Last week he underwent an endoscopy to evaluate progress in treatment.

Last Friday he returned home, where he continued to be infused with IV fluids, but had to return to the hospital because the vasculitis he has been suffering for years makes it difficult to find his veins.

In statements to the press, the former president declared he was feeling “torn to pieces”, given the side effects derived from radiotherapy.

His life-time wife and former vicepresident, Lucía Topolansky, echoed professional assessments as she indicated he was evolving in a “very good” manner from his illness, but was still “having a hard time” in recovering from the radiotherapy.

“In spite of all its ups and downs, I still love life. And I am losing it because my time to depart has come. What meaning can we infuse into life? Man, as opposed to all other animals, has the ability to find a reason for his life,” the former president reflected in an interview with The New York Times.

Mujica may spend 48 hours in hospital getting additional serums.

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