Help Kauai's Malasada Lady with Medical Support

 

On November 12th, our beautiful mother, Marlena Bunao, also fondly known on the island as "Kauai's Malasada Lady" was admitted to Wilcox Memorial for excruciating back pain she was experiencing. She was silently suffering for months, but only until recently did we find out Marlena's life would take a turn that was unexpected. After multiple MRIs, blood cultures and exams, we found out that she suffered multiple medical issues in this very short time period due to an infection that has spread.

 

She recently experienced mild strokes and has a combine diagnosis of multiple spinal fractures and endocarditis (infection of the heart), which is causing a narrowing in her heart valves. Because her infection has spread, she also has osteomyelitis (inflammation in the spine due to infection) in the area where her spine has multiple fractures. Needless to say, she is in a lot of pain and cannot walk.

 

Due to this devastating news, she will need heart surgery and subsequently, spinal surgery due to compression of her spinal cord. 

 

Before they can even evaluate when surgical measures are necessary, we must first work to rid the infection in both her heart and spine, which will require 24-7 IV antibiotic home infusion for several months to treat. 

 

We know we have to find a combined medical team which includes a spinal surgeon, neurologist, and cardiologist to closely monitor her treatments so not to disturb the very delicate care required for these various conditions. There are no specialists on Kauai that can treat these unique conditions, therefore, we are certain she will need to be medevacced to hospitals on Oahu where they have physicians and surgeons that can address these multiple issues. Moving forward, she will need intense physical therapy to rehabilitate and recover at a minimum of at least one year. This news is extremely humbling for someone who, prior to this, is a relatively healthy and active person who loves to hike, do yoga, cook and do outdoor activities.

 

We, the children and family of Marlena, are so grateful for any support you can offer her at this time. We know that the combination of hospital bills (insurance may not cover everything) and cost for treatment will be expensive, as this is a long journey for Marlena's recovery. There are so many unknown variables at this point in her treatment, that we are not sure if our Dad has to take time off to care for her, as he is the sole provider for the family.

 

Your generosity during this holiday season is a blessing to our family. As Marlena has spread joy to the Kauai community, her husband, kids, and family for so many years, we hope in return we can all restore and repay her for the sweetness our dear Malasada Lady has brought to all our lives. 

Mahalo from the bottom of our hearts for your support!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note: Organizer of this GoFundMe, Jamie Akau, is the daughter-in-law of Marlena Bunao. We do not have any other fundraisers, as this fundraiser is the only one on behalf of the Bunao Family and is received directly by Marlena. Please do not donate to other unknown solicitations.