Slack-key master Cyril Pahinui undergoes surgery for collapsed lung
STAR-ADVERTISER / MARCH 2015
Cyril Pahinui performed at the Outrigger Resorts in Waikiki showcased at its Kani Ka Pila event. Pictured at the event is. Pahinui remains hospitalized this morning at the Queen’s Medical Center and will undergo lung surgery, according to a posting on the singer’s Facebook page.
Hawaii slack-key guitar master and singer Cyril Pahinui remains hospitalized at the Queen’s Medical Center after undergoing lung surgery today, according to postings on his Facebook page.
Late this afternoon, a message on his Facebook page said, “Cyril’s surgery has been completed and he is not in critical condition as we begin the healing process. His condition was worse than expected and so the recovery will be slow and hard. Your continued prayers and aloha are appreciated.”
Earlier in the day, a message on the 65-year-old Hawaiian musician’s page said the surgery would begin at 11 a.m. and take about two hours.
“Aloha Kakahiaka, we send our aloha to all of you this morning as we prepare for this critical life-saving surgery. Our prayers and gratitude go out to our master surgeon Dr. Chug who spent his morning visiting with us to the tunes of Ledward and my dad Gabby. Also, to a most wonderful friend and Dr. Joana Magno who has watched over every detail of my care here at the Queen’s Medical Center,” the posting said.
“We can not express our appreciation for all that she has done. And a special aloha to the caring staff who work tirelessly day and night to provide an unmatched level of care and aloha for each of their patients and our never ending needs. We aloha you more than you will ever know. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The Facebook page said “As a result of his service in Vietnam on the front lines artillery Cyril was heavily exposed to several chemicals including agent orange. This exposure has impacted his lungs and heart for many years. And although he quit over 10 years ago smoking certainly did not help.
“At this time, Cyril’s right lung has collapsed and the lining filled with fluids.”
Doctors at Queen’s drained the lung and with limited success tried some pretty aggressive medical procedures hoping to resolve the situation.
Pahinui is the son of musical legend, Gabby Pahinui and has twice played at Carnegie Hall.
He has contributed to three Grammy Award-winning albums, received several Hoku Hanohano Awards, and recorded on more than 35 Hawaiian musical releases.
The 9th Annual Gabby Pahinui Waimanalo Kanikapila will be held April 23 at Waimanalo Beach Park.
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22 responses to “Slack-key master Cyril Pahinui undergoes surgery for collapsed lung”
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E Malama Pono! A sincere Pule for you…
yes, wonderful man and artist. I love his artistry. Please get well!
Best wishes and a speedy recovery. Waiting to listen to your music again.
“Dr. Chug“? Auwe, I’d make him take a breath test before going in the O.R.
Magno. Filipino doctor.
“Joana Magno” is a “LIVING TREASURE” and literally saved my life! She has helped MANY and one of the most efficient and powerful physicians on this planet!
Are you a prisoner?
Agent Orange in Vietnam? Yeah right. It’s the smoking that does it every time.
Inhaled any “Agent Orange” lately? TRY IT! ..(NUMBNUTS!).. F.Y.I. “butinski”; only an Ignorant Coward would have written your posting. (OKOLE-WIPE)
Spent many a year in Vietnam from Pleiku to the Parrot’s beak. Again, it’s the smoking.
Then YOU should know better… Not amusing! (I was in the Chopper–over your head).
One important question: Was he ever diagnosed as a victim of Agent Orange by the VA and if so, was he being treated at a VA hospital? Anybody can write anything on one’s own Facebook.. I say this because too many actual victims are suffering on both sides. Read up on collapsed lung and all articles will point to “smoking” as a major cause.
not fun. draining and re-inflating the lung takes time. it was funny, however, when the e.r. doctor said they needed to insert a catheter before doing anything else. i panicked, they didn’t tell me it was for my lung and not for the urinary tract. the doctors never made it clear.
good luck to you, cyril.
by the way, not only agent orange victims are susceptible to this, but, apparently it’s also happening to college freshmen and sophomores across the u.s. not sure why. and it’s not from drinking or partying. it’s just happening.
Ye, it is common in young men in their 20s and 30s with slim builds but no one knows why. My son has had this happen to him several times, called “spontaneous pneumothorax”. There is no rhyme or reason to it, it can happen even when you’re lying in bed sleeping. If it happens once you are more susceptible to it happening again. I think he’s had it 3 times now, sometimes worse than others. Usually means a trip to the hospital to insert a tube that draws the air out of the space between your lungs and your rib cage. Not a fun thing to have to go through. My thoughts and prayers are with Uncle Cyril and I wish him a speedy recovery.
Have a speedy recover Cyril.
Get well soon Cyril,gotta keep the music going!!!
Surgery should be straight forward. Crack open the chest. Inflate the tire tube, squeeze, find puka, sew it closed, close up chest with staples, pau. Don’t forget to evaluate the health of the lungs and heart. I think there are a lot of bad things going on. Age factors hugely in his health.
uh, no.
they stick a tube through your rib cage into the chest cavity to drain the liquid from the lung.
the inflating is done by the patient doing breathing exercises for the next two or three days. a punctured lung will seal itself. you get a small one inch scar at the site where the tube is inserted into your chest.
it is straight forward, though. but you need to understand that when they mention a catheter, they are talking about a tube through your chest and not through your best.
I know what catheter they are using. It is a balloon cath. got 2 nozzles on one end. One for pumping air in to inflate the balloon at the other end to facilitate a better air seal when it is pulled out far enough for the balloon to rest against the inside of the chest wall. Th other end is for suctioning with a syringe to remove air or fluid. If air is aspirated then will try to suck as much air as possible to recreate a vacuum. If fluid then will try to suck out as much as possible. There should be almost no fluid at all. Any fluid will go to the lab for analysis. X-rays will be taken If air or fluid keeps coming out the next day then you worry and execute more aggressive approaches to the medical problem at hand. Scoping through a puncture wound made with a scalpel is a less traumatic tactic. Surgical exploration has been chosen because the lab, emergency, and treatment results are unsatisfactory. Hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.
raccoon, apologies, you are correct referencing the surgery.
my comments are severely limited to e.r. procedures with no further complications that cyril is experiencing.
Like anything else in this world, excesses in almost everything we do contribute to bad health. There’s always hope if one takes heed and remedy bad habits. Quit smoking at 32 and still kicking at 90. My heart goes out Cyril and his ohana. May he have a restful sleep to prepare for tomorrow morning’s major treatment.
Eh Bradah Cyril! Get well soon!!Fight it ,don’t back down! Ke Akua is watching over you! Malama Pono!IMUA!