Mike Arroyo leaves St. Luke's

MANILA, Philippines - First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was discharged before noon yesterday from St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) in Taguig City after two weeks of confinement and was given a stern warning by his doctors to lose weight and avoid strenuous activities.

Mr. Arroyo was rushed to the SLMC last March 25 after complaining of back pains. Doctors found that it was due to a new tear in his aorta, which was surgically repaired three years ago and was in danger of rupturing.

President Arroyo and granddaughter Mikaela accompanied Mr. Arroyo, who was spotted exiting the hospital lobby wearing a dark polo shirt and jogging pants at 11:55 a.m.

He smiled and waved to newsmen and posed for photographs before boarding the presidential limousine.

His attending physician, Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, said the patient was wearing a stiff corset to support his abdomen and lower back.

She said he would still report to the SLMC every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for physical therapy and another set of exercises that he would do at the Palace.

Heart surgeon Dr. Rommel Cariño warned that Mr. Arroyo’s heart ailment could recur and he should be alert for symptoms.

Cariño said there was no need for another surgery “because there were no compressions to the vital organs.”

Doctors also advised Mr. Arroyo to rest at home and avoid strenuous activities because of his fragile condition.

Days before he was rushed to the hospital, Mr. Arroyo went to the US to watch the fight between Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey of Ghana in Dallas, Texas.