[Marxism] Fidel's Illness

[Roger Baker]

Roger Baker writes, "I have heard reports that Fidel experienced bleeding
several weeks before surgery which would lead me to believe the 3rd and
worst case scenario."

<<Coulc you give us some details on those reports or links to them?>>

Many thanks,

José>>

Fidel attended a meeting in Argentina with states that had declared independence (Mercosur) from the US, and I understand he had some painless bleeding during the meeting. I should have said *days* rather than weeks.  I will search for links. Perhaps Walter could help with this.

There was also a recent post from the BBC that stated that Fidel did not have cancer of the colon. If he did not have malignant disease it would be very easy to dispel that notion by revealing the diagnosis and relieving us of unnecessary worry and anxiety.

Later:



http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/02/world/americas/02cnd-cuba.html?ex=1312171200&en=cf1454d0cdfd1acd&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

I do hate these endless links (like the song, "endless love") but this from the NY  Times, and if you scroll down,

You get this:



In his statement on Monday, Mr. Castro blamed the strain of recent trips to Argentina and eastern Cuba for his health, saying stress "touched off an acute intestinal distress with sustained bleeding, which forced me to undergo delicate surgery." He also suggested that he would be unable to carry out his duties for several weeks. 

Gastrointenstinal bleeding from stress is usually assocaited with the stomach and duodenum-- not the colon, and Cancer surgery of the colon is not usually that delicate, however colon ischemia (insufficient blood supply to the colon) is delicate surgery.  

    The surgeon inspects the dead bowel and resects it --and leaves as much good colon as possible.  If the surgery is successful and all the dead bowel is resected, one operation does the job; if not, the disease can progress and lead to more necrotic or dead bowel, and that would best explain the course of his illness and the reluctance to declare him cured, and although the disease is non-malignant, ischemic bowel disease is a very serious and can recur even after the acute episode is managed successfully.

     Although mesenteric insufficiency or ischemic bowel disease (lots of info on the internet) is a vascular disease and usually not a result of stress,  I think stress could contribute to the disease, perhaps "the straw that broke the camel's back."

   I hope this helps.

Best wishes,   roger