OPERATION BRING DAD HOME

On January 24th 2017, our Dad, Asi Fa’afetai Isaia, celebrated his 60th birthday. We, as a family, decided to send him on holiday to Los Angeles as a birthday gift.

Seven days into his trip we received a phone call that made our worst nightmare become a reality. Dad had suffered a major heart attack that saw him fighting for his life half way around the world.

As a result of the heart attack, he also suffered an out of hospital cardiac arrest, which led to his body being deprived of oxygen for 20 minutes. Not only was his heart on the line, but we also feared potential brain damage. The doctors managed to revive a heartbeat, and to minimise the possibility of brain damage, doctors had to perform a procedure (which currently is not available in NZ), called therapeutic hypothermic procedure – in other words, cooling of the body over a 24 hour period, then gradually returning back to normal body temperature.

At this point numerous doctors advised us that many patients similar to Dads situation do not survive, and in this instance his chances were looking very slim. Asi underwent many brain scans showing very little activity, and we were informed to be prepared for the worst.

After eight long days, with several reports from specialists, a waiting room filled with family and friends fearlessly praying –it was then Dad started to show signs of hope. Thankfully through Gods Love and Grace he is on the road to recovery.

It has now been three months since Dad was hospitalised in L.A. In response to all of our family & friends whom expressed their interests to show their love and gratitude, it is with my families blessing that this Give a little page has been created.