Dr Ashley Ng

Bittersweet Diagnosis blog

  • Diabetes, the Bloodsucker

    For the first time since my diabetes diagnosis, I was fearful because of my diabetes. Read more

  • My Pancreas, My Identity

    Last week, I received a letter with an appointment with the genetics clinic about my diabetes classification. The same appointment I was told not to hold my breath for as they didn’t think I fit into the known MODY categories. Could my diabetes finally have a classification? Read more

  • Finding Support

    Shortly after my diabetes diagnosis, I felt like I needed someone to talk to about coping with diabetes. After eight years, I finally decided to ask my GP about seeing a counselor. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my mental health and confidence. Read more

  • Being A Diabetes Advocate

    Last night’s SBS Insight feature on “Beating Diabetes” in lieu with the promotion of a new book on a diet for people with type 2 diabetes sparked a massive debate online. And as with any thing around diabetes in the media, the stigma and blame-game was overwhelming. Read more

  • Losing Track

    Losing Track

    Diabetes takes up a lot of brain space. For me, diabetes management involves being mindful of what I eat and balancing it up with appropriate amounts of insulin. I need regular exercise, not only to help manage my  BGLs but also for a bit of stress relief. To get all of this going, I need to test Read more

  • Do’s and Don’ts of talking to a PWD

    Do’s and Don’ts of talking to a PWD

    While talking about my diabetes is never an off the table topic with friends, there are ways of going about it without awkwardness. There are times where I do feel conscious about my diabetes. Particularly when I’m out and don’t want the focus to be on my pancreas but me as a person. Diabetes is Read more

Welcome to my Bittersweet Diagnosis Blog

When I started this blog in 2011, I never thought it would be going over 10 years later. Writing is my way of reflecting and processing the world around me. Over time, I didn’t realise my stories resonated with others or helped them to learn more about living with diabetes. And so it is the power of sharing stories that keeps me going with this blog.

Initially, I named my blog “Bittersweet Diagnosis” as that is exactly how I feel about my diabetes. Learning to live with a chronic condition as intensive as diabetes has been one of the toughest challenges I’m still navigating. Yet along the way, diabetes has made me grow and develop into a better person, physically and mentally.

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