Arroyo checks out of hospital

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UP AND ABOUT. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, waves to the crowd that gathered as she heads towards a waiting car outside St. Luke’s Medical Center in Fort Bonifacio where she underwent surgery of the cervical spine more than a week ago. COURTESY OF ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER

MANILA, Philippines – A week since her operation, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was discharged from the St. Luke’s Medical Center at Bonifacio Global City Friday morning to recuperate at home, her doctors said.

Wearing a floral house dress and a maroon shawl, Arroyo was wheeled from her 16th floor room but insisted on walking on her own upon exiting the elevator to the hospital lobby around 9:50 a.m., her spokesman Raul Lambino told reporters.

She then boarded a white Mercedes Benz for the trip home to La Vista, Quezon City.

Arroyo was discharged while still suffering from strained vocal chords, her doctors said. She would need a month’s rest and was advised to take a soft diet and to stay away from food that is difficult to swallow.

The former President underwent a sensitive operation on her cervical spine.