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Marcel Syron - Immediate Care and Travel Home Fund

  • Update on Marcel

      15 September 2023

    Hi Team

    Thought I would post an article on Marcel and provide a further update

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/homecoming-northland-yachtie-finally-returns-to-nz-after-months-in-panama-hospital/IO4QKTZGA5F7BLDTRDTOKZVSXU/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3Ryiaps3VSUtXQ68oSr4YVfsI_YwG_PtAcrhiJrDf5_-Q7qot2gjs6kNA#Echobox=1693853416

    Marcel has now been at Middlemore for around 6 weeks and is making progress.

    I am with Marcel now and these are his words -

    "Hello team. I'm finding it difficult to find the words to express my gratitude to you all for bringing me home. It has and will be some of the most challenging times of my life, certainly a journey made possible with your help. As tough as it may have been I'm optimistic about the future and have entertained myself with daydreams of the good times ahead, projects and dreams. Lots and lots of love, Marcel"

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  • Marcel is now back in New Zealand !!

      1 August 2023

    Hi Team

    Great news - on Monday 31 July Marcel arrived back in New Zealand

    Again, thank you all so much for support and generosity. This could not have been done without your help, and the money raised contributed towards bringing our friend and family member home.

    Marcel is now on the road to rehabilitation!

    Once again, thanks so much from myself and all of Marcel's friends and family.

    Aroha nui

    Ray

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  • GOOD NEWS

      4 July 2023
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    Marcel is out of ICU and into a normal ward in Panama

    This is great news and means we are moving closer to him being able to come home!

    Marcel thanked the nurses by getting them some flowers and wood fired pizzas

    Great day!

    Aroha nui

    Ray

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  • UPDATE AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

      30 June 2023

    Hi Team

    I'm aware that this Give-a-Little page will finish within the next week

    Together we have all raised over $35,000

    This will help go towards the immediate care needs of Marcel in Panama and/or help pay for the cost of getting him home

    As one of Marcel's good friends I am very grateful to everyone who has financially helped. Every dollar has counted and whether you donated $10 or $1000 I would like to sincerely thank you on behalf of Marcel's family and his friends - this could not have been done without the goodwill of so many people

    The most recent update I have is that Marcel is still in Panama in ICU. He has had pneumonia several times and this has slowed down his planned transportation back to New Zealand.

    Marcel is doing ok, but still unwell and still needing support in ICU at this stage

    Our good friend Cam in New Zealand is helping to organise the return transportation of Marcel. There are teams in New Zealand who specialise with these kinds of situations.

    It is likely that Marcel will return to New Zealand on a supported flight sometime over the next month. Before this happens he will need to stablise further.

    Once more, thank you for your contributions. You have all helped my mate Marcel and, for that, I am incredibly humbled and grateful.

    Aroha nui

    Ray Calver

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  • SOME GOOD NEWS FROM DONNA

      20 May 2023

    Update today is the best . Marcel’s awake, alert and expressive. He smiled when we walked in. Alaina got busy with her massaging and raki and I introduced’the communication board’. He responded very quickly to it and we made big headway. We established he’s not in pain or have discomfort. He’s feeling angry and sad , but also understands he’s making huge progress with his recovery now.

    I used a letter board and he said’Today was way to long without oxygen’. To wean him off the respirator they have 1/2 off oxygen every 4 hours which is hard but as Dr told us all including Bug it’s necessary to get his muscles in his lungs working again after 2 months rest. He is monitored closely when this is happening. He wanted to know when he can talk? Dr told us all when he’s off the respirator completely 72 hrs later he can start to retrain his muscles to talk.

    He said he was sorry we had to be in Panama.

    We asked if he want’s music to listen too he said no and Dr said he needs to sleep.

    I played to lovely voice msg from Cam which brought a tear to his eye and told him how Cam had been here for 2 weeks visiting him.

    We re feeling so happy and positive.

    Also so much more movement in his left arm, shoulders, head & neck 🙏❤️

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  • Update from Donna

      4 May 2023

    Great news from visit today, Bug had his eyes open, recognised us as we decided to not understand that it’s only 1 allowed.

    Big tubes out of his mouth and now a very small one I think must be feeding tube.

    He had tears when he saw us and was getting agitated trying to move. We massaged him and talked as we did and even got him smiling when telling him Chang’s got him as a captive audience and will never run out of things to say.

    I told him you’d been here for 2 weeks and will always be there for him as you’re his brother.

    I retold him about his accident and been in hospital sedated.

    Dr told us later he’s now lightly sedated so won’t remember much.

    We stayed in for over an hour as we have a new Dr who’s more relaxed like Bravo.

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  • Update from Donna - Positive News

      3 May 2023

    Just had a ph update from new Dr in ICU and it’s positive! Bug’s rallied from his bad situation on Friday. Left lungs improving again and oxygen input went from 97% Friday down to 40% today. The tracheotomy operation has happened without any problems so the respirator is now out of his mouth and working from the trach.

    Bowels have cleared so feeding tube operating again, we re hoping to get that Vit C down it tomorrow.

    Feeling hopeful and positive 🌺

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  • Update from Marcel's sister Donna

      28 April 2023

    Update today - it was Marcel's sister Alaina's turn for the visit as only one person allowed at a time.

    The Dr said pneumonia hasn’t improved but hasn’t got worse either.

    Marcel’s still sedated, respirators at 50%

    Alaina gave him a good rub with lemon and immune care oil everywhere she could. She spotted Dr Bravo in an office so quickly pushed him out into the corridor and told him to wait while she got Jimmy and Donna and the pounamu necklace from the waiting room. We gave it to him with the photo of Marcel with his sisters at his dad's 80th party. On the back Jimmy wrote In Spanish the meaning of the pendant - strength & mana.

    Thanked him from all of us for his caring & compassion of our dear Marcel.

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  • Update

      25 April 2023
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    Update from Marcel's sister Donna, who is in Panama with him

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  • Changed Goal Ammount

      15 April 2023

    Hi Team

    I've been in contact with Marcel's friend Cameron and family who are with him

    We're changing the goal amount to $200,000 as this appears to be a more accurate representation of the costs related to Marcel's care and eventual transport back to New Zealand.

    Aroha nui

    Ray

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  • Update from Marcel's sister Donna

      12 April 2023
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    Message from Marcel's sister Donna, who is with him in Panama

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  • Update

      12 April 2023
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    This cross and plaque were mounted by Marcel's friend Cameron at the pool where this tragic accident happened

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  • Update

      9 April 2023

    Hi Everyone

    Marcel's good friend Cameron is currently on his way to Panama. After he arrives, I'm hopeful that he'll provide an update about how Marcel is doing.

    Apart from that, all I can really share is that Marcel's sister Donna continues to be with him. I'm sure it's a massive thing for Marcel to have family with him, and I know he'll be so happy to see Cameron.

    Keep sending positive energy and thoughts. I'll try to give a more informative update after I've heard back from Cameron and Donna.

    Aroha nui

    Ray

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