In the absence of a formal report from the medical team who treated President Hug Chavez of Venezuela, we are providing this information to explain his illness, its management and provide prognostic assessment devoid of political agendas.
President Chavez has been known to have blood in his bowel movements as far back as November 2010. He is routinely cared fro by the same team of physicians who have treated and follow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. The medical team recommended to Chavez to undergo a colonoscopic exam. However, for reasons that are outside the scope of this report, he repeatedly refused. He refused to the point that the physicians caring for him discussed the matter with Fidel Castro. They asked the Cuban dictator to intervene and advise Chavez to accept the colonoscopic exam. Chavez did not accept the recommendation.
In June 2011, while in the island for various reasons, non medical, Chavez again was noted to have symptoms of colonic disease. Castro advised him again, and this time, Chavez accepted the colonoscopy.
The preparation for the procedure was uneventfully. Chavez drank all laxative solutions as directed. However, the study performed, colonoscopy, resulted in the finding of one or more polyps, some probably large, and biopsies were performed. The appearance of the polyps is not known, but after this “first surgery” the media reported that Chavez had no malignancy.
One day later, Chavez complained of increasing pain in the abdomen, fear ensued. A second examination was performed and a bowel perforation with an incipient pelvic abscess diagnosed. He was immediately taken back the operating room. At that time, the segment of colon ruptured, where the suspicious polyp was located, was removed totally. An end to end anastomosis was performed since the bowel had been cleaned for the previous operation (colonoscopy).
The surgical postoperative period was serious but no critical. Chavez improved steadily and soon thereafter began tweeting.
He then made his triumphal appearance in Caracas, and the rest is history.
In summary, Chavez has a complicated colocoscopic exam, an emergency partial colonic resection – where a very low grade malignancy may have been found – and a stormy but eventually uneventful recovery.
He does not have signs of metastatic disease, there was no tumor that perforated the colon or any hallow viscous, or pathology to suggest that his immediate future plans should be changed.
We challenge medical authorities in Cuba and Venezuela to reveal medical data relevant to this statement.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Where have the malanga (taro), cassava, rice, sweet potatoes and milk gone?
Ovidio Jimenez was born and lived near Sancti Spiritus in Cuba. He was 29 in 1959 and by then he had worked in his father’s small farm, 7.7 hectares, that is about half a caballeria.
They produced taro (malanga), cassava, rice and sweet potatoes. They also produced milk because they had three cows. They also had a horse and a plow.
A few days ago the Castro regime commemorated the signing of the first agrarian reform law of the revolution signed at La Plata in the Sierra Maestra in 1959. According to what was understood back then, the Cuban farms that did not produce and had an area larger than 20 caballerias (268.4 hectares) were to be expropriated in order to make them produce.
Well, as things were in the Cuban revolution, in 1962 the revolutionary communist government confiscated the half- caballeria farm form Ovidio and his father. The farm stopped production of taro, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes and milk. In 1963, Ovidio was taken prisoner charged with "cooperating" with rebels in the hills of the Escambray and relocated to Sandino in Pinar del Río.
He now lives in a trailer by Okeechobee and the Palmetto Expressway in the peninsula of Florida. What happened to the farm of Ovidio? How come there is no taro (malanga), , cassava (yuca) , rice, sweet potatoes and cow's milk? In summary, what is the achievement and great contribution claimed by the Cuban communists. What exactly is the legacy of the revolutionaries that, even today, they think they deserve honor, power and glory? Where is the achievement?
They produced taro (malanga), cassava, rice and sweet potatoes. They also produced milk because they had three cows. They also had a horse and a plow.
A few days ago the Castro regime commemorated the signing of the first agrarian reform law of the revolution signed at La Plata in the Sierra Maestra in 1959. According to what was understood back then, the Cuban farms that did not produce and had an area larger than 20 caballerias (268.4 hectares) were to be expropriated in order to make them produce.
Well, as things were in the Cuban revolution, in 1962 the revolutionary communist government confiscated the half- caballeria farm form Ovidio and his father. The farm stopped production of taro, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes and milk. In 1963, Ovidio was taken prisoner charged with "cooperating" with rebels in the hills of the Escambray and relocated to Sandino in Pinar del Río.
