Survivor's Sunday Burquest Suffered A Debilitating Health Issue On The Show Before She Died Tragical

July 2024 · 7 minute read

Highlights

After new Survivor fans figure out which seasons to watch first, they tend to look into what happens to the show's cast after their seasons. In some cases, Survivor's have later had dark chapters in their lives, including the first player to be medically evacuated and the show's villain, Jeff Varner.

From all accounts, Sunday Burquest was a lovely human being. Unfortunately for her and everyone who loved her, Burquest went through some tough times after Survivor because of the debilitating health issues she suffered.

This article will look at the terrifying-sounding medical emergency Sunday Burquest suffered after competing on Survivor. Then, the article will look at the tragic reason that Burquest passed away far too early in life.

Sunday Burquest Suffered A Medical Ordeal Because Of Survivor

For many fans, Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X is considered one of the best seasons ever. While there are several reasons for that, one of the biggest is the fact that Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X featured a stellar cast.

Some of the season's best-remembered cast members include Adam Klein, Hannah Shapiro, David Wright, Michaela Bradshaw, Zeke Smith, Bret LaBelle, and Jay Starrett. While Sunday Burquest doesn't get talked about as much as those players, she was a great addition to the season's cast.

With that in mind, it is unfortunate to know what Burquest went through after she finished filming Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X. As a March 2019 Men's Health article revealed, Burquest went through a terrifying-sounding medical emergency after her Survivor experience.

While talking to Men's Health, Burquest revealed what happened to her immediately after her season of Survivor finished filming.

Who successful was Sunday Burquest during Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X?

Placement:

13th Voted Out/7th Jury Member

Votes Against Her:

5

As Burquest revealed, she was preparing to return to America when something happened that she didn't think was a big deal at the time.

"The day after the game we were packed and ready to head back to the US. I remember getting bitten by a bug on my arm near my elbow but thought nothing of it, I had multiple bug bites throughout the game."

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While Burquest didn't think the bug bite was a huge concern at first, it didn't take too long for her to realize there was an issue. In fact, according to what Burquest told Men's Health, she noticed that something was wrong with her by the time she made it to the airport.

Still, Burquest flew home to America with her fellow tribemates. However, things had gone from bad to worse by the time she arrived home.

"While we waited to board our flight from FIJI to the USA, I noticed my arm was hot to the touch and all I thought to myself was, that’s weird. After a 12-hour flight we landed in LA where I’d wait another five hours for my flight home, by this time my arm is not only hot, it’s starting to swell. I landed in Minneapolis and the swelling had increased, going from my forearm to my triceps area."

The day after Burquest arrived back in America, she went to the hospital to get her arm treated. At first, the doctors gave her some medication hoping her situation would swiftly improve. Instead, Burquest was back in the hospital hours later in a worse position.

"The next morning at urgent care, I was put on antibiotics. My arm continued to swell. It was later that evening that I found myself in the emergency room."

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While talking to Men's Health, Burquest described how her body began to suffer due to the bug bite she got because of Survivor.

While talking to Men's Health, Burquest described one hilarious-sounding moment that took place during her medical emergency. "My doctor was utterly puzzled at my physical state pointing out I was malnourished, iron defiant and had dangerously low blood pressure. I finally explained why I had been I Fiji. The look on his face was priceless."

To say that what Burquest went through sounds like it would be terrifying is an understatement.

"I had started to slur my words and lose my ability to walk in a straight line (temperature 104.5). The doctor explained they’d be running tests to determine the type of infection that was raging in my body."

While talking to Men's Health, Burquest revealed how she finally recovered from her horrible infection.

"The next day, the surgeon informed us that my elbow would require surgery, not only one but two surgeries. Both surgeries went great and I have a scar on my arm as a reminder of my time in FIJI."

Despite everything Burquest went through, she told the outlet that she never regretted her Survivor experience. "There has never been a single moment or day I regretted leaving my family for an adventure all on my own."

Survivor's Sunday Burquest Passed Away Too Early But Her Journey Before That Was Inspiring

In April 2021, a People article revealed that the former Survivor player Sunday Burquest had passed away. Burquest took her final breath a little less than a year after she revealed that she'd been diagnosed with esophageal and ovarian cancer. Burquest was only 50 years old at the time of her passing.

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Before Burquest passed away, she lived what appeared to be an incredible life. After all, Burquest was a youth pastor with a longtime husband, four children, and two daughters-in-law who went on the adventure of a lifetime.

On top of that, after Burquest was diagnosed with cancer, she spoke to People about her situation. While speaking to the outlet, Burquest described the incredible way she dealt with her cancer battle.

"Here's my thinking. No one knows how much time you have left. Accidents can happen. Miracles can happen. Someone healthy can die unexpectedly, and someone sick can live for much longer than expected. So I don't think of this as a death sentence; I think of this as something that has happened, and is now a part of my life. And I'm going to live my life as fully as I can."

Another testament to the kind of person that Burquest was is that many of her former tribemates paid tribute to her, as a Screen Rant article revealed. For example, Zeke Smith wrote on X, “I will miss you always @sundaysurvivor you left an indelible legacy and will be my darling forever. Rest in Power.”

Some of her former tribemates who paid tribute to Burquest include David Wright, Will Wahl, Zeke Smith, Bret Labelle, Jessica Lewis, Jessica “Figgy” Figueroa, Hannah Shapiro. Survivors from other seasons also posted about how great Burquest was and so did Jeff Probst. Arguably the most touching tribute from a former Survivor came from the winner of Burquest's season, Adam Klein whose mom passed away after fighting cancer.

“A couple of days ago, I texted Sunday to check in and send some love, that night, her daughter responded with a message from Sunday: ‘She is going to say hi to your mom for you.’ Sunday ALWAYS thought about others first. Until we meet again.”

Survivor
Reality Release Date May 31, 2000 Cast Jeff Probst Seasons 46 Network CBS Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Netflix Showrunner Jeff Probst Expand

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