Mpho Netshitongwe – Proud moments

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Despite being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while studying, Mpho Netshitongwe completed his degree and isn’t giving up on the life he strives for.

Listen to this article below or wherever you get your podcasts or visit our playlist.

“It’s really not easy to live with diabetes, especially if you come from a poor background as you struggle to access resources that can help, and healthy food is expensive.”

Mpho Netshitongwe (26) lives in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.

In 2020, while completing his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics Degree, Mpho experienced loss of weight and was always thirsty, which led him to go to the bathroom more frequently.

“I was always weak especially after eating. The dizziness worried me, so I went to the university clinic and explained my symptoms and was referred to a hospital. After some tests, that’s where they confirmed I have Type 1 diabetes. At first, I was scared and didn’t know what to do. All the information was too much for me to process since I didn’t know anything about the condition,” Mpho recalls.

Insulin was prescribed and Mpho was taught how to inject himself every day. Since he didn’t know much about diabetes, he read up on it. “By educating myself, I found out how it affects people and the difference between Type 1 and Type 2,” he says.

Using bursary allowance for diabetes management

With the help of research, Mpho implemented changes in the food he ate and began exercising. Though, he adds, “Changing the food I ate was extremely challenging due to lack of funds. Since I come from a poor background I had to use my university bursary allowance to cover my diabetic expenses (testing machine, monthly test strip purchases, doctor appointments, and expensive healthy food). The allowance wasn’t enough, and most was spent on my diabetes care.”

Unfortunately, Mpho says he suffered with anxiety after his diagnosis. “I would experience anxiety attacks if I’m in packed places but thankfully through the past years, I have learnt how to control it.”

He goes on to say, “It’s really not easy to live with diabetes, especially if you come from a poor background as you struggle to access resources that can help, and healthy food is expensive. More awareness is needed for people in the rural areas, to reduce the stigma around diabetes and other chronic illnesses so that people living with these conditions aren’t treated differently but rather accepted.”

Learning new strategies

In the past four years, Mpho has learnt strategies that work for him and help him to manage his diabetes better. “A lot has changed since I was diagnosed. Now when I plan my day I always consider my diabetes, wherever I go I must figure out will I access food there, how long till I come back. It’s a bit stressful so I avoid unnecessary trips,” Mpho explains.

“There are certain foods which I avoid especially ones with higher sugar and carb content, and people who don’t know that I have diabetes always offer these types of food and I have to explain why I’m declining the food.”

Proud moments

Mpho acknowledges his growth as a young man. He says, “When I look back I’m proud of myself because despite all these challenges I managed to complete my Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics Degree. Even though I struggled to get a job I then registered for a teaching degree which I also completed. I’m still looking for a job, but I won’t give up.”

He has the same perseverance with managing his blood glucose levels. “I go for check-ups every three months or if I don’t feel well or if my glucose levels are out of control. I collect my medication at hospital every two months.”

MEET OUR EDITOR

Laurelle Williams is the Editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Live Performance. She has a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. Her aim is to educate, encourage and most of all show there is always hope. Feel free to email Laurelle on editor@diabetesfocus.co.za

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Dino Baijnath – The strongman

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Dino Baijnath, an avid gym goer, shares how a near-death experience caused by septicaemia led to a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, and how he defeated both.

Listen to this article below or wherever you get your podcasts or visit our playlist.

Dino Baijnath (47) lives in Sandton.

For the past 26 years, Dino has been an avid gym goer. “It started out as fun and to maintain muscle and have a good physique, but it soon became a lifestyle. It helps me manage stress and keeps me healthy too. I train four times a week for 90 minutes, and train each muscle group at least twice a week,” Dino says.

So, when Dino was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2023, this was a major shock to the muscle man.

Septicaemia leads to diabetes diagnosis

Dino developed a fever, thinking it was a cold but adds that it was unbearable. His colleagues encouraged him to go see a doctor as he was visibly not well. The doctor called an ambulance to take him to hospital.

“After being admitted, blood tests were done, and my liver and kidney were in failure, with a blood count of 330, and my blood glucose level was over 30. The high blood glucose level caused a blood clot in my lung that turned into septicaemia (a life-threatening infection that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream).”

Dino was put on an IV antibiotic drip for five days while in ICU and was put on oxygen as he had pneumonia too (lung infection that can cause inflammation and fluid build-up in the air sacs of the lungs) and was struggling to breathe.

“Thankfully, within three days the doctor was happy to see my organs starting to heal and insulin was administered to bring my blood glucose level down.

A week later, Dino had escaped death but now had to navigate life as he was now diagnosed as living with Type 2 diabetes.

Treatment

The medical treatment included pregabalin to treat nerve damage, and two insulins (insulin glulisine and insulin glargine) as well as blood thinners.

Dino also implemented lifestyle changes in his diet while administering insulin three times a day. “I always pack a cooler daily to keep the insulin in; thankfully it gets easier and is becoming second nature. Injecting insulin became part of my lifestyle and doesn’t bother me at all. My friends and family made it easier for my adjustment and helped me through the process with constant reminders of what I eat and medication times,” Dino explains.