He now lives in a trailer by Okeechobee and the Palmetto Expressway in the peninsula of Florida. What happened to the farm of Ovidio? How come there is no taro (malanga), , cassava (yuca) , rice, sweet potatoes and cow's milk? In summary, what is the achievement and great contribution claimed by the Cuban communists. What exactly is the legacy of the revolutionaries that, even today, they think they deserve honor, power and glory? Where is the achievement?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The ground is getting hotter in the island. What about the underground?
Yolanda left Cuba in 2000 and returned a week ago from Havana after visiting her family. She has visited Havana a few times in recent years. This trip, however, was different. It has left her "trulydestroyed." "Doctor, Cuba is over, done. Children are languishing in hunger. They go to school with a tiny bun of bread. " She indicates the size of the piece of bread with her hand. It’s about two inches in diameter. She goes one. "The older ones are falling down on the streets. No coffee is to be found. No milk either. No doctors or even the neighborhoods health posts are open. " The doctors are in hospitals. To get a medical certificate is hard for either a special diet or whatever. Some health care workers steal them from the hospital and make them “available” to the people. They get falsified. Raúl himself has said that the revolutionary coffee is made up of coffee beans mixed with with peas. Yolanda assures me that the peas are s[rayed with some real coffee. In the "Shopping" at the Carlos III in Havana, Yolanda could not use her credit cards. When she asked: Why? And the clerk responded "because Americans do not pay." Yolanda was losing patience. She replied: "You thieves, you are the ones who do not pay!"
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Fidel, you perverted liar, Our Lone Star flag is not yours.
President Obama is the legitimate leader of the executive branch of the government of the United States today. The public has chosen him transparently. You, obsolete thinker of evil ideas and twisted reasoning, have not been elected by the Cubans, but by the Communists, who impressed by your terror, fearing the consequences or tired of the eternal struggle proposed by Marx, have followed you fanatically more than 50 years. But note, not a daypasses when a Cuban seeks asylum somewhere outside the island.
If you think that Our Lone Star flag, the flag that landed in Cárdenas in 1850, the flag that inspired and accompanied Marti and Maceo, is the flag of your revolution, let me disagree with your opinion, refute your reasoning and expose another lie form your lips. You have another flag, so show it and do not pretend to be so innocent.
And finally, when you write –or is written for you:"I paid, in fact, my services to the Revolution for a long time but never evaded risks or violated constitutional, ideological or ethical principles. I regret not having had more health to keep serving it."
You did not pay services to the revolution that engaged most Cubans in the late 1950’s to restore the constitution of 1940. You did not. What did you do? Well, you betrayed, derailed, dispersed and eliminated hopes that the revolution would restore the constitution..
You could never escape risks or violate constitutional, ideological or ethical principles. In fact, you were directly or indirectly supported by the two major poles of your time, the Soviet on the one hand and important sectors of the complex American society on the other. You did make a constitution and then revised it several times, to justify yourself and your regimen, not to aspire to a greater justice and guarantee human rights. Finally, ethics must be understood in the light of the practice, that is that which is done or performed, and this in turn should be made freely and transparently in order to be appreciated. For you, freedom and transparency do not exist in your world. You do not allow independent journalism, or free access from Cuba to the internet, much less access to your prisons to the inspectors of the UN.
If you think that Our Lone Star flag, the flag that landed in Cárdenas in 1850, the flag that inspired and accompanied Marti and Maceo, is the flag of your revolution, let me disagree with your opinion, refute your reasoning and expose another lie form your lips. You have another flag, so show it and do not pretend to be so innocent.
And finally, when you write –or is written for you:"I paid, in fact, my services to the Revolution for a long time but never evaded risks or violated constitutional, ideological or ethical principles. I regret not having had more health to keep serving it."
You did not pay services to the revolution that engaged most Cubans in the late 1950’s to restore the constitution of 1940. You did not. What did you do? Well, you betrayed, derailed, dispersed and eliminated hopes that the revolution would restore the constitution..
You could never escape risks or violate constitutional, ideological or ethical principles. In fact, you were directly or indirectly supported by the two major poles of your time, the Soviet on the one hand and important sectors of the complex American society on the other. You did make a constitution and then revised it several times, to justify yourself and your regimen, not to aspire to a greater justice and guarantee human rights. Finally, ethics must be understood in the light of the practice, that is that which is done or performed, and this in turn should be made freely and transparently in order to be appreciated. For you, freedom and transparency do not exist in your world. You do not allow independent journalism, or free access from Cuba to the internet, much less access to your prisons to the inspectors of the UN.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
How many Cuban doctors would come to the call of the Cuban people?
