From Diagnosis to Determination: Rejoice's Journey with Type 1 Diabetes

 

Rejoice Tsingano

I can still vividly remember the pivotal moment in 2018 when I stood in front of the mirror and noticed something startling: my school uniform no longer fit as it once did. "Wait a second, did I just lose some weight?" I asked myself, drawing closer to the mirror to confirm. To my surprise and delight, I had indeed shed a few pounds—a goal I had long aspired to achieve. Little did I know that this unexpected weight loss was a signal of something far more serious.

My name is Rejoice Tsingano, and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on August 8, 2018. But let me take you back a bit further.

Two months before my diagnosis, I began to notice the first symptoms: rapid weight loss and a dramatic change in my complexion, which had become so light that people around me speculated I might be bleaching my skin. All of this unfolded while I was attending boarding school in Zvishavane during vacation lessons, preparing for my final O-level exams. Had I been at home, perhaps my parents would have noticed the changes sooner.

In the weeks that followed, I experienced an unquenchable thirst that compelled me to carry a 2-litre water bottle everywhere I went—yet no amount of water could satisfy my thirst. The more I drank, the more I needed to urinate. My focus in school began to wane as my body grew weaker, and attending classes became increasingly difficult because I constantly needed to be near a restroom.

As my weight continued to drop, everyone around me began to question my sudden transformation. "Rejoe, are you sure you're okay?" my friends would ask. By then, I was beginning to suspect that something was wrong, but I had no idea what it could be. Ironically, we were learning about diabetes in my biology class at the time, yet I failed to recognize that I was exhibiting the very symptoms we were studying.

When vacation lessons ended, it was time to return home. I was anxious about the 243-kilometer journey, knowing that I would need to relieve myself frequently along the way. To make matters worse, I bought myself an ice cream, which only intensified my thirst. I strategically chose a seat by the bus door so I could easily hop off whenever I needed a bathroom break. I lost count of how many times I stopped the bus, but thankfully, I made it home safely.

As I walked into the house, my parents were visibly shocked by my appearance—especially my father, who could barely recognize me due to the drastic weight loss and change in complexion. That first night at home, I didn't sleep at all, constantly running to the restroom and even wetting myself. The next morning, my father noticed a sugary residue on the toilet floor, which led him to suspect that I might have developed diabetes. However, he wasn't sure how to break the news to me, so he suggested that we all get our blood sugar levels checked together.

We went to Chegutu General Hospital, where our blood sugar levels were tested. When the nurses discovered that mine was dangerously high, they informed me that I needed to be admitted immediately for monitoring. "Wait, what is going on?" I asked myself as my mother escorted me to a hospital bed. I was utterly confused, emotional, and unable to hold back my tears. Seeing my mother cry only made things worse.

Once I was put on a drip, I began to regain some strength. I was also started on Actrapid and Actraphane, and fortunately, my blood sugar levels stabilized fairly quickly. My family visited me every visiting hour, and a few friends also stopped by, making my hospital stay more bearable. Despite being in the hospital, my thoughts kept drifting back to my upcoming final exams, so I asked my little sister to bring my books so I could continue studying.

After nine days in the hospital, I was finally discharged on the tenth day. But now, I faced the challenge of adjusting to a new diet and eating habits outside the hospital. This proved to be a struggle, especially since I had to return to boarding school almost immediately—too late to transfer to another school.

Only three days after being discharged, I headed back to school. My mother accompanied me to speak with the school principal about my condition and how they could support me with my diet. The school assured us they would assist in any way possible, and they kept their promise. With the help of the school nurse, I attended regular check-ups every two weeks, and my blood sugar levels remained stable as I adhered to my new dietary regimen.

Before my diagnosis, I had only one close friend, with whom I shared everything—food, sweets, chocolates, and cakes. But as my diet changed, so did our relationship. She gradually distanced herself, choosing to spend time with others, leaving me feeling isolated and deeply hurt. Making new friends was difficult because I was still mourning the loss of our friendship. Thankfully, my little sister, who had just started Form 1 at my school, stepped in to fill the void. She wasn't just my sister; she became my one and only friend who understood me. Sometimes, she would even eat the same food I had to eat, just to keep me company.

One challenge I faced was the weight gain that accompanied my new treatment regimen, which initially made me lose confidence. However, over time, I incorporated exercise into my routine and managed to regain control of my weight. Occasionally, I would experience hypoglycemia during classes, which affected my concentration, but despite these hurdles, I successfully completed my exams and passed with flying colors. Today, I am pursuing a degree in Engineering in Fuels and Energy at Chinhoyi University of Technology, and I am excelling despite the naysayers who doubted my choice and my ability to succeed in such a demanding field.

Engineering practicals

To all the other kids out there living with type 1 diabetes, I want to say this: anything is achievable. Having diabetes doesn't mean you have a disability. You can do anything that anyone else can do. Remember to be strong, resilient, and vigilant. Diabetes demands that we be all these things, but with the right mindset, we can overcome any challenge.