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.

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.”

– OTHER INTERESTING READS –

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.

Header image supplied

– OTHER INTERESTING READS –