Second septicaemia scare

Eight months later Dino defied odds again when he once again had septicaemia. He underwent another round of antibiotics in hospital but thankfully this time there was no organ failure, so he wasn’t in ICU, and was discharged in a few days.

Gym routine and diabetes management

Through trial and error, Dino has found what works for his blood glucose management and his love for strength training. “I usually train at night so just before gym it’s time for my last injection, so I administer before the workout and I consume branched-chain amino acids and creatine after injecting. This has been very positive in my training as insulin helps absorb nutrients. I actually gained 12kg of lean muscle mass, so I turned something negative to a positive,” Dino says.

MEET OUR EDITOR

Laurelle Williams is the Editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Live Performance. She has a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. Her aim is to educate, encourage and most of all show there is always hope. Feel free to email Laurelle on editor@diabetesfocus.co.za

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Desre Williams - My prediabetes diagnosis

Desre Williams – Newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes

Posted on December 1, 2024 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Desre Williams was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes six months ago. She shares how she is adopting a new lifestyle and processing the diagnosis.

Listen to this article below or wherever you get your podcasts or visit our playlist.

Desre Williams (57) lives in Randburg, Gauteng. She has two adult children.

Desre wasn’t feeling at her optimal health for a while so she went to see her doctor. “I was always feeling dizzy and otherwise, it’s hard to explain but you know you just don’t feel yourself, brain fog, swollen ankles,” she explains.

“My blood pressure was extremely high. My doctor did a full blood count and then checked my blood glucose. When I did my fasting glucose test, my first reading was high but not out of the park, but once I did the test after the two-hour glucose test, my readings were sky high and thus the diagnosis began.”

After trying a few different oral medications, Desre and her doctor were happy with the impact of gliclazide. “Thankfully, I’ve had very few side effects on this medication, but my body does protest when I eat badly,” explains Des.

Overcoming the shock

Even though Desre says she hasn’t been healthy in a while, the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes still came as a suprise. “I think I knew something was bound to happen, maybe not diabetes but my body was starting to feel like it was shutting down,” she says.

Before her diagnosis, Desre says she had a fair bit of knowledge on diabetes as a close friend was diagnosed a few years back with Type 2 diabetes. “He went through a very difficult time and nearly lost his life twice, and has had his leg amputated below the knee, all caused from the complications of diabetes.”

Adopting a new lifestyle

Desre consulted with a dietitian and was put on a special diet. “I also have a thyroid problem, so I was taken off dairy and now consume lactose-free foods. I still have a way to go with eating, and exercise which is so difficult to get into. Every day you learn something new and how to handle the situation. I’ve had to learn about eating regular meals and how to react when my blood glucose drops very low. It wasn’t a nice experience at all. But I will persevere; I don’t want it to progress or have to use insulin,” Desre says confidently.

For now, Desre has three-monthly check-ups with her doctor. “Once she is happy that I have stabilised then I will only see her every six months.”

Des is happy with how she is managing her blood glucose levels. “I check it before every meal and then two hours after. If I see it’s higher than it should be, then I make a note of what I’ve eaten and change it,” she says.

Support

Thankfully, Desre’s family have been really good in supporting her in this journey and help her where they can. “I read material on the subject but haven’t as yet joined any support groups, but I’m sure as time goes on and things change, I will,” she says.

The fact that the diabetes nurse educator is always at the doctor’s room and just a phone call away gives Desre peace of mind.

Desre adds, “I’ve told my colleagues and bosses and they have been super supportive. My very close friends (colleagues) watch me like a hawk and give me a mouth full if I stray.”

Festive season strategy

When asked if she has a festive season strategy in place with all the family feasting, Desre responds, “My family understands, and I have to be disciplined with all the yummy foods. Luckily, we don’t usually have a very big Christmas and this year the kids and their partners will be away, so a very small Christmas this year.”

Walking for a cause

Desre hopes to start taking part in walks for good causes once she gets into the flow of her exercise regime. Even though she is not a fan of summer (the heat and her aren’t the best of friends) she does love the early sunrises and enjoys taking in the early mornings.

Her advice is, “It’s important to be aware of your health. When something doesn’t feel right, check it out. Whatever it is, if it’s caught earlier enough, there is a good chance of preventing it from getting to the next stage. Like any disease, don’t ignore the warning signs, and most of all, don’t take life for granted.”

MEET THE EDITOR

Laurelle Williams is the Editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Live Performance. She has a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. Her aim is to educate, encourage and most of all show there is always hope. Feel free to email Laurelle on editor@diabetesfocus.co.za

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Claire Allison – Looking back and seeing growth

Posted on December 1, 2024 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Claire Allison reflects and appreciates how far she has come during her Type 1 diabetes journey.

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Claire Allison (23) lives in Alberton, Gauteng with her parents and two sisters.

Diagnosis

Claire was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, in 2011, at the age of nine. “I was drinking excessive amount of liquids as I was continuously thirsty, which caused me to wet the bed during the night. I was always nauseous and had body flu-like symptoms, so my mom took me the doctor on numerous occasions. However, I was given antibiotics and sent away,” Claire explains.

