For over 30 years, Johnical Juan Masan has navigated life with diabetes and dialysis. His journey highlights the daily realities, challenges, and triumphs of living with chronic illness, reminding Malaysians of the importance of awareness and care.
Battling diabetes and dialysis with optimism
Life is like a fleeting wind — unpredictable and sudden. When asked about the lessons he has learned over 74 years, dialysis and diabetes patient Johnical Juan Masan reflected that life is short and unexpected.
“Life strikes unexpectedly. Death can come for anyone, young or old, man or woman. When the time comes, you can’t say, ‘Oh wait, wait! I still have to do something.’ That’s why we have to do all the good things while we can. Otherwise, when the time comes, there is no time to repent,” he said.
A retired school headmaster, Johnical was first diagnosed with diabetes 30 years ago — at a time when his life was at its peak. “My wife noticed I had lost weight, and I was always thirsty and urinating at night. She told me it was better to go for a medical check-up.”
In 1990, at a private clinic in Serian, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and prescribed medication. At the time he was still a headmaster for a school in the rural area — juggling his diagnosis and work-life was no easy feat.
Ten years later, he began injecting insulin. Managing the balance between work, medications, and his asthma became even harder. “Nevertheless, the condition taught me discipline, maintaining a balanced diet, and effective time management. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise.”
World Diabetes Day
This year, Johnical’s story highlights the resilience, discipline, and daily battles faced by Malaysians managing diabetes. World Diabetes Day serves to raise awareness of the condition and ensure every person living with it has access to prevention, management, and overall well-being.
Being diagnosed with diabetes, however, was only part of his health journey. In 2015, Johnical collapsed, initially thinking it was a severe asthma attack, only to learn he had pulmonary oedema—fluid in the lungs. “The doctors at Simunjan Hospital realised my kidney failure had reached the end stage.”
The sudden collapse, though tragic, became a wake-up call. Johnical spent 15 days in hospital to treat fluid retention. He was advised to manage his asthma with the pneumococcal vaccine and to continue diabetes treatment in Kuching.
“Two months after my collapse, I began dialysis sessions at Renal Life Dialysis Centre, Kuching.” Johnical now attends four-hour sessions three times a week. The centre has become like a second home, though he had to forgo hobbies like fishing and hiking.
Despite the challenges, he remains positive. On Sundays, he goes to church. In his free time, he spends time with his grandchildren or chats with friends over drinks. Life continues.
Positive despite the challenges
Over ten years of dialysis, Johnical has changed his fistula site three times before inserting a permanent catheter in his right chest. This catheter connects directly to the dialysis machine, filtering waste and excess fluids. It has been replaced 11 times — a testament to his optimism and resilience.
But how does he bathe with the contraption attached? “It’s a challenge,” he admits. He keeps the area dry using a waterproof pad to avoid water seeping in and to prevent infection.
Despite the difficulties, Johnical maintains a positive mindset. “If you dwell too much on sickness, it affects your mind and outlook on life. So I just go on, do what I can, when I can.” During his four-hour dialysis sessions, he would bring his earphones to listen to music or watch videos on social media. “There are others on dialysis too, and we became friends. We can talk for hours.”
As the interview concludes, Johnical’s journey reminds us that illness may shape lives, but it does not define them. His three decades of experience reflect the power of a positive mindset and perseverance. For this year’s World Diabetes Day, Johnical is a reminder that it’s okay to not be okay.
