New York — Former US president Bill Clinton left the hospital Friday saying his surgery to open a blocked artery had been “miraculous”. He further said that he would return to his fundraising work for Haiti.
“Its miraculous with the stents,” Clinton said, referring to the devices used to clear a clogged artery during his operation on Thursday. Clinton, now 63, spoke publicly for the first time since entering the New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Clinton, who underwent a quadruple bypass surgery to free four blocked arteries in 2004, had been complaining of chest discomfort, which lead doctors to decide on the operation.
He has issued a written statement saying he would resume his work as UN envoy to Haiti and his role, together with former US President George W. Bush, in coordinating relief for Haitian earthquake victims.
Clinton was spending the weekend at home in Chappaqua, New York state. He was expected to be back at work Monday and could “resume his very active lifestyle,” his cardiologist Allan Schwartz said, underlining that Clinton had not suffered a heart attack. “His prognosis is excellent.”
Clinton’s wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and their daughter Chelsea rushed to his bedside Thursday and Hillary Clinton delayed by one day a trip to the Gulf.
Wishes for a speedy recovery poured in from President Barack Obama and others in the political world.
