Pain too much to bear - Parents baffled by Malek Grannell's sudden death

Although he was just 17 years old, Malek Grannell planned out his entire life. He saw himself as a neurosurgeon. He also wanted to become a member of parliament and then later, prime minister of Jamaica.

Unfortunately, the ambitious youngster did not get a chance to realise his dreams as he passed away suddenly on September 9, a day before he was set to begin sixth form at Kingston College.

"My baby was a people person and you will never know when he is having a bad day or not because he is always smiling. Jesus ... . He said he was going to take the prime minister out of his seat because he wanted West Central St Andrew to run it. He loved people and my son never got a chance to show his true potential," his mother, Tameka Peart, said between tears.

Peart and Malek's father, Clive 'Pump Up' Grannell, operate Pump Up Wholesale on Olympic Way, Kingston 11. When The STAR visited the business place last week, staff were busy attending to their many customers. However, it was clear that Peart and Pump Up were grieving. The father said that his elder son narrowly escaped death two years ago.

"His older brother crashed on the first day that he was heading to sixth form at Jamaica College and now this happen. Only God knows how we feel. Our son had so much plans. I had so much plans for him. Me and me boy spend the summer together, because all the other kids were overseas. Me just can't read through this," Pump Up said.

SEVERE BACK PAIN

Malek had sickle cell trait, and Peart said he complained of feeling "minor pain a few times". But on the morning of September 5, be began to complain of severe back pain.

"We took him to the sickle cell unit the morning and he was given painkillers and released. This was the first time he ever got a back pain and it never gave him an ease, so we had to take him to Andrews Memorial Hospital that same afternoon, and he was treated and released the same night," Pump Up said.

Malek's pain, however, intensified. He had to be admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies on Thursday, September 6.

"He didnt get a bed until the Friday morning, because the staff said there was none available. He was conscious and still talking to us, but he was in so much pain. When he finally got the bed, I didnt know it was so serious that he was going into intensive care, me think him did a go admit on a ward," Peart said.

She told the news team that her son showed signs of improvement on Friday and Saturday but was told that he had a breathing problem.

"He was in pain, but he was talking up to the Sunday morning. His father went in the room and they talked and did their little finger 'shaking thing'. His father later broke down and began crying and Malek said, "Tell daddy no cry man, me soon come out'. He told me that his uniform shirt was in his car and where to pick up his pants at the tailor," she recalled.

Later that day, Peart said the doctors told her that her son's breathing had gotten worse.

"I keep on asking to see my baby and the doctor said she will allow me to see him soon . Me start hear say him organ dem a fail and they were going to put him in a medical coma. Me couldn't understand why all of this a happen because me baby come in with a back pain, now me a hear all type a tings. A few hours later me hear say Malek heart stopped and the next time we saw the medical team, we hear say we lose we baby," Peart said, before bursting into tears.

"We really don't know what happened, but our Malek just died and left us like that. I am lost for words, we just can't think straight," Peart said.

The thanksgiving service for Malek Grannell will be held on October 13 at Waltham Park Road New Testament Church of God, followed by the interment at Dovecot Memorial Gardens.