Trelawny man fighting renal failure for 18 years

"When the doctor told me that I had renal failure, I thought it was something that was going to get better. I thought it was something like flu that I could recover from, I never expect I would be travelling to Kingston twice a week to get dialysis."

It has been 18 years since Lovell Forbes received the heart-rending diagnosis that has caused him great physical and emotional pain. However, the father of two describes his battle as a journey of courage and faith. With a deep sigh, he related how he first became concerned about his health almost two decades ago. Whenever he passed urine, a white substance looking like sugar was excreted as well.

"By time I pass it out, ants start to eat it. The closest doctor to me at the time was the Mandeville Regional Hospital and they admit me same time. This was my first dilemma," Forbes shared.

He was released a few days later, but as he decided to return to his job on a construction site, he faced uncontrollable pain in his abdomen and back. Forced to go back to the hospital, Forbes was admitted for three gruelling weeks. During this time, he was not able to sit up properly, eat, drink or sleep.

"It was like a nightmare because you caan help yourself. It was so hard at times," the 42-year-old said. Forbes was discharged again but two days later the pain resurfaced. So he searched for another medical opinion. He was referred to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) by a private doctor, where he was admitted to the ward for six weeks. There he received his diagnosis. Forbes has to make the long trip from Trelawny to Kingston twice weekly to undergo dialysis for four hours.

Although he is certified in general construction through the HEART/TRUST NSTA, Forbes is not able to maintain a steady job as there are times when he becomes swollen or is just too weak to complete a day's work.

"I can do tiling, plumbing, the only thing I don't do on the site is electrician work. I am an all-rounder and I do work very good but now renal failure doesn't allow me to do much work. People are afraid to employ you and you don't get a fair chance in life. If I am going to get a job now, I have to tell my employer that I go for dialysis and most people don't want to hear that. It is a hard experience, but sometimes I still get up and go work," the Lowe River Primary and Junior High graduate related.

Forbes said that his strength and courage come from the Adventist church.

"If it wasn't for the church, you wouldn't hear my voice right now. Once you start the dialysis, you body becomes used to it and if you miss like three or four treatments, you can die. I have to pray more because when I look and see where my life is going, it is a different life," he said. Though it has affected his body, the illness has not dampened his spirit. Forbes said it has taught him to appreciate life more and to be grateful for everything.

Receiving a transplant may not be the foremost option at the moment for Forbes, as a quotation he received from the UHWI is in excess of $8 million which he cannot afford. But he told THE STAR that he has faith that he will one day undergo the procedure. In the meantime, he is urging Jamaicans to be more health conscious.

"Drink a lot of water and stay off the alcohol. What I am going through, I wouldn't want even my enemy to go through, much less my friend. It is really really bad. It is just the mercy of God that keeps me going," he said.