Collins was diagnosed with T2 diabetes in June 2021, after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19. He remembers that from as far back as January he was experiencing extreme thirst, drinking loads, and was always hungry. This is his story ..

On my birthday 2nd of June 2021, I felt weird. I was having body pains which I did not understand. Then I started coming down with what I thought was the flu. I went to my doctor for a check-up and was diagnosed with Covid 19.  I was admitted to hospital in Tembisa on 8 June as was in a critical condition. 

While in hospital, I was advised by my doctor on 13th June that I am diabetic.  My HbA1c was 19%.  I had no idea what this meant, but I was shocked and afraid I was going to lose my life. 

Dr Smith told me that if I wanted to survive, I had to make drastic changes. He said I needed to start exercising and follow a Keto or Banting lifestyle.  But I had no idea what that was – I had never heard of either of those lifestyles. 

COLLINS

CHANGE

When I was discharged from hospital, I made the decision there and then to stop smoking and drinking alcohol to start my journey to a new life.  I also took steps to start finding out more about Type 2 diabetes.  I contacted Diabetes SA and got some information on the disease.

My next step was to find a support group and joined one on Facebook.  I started learning about food choices, and specifically the Banting Green List.  I started to exercise and be serious about changing my lifestyle.  I have been eating off the Green List ever since.

I took my medication religiously, but noticed that I was experiencing episodes of Hypoglycaemia, and so went back to the clinic.  I had another HbA1c test, and my results came back of 9.6% – this was very encouraging because I started with 19% in June!

DIABETES WARRIORS

I was then introduced to Linda’s WhatsApp Support Group (Diabetes Warriors), via Sweet Life Magazine and found almost 200 other people in the same situation as me, but my goal was to reverse my T2 diabetes.  When I went back for my check up in August, my doctor was ecstatic with my results and took me off insulin.  I was over the moon.  I prayed every day, and thanked God for my new found strength and ability to create a new way of life for me and my family.

I had my six-month blood tests last month in November, and my HbA1c has come down to 5.9% (from 19% in June!)

SECOND CHANCE

I have been given a second chance in life, for which I am eternally grateful.  I continue to do my own research and have learnt the keto lifestyle can help tremendously in reversing T2 diabetes.  I am a work in progress and am committed to continuing with my new lifestyle.  My highest fasting blood sugar is now recorded at 5.5 mmol and the lowest was 4.3 mmol.

I am so grateful for the WhatsApp support Group.  We’re a family with common interests, and I just want to encourage everyone to hang in there, don’t give up, believe in yourself, and trust the process of change.  Listen to your body and be strong.

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