Cancer cells have spread to Cory's other organs - Noynoy

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Monday said cancer cells have spread to other organs of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, who has been confined at the Makati Medical Center for over a month. The senator and his four sisters have been keeping round-the-clock watch over their mother since last week, but he took time off on Monday to attend the opening session of the Senate. In an interview with reporters after the session, he spoke candidly about the condition of his mother, who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in March last year. "She was a picture of health. Pag siya nagsabi na mas healthy pa nga ako sa 'yo e, hindi ka na maka-debate, tapos ngayon reverse na reverse. Yun ang mahirap tanggapin kung minsan e (When it was her who’s saying she’s healthier than us, no can can argue then now the situation is reversed. That’s the part we cannot accept yet)," he said. Noynoy said chemotherapy had to be stopped because of Mrs. Aquino's weakened condition. "The procedure really seems to have done well. Unfortunately the cancer has spread to other areas," he said.

The family also thought of bringing the ailing Philippine leader back to their house, but the doctors were against it. "The doctor advised us, kung me emergencies, given the (traffic) situation in Metro Manila, ano response time? In the hospital, they have all the experts who are readily available so doon muna," the senator said. He stressed that there is no dramatic change in Mrs. Aquino’s condition that would warrant apprehensions or anxiety so far. "She is stable. Hindi nag-change from hour to hour or even on a daily basis yung condition niya," Noynoy said. The former president is being fed intravenously and is also attached to an oxygen tank and a catheter. "The pain medication is not compatible with the nutrition they were giving her previously, so they have to change it. Unfortunately less calories ang pwedeng i-introduce na replacement, otherwise yung pain medication will not be effective," he said. The senator’s last conversation with Mrs. Aquino was last week. He said his mother does not complain of any pain. "Pag masakit, sasabihin niya isang beses lang na masakit. Normally kung me masakit, kunwari tinutulungan siyang bumangon para pumunta sa banyo, me mga tubo, pagtayo niya maggi-grimace, makikita mo sa mukha pero wala ka namang maririnig (When she is in pain, she will say it only once. For example, when she tries to go to the bathroom, you can see pain in her face but she will say nothing)," Aquino said. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV