LY - update

5 Jun, Friday - I called LY's son and found out that she was admitted on Thursday. LY had been confused and disoriented so her son brought forward her appointment. It was then that her onco decided to admit her.

I had checked with the ayurvedic master about LY's condition and he said that her confusion is caused by urea. I did not ask and the AM did not specify, but a check on the net produced the following :

"Naturally, urea is produced when the liver breaks down protein or amino acids, and ammonia. The kidneys then transfer the urea from the blood to the urine. Extra nitrogen is expelled from the body through urea, and because it is extremely soluble, it is a very efficient process. The average person excretes about 30 grams of urea a day, mostly through urine, but a small amount is also secreted in perspiration."

The cancer had metastasied to her liver and after having gone through so much chemo, it sounds logical that her liver and kidneys may have problems.

Went down to onco ward this afternoon to see LY. Met up with M, a active member of the support group. LY is on the dangerously-ill-list (DIL). She has a slight cough and apart from being weak and tired, seemed conscious enough while we were there. She is on drip as the docs are concerned that she may choke as her condition is not stable.

As LY couldn't stand, her onco suspect that the cancer may have spread to her spine. A ctscan had been done but the results were not out yet, but her docs are not optimistic.

A doctor had proposed inserting a shunt to drain the fluid to relieve pressure from her brain, but her onco and her son are not in favour.

As she is very ill, her doctor has proposed hospice care. Most likely she will be on hospice home care after her discharge.

M also brought me to meet another 2 patients who were also warded. E has colorectal cancer and is also on DIL. The other lady, whom I did not get the name, has advanced breast cancer.

This afternoon, as I approached the onco ward, I had a kind of mixed and dreaded feeling even though I was going there as a visitor. I couldn't help feeling that the onco ward is the most pathetic looking ward of all. The all too familiar scenes of oxygen mask, chemo drips and bald heads are still prevalent, although calm.