Palace wishes Gloria Arroyo speedy recovery

Malacañang on Sunday wished its former occupant and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo a speedy recovery after her discharge from the St. Luke’s Medical Center Friday night. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said they hope Arroyo can regain her health soon, especially after she was given orders to rest and take medication to recuperate. “Sana tuloy-tuloy ang kanyang paggaling (We hope her recovery will be speedy)," she said on government-run dzRB radio. Arroyo was discharged from the SLMC Friday night, more than a month after she was first brought there for a pinched nerve in her spine. Her physician Dr. Juliet Cervantes said the discharge was scheduled for Saturday morning, but Arroyo insisted on going home Friday night so she could get more time to rest. Arroyo underwent spine surgery on July 29, when four of her cervical bones were replaced with bone substitutes held in place by titanium implants, which were dislodged by her weak bones. Doctors performed revision surgery on August 10, and part of the pelvic bone was implanted on the affected part of the spine. Arroyo left the hospital still wearing a halo vest, which may be replaced with a neck brace next week. She will have to take calcium supplements to strengthen her bones, as well as muscle relaxants for her neck spasms. — LBG, GMA News