Roger’s Open Heart Surgery

Hello, friends & family -

Today is Monday, October 17th & my dad Roger Chuyan is headed into emergency open heart surgery at Rockledge Regional. 

I'm glad he followed his feelings & went to the ER the other night with chest pain. It could have been so much worse, but the surgeon is super positive for a successful operation!

If you don't know me, my name is Alanna. As Roger's daughter, I realize I may also be too proud, just like my dad. We both try to do everything on our own without asking for help. Roger - the kindest man I know, a brilliant & humble guitarist, an amazingly talented photographer, he speaks Portuguese & is, in general, the best.

People close to me have suggested I ask for help now, so here I go...

The last few years have been difficult for many families. For those of you that know my dad & I well, for almost 3 years our home in Rockledge has been falling apart. I feel we have been taken advantage of by not only insurance companies, but the attorney we chose, as well. Without notice they ripped out our kitchen, front bathroom sink & laundry room area. Exposing the nasty culprit - a large hole in our cast iron pipe. Our walls are gutted. A hole in a pipe leading to the outside elements exposes our home to further moisture. We can't do laundry. We have to wash our dishes in a small bathroom sink where we also brush our teeth. Little to no communication from our chosen attorney. So many complications. I am really tired of waiting around for answers. What my dad doesn’t realize is we deserve so much better, a much healthier home environment to live in & we have just been OK with it.

With my dad needing to be in recovery for 7+ weeks or more, I will be solely responsible for taking care of him & our home. I will need to take off work for a little bit to care for him & he will be out of work until at least next year. He will be coming home in about a week. I’m cleaning our home thoroughly, but the more I do the more I realize this bathroom & shower is not adequate for anyone to use, let alone my dad post-heart surgery. I need to create a healthier home to live in while we wait another year for someone to give us answers about our house. 

I know the last thing my dad wants is sympathy. He doesn’t want tons of people writing on his FB wall or messaging him about this. But, why? I asked him. You’ve cared for so many over the years, let us care for you if we can. Roger Chuyan, my daddio, you do everything for us. I love you more than words. You gave me life & have saved my life before & everything I do; every dollar I make; every song I sing, each note is for you. If there’s even $1 given to help me with medical & recovery expenses for the next few months it would be helpful. He needs bathroom & shower work done, I have to pay the rent. We have been trying to work & get by & do it on our own & now my dad’s heart needs to heal. If you know this man, you know he has the biggest heart & cares for so many people. Now I want to take care of him! ❤️‍