Chavez makes positive response to chemotherapy

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his body was reacting well to the second round of chemotherapy treatments he had been receiving since Sunday in the Cuban capital of Havana.

President Chavez made a brief telephone call to the state-owned Venezuelan television VTV and extended congratulations on the inauguration of a new free medical center in Venezuela, an event broadcast live, according to Xinhua.

During the call, Chavez spoke with Health Minister Eugenia Sader, saying he was receiving the fourth of a total of five chemotherapy treatments scheduled for this week, and he was taking well to the treatment and felt good and relaxed.

The Venezuelan leader explained that after the fifth treatment on Friday, the medical team would administer new tests to determine the evolution of his illness.

President Chavez said he was optimistic about his complete recuperation and repeated his new slogan: “We will live and we will conquer.”

Chavez, who had his first round of chemotherapy treatments in Cuba from July 16 to 22, said on many occasions that his cancer had not spread, although doctors recommended chemotherapy to prevent any possible recurrence of the disease.