'We have been throwing up for eight hours, my hands are numb': Texas couple who died on dream vacation to Fiji sent panicked texts to parents about their rapidly worsening conditions
- Michelle Paul, 35, and husband, David, 37, died on vacation in Fiji two weeks ago
- Mrs Paul text her mother Juliet Calanog to say 'We're both going to doctor now'
- She told her parent: 'We have been throwing up for 8 hours. Dave has diarrhea'
- Mrs Paul complained: 'My hands are numb. We will text when we can'
- Mother of young boy and stepmother two girl shared: 'They gave us fluids and anti-nausea drip', 'electrolyte packets' and pills but they still didn't 'feel 100%'
- Mr Canalog said the spouses planned a trip for May 19-27 and he was shocked when Mrs Paul died May 25 and Mr Paul passed away May 27
- Sister-in-law said family got a call about them a day before they were to return
- Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services on Wednesday said the couple's cause of death is still being investigated, but flu was ruled out as a cause
The Texas couple that died on dream vacation to Fiji sent panicked texts to their parents just before they died.
Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services said in a statement Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing into the deaths of David Paul, 37, and Michelle Paul, 35, but influenza was ruled out as a potential cause.
Mrs Paul text her mother Juliet Calanog - who lives in Nevada with her husband Marc - 'we are both going to doctor now' on May 22 shortly after they arrived.
She shared the symptoms that worried her in the messages, according to ABC News.
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Michelle Paul, 35, and husband, David, 37, died on vacation in Fiji two weeks ago
Mrs Paul text her mother Juliet Calanog - who lives in Nevada with her husband Marc (pictured) - 'we are both going to doctor now' on May 22 shortly after they arrived
'We have been throwing up for 8 hours. Dave has diarrhea. My hands are numb. We will text when we can,' she added.
When the pair arrived back at their hotel Mrs Paul detailed how they were encouraged to hydrate during the medical consultation.
'We just got back from the clinic. They gave us fluids and anti-nausea drip', Mrs Paul wrote. 'They gave us electrolyte packets and anti-nausea pills. We still don't feel 100%. Going to rest in our room.'
In a response, Mrs Calanog told her daughter to 'slow down', 'take care' and 'drink a lot of fluid, bottled water'.
'You need to rest,' the concerned mother added just days before her daughter passed away on May 25.
David Paul had told his family members he and his wife had received medical treatment before being released by doctors at a local hospital.
Mrs Paul told her parent: 'We have been throwing up for 8 hours. Dave has diarrhea'
Mrs Paul complained to her mother in a text: 'My hands are numb. We will text when we can'
Michelle Paul's sister-in-law, Tracey Calanog, said her family had received a call informing them of the couple's rapidly deteriorating health on the day before they were due to fly home.
Her father Marc received a call notifying him of her death and two days after Mr Paul was dead.
Mr Calanog, 75, said his daughter and her husband met five years ago in Hawaii and that both loved beaches and snorkeling.
He said they planned a trip for May 19-27 because that's when family members could watch their two young children.
'I did not think it was so serious,' Mr Calanog told the newspaper. 'I was stunned. I almost cried, but I didn't cry because I was holding onto my emotions. ... I would say I was emotionally shocked.'
Mother of young boy and stepmother two girl shared: 'They gave us fluids and anti-nausea drip', 'electrolyte packets' and pills but they still didn't 'feel 100%'
Michelle Paul's sister-in-law, Tracey Calanog, said her family had received a call informing them of the couple's rapidly deteriorating health on the day before they were due to fly home
Fiji's Health Ministry said it is coordinating with the US Embassy in Fiji and working with the south Pacific island nation's Police Force’s forensics department in addition to receiving technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the cause of death.
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'It would be premature to speculate further on the cause of death until the investigation is complete,' health officials said this week. 'Monitoring of the small number of staff and health workers who came into close contact with the deceased couple was conducted, and as a precaution remains ongoing. All are currently well.
'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this young couple at this difficult time,' the Ministry said.
