In my own words
My Story
My diabetic journey started long before I knew how much it would test me. I've lived with diabetes for about thirty years, but nothing prepared me for the day I stepped on a piece of glass and didn't think twice about it. For someone with diabetes, a small wound like that can turn serious fast, and mine did.
What started as a cut became a foot ulcer, and within time I found myself in the hospital for nineteen days. That was just the beginning. The recovery took nearly a year. I came home living on one leg, getting around in a wheelchair, then slowly a walker, crutches, and finally a cane before I could walk on my own again. Nurses came to my home to clean and wrap the wound, and three times a week I went back to the hospital for cast changes.
The hardest part wasn't just the physical pain. It was the fear of losing my independence, and wondering if I'd ever feel normal again.
But somewhere in that struggle, things started to turn. I met Dr. Jason Fong, who introduced me to intermittent fasting as a way to manage my blood sugar. I overhauled how I ate, cutting out snacking, processed food, soda, and fried food, and leaning into leafy greens, lentils, nuts, healthy fats, and good water. Breaking those old habits felt like overcoming an addiction at first. But it got easier, and eventually it became a natural part of who I am.
Just as important as the food was my mindset. Every day, I visualized my foot healing, picturing myself walking normally again. That belief carried me through.
Today, I'm living proof that this disease doesn't have to define or defeat you. My story has even been featured in major hospital news publications. If any part of this sounds familiar, if you're scared, newly diagnosed, or just need someone who's been there, I'd love to hear from you.