“Closer to my diagnosis, I lost a lot of weight, struggled to eat, and got thrush. My parents were very concerned. Thankfully, my mom had read an article on Nick Jones and his journey with Type 1 diabetes, where the signs and symptoms were listed. Due to my severe weight loss in a short period of time, she took me to a pharmacy clinic, where my blood glucose was checked. It was so high that the nursing sister said we needed to go to the GP right away. My HbA1c showed that my average blood glucose was 16 mmol/L. The GP referred us a paediatric endocrinologist who practices specifically in juvenile diabetes.”

Treatment

Claire was put on insulin; a fast-acting insulin that needs to injected 15 minutes before she eats as well as a slow-acting insulin at night.

“When I was first diagnosed, the insulin was in cartridges, and I had to use syringes to extract the insulin and inject myself. A few years later they made the insulin pens, which I still use today,” she explains.

“In the beginning of my diabetes journey, I went through what is called the honeymoon period. I seemed to be back to normal and not needing much insulin. However, this period doesn’t last long and soon after my dosages needed to be increased due to high blood glucose,” Claire explains.

Throughout the years, Claire’s insulin dosages have changed, according to the insulin she was on and their effect on her blood glucose. Currently, her fast-acting dosage is 6 units and her slow-acting is 22 units.

She also started using a continuous glucose monitor sensor in 2021. “I wear a sensor on my arm, which links to my phone, using Bluetooth, and it keeps me up-to-date on my blood glucose reading. If I’m experiencing hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia my phone alerts me.”

Five years ago, she was prescribed cholesterol tablets as the diabetes was affecting her cholesterol. She also checks her thyroid annually.

Support

“My parents both played a major role in my diabetes journey, even to this day. For many years, they would do the majority of my injections. They still inject me occasionally. When I was diagnosed I was in Grade 4, so my teacher learnt how to read my blood glucose levels and inject me accordingly. She would look after me during the school day and on school camps. She did this until the end of Grade 5, once I had learnt to inject myself,” Claire explains.

“Most of my support comes from my diabetologist and my mom. At the age of 20, I transitioned from the paediatric endocrinologist to the diabetologist. She has been incredible and has taught me so much about diabetes that I was unaware of before becoming her patient. I stopped seeing the diabetes nurse educator as my doctor is very informative and available.”

Claire adds, “My mom has been my biggest supporter. She always tries to help me in any way that she can. She listens to me when I feel frustrated with my blood glucose levels and tries to give the best advice she can. If I need to change my eating plan, she will do it with me; this is so encouraging. My dad and twin sister also support me to the best of their ability. They inject me when I can’t inject myself and if I have low blood glucose they, including my mom, take action and help me.”

Learning what works and what doesn’t

Claire adds that throughout the years she has learnt what food works for her and incorporated them into her eating plan. “Every person with diabetes is different; different foods affect us in different ways. I have found that certain cereals, breads specifically white bread, and grapes spike my blood glucose. I’m a very simple and routine eater. I stick to the foods that I have found help me manage my diabetes and avoid food that spikes my blood glucose. However, I do have moments where I eat those foods, but I keep it to a minimum. I’m not a big sweet eater, I prefer savoury foods and snacks.”

Managing her studies

Claire says she tries to be as active as possible but due to this year being her last of university, she has been spending the majority of her time sitting behind a computer. “My aim is to do more exercise in the future.”

As part of her practical, she spent time teaching at a school and shared with the learners that she has diabetes. “This sensor is visible as I wear it on my arm and many of the students asked me about it, which led me to explain diabetes and my journey with them,” she says.

Accepting her diagnosis

Due to being diagnosed at such a young age, Claire says she really didn’t understand what it meant for her. “As I’ve gotten older, it has become part of my daily life, so I don’t dwell on it. The only time I realise I’m still processing it, is when I lose control of my blood glucose levels. There are moments when I do feel extremely frustrated with my condition and feel saddened by it. I’m a Christian, so I process my emotions of having diabetes through prayer. I like to speak out how I’m feeling and discuss what is happening with my parents, normally by discussing it I find my own solutions. These moments don’t last long, and I don’t allow myself to dwell long on these thoughts.”

Content, well-managed, and helpful tips

Claire is happy with how she is controlling her diabetes. “My blood glucose is well-managed the majority of the time. My HbA1c level sits between 6.9 and 7.9,” Claire says.

She goes on to share tips that work for her, “One of my biggest tips is have a daily routine. I’ve found that knowing when I need to inject and how much I need to inject keeps me in control of my blood glucose throughout the day. When my routine changes, I notice I struggle to control my blood glucose and have to find a way to adapt my routine accordingly.”

“Take note of food that spikes your blood glucose and try to avoid eating them or eat a minimal amount of it. Stick to food that don’t spike your blood glucose, bring down your carbohydrates, and incorporate more protein into your eating plan. Plan how much you are going to eat before you inject. Many times, I would inject myself with my usual dosage, but then would eat less and experience hypoglycaemia, especially at night.”

Every six months Claire consults with her diabetologist but is grateful that if she needs advice or help, her doctor is just an email away.

Festive season and summer dresses

Thankfully the festive season isn’t a cause of distress for Claire. “My blood glucose levels normally remain the same even during the festive season, but if I need to, I increase my insulin dosage accordingly.”

