Flávia Albuquerque Reporter Agência Brasil

São Paulo – While president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was traveling in Africa last week, vice president José Alencar, who is 78 years old and has been battling cancer for over a decade, checked into hospital for a routine chemotherapy session. However, it was found that he had high blood pressure and was having some problems breathing. So, after an examination, it was decided he should undergo a catheterization and an angioplasty. As a result of the exams, doctors decided to put a stent in an artery (Alencar had received another stent five years ago in another artery).
The heart problem and procedures were unexpected and put Alencar in intensive care. Doctors say he will continue his normal cancer treatment as soon as he recovers from the stent, which is expected to be in a few days.
Meanwhile, Sunday afternoon, Lula visited the vice president (the stent placement took place in the morning) and they both watched the end of the final game of the 2010 World Cup. Alencar said he was satisfied Spain won, as some members of his family came from there.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English
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