Gloria Arroyo undergoes another medical checkup

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo underwent another CT scan Wednesday as part of her follow-up checkups after her recent spine operation. Arroyo underwent the procedure at the St. Luke's Medical Center (SLMC) in Taguig City, radio dzBB reported early Thursday. The report quoted SLMC spokesperson Marilen Lagniton as saying the SLMC doctors also held a conference where they agreed to keep a halo vest on Arroyo for two more weeks. But the report said Lagniton did not say when Arroyo will return for her next follow-up checkup. Arroyo was discharged from the SLMC on September 2, more than a month after she was first brought there for a pinched nerve in her spine. She 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, and will have to take calcium supplements to strengthen her bones, as well as muscle relaxants for her neck spasms. — LBG, GMA News