Claire is looking forward to wearing beautiful summer dresses and most of all appreciating summer. “I love seeing and looking at the beautiful flowers, green grass, and how bright the sun is during summer, it lifts up my mood.”

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Lurina Fourie – The game changer

Posted on September 1, 2024 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Lurina Fourie lives with Type 1 diabetes and in her quest of advocating diabetes awareness, she has created a fun educational game. She tells us more.

Listen to this article below or wherever you get your podcasts or visit our playlist.

Lurina Fourie (41) lives in Velddrif, Western Cape with her husband, Steyn. She has two step children from Steyn’s previous marriage.

Diagnosis

In 2000, Lurina was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 16. She recalls, “I got home from school one afternoon and I was exhausted. It was hot, and we were doing athletics at school, so my parents thought I was tired and facing burnout. As I walked into the house, I went straight to my bed and had no energy to get up again.”

“I had no appetite; my mom made all my favourite foods, but I couldn’t stomach it. The thirst was unquenchable, and I craved granadilla juice all the time. I was sleeping, drinking juice, and running to the toilet; that was all I was doing. In those four days, I lost 6kg.”

Lurina’s parents took her to the doctor and her blood glucose was checked, which was sitting at 28.8mmol\L. She was immediately taken to the hospital but adds everything was a blur, she only remembers vomiting and waking up in ICU.

Treatment and management

Two types of insulin were prescribed. She explains, “I had to use a sliding scale: so, if my blood glucose was 0 – 4, I had to take a certain amounts of units. If it was 4.1 – 8, I had to take a different dosage, etc.”

“My honeymoon phase lasted eight months. Those first months were tough because I had to deal with the diagnosis and a new life. The moment I settled in and things started to feel more manageable, the honeymoon phase was over, and my insulin had to be adjusted, which meant more daily injections and a new-new way of managing my diabetes. It felt like a whole new diagnosis.”

“When I was diagnosed I had to take two insulin injections per day and then it became three, and then four and eventually five, and it’s still like that. I had been using insulin lispro and insulin isophane for many years, and recently switched to insulin glulisine and insulin glargine.”

Choosing to be a diabetes advocate

Since Lurina was living with diabetes, it was an easy transition into becoming a motivated diabetes advocate. It was during an online advocacy course, presented by SA Diabetes Advocacy, where she came up with the idea of a game that would help spread awareness of diabetes.

“I have a creative mind and always looking for fun ways to share information, and the quacker game popped into my mind. It was a silly thought, so I made a really mediocre version of it to show during the advocacy course. It stayed on my desk for weeks and every time, I looked at it, it sparked something inside me, and I decided to design it properly and put it to good use.”

Lurina’s diabetes quacker game

Lurina goes on to explain, “The game is based on the age-old paper quacker that we grew up with in school, where we’d write the names of all the boys we liked on the inside and then by picking different colours and numbers, you’d end up on a final block and that would reveal the name of your future husband. I used the same concept, but all the info is based on Type 1 diabetes, and the warning signs of low blood glucose specifically.”

Lurina found that her game was a good way to interact with children during educational talks at primary schools. “When I do talk in a classroom, I have a giant version of the game. It’s like taking your puppy to school, everyone wants to touch it or play with it.”

Another version of the game has been created, focusing on the warning signs of diabetes, which Lurina uses during wellness talks, where Type 2 diabetes is more common. She uses both games during academic talks with healthcare professionals.

After each educational session, whether at a school or hospital, every person in the audience receives a hand-size version of the game.

“It’s a toy, but it’s a tool, some call it a game, I call it a game changer. I really believe it can change the way people respond towards diabetes. I have received great testimonies and it makes my heart so happy,” Lurina says.

Advocacy in SA

When asked if she has plans of mass producing this game, she responds, “Yes, that would be wonderful. The game has a lot of potential. However, at the moment funding is a problem, as I’m doing everything from my own pocket and because of that, the project is growing slower than what the current demand is. I have a long list of parents begging me to visit their kid’s schools and it’s sad to not be able to do that.”

She adds, “Unfortunately in South Africa, advocacy is seen as volunteer work. I want to be a full-time diabetes advocate, but I still need to eat and pay my bills. Hours and hours of work go into advocacy, and it can be demotivating to see doors close when you were really hoping for funding or support. But Type 1 diabetes has taught me resilience, not only in managing the condition, but also in everyday life, so I’ll keep on keeping on. My mind has been trained to do it for 24 years and I know I’ll be victorious, even if it looks different from what I anticipated.”

The ultimate goal

Lurina loves educating people about diabetes, whether they live with diabetes or not. “If the game can help crush stigma and bring diabetes awareness and education to crowds who would never have paid attention to the realities that many of us live with, think of the amazing ripple effect it could bring,” she says.

“The beauty of the game is that it creates curiosity. When you have it in your hand, you want to play with it. And those who sees it, also want to play with it, or they at least want to know what it is. So, when I speak at schools and each kid gets a game, they start playing with it in the classroom, it infiltrates to the playground. They take it home and play it with their siblings or parents, and in fun way, information is shared into a much wider community.”

The ultimate goal for Lurina is for this game to be available in all hospitals, for the newly diagnosed kids to learn about diabetes in a more digestible way.

