Unyielding Strength, Unbreakable Perseverance, and Boundless Optimism: His Inspiring Journey to Overcoming Disease

My Journey with Diabetes: A Personal Account of Lifestyle Transformation and Triumph

At the age of 65, I have lived with type 2 diabetes for 15 years, a diagnosis that came after a decade-long battle with mysterious symptoms. Prior to my official diagnosis, I experienced frequent urination, cramping, chest tightness, shortness of breath, lethargy, reduced speech, cold sensitivity, and leg pain and weakness, leading to multiple hospitalizations without any conclusive findings. It wasn't until my retirement at age 50, when I had more time to introspect, that I began connecting the dots between my diet, environment, and bodily sensations.

Observing a pattern of increased discomfort after consuming certain foods like rice, porridge, white bread, noodles, fried meats, I decided to have my blood sugar tested. The results revealed a fasting blood sugar of 5.8 mmol/L and a postprandial level of 13.8 mmol/L, confirming my diagnosis of type 2 diabetes along with complications like peripheral neuropathy and urinary tract infections.

Reflecting on my past, I recognized that my dietary habits, shaped by deprivation during my youth and subsequent indulgence following China's reform and opening up, played a significant role in the development of this lifestyle disease. Recognizing that over 70% of diabetes cases stem from factors such as diet, lifestyle, psychology, and social environment, I understood that relying solely on medication would not be sufficient for managing my condition. While I couldn't change my genetic predisposition, I could certainly change my unhealthy and unscientific lifestyle.

In consultation with my doctor, I embarked on a comprehensive lifestyle overhaul. The first step was to revamp my diet, eliminating the "three whites" (white rice, white flour, and white sugar) from my staple foods. Instead, I opted for whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, and low-sugar fruits. I exercised strong willpower to resist temptations and limited my restaurant visits, ensuring a consistent, healthy eating pattern.

I noticed that some fellow diabetics, while disciplined most of the time, would loosen their dietary restrictions during holidays, causing blood sugar fluctuations. I learned that controlling blood sugar requires unwavering commitment 365 days a year, 24/7, adhering to the principle of "shutting your mouth and opening your legs" – that is, maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise.

With my wife's retirement, we relocated to the suburbs, surrounded by mountains, water, and a vegetable garden. Our new environment allowed me to engage in daily farming, walking, and mountain climbing, activities that not only helped regulate my blood sugar but also rejuvenated my mind and spirit. Gradually, my outlook grew increasingly optimistic and open-minded.

In this idyllic setting, I reveled in the sounds of chirping birds, the scent of blooming flowers, the fresh air, and the taste of pure, homegrown produce. My newfound lifestyle brought about tangible improvements: my strength returned, and my blood sugar stabilized, with fasting levels hovering around 5.6 to 5.9 mmol/L and postprandial levels between 5.9 and 7.8 mmol/L. Glycosylated hemoglobin remained below 6.5%, and episodes of hypoglycemia became nonexistent. Moreover, symptoms related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy, such as constipation, cramps, frequent urination, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, significantly eased.

Empowered by my improved health, I continued to contribute to society for another five years, utilizing my regained vitality. To my fellow middle-aged and elderly readers, I wish to emphasize two key lessons:

1. When screening for diabetes, it is crucial to measure both fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels. Failure to do so could result in missed diagnoses, allowing complications to develop unnoticed. Unfortunately, many routine health checkups currently only assess fasting blood sugar, missing up to half of diabetes cases and 70% of prediabetes instances.

2. Living with diabetes is not a death sentence. With determination, optimism, and a commitment to lifestyle changes, one can lead a fulfilling, happy life comparable to that of a non-diabetic individual. As I like to put it: "As long as you can see, walk, sleep soundly, and care for yourself independently, what's the harm in letting go of a little excess?"

In conclusion, my journey with diabetes serves as a testament to the power of proactive self-care, lifestyle modification, and a positive mindset in overcoming the challenges posed by this chronic condition.