Among the news that are coming out of Libya, some definitely are hard to take lightly. They suggest that maybe, just maybe, the up-to-now Libyan strongman, who is neither president or king or anything like that to resign- according to his own words- may prevail. There is one story that bears witness to what has made Dr. Rida Mazagri.
Dr. Mazagri studied medicine at the Al Fateh University in Tripoli. He then went to Canada where he became a neurosurgeon. Later, he came to the United States and began working in West Virginia. So far, we could say that the doctor was pleased with his "American dream."
Except that a few weeks ago, while watching form afar the rebellion in his country, "he felt united with the freedom fighters." Almost without thinking again, he left another doctor in his place and went first to Europe, then to Cairo and from there went by land into Libya. He made contact with the rebels and is now working hard in a makeshift military hospital in Ajdabiya a few kilometers before reaching Benghazi through the northern highway bordering the Mediterranean Sea from the border with Egypt.
While the Libyan rebels fighting against a superior force in arms and resources bleed almost to death, one wonders, if a similar battle would occur in Cuba, who would turn or return to assist the people in their struggle for freedom? How many Cuban doctors in the island would come to the call of the Cuban people? How many Cuban doctors outside the island would come to the call of the Cuban people?
Dr. Mazagri studied medicine at the Al Fateh University in Tripoli. He then went to Canada where he became a neurosurgeon. Later, he came to the United States and began working in West Virginia. So far, we could say that the doctor was pleased with his "American dream."
Except that a few weeks ago, while watching form afar the rebellion in his country, "he felt united with the freedom fighters." Almost without thinking again, he left another doctor in his place and went first to Europe, then to Cairo and from there went by land into Libya. He made contact with the rebels and is now working hard in a makeshift military hospital in Ajdabiya a few kilometers before reaching Benghazi through the northern highway bordering the Mediterranean Sea from the border with Egypt.
While the Libyan rebels fighting against a superior force in arms and resources bleed almost to death, one wonders, if a similar battle would occur in Cuba, who would turn or return to assist the people in their struggle for freedom? How many Cuban doctors in the island would come to the call of the Cuban people? How many Cuban doctors outside the island would come to the call of the Cuban people?
Monday, March 7, 2011
Havana, Cuba 1930s A look into the past looks of Havana. But what will the future look like?
Two years ago a film clip was published on YouTube providing a window into the Havana of the 1930’s.I invite you to watch the clip. You can copy the web address:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEMYLkpYxX8Place it in the URL in your browser and open the movie directly. If you want, you can go to YOUTUBE and search for "CUBA, HAVANA 1930's."
I have shown several women the clip. Women are usually better in picking up details than men. Their responses are summarized in these observations:
1. People dressed much better then than now.2. Lottery tickets were sold.3. Public transportation consisted of trams and buses.4. The buses were not jammed packed. 5. A fair amount of traffic moved through the streets.6. There were lots of ads. 7. All types of awnings were kept up in the buildings and stores.8. There were no queues. 9. Food and supply stores (“bodegas”) were full of merchandise.10. There were flowers shops11. The beauty parlors were full of gracious ladies12. There were no buildings propped up with scaffoldings or partially demolished.
You may have other comments. Please feel free to add them to the blog. Do it, not be afraid.Certainly, Havana today is not the Havana of that time. I would never have been, time always leaves its traces.
What will be the looks, sounds and scent of Havana in the future? What can the future bring to the Cuban capital in the largest of the Antilles?
Friday, March 4, 2011
The times of "history will absolve me" are over.
The International Criminal Court is already investigating the "possible" atrocities taking place in Libya where the former strongman of the Arab country continues to "deny" that his people fight against his regime.
The prosecutor of the international court just declared that the court not only will investigate El Gaddafi, but all those around him and also the rebels. No one is beyond suspicion.
Meanwhile, our hopes that the Libyan people engaged in a serious and bloody internal conflict of major proportions, do not spend all their patriotism, ammunition and supplies before arriving at a national consensus about the future of Libya.
