Sickle cell patient fighting to stay alive

For the past two years, Akida Doyle has carried a chilling warning from his doctors in the back of his mind. He was told that he might not live to see 30.

Now 29, Doyle says those words haunt him more than ever as he battles the debilitating effects of sickle cell disease and struggles to get the urgent medical treatment he believes he needs to extend his life.

“At JFK Hospital in New Jersey, my doctors and haematologist told me I might not live to see 30 if I don’t do my surgery. I am 29 now,” said Doyle, who admitted that the warning has become increasingly difficult to ignore as his health worsens.

But the warning is no longer something Doyle can simply push to the back of his mind. He said his health has deteriorating over the past few months.

“I am not going to say I will die, but I don’t feel good in my body. I trust God and everything, but for the past six months I have been sick every single day,” he told** THE WEEKEND STAR**.

Doyle is raising a five-year-old son, who is often beside him during the long days of illness and frightening nights.

“All I can think about is what the doctors told me, and I just don’t want that to happen because I have a son to live for, so it’s not easy,” said Doyle.

Yet, amid the fear and pain, his young son has become one of his greatest sources of strength.

“My son is a true gem. He prays for me saying, ‘God, can you just heal my dad.’ I have some days at the hospital with him in my lap, and he’s there during my crisis in the middle of night,” said Doyle.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells can become rigid and crescent-shaped, interfering with blood flow and the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. People living with the condition can experience severe pain, fatigue and other complications that may require frequent medical treatment.

For Doyle, sickle cell has been part of his life since as early as grade four, and he said the experience is one he would not wish on anyone.

“If you don’t have money, you will suffer,” he said.

‘really rough’ dayS

Doyle described his typical day as “really rough”. The relentless nature of the disease has also made planning for the future almost impossible.

Doyle said the past several months have been among the most difficult periods of his life, with pain dictating when he can work, sleep and carry out everyday activities.

“Sickle cell stop your life; like, sickle cell make you can’t plan for tomorrow. I can’t make plans. I can’t sleep for more than six hours. If I do, I am going to have a crisis,” he said.

A sickle cell crisis occurs when sickled red blood cells block blood flow, reducing oxygen to parts of the body and triggering sudden, often severe pain. The episodes can last for hours or days and may require urgent medical treatment, particularly when accompanied by serious complications.

The constant battle has left Doyle pleading for relief.

“Mi sometimes say, ‘God, I have the sickle cell; take way the pain,’” he said.

Now, he is desperately seeking the treatment he says could give him a chance at a longer and healthier life.

Doyle said he underwent a blood transfusion about two years ago and is now in need of another procedure, along with a bone marrow transplant.

But the cost of the treatment is beyond his means.

“Right now, it’s over US$70,000 (approximately J$10.9 million) and I am just hoping for even less than half of it. I just need help,” he said.

As his 30th birthday approaches, Doyle remains haunted by the prognosis he received years ago. The possibility that he may not reach the age he was warned about has become impossible for him to dismiss.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” he confessed.

But even so, he does not believe the doctors have the final say about how long he will live.

“They are not God, but I can’t stop thinking it’s 50/50. But mi trust God and I am a Christian and mi a build faith. It nuh fair for me to dead leave my son,” he said.

Despite his own suffering, Doyle has a message for others living with sickle cell disease as September is observed as World Sickle Cell Month.

He urged those facing similar struggles not to surrender to despair.

“Just live right, eat right, share, be kind and trust God. Never tell yourself it’s the end, just trod through the tunnel.”

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Persons wishing to assist Akida Doyle with the cost of his medical treatment can make donations through the following accounts.

NCB

Name: Akida Doyle

Account: 364411057

Branch: Portmore

Account type: Savings

CIBC

Name: Akida Doyle

Account: 1002392685

Branch: Portmore

Account type: Chequing