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Ex-Pres. Gloria Arroyo to undergo 'risky' spine surgery


(Updated 8:51 p.m.) - Former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will undergo "risky surgery" for a pinched nerve in her spine to prevent a possible paralysis, her doctors said on Tuesday. According to the medical bulletin of St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig, Mrs. Arroyo is now undergoing pre-operation procedures for "multi-level cervical spondylosis radiculopathy with kyphosis" or more commonly known as a pinched nerve. This same problem caused her to be hospitalized in June and wear a neck brace for several days after the incident. Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, who read out the medical bulletin, told reporters outside St. Luke's that Arroyo's current condition could have been triggered by her "continuing to work countless hours despite her stresses." "We advised her [Arroyo] that she should be operated on immediately since her disease could lead to paralysis. Currently workup is being conducted in preparation for her surgery," the doctor added.
Palace wishes Arroyo well
Malacañang on Tuesday wished former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo success in her upcoming surgery as it urged the public to pray for her immediate recovery. “We would wish Representative Arroyo well. We hope that you will have a successful surgery and we ask the people to pray for her," said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda at a press briefing. Lacierda, however, said Arroyo’s condition would not affect the Aquino administration’s ongoing investigations on irregularities during her presidency, including possible cases that may be charged against her. He said the cases will be filed based on the evidence that will be gathered and collected and after the assessment that there is probable cause. “I think the work of reform goes on regardless of who is going to be affected," Lacierda said. — KBK, GMA News
Gopez-Cervantes warned that the surgery to be conducted on Arroyo was "risky" because it involved "very sensitive nerves" in the spinal chord that are responsible for the movement of the upper extremities like hands and arms, as well as respiratory muscles. The doctor said the surgery could take up between three and five hours, and after that, Arroyo will still have to remain in hospital from one to two weeks. Asked to describe, in a rate between 1 and 10 - the pain that usually hits Arroyo, Gopez-Cervantes said: "9 to 10, kapag nag-atake siya (when the pain attack happens)." The doctor revealed that Mrs. Arroyo does not seem to appear to be suffering from nerve pains when facing the public simply because she has a very high pain threshhold. "But this time, we have to consider the definitve management... There is progression of the weakness of her upper extremities so we will not wait until she develops paralysis. Otherwise, it might be irreversible the next time around," she warned. Gopez-Cervantes, however, assured the public that Arroyo is still responding well to rehabilitation and medical management through pain relievers. Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in June said the former president had been experiencing discomfort brought by the condition even while she was still in Malacañang. However, Mr. Arroyo said the pain his wife experienced in June was so intense it rendered her immobile. On late Monday afternoon, Mrs. Arroyo was rushed to the hospital after making the rounds of barangays in Pampanga. Earlier on that day, Mrs. Arroyo was among the 261 lawmakers who were present during the opening of the House of Representatives’ second regular session. However, she skipped President Benigno Aquino III’s second State of the Nation Address later that day. Cervical spondylosis According to the Mayo Clinic in the United States, cervical spondylosis is "a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the disks in your neck." "Cervical spondylosis and osteoarthritis are most common in people older than age 55, and both conditions progress with age," the Mayo Clinic said. Five plunder cases On Tuesday, a few hours before news about Mrs. Arroyo's surgery was announced, a fifth plunder charge was filed against the former Philippine leader for the alleged misuse of P325-million funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). A 39-page complaint was filed past 10:00 a.m. by former congresswoman and current Akbayan party-list spokesperson Risa Hontiveros, former Brigadier General Danilo Lim, and social activist Jimmy Regalario. According to Akbayan, this is so far the fifth plunder case Mrs. Arroyo is facing since she left Malacañang. On Monday, Mrs. Arroyo’s legal spokesperson, Raul Lambino, dismissed as a mere “publicity stunt" the plunder case that Akbayan announced they will file against Arroyo on Tuesday. “Just like their patron in Malacañang, they resort to political propaganda over the media to advance their respective agendas by incessant shame campaign and vilification against Arroyo," Lambino said in a text message to GMA News Online. - with Mark Merueñas, Sophie Dedace, VVP/HS/RSJ, GMA News
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