To find out more about Lurina’s advocacy, visit The Glucose Glitch

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Aldrin Munnick – Still going strong

Posted on September 1, 2024 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Aldrin Munnick shares his Type 2 diabetes journey and how after having COVID, he endured a stroke. Despite this, he is still going strong.

Listen to this article below or wherever you get your podcasts or visit our playlist.

Aldrin Munnick (55) lives in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape with his wife, Fiona. They have one daughter, Danielle.

Aldrin recalls being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 22 years ago. He explains, “I wasn’t feeling well at home, so I drove myself to the casualty section of a provincial hospital, thinking I might be having cardiac issues since I’m a known cardiac patient. After conducting some tests, the doctors discovered an imbalance in my blood glucose levels. They were surprised to learn that I had driven myself to the hospital. When I woke up, I saw my wife and brother, Joseph, standing next to my bed. Following all the necessary tests, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. My symptoms included excessive sweating, fatigue, and a very dry mouth.”

Aldrin was prescribed metformin hydrochloride and glimepiride. He also started walking and exercising as well as changed his diet. “I cut down on junk food and pastries and added more greenery to my meals. I also cut down on my sugar intake,” he says.

DSA Springdale Support Group

It was Aldrin’s sisters, Avrille Munnick, Glynis Hearne and Sharlene Davids, who introduced him to the DSA Springdale Support Group. He found that joining this support group help him in many ways.

He explains, “The guidance and advice from the different speakers have helped a lot. The group has created a lot of awareness as we share our stories and experiences with each other.”

COVID causes more health issues

After Aldrin had COVID, he unfortunately had a stroke. He was then put on semaglutide, along with metformin hydrochloride twice daily (1000mg), as well kidney medication as his kidneys weren’t functioning at optimal level. At this time, his blood glucose levels were in the high 20s.

“Since the stroke, I had to minimise my walking and exercise routine but do what I can,” he adds. Yet, he is very much looking forward to the nice weather that comes in spring.

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Dario Leveroni – All in his stride

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Despite travelling for work most of the year, Dario Leveroni manages to keep his Type 2 diabetes in check. He tells us how.

Dario Leveroni (75) lives in Port Elizabeth with his wife. He is a semi-retired marine engineering surveyor.

Dario was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2015, at the age of 68, after consulting with his doctor as he was frequently thirsty which was out of the norm. He was prescribed metformin and other medication. “When I was diagnosed I weighed 80kg so immediately reacted and dropped to 62kg within one year,” Dario says.

In 2016, Dario was flying to Italy for his son’s wedding (and being Italian, the carbs were aplenty) so his doctor recommended going on insulin too. Since then he has stayed on insulin, which consists of insulin degludec and insulin aspart (Ryzode) and insulin aspart injection (Fiasp) as well as metformin.

Travelling

When Dario is travelling for work, he always gets his supply of medication beforehand and he tries to stick to a Mediterranean diet. A normal day of eating for Dario is as follows:

Breakfast: cappuccino, oats or crushed wheat flakes.

Lunch: mostly salads (except Sundays).

Lunch and dinner: red meat, chicken, fish, vegetables (mostly raw), legumes, vegetable cold soup (Gazpacho), vegetable soup, and pasta (limited to 50g only once a week).

“Sometime my management goes off the track when it can’t be helped due to the airplane food. Plus, the business lounge and hotel meals throw a spanner in works, but otherwise once again self-discipline comes in,” Dario explains.

Luckily, Dario’s work comprises a lot of walking and climbing, helping him to keep moving his body. But he also tries to gym every day, doing cardio and light weights, for at least an hour.

Dario attributes his good management to positive thinking and self-discipline. “I control what I eat and get plenty of exercise and gym everyday, time permitting. I now weigh between a constant 60kg and 62kg.”

Complication free

Dario is an advocate of the flu vaccine and takes it every year to prevent getting flu. He is proud that he has no other complications from diabetes thanks to his good management of his glucose levels and is happy to be involved with DSA Port Elizabeth where he gets good support from a like-minded community.

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Siyabonga Kwanele Zuma – Tired of living a double life

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Siyabonga Kwanele Zuma shares how he got tired of living a double life and now that he has shared that he has Type 1 diabetes, he is at peace and his glucose management has improved.

Siyabonga Kwanele Zuma (27) lives in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal with his family, including his fiancée and their six-year-old son.

Diagnosis

At age 11, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in April 2008. It was a random school day where I fell sick. My teacher took me to the school office and asked for my parents to be called to fetch me. My eldest sister fetched me and took me to the doctor.

According to her, they could not pinpoint what was wrong with me. I was disoriented, so I don’t remember much of the doctor’s visit. My sister said as I was about to be diagnosed with the common flu, another doctor walked in. He asked what my symptoms were and once he knew, he suggested that they check my blood glucose levels. The results confirmed the second doctor’s suspicions.

The doctor then wrote a letter for me to be admitted at the hospital. I wasn’t on medical aid, so my parents took me to a public hospital. I was later transferred to another public hospitals where I stayed for three weeks.

Interestingly, my older sister also has Type 1 diabetes. She was diagnosed seven months before my diagnosis, in September 2007 aged 16. I call her my chronic twin.

