In it Together – The Vueti Family

On a Friday afternoon in late May, 2 year old Luse Marama was taken by her parents to a health centre after developing a fever. Two days later, her fever deteriorated and had to be rushed to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Luse was in a critical condition.

‘We thought we were going to lose her. She had completely shut down and wasn’t breathing. She had to be given oxygen,’ says her mum, Merewalesi Sakitora.

‘Being admitted at the Pediatric Intensive care unit and put on oxygen for support, there was a slim chance that Luse was going to make it, but I prayed for our daughter, ‘ adds Luse’s father, Epeli Vueti.

‘It was a tough time for us and all we had was hope and faith that Luse was going to come out of this.’

Epeli did not leave the hospital and would be by her daughter’s bedside in the evenings while mum Merewalesi went home to rest.

‘At the Ronald McDonald Family Room, we were able to have breakfast together when my wife came back in the morning and I was able to rest there while she looked after Luse during the day’ says Epeli.

Epeli & Merewalesi were able to meet and talk to other parents who were going through the same ordeal and became like family.

‘We’re so thankful for the Ronald McDonald Family Room as it has helped us ease the burden of us worrying about a place to take break or have a hot cuppa and even to do our laundry. It has also been very helpful for families who came from afar,’ says Merewalesi.

After spending 28 days at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and in a critical condition, Luse’s condition has improved. Her parents are able to have breakfast with her at the family room while she recovers.

The Strength of a Family: The Kumar Family

In early June, after a week of giving birth to her second daughter, Preetika Seth had to rush baby Jayleen to the Colonial War Memorial hospital after some complications.

It was discovered that baby Jayleen had meningitis and had to be treated in hospital. She had to be put on antibiotics for a little over two weeks.

The time spent in hospital was quite tough on Preetika and sometimes depressing. She also had a seven year old daughter whom she was missing and could not see as children were not allowed in the wards.

After a few days of being in hospital, they were able to reunite.

‘I am so thankful for the Ronald McDonald Family Room as we were able to catch up and it was just so good to be able to hold my older daughter again and for her to see her baby sister,’ says Preetika.

‘I was happy to see my wife relaxed each time we came to meet her at the Family Room. This was a place we could enjoy each other’s company and in a peaceful and homely environment,’ adds Jay Kumar.

‘I’m glad we’re going home and so grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities for all that they do in helping us parents and families going through a stressful time.’

After spending 18 days in hospital, baby Jayleen Kumar was discharged and was three weeks and five days old.

Comforts of Home: The Naevo Family

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, five year old Mereseini Esther Nakevu of Nawaka, Nadi was admitted at the Lautoka hospital in late April. She was admitted for over a month before being transferred to the Colonial War Memorial hospital due to further complications. Being a healthy child that she is, Mereseini’s family did not expect this to happen.

She had been admitted at the CWM hospital for over three weeks and became very popular with all the nurses and fellow patients.

Her mum, Limiva Ravutu has been with Mereseini throughout her hospitalization while their dad would visit them as often as he could.

‘I was worried when we had to come to Suva as I did not want to inconvenience my families in Suva and with the restrictions in place it would be challenging. I was worried about our food and how we were going to wash our clothes etc.  When we arrived, the nurses told us about the Ronald McDonald Family Room. It has been such a blessing. With the complications Mereseini was going through, I was so relieved that I didn’t need to worry about food and our laundry at least.’

Mereseini was always at the Ronald McDonald Family Room each morning because she loved having toast for breakfast.

Limiva added, ‘we never really missed home or felt homesick during our stay. We were able to spend time with visiting families from Nadi and catch up and share a meal at the Family Room and the staff were very helpful to Mereseini and I. We appreciate all they do and thank them for being there for families who are going through a hard time.’

After 30 days of being at the CWM hospital, Mereseini was discharged and returned home to Nawaka.