Dolphy responding well to treatment

The good news is that, according to the latest medical bulletin, Dolphy is recovering beautifully, although he’s still on respirator.

“What bothers him are the tubes attached to his body,” Dolphy’s son Eric Quizon told Funfare Update in a phone interview yesterday afternoon, “one of the tubes is direct to his lungs through his mouth to help him breathe easier. He needs to be closely monitored 24/7.”

The Comedy King, who’s turning 83 (not 85 as reported in this corner yesterday) on July 25, was brought to the ICU of an undisclosed hospital Saturday last week when he had difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed to be suffering from pneumonia.

“He has COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) which is like emphysema of the worst kind,” Bibeth Orteza, Dolphy’s biographer, texted Funfare Update.

“He was a chain smoker but he quit in 1975. But even then, the vice had taken a toll on his health.”

Since almost two years ago, Dolphy has been needing oxygen to ease his breathing. He’s also said to be asthmatic.

Eric said that last Wednesday, his father’s condition became critical when some of his vital organs nearly collapsed.

“But he recovered fast and he continues to recover,” added Eric. “He’s responding to treatment very well.”

Dolphy has been in and out of the hospital these past months, spawning rumors about his demise which he has been characteristically taking with humor, saying that morbid rumors only mean that he will live longer.

In case the respirator doesn’t help, Dolphy might have to undergo bipap treatment, a mechanical procedure that will take out carbon dioxide from his system. If still that doesn’t work, he might have to be intubated (tube inserted into his neck to help flash out liquid in his lungs.)

“My dad has a strong fighting spirit,” said Eric who is thanking people who have been praying for Dolphy’s quick recovery, adding “please (tell your readers to) continue praying for my dad.”

What’s up?

• Ted Failon will weigh the pros and cons of mining in the country and assess if the revenues generated from it are worth its negative impact on the environment, 4:45 this afternoon on Failon Ngayon on ABS-CBN.

• Prosecution team spokesperson and deputy speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III takes the spotlight in The Bottomline with Boy Abunda, 11:30 tonight on ABS-CBN

• Five seasoned musicians — Jonathan Zuñiga Urbano, Empiel Palma, Joven Aguilar, Mike Brewer and Kelvin Corteza — are featured in Concert at the Park, 6 p.m. tomorrow (June 17). Admission is free.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)