He has been missing from his talk show and from the streets of his constituency for the past two weeks and tonight we know why. Firebrand and outspoken United Democratic Party representative Michael Finnegan returned yesterday from New York where he underwent what's called a thyroidectomy. That simply means that Finnegan had an abnormal growth in the throat and doctors had to slit his throat to remove it. The growth weighed 20.5 grams and the good news there is that a biopsy certified that it wasn't cancerous. The Honorable Finnegan is still convalescing and this afternoon from his bedside at home he told Keith Swift that he is down but not out.
Michael Finnegan,
"Everything is straight. The surgery was successfully done and what was taken from out the neck was taken to the lab and the results from the lab were good.
Keith Swift,
Did they determine if it is cancerous or not?
Michael Finnegan,
"No it wasn't, the lab determined that."
Keith Swift,
What it like undergoing the surgery?
Michael Finnegan,
"It was kind of scary but what was my assurance when we in theatre, and they were about to put the needle in me to go to sleep, this Belizean doctor, who is a Belizean, just came ready to do the surgery, to cut my throat just squeezed on my left shoulder and said, 'stop worry, I got yuh back.' What is more reassuring than that, coming from a Belizean who was performing the surgery."
Keith Swift,
You are still in your pajamas, you are still in bed, when will you be back working your division?
Michael Finnegan,
"I will spend a few more weeks recuperating, relaxing, and take it kind of easy."
Keith Swift,
Is there anything we can learn from your experience?
Michael Finnegan,
"Stop smoke cigarettes."
Finnegan traveled to New York with his personal physician Dr. Michael Pitts. He also mentioned that help from Doctors Glen Elrington and Fernando Cuellar was pivotal. Just last year Finnegan successfully underwent a colonoscopy.