Treatment

If my memory serves me correctly, I was put on Actraphane, which I believe is insulin given for free at government hospitals. I was on Actraphane for over a year, and I would get sick often.

One day in 2009, I was at my uncle’s house for the holidays. My glucose levels were uncontrollable; I think the change of climate also influenced that. One day I would experience hyperglycaemia and the next hypoglycaemia. I ended up being admitted to another public hospital in Durban.

My uncle was traumatised by the whole experience, as the hospital service was very poor. When I got discharged, he decided to put me on his medical aid, so I could get adequate help in managing my diabetes.

After that I consulted with diabetes specialists, who decided to put me on insulin aspart (NovoRapid), which is taken three times a day before meals, and insulin detemir (Levemir) which is taken at bedtime.

Since I’m not on my uncle’s medical aid anymore, I’m now on Isophane insulin (Protaphane) as it’s more affordable than Levemir but still take insulin aspart (NovoRapid).

Keeping my diabetes a secret

When I was diagnosed, those I went to primary school with knew that I had diabetes. However, when I went to high school, I decided to not share it with anyone. So, I would say I kept it a secret for 12 years.

The reason was I felt ashamed. I felt like it was my fault that I had it, and it made me different from my peers and all I ever wanted was to fit in. I didn’t feel cool which is what teenagers like being and I didn’t want to be judged when I did things my peers did, like drinking alcohol and smoking weed. Like I said, I wanted to fit in, and I did just that. Pushed by fear of missing out (FOMO) and peer pressure.

Tired of living a double life

Before my son was born, I felt like I had nothing to live for. Back in 2010, my doctor told me that if I don’t live a healthy life, I won’t reach the age of 21 with functioning kidneys, or even worse, alive. Hearing those words made me vulnerable to peer pressure and pushed me to live my life like there was no tomorrow, subconsciously. FOMO and peer pressure pushed me to rebel.

When my son was born, my perspective started to change gradually. I no longer felt like I had nothing to live for. I wanted to be a father that he would be proud to point out and say, “That’s my dad.’’

What also helped was my favourite artist, Kendrick Lamar, dropping his Pulitzer Prize winning album, DAMN. which made me develop a love for writing poetry. As time went by, I started writing poems about my life experiences and my ups and downs.

My writings made me grow tired of living a double life. As someone who loved and was inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s music, which is honest and authentic, I was doing the exact opposite. I was writing about my life hoping to inspire someone out there, but I wasn’t honest at all. I was omitting the most important factor that affected my life which is living with Type 1 diabetes. How can I claim to be a writer when my work lacks authenticity?

I wrestled with these emotions for over a year. Keeping my diabetes a secret proved to be detrimental in my life, and I couldn’t handle the pressure anymore. So, in April 2020, I courageously posted on social media that I have diabetes.

At peace with myself

I feel at peace with myself as I’m no longer in denial. Plus, I no longer have to worry about how I will take my insulin without somebody catching me do it. I feel so empowered because of that. My management has improved a lot. Before, I wouldn’t be able to say no to something I knew that I shouldn’t be doing because I would have to lie about the reason. But now with everyone aware of my situation, I can say no and give a valid reason.

Battling with flu every winter

Season changes are a nightmare for me. I struggle to control my glucose levels, as they are always up and down during these times. Getting flu doesn’t make it any better because it also affects my glucose levels.

Watching what I eat

I would be lying if I said I follow a particular diet. Even though I’ve had diabetes for 15 years, it’s only been three years since I’ve accepted it so I’m now gradually changing my lifestyle as I’ve found it quite challenging in many aspects.

Added to that, at the moment I can’t afford to be on a specific diet because my household consists of 10+ people, and those who can, contribute to buying groceries. A diet is personal, and I can’t expect everyone to follow my diet because I can’t afford it. What I do for now is to watch what I eat.

Love for poetry

My poetry book is titled Millennial Thoughts and it will be published sometime this year. I wrote most of the poems when I still had not accepted diabetes (2017 – 2020), therefore it doesn’t really focus on me living with diabetes. It’s more of a social commentary book, from a millennial’s perspective.

However, I do have a few poems where I mention my diabetes that I wrote post-acceptance. I’m also working on a memoir, where I’ll be speaking about my struggle with the negative peer pressure in my adolescence while also living with diabetes. It will tell how I managed to break-free from it and gravitate towards positive peer pressure, which led to self-acceptance helping me to regain the self-control I had long forgone for the fast life.

YouTube channel

Recently, I started my own YouTube channel which forms part of my journey to self-acceptance. As I’m a writer, that’s where the Living With Diabetes series on my YouTube Channel comes in.

I want to share my story in every way possible as not everybody enjoys reading. Some may not read my work but may watch my work. I want to grow my audience as much as possible, so I can share my knowledge about diabetes, and also learn new things about diabetes in the process.

A poem Siyabonga dedicated to his sister who also has diabetes.

CHRONIC TWINS

Our diagnosis threatened to make us the weak ones

But instead, it made us the sweet ones.

On some days, we’d feel bleak together

At the end of the week, we’d prevail together.

In a world full of unreliable souls

To me, you’re one of the few dependable

You are far from being expendable

You made an undesirable journey more bearable.

