Now, cured of TB and having started her own skin care range, she now, reflects on how her skin care business changed her life and helped her become confident again.
This is her story:
“I remember when this all began, I thought I just had the flu.
I made one of my home cough remedies but it did not seem to working as I got worse by the day and had excruciating chest pains but I thought it will eventually get better – and there’s absolutely no need to see a doctor.
One day, my little sister who was then studying in the University of Johannesburg had done her own research on this severe “flu” that was wreaking havoc on my body. She said, “Sis, I know what you have” and she confidently said that I have TB and was adamant about her conclusion.
Although I did not want to believe it, my symptoms were clear: I had lost appetite for food, my temperature was up and down and I had lost weight drastically.
I still did not think I should see the doctor, but my sickness got worse by the day.
My fiancé was contacted and advised to take me to go see a specialist because whatever this sickness was, it was now critical.
When I visited the clinic, the nurse advised it was only flu and gave medication for that. As my condition deteriorated, my father begged me to see a specialist.
Eventually, I visited the hospital and was diagnosed with TB. By then my lungs were severely damaged.
I was told “we are now counting hours for you to live”.
That was simply a wake call for me because I knew I have a nine-month-old baby at home I had to fight this. I got admitted and went through all the stages of the treatment for a period of six months.
After the TB was treated, I was later diagnosed Sarcoidosis due to the severe TB. Having sarcoidosis led me to go blind in one eye and have really bad skin.
I had a low self-esteem, even though my fiancé never looked at me any differently. I could not stop thinking about how horrible I looked and felt.
My skin looked disgusting and no doctor could assist – I felt damaged inside. But due to the amount of great support I received from my family and my partner, I mustered research more on this disease and decided to take it upon myself to regain my confidence.
I started my own skin care range to better and heal my skin, and help those who had the same skin problem as mine.
Starting my own skin care business for Sarcoidosis changed my life. My journey has been nothing but unpleasant, losing your sense of beauty can be a nightmare but I took this experience as a learning curve. To feel beautiful again and help those around me is nothing but a dream, and I am living my life to the fullest.
READ MORE: "TB put me in a wheelchair but I love myself and my body even more now"
