in 2013 and is now 3 months post-transplant, sharing what this experience has been like physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We talk about what it's like to be off insulin, how her daily decisions around food and exercise have changed, and why one of the biggest gifts has been freedom from the constant fear of lows.

We also talk about:

• what made her say yes to this clinical trial
• how the transplant process worked
• what the medication Tegoprubart (Tego) is doing to help protect the islet cells
• what life looks like now without basal insulin or mealtime insulin
• how food, movement, and blood sugar feel different now
• what she's noticed around monthly cycles, hormones, and insulin resistance
• why the Islet Act matters for the future of Type 1 diabetes research
• and why this moment feels so hopeful for the T1D community

This conversation is such a meaningful reminder that while many women are still carrying the daily burden of Type 1 diabetes, there is real progress happening — and real reason to stay hopeful.

If you've been watching Katie Beth's story unfold online, or if you're simply curious what a functional cure might actually look like in real life, this episode is one you'll want to hear.

In This Episode

00:00 Meet Katie Beth Hand 03:00 Why she said yes to the clinical trial 07:00 What makes this transplant medication different 13:00 Coming off basal insulin 17:00 The biggest life-changing shift: fewer lows 21:00 Food freedom and fewer diabetes decisions 28:00 Hormones, cycles, and insulin resistance 35:00 FDA updates and hope for faster progress 39:00 The Islet Act explained 45:00 What treatment looks like 3 months post-transplant 49:00 Faith, diagnosis, and purpose 54:00 Encouragement for women living with Type 1 today

Connect with Katie Beth Hand

Follow Katie Beth and her journey:

• Instagram: @calamitykatiebeth
• TikTok: @calamitykatiebeth
• Facebook: Katie Beth Hand

To advocate for the ISLET Act (2026), which classifies donor islets as organs to increase transplantation access for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), act by contacting your US representatives, signing petitions on platforms like Change.org

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What to do now:

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