RP First Gentleman on the way to full recovery

By Ronron
April 14, 2007

Philippine First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo is almost fully recovered since undergoing a major surgery near his heart last Tuesday, his main attending physician said Saturday.

Dr. Juliet Cervantes said yesterday afternoon that Arroyo’s recovery rate is already “90 to 95 percent,” in fact, three of the five tubes attached to his body were already removed.

“The First Gentleman has just been “extubated.” Meaning, he is breathing on his own, no more tubes, no ventilator at all. So, I think that is a very remarkable improvement on the First Gentleman,” Cervantes told reporters waiting outside St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City at around 2pm yesterday.

The improvement came a day after Cervantes herself said that Arroyo’s recovery has stalled on Friday.

“He bounced back. That’s what we mean by very dynamic. That is why, at this point in time, we have to be very flexible. Sometimes, the news are not that good. Sometimes, the news are unexpectedly good. So, it’s a day to day basis,” Cervantes explained the changes in Arroyo’s condition.

On the night of April 9, the 60-year-old husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underwent an emergency aneurysmectomy due to leaking anuerysm at the arch of the aorta. The operation lasted for some 10 hours, or until early morning of April 10th.

Cervantes reported also yesterday afternoon that Arroyo’s kidneys are already functioning. “We expect him to produce urine by next week,” she said. Dialysis on him, however, will still continue.

She said what they are just closely looking into now is Arroyo’s lungs to prevent infection. The First Gentleman is currently staying at the cardiovascular recovery room of the hospital.

Cervantes described Arroyo as “awake,” who “follows commands,” and can move his extremeties, although he is “on slight sedation” so he could rest.

“There is no neurologic sign, whatsoever. He is not brain dead… His heart is very very stable,” she said.

The physician said that if the recovery rate of the First Gentleman maintains or gets better in the coming days, he could already go back to Malacanang next week.

“Overall, the First Gentleman’s medical team, the President, and the First Family are happy with this development,” Cervantes said.

“I think and we think, and I’m sure she will agree, that there is a divine intervention here. Without the help of somebody up there, probably, we are not in this kind of situation right now,” she added.

Cervantes said the President has extended her gratitude to “all those who pray and are continuously praying” for her lawyer husband./DMS