Jan 13 at 2:46AM

Hello Dear Family,

I have been with Cau Nam every day since he was admitted to the hospital a week ago. So, it is with a very heavy heart that I write this update to all of you. Cau Nam's condition has rapidly deteriorated over just the past couple of days. Many have tried to get him to eat in hopes that it will build his strength and immunity so that he could have gone through chemotherapy, but he has ingested very little and continues to get weaker. His doctors no longer consider him a viable candidate for chemotherapy. Arrangements have been made to move his care to the hospice unit at the hospital. This means that the priorities for his care will shift towards pain management and his personal comfort rather than the prolongment of his life.

We have not recently received details on the growth of the cancer, but it may be a moot point. It has become apparent that it has spread very quickly and has made it increasingly difficult for Cau Nam to breathe. His breathing is extremely labored and it exacts a tremendous toll on his energy level. It is evident in his speech. This evening, most of his words were barely more than a whisper. And with every word, he seems physically spent.

The oxygen tube that is inserted in Cau Nam's nose bothers him. He frequently pulls it out, opting to try to catch his own breaths. When he does so for even a few minutes, his oxygen level drops to 80%. And when we ask him to please allow us to reinsert the oxygen tube, his oxygen level quickly returns to 94-95%. He alternates between feeling very hot to very cold quickly. One minute, we are fanning him with a hand fan, and the next, we are putting more blankets on him.

As recently as yesterday and the day before, Cau Nam wielded his sharp sense of humor like a rapier with all who visited. Today, he seems to be hallucinating more and drifts in and out of consciousness. The jokes are few. The smiles are even fewer.

I only wish to convey my observations to those of you who are afar. And I would never want to overstep my bounds to make presumptions. I know you are very concerned. So am I. For those who can make the trip to Houston to be by Cau Nam's side in these last few days, I wish you safe travels and God's speed.

Huy-Hoang