Life after a kidney and pancreas transplant

Ever wonder why it’s important to know about diabetes-related complications? Phumzile Mtshali discovered she had complications and has since received a kidney and pancreas transplant. Read her story below…

The journey to a kidney and pancreas transplant

“I have a bit of a story to share with you. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 10 years old, that was way back in 1992. I knew nothing about taking care of myself as a diabetic and we couldn’t really afford ‘proper’ food. So I ate what was available. By the time I reached 26, my eyesight was starting to fail and so were my kidneys.

I mean I had read up about long-term diabetes complications as I grew up, but had no idea what they actually meant until I started to experience them first hand.

Phumzile Mtshali

None of the doctors I had been consulting with seemed to care. Until I met a nephrologist who took it upon himself to help me turn my life around. We started by ‘fixing’ my eyesight. I met an ophthalmologist who did laser on my eyes and put in medication via injection directly in my eyeballs, all under anaesthetic of course, and after that procedure my eyesight improved. 

Lifestyle changes

My nephrologist explained to me what high blood pressure was and all the changes I needed to start making. I did unfortunately end up going for kidney dialysis. I was then told about pancreas and kidney transplantation which I had never heard of. I was put on the list after doing workup and blood work.

A year after starting dialysis, I was fortunate enough to receive both a kidney and pancreas transplant. Not many people have heard of this. It’s been 15 years since I stopped using insulin, I am however taking immune suppressants for my organs.

It’s not the way I would have loved to live inside my body. Had I  been better informed, I wouldn’t have gone through all that I went through.

Phumzile Mtshali

Constant learning

With that said, I just want to commend your organization for this wonderful work you are all doing. I am still learning as well. As much as I am referred to as ‘post-diabetic’ I still need to take care of myself as if I am still a diabetic. I am doing my best to do just that. 

I try my best to educate others as well because I have seen how much damage poorly managed diabetes can do.

Do you want to share your diabetes story?

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