Floods have unusual upside for Coast family

The Anniversary Day floods were dark days for the Bruna family, Juan, Cheyna and Vicente, who had to evacuate their rented home in Stanmore Bay as the waters rose. It is only now, looking back, that they realise the floods were, in a way, a game-changer for Juan.

The family stayed with friends, and then in emergency housing before recently finding a new home in Manly.

They took leave from their jobs – Juan is a plumber and Cheyna works at Countdown supermarket.

Stress led Juan to have an online consultation with his doctor, during which the doctor noticed a lump in Juan’s jaw.

Juan had been aware of the lump for a while and noticed it got bigger after the floods, but hadn’t been concerned about it until the doctor suggested more tests.

A biopsy revealed that what he had on his jaw was a rare and aggressive tumour, Desmoplastic fibroma, which, although benign, can destroy the bone around it.

When it was discovered, it had already spread along the jawline, and major surgery to remove it, along with parts of Juan’s jaw and many teeth, followed by reconstruction, are required.

It was quickly getting larger and Cheyna says if Juan had not consulted the doctor when he did, the outcome could have been even more debilitating for him.

Even so, Juan, 37, says the diagnosis came as a huge shock. So was finding out they are not entitled to any financial support.

Surgery is scheduled to take place this week, and will take more than 10 hours, using bone from Juan’s leg to rebuild his jaw. Three weeks in hospital and a long period of rehabilitation and physiotherapy will follow.

Juan will have to learn how to swallow and talk again and Cheyna is taking time off work to care for him.

“It was terrifying, and we didn’t know how we would survive it – not just emotionally, but without being able to work,” Cheyna says. 

The couple ran a kai and raffle fundraiser recently, spending long hours cooking and selling the food to locals. Harcourts Cooper & Co provided their carpark for the fundraiser, as well as power, a gazebo and ice cream truck. Countdown Whangaparāoa supplied the ingredients. Cheyna says they are so grateful to the businesses that helped, and everyone who came along to support them – in total $2100 was raised.

The family also started a Givealittle page, which has so far raised around $1730.

“It’s been a terrible year so far,” Cheyna says. “But we are now settled in our new home in Manly, high above any flooding, and the community is giving us so much support. We have a lot to be grateful for.”

To help this family, search for Juan’s Road to Recovery on Givealittle – https://givealittle.co.nz/ The page is open for donations until July 31.