15/11/2023
My Sweet journey
Having had a confortable up bringing and exposure to lavish lifestyle, loss of my father in 1994, it led me to bad eating and drinking habits that led to my admission in 2010 on 2nd January.
Stage 1, night sweats, thirst, frequent urine.
2010- after a long escarped of partying from Christmas day 2009, I remember coming home feeling sink and telling my wife, I felt sick and I suspect I was poisoned and went to bed. I then woke up in hospital to the sound of my mum on the bedside praying. Was informed I was in a coma for 2 days due to high blood sugar that hit (30) but was stabilized. It did not hit me then, that it was a start of silent battle of the sweetest and dejavu from experience of mum's progression.
Stage 2, overeating, weight gain, fatigue
2011- was a battle of denial, self stigmatization and non adherence to diabetes medication as I felt it was unfair to be having my meals separately made and served due to my newly discovered diabetic status. I chose to be carefree.
Stress, anger
2012- was the most distractive high of my life, my wife leaving, attempted su***de attempt and the lose of my mother due to heart complications (stroke) attributed to diabetes.
2013- I took an informed decision to get myself together and transferred to Solwezi for work and later Mwinilunga for closure while leaving my diabetes behind me.
Reality check
2014/15- went on personal journey of finding myself spiritually (walk about) then an awareness initiative dubbed (Sweet walk 4 Diabetes) from Lusaka to Solwezi. Formation of my non-profit organization (DAAAZ) Diabetes Autism Aids Awareness Zambia
2016- decided to take a dive into the world of politics that shaped my life to a serious focus in ambition and assertiveness. Did charity work and got serious about my health matters.2017-moved back to Lusaka for business and political commitments.
Stage 3, strokes, heart attack
2018- was hit by 2 ischemic strokes that affected my lefthand side then the 2nd affected my righthand side and speech. Eventually physically recovered
2019- was a year of weight lose, healing and pinpointing the cause of the strokes (blood clots) and was back on diabetes / BP medication.
Stage 4 neuropathy, blurry vision
2020-experienced headaches and visual challenges that led to prescription spectacles.
2021-went on to stand as member of Parliament in general elections in Chadiza , faced challenges due to living conditions during campaigns and developed neurotic spine challenges that led to hospitalization but pulled through.
2022-took a lay back approach to life and married my longtime love and partner.
Stage 5, Complications attributed to diabetes
2023- life goes on with neuropathy and internal organ challenges with the worst case in October affecting my heart(enlarged) and pancreas(malfunctioning) but on the mend.
Thanks for the support system around me. This is my journey and we may differ in progression, I choose to fight diabetes while accepting my fate.
I clock 48yrs on 25th then will focus on getting to 50yrs and push for 60,70...... I know my God is ever faithful.
Chaka Pius Zulu