The intervention of a foreign force is not the best way to resolve this conflict and the European Union and the United States have acted well to stay out of it until now. The entire world supports the cause of freedom and democracy of the rebels. Only three leaders support El Gaddafi: Fidel Castro of Cuba, Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.
The lessons for Cuba, and to a certain extend for Venezuela and Nicaragua also, in the coming months are clear. All will be investigated and some will be judged. The times of "history will judge me and absove me" are over. We are now in one world in which actions are judged by something concrete, with the appropriate institutions and methods.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Fidel, why not die?
"Nobody in the world will never agree with the death of unarmed civilians in Libya or elsewhere." So says Fidel Castro in his last comment published extensively in the island, the outer cays and the entire world. What incredible statement?
For if that is so…
What about the more than seventy who died in the March 13 Tugboat?What weapons did they carry? Their desire for freedom!
What about the four Brothers to the Rescue literally pulverized by Castro aviators Bierg id rgw Cuban coast? What weapons did they carry? The eagerness to share their freedom with that part of Cuba, that part of themselves, that was left behind in slavery and torture!
What about the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo after a long hunger strike during which he asked for the basic rights of prisoners of conscience incarcerated in various jails of the Castro brothers? What weapon or weapons was Orlando Zapata Tamayo armed with when he was arrested in 2003 with other 74 unarmed Cubans? Furthermore, right now, what weapons are in his grave or in the hearts of his mother, relatives and friends in Cuba and throughout the whole worls, that a whole operation needs to unfolds to preemptively thwart any manifestation of pain, memory, love or freedom?
"For the sake of what freedom was the revolution fought and supported in Cuba 52 years ago?
Nobody in the world agrees with the death of unarmed civilians in Libya, other you yourself Fidel Castro, your friend Daniel Ortega, and to date, Libya's strongman, Muammar Gaddhafi.
Fidel, since you cannot speak coherently it is not appropriate to ask you to stop talking. But, seriously, why not die? Do not be afraid. Why do not cut the "hands"that write” and publish in real time the perverse and illogical inventiveness of a mind that should be laid to rest, already wornoout - not so much for time - but by evil itself and everything that surrounds you?
"Nobody in the world will never agree with the death of unarmed civilians in Libya or elsewhere." So says Fidel Castro in his last comment published extensively in the island, the outer cays and the entire world. What incredible statement?
For if that is so…
What about the more than seventy who died in the March 13 Tugboat?What weapons did they carry? Their desire for freedom!
What about the four Brothers to the Rescue literally pulverized by Castro aviators Bierg id rgw Cuban coast? What weapons did they carry? The eagerness to share their freedom with that part of Cuba, that part of themselves, that was left behind in slavery and torture!
What about the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo after a long hunger strike during which he asked for the basic rights of prisoners of conscience incarcerated in various jails of the Castro brothers? What weapon or weapons was Orlando Zapata Tamayo armed with when he was arrested in 2003 with other 74 unarmed Cubans? Furthermore, right now, what weapons are in his grave or in the hearts of his mother, relatives and friends in Cuba and throughout the whole worls, that a whole operation needs to unfolds to preemptively thwart any manifestation of pain, memory, love or freedom?
"For the sake of what freedom was the revolution fought and supported in Cuba 52 years ago?
Nobody in the world agrees with the death of unarmed civilians in Libya, other you yourself Fidel Castro, your friend Daniel Ortega, and to date, Libya's strongman, Muammar Gaddhafi.
Fidel, since you cannot speak coherently it is not appropriate to ask you to stop talking. But, seriously, why not die? Do not be afraid. Why do not cut the "hands"that write” and publish in real time the perverse and illogical inventiveness of a mind that should be laid to rest, already wornoout - not so much for time - but by evil itself and everything that surrounds you?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Biscet and Ekrid: doctors for human rights and freedom.
Written by Dr. Antonio Gordon especially for debatecuba.blogspot.esWe review the daily press to keep up-to-date on various issues. One is, of course, dealing with “ONLY ONE PEOPLE,” Cuba and Cubans.
Recently we have joined the call for freedom for all political prisoners, including Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet. Today, almost on the other side of the world, we have seen the abuse that has been committed with another doctor in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The medical team headed by Dr. Sadak Al Ekrid, a prominent orthopedic and trauma specialist of that country, was rendering first aid along the side of a peaceful demonstration. Suddenly, the medical team came under attack. Dr. Ekrid was seriously wounded and taken to his own hospital for acute care. . He is now in his own hospital critically ill, between life and death, in the best medical center in Manama..
