Read my story

Be positive
In 1986. I was 22 years old; when I returned home after completing my study abroad. A few weeks later the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was made. I was in hospital for a week before was sent home with Mixtard twice a day. At that time I was devastated and wondered why it happens to me and I also was ashamed of talking about it. Because I know very little about diabetes I began to educate myself about the condition I would have for the rest of my life. Although I had to make some slight changes in my lifestyle, I still enjoy a very active and healthy life. I like to say to those who are newly diagnosed, diabetes might seem to be the end of the world, but it only is if you let it.

Brave child
In 2005, Nazrul was 10 when we took him to hospital with vomiting and stomachache. Initially the doctor thought it is appendix. After having the blood test were told his sugar is very high and he got acid. It was a big shock. We never thought that this could happen to him at such a young age!
Hypos were very distressing. I can’t sleep because I am scared; what will happen if he goes unconscious or fits in his sleep?
Our surprise is the injections didn’t bother him and he was able to do them by himself within a week and he also insists to test his blood 4 times a day. He continued to play sports and get good school reports.

It could have been prevented
“I was first diagnosed with diabetes when I was 30 years old. My sugar has not been controlled for ten years. This did not bother me as I always felt well, until 16th January 2003 at 10 o’clock at night, when all of a sudden I couldn’t move my left arm and leg! I was devastated to learn that I was suffering from a stroke at such a young age.
A year later, my diabetic brother suffered a heart attack and had an operation done. Not long after, he had his left leg amputated.
Now as I ponder on what has happened to me and my brother, when we had gone for years without complications, and then they hit us all at once. Diabetes is a sinister disease. It can lie in hiding and, if ignored, the results can be devastating. I wonder how to cope with all this loss? Especially when you know that it could have been prevented.” M. Ali

Diabetes was ruining my life
“I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 19 years old. In my thirties I collapsed at work due to a heart attack after which I was sent to KL for heart operation. For 14 years I didn’t have sexual activities with my wife, who doesn’t understand and she blamed me of having affairs. Most of the time I don’t take my Insulin injections and other pills for hypertension and high cholesterol as I thought they are the cause of my problem. However things didn’t improve and only got worse. I smoked a lot to relief stress and every night I need pills to sleep.
During one of my doctor’s visit I answered a questionnaire relating to my sexual function and for the first time, I discussed the problem. The doctor explained that I would only get better if I comply with the injections and he prescribed new pills. I was amazed with the immediate effect. For the last 3 years I feel great as I am enjoying every moment of my life.
My advice- if your blood sugar is not under control, don’t wait to start insulin. The sooner you get control back, the better you’ll feel.” Hj Taib

Learn from my experience
I was in tears when I was dictating this letter to the DNE and asked her to post it, so the others will learn from my experience
I was 27,when I was diagnosed with diabetes after a miscarriage. Over the years most of the time I don’t see the need to take medications because I feel well. Until two years a go, when just within few days I couldn’t read or do my sewing anymore. Doctors said I have bleeding deep inside my eyes, had laser
I am not confident to walk, scared of falling, always worried that diabetes might take my kidneys also, now I take all my medicines, sometimes I don’t eat for a day or two, in attempts to keep my diabetes under control. Also bought exercise machine….
With all this effort my eyes are getting worse and I got swollen legs due to kidney damage
I cant have a good sleep because always worried that my husband, who is loving and caring, one day he will get fed up and leave me and also because I feel guilty, I am the one to be blamed for all this misery

It is not always that bad
I am aware of my risk of getting diabetes and since my childhood, I am always scared of losing my foot because of diabetes. Diabetes runs in my family; as long as I remember my father puts saccharin to his tea, he eats sweets only in special occasions, gets excited when he comes back with good sugar report. He was very active man. Though he is doing two jobs at a time, still he is taking good care of his wife and seven children and also his neighbor’s family while the father is working abroad. Now he is 84 and had diabetes for over 40 years. He gave up driving but he walks about 5 kilometers every day to have time with his friends and relatives. My father’s life assured me that diabetes is not really that bad if you know how to live with it.