Causes of death...

Death as a result of a cancer often shows externally in tumours or external wounds.  I don't usually get to know the cause of death but colleagues are often able to tell me.   If I know the cause of death it helps me to calculate any fluid changes needed and which site to commence my embalming for maximum benefit.   And I may decided if more than one site is needed to inject the fluid into the specific area because embalming relies on the circulatory system to move throughout the body.  A blockage in the system can greatly affect the dispersal of the fluid.   


One of my ladies last week had terrible wounds to her chest and sores which were covered with clinical pads.  This led me to believe she suffered from cancer of her breasts or certainly somewhere around there.  As a result, she also had tightening of the tissue under her arms which I think is because of the lymphatic system also becoming cancerous or certainly compromised.    This meant that the circulation to her arms and hands was poor.  The tissue is compressed or a tumour grows and the lymphatics and vessels struggle to return blood flow and tissue fluid.  

This lady also had a massively swollen arm.   That's the only way I can describe it.   Her arm had become so swollen from lack of drainage that it was full to bursting.   On choosing my point of injection, I considered that this arm needed extra attention and despite the constricted vessels, I decided to use the axillary artery proximal to the brachial so I would have more room to manipulate the injection tubes if needed.

I am pleased to say that her embalming went well and she looked lovely and peaceful.  I used additional chemicals to help prevent accelerated decomposition in her arm and wrapped it in special absorbant cloth in case of seapage.  

She must have suffered a great deal during that last stage of her illness, and I left her looking at rest, knowing that nothing of that will be apparent to her loved ones should they have chosen to visit chapel.