Lester “Lesh” Jay Raagas
Since being diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease in May, Lester “Lesh” Jay Raagas has made drastic changes in his lifestyle.
“I was the type of person who often went on ‘gimmicks.’ I was a drinker and a smoker and I ate whatever I wanted to eat. But since my doctor told me that I would be prone to many illnesses because of my condition, I changed my lifestyle and I don’t drink or smoke anymore,” the 30-year-old call center agent and resident of Sta. Mesa, Manila, told the Inquirer.
Lesh said that the first time he knew something was wrong was on May 6 when his left foot became swollen. The next day, both feet were swollen but it was not until May 18 that he felt the need to go to the hospital when he woke up dizzy and unable to swallow food.
When the results of his blood and urine tests came up, they showed that his creatinine level was over 1,000 compared to the normal range of 40 to 80. “The doctor said that I would require dialysis if my creatinine level would not go down in a few days. I was admitted to the hospital to monitor my condition while I was given medication. But after three days, I was told that the medicine was not working and we needed to start dialysis,” Lesh said.
Learning that he had kidney disease and would need to undergo dialysis for the rest of his life left Lesh feeling like his world was crumbling. “I was shocked and surprised that I had this type of illness when all I experienced were swollen feet and dizziness. It’s painful to think about it but I have to accept and embrace the fact that I am sick.”
He has since started undergoing dialysis three times a week at CVMC Clinics and Surgicenter Inc. near Pureza in Sta. Mesa, Manila. With each session costing P3,640 plus P500 for the doctor’s fee, he needs to raise P49,680 monthly for his treatment. This is on top of his epoetin injections thrice weekly (P1,137.50 each), his monthly maintenance medications (around P3,000) and regular laboratory tests and checkups (P1,000 monthly).
With his medical expenses piling up, Lesh has found it hard to cope with just his salary as a call center agent since he is also the sole provider for his parents. He said that his mother has been helping out by going to different government agencies to ask for financial assistance for his dialysis sessions.
While Lesh appealed for help, he also offered some advice to Inquirer readers. “Please be mindful of what you eat and make sure you go for regular checkups, especially if you have the financial means to do so. That way, you can avoid being sick. It’s so hard to get sick, especially for someone who cannot afford it.”
Lesh can be contacted at 0915 0817647. Donations can be deposited into his BPI account (account name Lester Jay Raagas, account no. 0129194109). —STEPHANIE R. ASUNCION