I don’t think I would’ve made it this far

If you and I grew up apart.

I want to impart that you are my star

My chronic twin, I love you with all my heart.

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My sister and I; we both have Type 1 diabetes. This was in 2010 when I was admitted at hospital for a hyper.

My sister and I were wearing blue in honour of World Diabetes Day 2022.

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Lana Breedt – No day will ever be the same

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Diabetes Focus eMag

Lana Breedt gives us a rundown of a typical day in her life of having a child living with diabetes, though she states no day will ever be the same,

Lana Breedt lives with her husband, Maurits van der Horst, and their five-year-old son, Rudi in Port Elizabeth. Rudi has Type 1 diabetes.

Rudi’s diagnosis

It was March 2019 when Rudi was diagnosed with diabetes Type 1 at the mere age of 19 months. My husband, Maurits, and I were both unpleasantly surprised since neither of our families has a history of diabetes. We are one chaotic household at any given time, so the diagnosis added a whole bunch of curves to our rollercoaster.

Rudi just started nursery school and was still in nappies at the time. It started with what we initially thought was a tummy bug of some sort; I had to pick him up early from school a couple of times. It was strange since he was a very healthy kid from birth and going to the doctor was not the norm.

The nursery school has been incredibly supportive since his diagnosis and his class even celebrated World Diabetes Day with us last year. We are very fortunate that both our employers are very understanding as well and they know when we need to leave work right now.

The first year

The first year was a nightmare. We relied on blood measurements only and could not see the trend of his glucose levels. We used to test Rudi every two hours day and night, at home and at school.

My husband created an Excel spreadsheet for us and I manually updated the document weekly to see where we stood more or less. I would send the graph to Rudi’s paediatrician at the end of each week for feedback and he would then adjust Rudi’s insulin intake accordingly. Our first HbA1c test result was just above 10.

Diabetes devices a game changer

When Rudi got a little bigger in size, we started using the Freestyle Libre which did wonders for his little fingers. It made both our and the teachers’ lives a whole lot easier.

Even though we still had to get up every two hours at night, it felt like we could live a fairly normal life without feeling so exhausted every morning.

It was only when we got the Miao Miao Bluetooth extension that our entire ballgame changed. We don’t need to worry about manually measuring him anymore, since the app has an alarm that goes off when his glucose is going too high or too low. We receive the data on our mobiles, so we can monitor him from anywhere, anytime.

No two days will be the same

One sentence from the book, Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults, sums diabetes up very well: No two days will be the same.

We have a very strict routine we stick to even during school holidays. Our days don’t always go according to plan, but at least we have a framework to work from. The rest of the time we just make stuff up as we go along. Maurits understands and relies on science and I understand nutrition and rely on motherly instincts, so we make a great team.

A typical day

We get up between 4am – 5am Rudi sometimes sleeps slightly later, but that is rarely the case. Maurits will give Rudi his Optisulin between 5am – 6am.

At 6:15 Rudi gets his breakfast injection and then we wait for a good glucose reading before he eats. This is anything from 6:30 until 7am. We’ve had instances where it takes a really long time for his glucose to drop after a high night, and then he will only eat an hour after his injection.

Under normal circumstances, his main meals last around two hours. So, by the time I drop him off at school, his glucose levels are nearly at a stage where he needs to snack again. We have a WhatsApp group including three staff members from the school, Maurits and myself. I usually type the ready for snack message when I leave home and constantly keep an eye on his glucose while driving to work. When it is time, I just press the send button and Rudi will have his snack. It sometimes feels like all this kid does is eat.

School snack time

School snack time is between 9:30 and 10am. I don’t have the energy to pack his lunchbox at night, so I normally do this between 5:30 – 6am. It’s difficult to decide what to pack and what to leave out since his glucose varies so often. In the beginning, I was obsessed with carb counting, but after a chat with a dietician at one of the PE diabetes wellness meetings, my perspective changed completely. She told me to feed my child the rainbow. So, I do just that.

I pack small portions of fruit and vegetables in as many colours as possible along with something carby like popcorn. When he had a high night, I will replace this with something non-carb like droëwors and biltong.

Somewhere close to 11am, his glucose starts to drop again, and the teachers will either give him an apple or a protein bar, depending on how close to home time it is. We also rely on Super Cs for lows and keep rolls of it everywhere.

Lunch

For lunch, he has a sandwich with his flavour of the week (at the moment it’s honey) and a generous portion of protein along with a glass of milk.

During the afternoons we just play it by ear. I’m at home in the afternoons so it makes it easy for me to manage his glucose levels by finding something in the fridge or cupboard when necessary.

When he does go to aftercare, I pack him an entire bag of carb and non-carb snacks, along with his emergency kit consisting of protein bars and Super Cs.

Aftercare is at his school and I have contact with the teacher in charge. She sees that he eats the right things at the right time and is available on WhatsApp all afternoon as well.

Dinner

Just after Rudi was diagnosed, we followed a specific meal plan for supper and I had his menu planned at least a week in advance. After the aha-moment with the dietitian, all of that changed and he now eats what we eat. Even sushi and pizza. It’s a win-some, learn-some experience when it comes to his diet and we figure things out as we progress.

