Manning begins chemo
By Nalinee Seelal Saturday, July 2 2016
WITH a confirmed diagnosis of blood cancer and his decision to remain in Trinidad for treatment, former Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday started chemotherapy at the San Fernando General Hospital’s High Dependency Unit.
Doctors diagnosed Manning’s affliction as Acute Myeloid Leukemia and have also deemed his condition as critical.
Manning also had the option of being flown out of Trinidad for chemotherapy, but is reported to have told doctors he preferred to remain at home to have the treatment done. He is also reported to have stated he has undergone many battles in his life and this is just another one and while he is hoping for the best he is prepared to accept his fate.
These developments were in stark contrast to the original reports surrounding Manning’s admittance to hospital on Monday. Wife Hazel revealed then via the former PM’s Facebook page on Tuesday that he “was admitted to hospital last evening (Monday) for investigation concerning an aberration in his blood count.
He is resting comfortably and is in good spirits.
We continue to pray for him.†Also his good friend, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, described an upbeat Manning when he spoke to the media, even referring to raucous laughter between the two of them when he visited with the former TT Prime Minister on Tuesday. Yesterday however, word emanating from the General Hospital was that Manning was critical, his wife Hazel disclosing the more serious situation in a Facebook page saying: “After conducting the appropriate tests, Mr Manning was diagnosed last evening as having Acute Myeloid Leukemia and is being prepared to undergo treatment. We thank everyone for their support and prayers and ask that you continue to pray for him as he undergoes treatment.†Health sources told Newsday that the chemo treatment began yesterday and Manning appeared weak and withdrawn.
According to reports, Manning began coughing a lot on Monday prompting his wife Hazel to take him to the San Fernando General Hospital where doctors first did a blood test which revealed an unusually low blood count.
Consultants decided to do a bone marrow biopsy and the tests revealed the cancer. The results of the test usually takes three days to be given to the patient at the San Fernando General Hospital, but because of the critical situation, the lab technicians worked overtime to present their findings to the team of doctors taking care of Manning.
The former Prime Minister was told the dreaded news on Monday by a team of consultants led by Dr Kanta Ramcharan at the High Dependency Unit at the San Fernando General Hospital that the blood tests revealed that he was afflicted with blood cancer. Sources revealed that Manning began praying after being given the bad news and was comforted by his wife Hazel. He was then told that there are several options available to treat the ailment.
Newsday understands that Manning has been praying a lot since being informed of his situation and nurses have been offering words of comfort to him.
Medical sources revealed that due to Manning’s age and because his condition is considered complicated, it is “a very touchy situation†and due to this he is being monitored round the clock. In January 2012, Manning suffered a stroke causing him to spend several days at hospital. He also sought rehabilitation at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC.
www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,229976.html
