FW de Klerk 'stable'
2006-06-09 09:41
Johannesburg - Former president FW de Klerk was in a stable condition on Friday morning after his condition worsened following an operation for colon cancer.
Panorama Medi-Clinic spokesperson, Melissa Rademan, told News24 on Friday morning that De Klerk had "had a good night".
"He's still in intensive care, but is sowly being weaned off the ventilator," she said.
His condition deteriorated on Wednesday morning because of respiratory problems, resulting in him being put on a ventilator.
A second laparotomy (stomach incision) was performed on Thursday, but no abnormalities were detected, added Rademan.
De Klerk, 70, had an operation on a cancerous colon tumour last Saturday. Rademan said it had been removed, but said media reports that he'd undergone a course of chemotherapy treatment weren't correct.
"He is not well enough for that yet," she said.
The urbane De Klerk has long been a heavy smoker and drinker. - additional reporting Reuters.
- News24