Wed, Jan 14 at 1:59AM

As of the end of day Tuesday, January 13, Cau Nam has received visits from Mo Nam and seven of his ten children. The last three are enroute and are expected to arrive sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening. Since an hour before his transport to hospice yesterday (Tuesday), Cau Nam had been in a sedated state. We are told by hospice staff that although he cannot speak to us, he can hear and understand us when we speak to him. Cau Nam may show expression on his face or turn and move his limbs in response.

When Mo Nam arrived and spoke to him to let him know that she came to visit him, Cau Nam turned toward her and raised his arms toward his chest. When Anh Dzuy arrived and spoke to him, Cau Nam responded as well.
After everyone left, I continued to listen for the pattern in Cau Nam's breathing for any clue that he may be in distress or pain. I came to his side and held his arm and massaged his forehead. The expression on his face became increasingly strained. Crows feet formed between his brows, and the brows themselves would rise then fall, and then take on a confused look.

I went to find the nurse to request additional pain medication for him. About 30 minutes later they returned with a pain patch, syringe of morphine, one of saline, and another one for the congestion. They checked his heart rate which registered 130 beats per minute. Then they checked his feet which had grown colder now. Cau Nam's heart and lungs were working so hard to generate and bring sufficient oxygen to the vitals organs that they had neglected his extremities. Cau Nam was now running a fever and the nurse left to retrieve Tylenol.

Since the nurse changed his fleur-evac tank this morning at Memorial Herman SW, the tank had only accumulated a mere 22 milliliter of fluid. However, Cau Nam's breathing continues to bubble with the sound of partially blocked airway. As Cau Nam's breathing regain a normal rythm and the expression of pain leaves his face, I return to my pullout bed knowing that he too will now be able to rest easier tonight. I am extremely grateful for the number of relatives that had a chance to visit with Cau Nam while he was still able to recognize their voices.

Quoc