A few months ago when Washington was debating what to do with the prisoners at Guantanamo, I was curious to find a place to send prisoners. In part, also because I do not think the U.S. base in Cuba should be used as a prison. The Cubans who leased "temporarily" the base in 1934 to the US did not have that in mind. After looking at many places in my atlases, I concluded that the Kingdom of Bahrain could easily accommodate prisoners because of its size and safety profile. Further, I thougt the new prison could be located to the south of the town of Awali.
But we live in extraordinary times. The Arab world has been swept by a wave of freedom that neither originated in Europe or the United States. The people, responding to the current living conditions and feeling ignored by those in power as dictators or monarchs, took to the streets and squares attesting to their willingness to be agents of their own future.
Thomas Jefferson was right when he said that people who are afraid of their leaders live in a dictatorship. And when he said that there is freedom in countries where the government fears its people he was also right. And now we have seen how President Obama and Secreatry of State Clinton have pledged the leadership and prestige of the United States with those peoples peacefully demanding freedom, respect for human rights and democracy. Congratulations "America."
Returning to our Cuba, we appreciate the efforts that have achieved the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and applaud the demonstrations for human rights and freedon for political prisoners in the island. However, the people of Cuba still need to rid themselves of the paralyzing fear that has reigned in the island for over 50 years of military rule. The people must demonstrate and rise up making evidently clear to all their great desire for freedom, human rights, respect for the rule of law, consensus building and the politics of tolerance with mutual respect.
For now, Dr. Biscet is in a Cuban prison and Dr. Ekrid is in critical condition at a hospital in the Persian Gulf after being shot by military forces of his country. Both represent the best of the medical profession in the great battle between good and evil.
Written by Dr. Antonio Gordon especially for debatecuba.blogspot.esWe review the daily press to keep up-to-date on various issues. One is, of course, dealing with “ONLY ONE PEOPLE,” Cuba and Cubans.
Recently we have joined the call for freedom for all political prisoners, including Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet. Today, almost on the other side of the world, we have seen the abuse that has been committed with another doctor in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The medical team headed by Dr. Sadak Al Ekrid, a prominent orthopedic and trauma specialist of that country, was rendering first aid along the side of a peaceful demonstration. Suddenly, the medical team came under attack. Dr. Ekrid was seriously wounded and taken to his own hospital for acute care. . He is now in his own hospital critically ill, between life and death, in the best medical center in Manama..
A few months ago when Washington was debating what to do with the prisoners at Guantanamo, I was curious to find a place to send prisoners. In part, also because I do not think the U.S. base in Cuba should be used as a prison. The Cubans who leased "temporarily" the base in 1934 to the US did not have that in mind. After looking at many places in my atlases, I concluded that the Kingdom of Bahrain could easily accommodate prisoners because of its size and safety profile. Further, I thougt the new prison could be located to the south of the town of Awali.
But we live in extraordinary times. The Arab world has been swept by a wave of freedom that neither originated in Europe or the United States. The people, responding to the current living conditions and feeling ignored by those in power as dictators or monarchs, took to the streets and squares attesting to their willingness to be agents of their own future.
Thomas Jefferson was right when he said that people who are afraid of their leaders live in a dictatorship. And when he said that there is freedom in countries where the government fears its people he was also right. And now we have seen how President Obama and Secreatry of State Clinton have pledged the leadership and prestige of the United States with those peoples peacefully demanding freedom, respect for human rights and democracy. Congratulations "America."
Returning to our Cuba, we appreciate the efforts that have achieved the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and applaud the demonstrations for human rights and freedon for political prisoners in the island. However, the people of Cuba still need to rid themselves of the paralyzing fear that has reigned in the island for over 50 years of military rule. The people must demonstrate and rise up making evidently clear to all their great desire for freedom, human rights, respect for the rule of law, consensus building and the politics of tolerance with mutual respect.
For now, Dr. Biscet is in a Cuban prison and Dr. Ekrid is in critical condition at a hospital in the Persian Gulf after being shot by military forces of his country. Both represent the best of the medical profession in the great battle between good and evil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)