No one knows how the next few days, or even hours will play out for popular actor David Rees (55) after he underwent a double bypass following a heart attack at his Joburg home on Sunday.
David, who is best known for his roles as Nick Naudé in Egoli and Chris Welman in 7de Laan is still in a critical condition, says his sister, Monique Buttle.
"He's fighting bravely," she adds.
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"David is in a lot of pain and getting anxious about the financial impact on his family, but we are doing everything we can to reassure him and keep him calm."
The actor does not belong to a medical aid, so Monique has begun crowdfunding to try to raise R500 000 to cover the costs of his treatment.
"The costs are astronomical. So far, I have had to pay casualty fees, for doctors, scans and blood tests. The costs snowball daily and David will probably have to stay in hospital for a while still."
David, who is married to Herculina Pentz (45), was with friends when he collapsed at home on Sunday.
"They immediately called the ambulance and then me," Monique recalls.
"Everyone was shocked."
"I am still traumatised by the events and experience distress every time my phone rings," says an emotional Monique.
David is still in the intensive care unit.
"We don't know when he will be discharged. Our priority now is just to get David healthy and to get him home. Any future planning can be set aside for now."