After the pyjama drill, we will either read stories or watch a movie. By about 8pm his blood glucose will be at a stable low and he then has a glass of milk as a nightcap. Ideally, the milk should last him until morning, but when it doesn’t, we give him milk with glucose powder to keep his blood glucose going. Occasionally we need to inject him because of high blood glucose, but he doesn’t even wake up for that anymore.

Rudi’s fourth diabetes anniversary

We recently celebrated Rudi’s fourth diabetes anniversary. It’s hard to imagine things without the sensor and Bluetooth device, but imagining a life without the support we get from friends, family, employers, paediatrician and his school is even harder.

Living with a six-year-old diabetic child is a 24-hour duty and you can’t afford to lose focus for one minute. Our latest HbA1c result was an incredible 6.6 for the second time in a row. It takes a lot of effort and hard work, but the reward is priceless. Looking back, I don’t think we’d ever thought we’d get this far.

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Emmanuel Rajah – My bestie

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Diabetes Focus eMag

We hear why Emmanuel Rajah chose to volunteer at DSA and about his experience of sharing the role of caregiver to his younger brother, Joshua Mhlanga, who has Type 1 diabetes.

Emmanuel Rajah (30) lives in Parow Central, Cape Town. He plans to finish a Pharmacist Assistant Learnership Programme and would like to practice paramedicine. He is also a full-time international fashion model.

I call my younger brother, Joshua, my bestie. He will be turning 13 this year and is in Grade 7. When he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, I had no knowledge of diabetes. It was a complete new chapter that we, my mother and I, had to adapt to. I was now not only his brother but my role changed to caregiver.

In the early days, I watched him cry when we administered his injections. It was in this time that I learnt to be strong for him and would kindly remind him that checking his blood glucose levels is crucial, that if we check it, it will help to be well-managed and would help him to be and live happier just like a child without diabetes.

It was a difficult time for everyone in the family, as we all had to learn how to give the right dosage and learn more about what a balanced diet consists of.

Expressing my love for him

Being a caregiver to him was an opportunity of expressing my love for him and to provide him with full unconditional love that reassures him that he matters and that being different from other children is okay.

Some of the difficult times is when he is extremely energetic and at the same time frustrated. I try to teach him to practice patience. This is a time where he needs someone around that he trusts to calm him down and rejuvenate him.

The scary situations are when his glucose levels are extremely low and this shows in various body reactions. I have accepted that panicking is normal and stress levels starts to rise as we don’t want anything to happen. But thankfully through the years, I have learned to be calm and have faith.

We give him a couple of sweet treats or banana loaf with milk, and after 15 minutes we suddenly hear his loud voice and know he is okay. Sometimes when it’s too hot he falls asleep in the car; that is also a sign that his glucose is low.

Impact on my health

Joshua’s diagnosis has had a good impact on my own health. It was so much easier to follow a food plan. My love for food grew, and I focused on adopting a well-balanced diet. I learnt how to make different dishes tasty without meat and it helped me stay in shape.

Honestly, cooking became therapeutic for me and I healed from past traumas through cooking healthy meals for someone close to my heart.

DSA volunteer

Not only has my knowledge of diabetes grown due to my brother’s condition but I’m now assisting the diabetes community by volunteering at DSA Cape Town branch.

I assist wherever help is needed but the best description is office assistant. It’s an environment where teamwork is essential and I see it as an achievement that I can add to my service to humanity.

From being my bestie’s caregiver to becoming a caregiver to every member of DSA organisation, it takes a lot of courage, faith, consistency, and dedication to learn about diabetes and make an impact to the whole of South Africa where we have family, friends, loved ones, colleagues, and the list goes on, living with diabetes.

The National Manager of DSA, Margot Mc Cumisky, is a great mentor and one of the reasons why I love working at DSA. I’m proud to say I started the new Instagram account

We will also soon be releasing the 2023 T1 Youth warrior camp information. I will be a youth leader at the camp, and I work closely with Cain Tibbs and Robin Breedeveld in organising the camp.

Advice to caregivers

Diabetes is a condition that is just like any other sickness, it can be diagnosed without even expecting it. How you beat it, is based on a simple yet hard decision to make: what you eat. Everything you put in your mouth can either advance your longevity of life or rob you of the most precious time with your loved ones.

You can beat diabetes by carefully trying to practice and follow the suggested meal recipes available on diabetessa.org.za and signing up for DSA’s monthly newsletters for more tips on how to beat diabetes. Drinking lots of water helps and constantly monitoring your glucose. It’s vital to understand how your body or your child’s body functions. The quicker you understand this, the better it becomes for monitoring and knowing the different symptoms they feel.

Healthy habits

For me, healthy habits means staying true to your journey. You are what you eat. It means exercise, being present in your day-to-day activities; meditate, be grateful, believe, and continue to allow yourself to experience the imagination of your creativity. Take it day by day. Be conscious of your thoughts and mind, and keep them directed on your goals.

You also must have a resilient mindset to stay disciplined to a routine of success. When you eat healthy, you feel healthy, when you talk healthy, you act healthy and your skin glows.

When you have created healthy habits within you, you spread healthy habits. Everything that is good is contagious; everyone around you will start following your habits and that creates an impact in the community.

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