Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Iggy asks for prayers for elder brother By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
REPRESENTATIVE Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. (Negros Occidental, 5th district) asked Monday Negrenses, especially in his district, to pray for the immediate recovery of his brother First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo.
FG Arroyo was brought to the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City early morning Tuesday for a check-up after being discharged from a hospital in Baguio City due to gastritis Sunday evening.
Early evening Monday, however, doctors at St. Luke's decided to perform a surgery on aortic aneurysm for the First Gentleman.
Aortic aneurysm is a general term of any swelling of the aorta usually representing an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that location.
While the stretched vessel may occasionally cause discomfort, a greater concern is the risk of rupture which causes severe pain, massive internal hemorrhage, and without prompt treatment results in a quick death.
Last December 3, 2006, the First Gentleman also underwent coronary angioplasty at the same hospital.
Since then, his doctors advised him to "reduce weight, exercise regularly, follow a prescribed diet which is primarily low in fat and cholesterol, and religiously take his prescribed medication" to ensure improvement in his health.
However, in a phone interview Monday night, Rep. Arroyo, told Sun.Star Bacolod that as of press time, his elder brother is doing fine.
"Nothing serious except that he needs to undergo such operation. But he is still stable now," the solon added.
He also said all of them from the Arroyo and Macapagal clans are at St. Luke's to give their full support to the First Gentleman.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also cancelled all her appointments since Monday until Tuesday.
The First Gentleman was initially discharged from the St. Louis Hospital of the Sacred Heart in Baguio City where he had stayed since Sunday night after doctors was assured that he was not suffering from any serious illness.
The First Gentleman, aided by a wheelchair, was brought to the St. Luke's Hospital through a rear access entrance.
Presidential daughter Lourdes Evangelina Arroyo was among the members of the First Family who was first to arrive at St. Luke's.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye in a text message said Dr. Rene Manalo, who treated the First Gentleman at St. Louise, ordered the discharge and declared that the First Gentleman is now okay. (With reports from Sunnex)
