InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE: 8:15 am, JUNE 22) Dialysis on Thursday had reduced the risk of organ failure for Philippine Comedy King Dolphy, who showed signs of improved health but remained in "stable but critical" condition, his family said.
In a text update Friday morning, Eric Quizon said dialysis has reduced excess fluid in Dolphy’s lungs, and reduced toxins in his system, cutting the risk of organ failure.
Dolphy is now breathing easier and body tremors are more controlled. He is also more responsive to their voices and can voluntarily open his eyes.
Meantime, they await the overnight outcome of dialysis and blood work. “Considering the circumstances, there are improvements to his condition.”
Confined at the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center since Friday, Dolphy on Wednesday was announced as being in a "very critical" state, but by Thursday morning was deemed "stable".
A kidney infection arising from repeated bouts with pneumonia was earlier seen to be the biggest concern of doctors attending to the actor, who turns 84 next month. Dolphy's son, actor-director Eric Quizon, on Thursday afternoon said his father's platelet count remains low, and doctors believe there may be internal bleeding that they will have to attend to.
In the meantime, Dolphy underwent dialysis, which seemed to have improved his condition, Quizon said. The legendary actor even opened his eyes briefly, his son said, after days of feeble activity.
Dolphy's children, friends, and fans have started gathering at the Makati Medical Center, acknowledging, as Quizon had on Wednesday, that "anything can happen." On Twitter and Facebook, citizens have renewed a months-old campaign to press President Aquino into proclaiming Dolphy a National Artist "before it's too late".
Quizon said Dolphy's heart remains strong, but his lungs remain very weak, ravaged by a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that had hospitalized the Comedy King with 11 bouts with pneumonia over the past year.
