Arafat to have surgery in Mukata

Jerusalem Post ^ | Oct. 22, 2003 | KHALED ABU TOAMEH

[yonif]

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is expected to undergo surgery in his office to remove gallstones, PA officials said on Tuesday.

They added that doctors who examined Arafat lately determined that he would require surgery "some time in the near future."

One official was quoted by Reuters as saying that Arafat has recovered from a severe stomach infection, but Egyptian doctors by chance found, during an examination last month, that he has gallstones which have to be removed at some point. He said the condition is not life-threatening, and Arafat will be treated at his office.

An unnamed Arab diplomat said the surgery was "not urgent" and that doctors could dispatch a mobile hospital to Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah to operate on him there. Arafat has not left his office for the past two years for fear that Israel would not allow him to return.

Jordan, Russia, and Egypt sent medical teams to examine Arafat. Arafat's aides said the doctors found him to be in generally good health except for a bout of influenza and severe inflammation of the stomach.

Rumors have been circulating for weeks about the health of Arafat, 74. His personal physicians have denied reports that he is suffering from stomach cancer, heart ailments and other severe illnesses. His personal physician, Dr. Ashraf al-Kurdi, said many people have gallstones and do not have surgery to remove them, "especially not someone at the president's age."

[yonif]

Where should I send flowers? /sarcasm

[jocon307]

Is it okay to hope the operation is a success, but the patient dies?

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Arafat knows the jig is up and he is looking for acceptable cover. Bye, bye.

[dawn53]

I believe you're right. He'll develop complications and have to be whisked off to a hospital in Egypt. Wasn't it Mubarek's physicians that were checking on him last month?

He's gotta get out of town, and this is as good a way as any, at least if he wants to save face and not look like a coward. He will leave under doctor's orders, that way he can still be the Palestinians' hero, not the coward who sends women to blow up themselves and innocent civilians, but flees the country when his time is up.

[xrp]

DIE!!!

[ChadGore]

"Paging Dr. Ariel Sharon, Dr. Sharon to surgery"

[ChadGore]

Re: He will leave under doctor's orders

I'm reminded of the Shah of Iran fleeing to get "medical attention" when his time was up.

[TexKat]

I've got a rusted knife they can use in the operation.

[ChadGore]

rusted knife ? You're a more generous person than I ;)

[CrazyIvan]

His stomach problem certainly isn't from a lack of gall.

[Octar]

Gallsteins?

[tet68]

Gallstones? the Poor man, I hope it's only one or two .......
or three or four...........
or five or six...........
With a face like that he could SURELY pass them.
Spit them out one by one?

[Kewlhand`tek]

i wonder if he gets the best jewish doctors?

[solitas]

Oooh! Oooh! Oooh! Let me take them out; my way.

[Catspaw]

I passed a gallstone about a month or so ago. It's more pain than I had delivering a 9 1/2 lb. baby.

Knowing Yasser has gallstones makes me smile.

[Fzob]

He said the condition is not life-threatening

Well, even simple procedures carry some risk, so there's hope.

[Thumper1960]

You mean that nose-shaped thing on his face isn't a hemmie?

Doesn't surprise me, tho, that Arafat-a$$ has too much gall for his own good.

[Vinnie_Vidi_Vici]

I'd love to buy his surgeon about 20 or 30 tequila shooters
the night before!!!

[dennisw]

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/gallstones/