Lio is Fighting for His Life and Needs Your Help
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My name is Gary. I'm Lio's brother-in-law and Linda's older brother. Lio, who has been a family member and friend to us all could use your help. You all know Lio is pretty proud and would never ask for assistance but once in a while, we can all use some assistance from friends and family. Let me fill you in on what's transpired so far for Lio.
On 12/28/19, 3 days after Christmas, Linda took Lio to the local ER because of severe back pain. Tests revealed that Lio was in dire need of urgent heart surgery. The type of surgery needed was very complex and beyond the capability of most cardiologists and hospitals and would require a team of highly specialized doctors and nurses. After an exhaustive search throughout the night by the Riverside hospital, and initially saying there was no room, a space became available at Cedar Sinai in West Hollywood, one of the best in the country for heart treatment. So Lio was transferred from Riverside to Cedar-Sinai.
Since transferring to Cedar Sinai, Lio has undergone 3 surgeries. The first procedure on 1/3/2020 lasted nearly 3 hours and was used to determine the amount of damage to the heart and surrounding structure and to determine the next course of action. The second surgery, lasting nearly 14 hours, took place 5 days later on 1/8/2020. During this extremely complex procedure, a portion of the heart structure was replaced. The surgeons left Lio's chest open to allow the swelling in his chest to subside. His third surgery took place on 1/10/20 to close his chest. The surgeries themselves went well. Thank God for such skillful and dedicated people.
Lio had been resting comfortably and recovering but on 1/13/20 his heart stopped and the excellent team at Cedar-Sinai revived him. His heart is now working properly but recently (1/20/2020), his brain was found to be hemorrhaging. For the moment, hemorrhaging seems to be under control but It's a delicate balance in treatment between the heart and the brain to allow both to heal. He is currently being treated by a team of cardiologists and a team of neurologists.
Lio has been in the ICU at this hospital since 12/29/19 and they are being told that Lio will need to stay in this hospital for at least another two weeks. He is currently on dialysis, a ventilator, and a feeding tube. Doctors hope to wean him off all of these in the coming days and weeks. He will need physical therapy after recovery to regain strength and fine motor skills after being in bed for so long. Linda, his loving wife, has been by his side in the hospital almost every minute.
Lio does have medical insurance but as you know, there are expenses that are incurred that insurance does not cover. For example, Linda has had to take a leave of absence without pay to critically monitor the care that Lio is receiving and therefore she has to stay in hotels near the hospital 24/7. There are also high medical deductibles. What were two incomes to support them is now zero. There are many ways to help but their greatest need is financial assistance. Funds collected will be applied to medical deductibles and other related medical expenses, and housing and meal expenses for Linda, The goal is to cover 2-3 months of these expenses. Please spare what you can to help Lio and his family cover these mounting bills. Any amount helps.
As always, Lio is in God's hands and now he is also in the hands of the best medical professionals. We ask family, friends and the community for your support and your continued prayers for Lio and his family as he continues to fight for his life and his recovery.
We will update this page as conditions change.
God Bless,
Gary Chung
On 12/28/19, 3 days after Christmas, Linda took Lio to the local ER because of severe back pain. Tests revealed that Lio was in dire need of urgent heart surgery. The type of surgery needed was very complex and beyond the capability of most cardiologists and hospitals and would require a team of highly specialized doctors and nurses. After an exhaustive search throughout the night by the Riverside hospital, and initially saying there was no room, a space became available at Cedar Sinai in West Hollywood, one of the best in the country for heart treatment. So Lio was transferred from Riverside to Cedar-Sinai.
Since transferring to Cedar Sinai, Lio has undergone 3 surgeries. The first procedure on 1/3/2020 lasted nearly 3 hours and was used to determine the amount of damage to the heart and surrounding structure and to determine the next course of action. The second surgery, lasting nearly 14 hours, took place 5 days later on 1/8/2020. During this extremely complex procedure, a portion of the heart structure was replaced. The surgeons left Lio's chest open to allow the swelling in his chest to subside. His third surgery took place on 1/10/20 to close his chest. The surgeries themselves went well. Thank God for such skillful and dedicated people.
Lio had been resting comfortably and recovering but on 1/13/20 his heart stopped and the excellent team at Cedar-Sinai revived him. His heart is now working properly but recently (1/20/2020), his brain was found to be hemorrhaging. For the moment, hemorrhaging seems to be under control but It's a delicate balance in treatment between the heart and the brain to allow both to heal. He is currently being treated by a team of cardiologists and a team of neurologists.
Lio has been in the ICU at this hospital since 12/29/19 and they are being told that Lio will need to stay in this hospital for at least another two weeks. He is currently on dialysis, a ventilator, and a feeding tube. Doctors hope to wean him off all of these in the coming days and weeks. He will need physical therapy after recovery to regain strength and fine motor skills after being in bed for so long. Linda, his loving wife, has been by his side in the hospital almost every minute.
Lio does have medical insurance but as you know, there are expenses that are incurred that insurance does not cover. For example, Linda has had to take a leave of absence without pay to critically monitor the care that Lio is receiving and therefore she has to stay in hotels near the hospital 24/7. There are also high medical deductibles. What were two incomes to support them is now zero. There are many ways to help but their greatest need is financial assistance. Funds collected will be applied to medical deductibles and other related medical expenses, and housing and meal expenses for Linda, The goal is to cover 2-3 months of these expenses. Please spare what you can to help Lio and his family cover these mounting bills. Any amount helps.
As always, Lio is in God's hands and now he is also in the hands of the best medical professionals. We ask family, friends and the community for your support and your continued prayers for Lio and his family as he continues to fight for his life and his recovery.
We will update this page as conditions change.
God Bless,
Gary Chung
Co-organizers (2)
Allysa Chung
Organizer
Riverside, CA
Linda Luamanuvae
Beneficiary
Gary Chung
Co-organizer