Venezuela's Chavez says cancer has returned

[MADem]

29. I don't think it ever left.

I had a friend who died of cancer--they can only knock it back so long, especially if it's all through the lymph nodes.

It's a balancing act to try to keep the cancer at bay with chemo and radiation, like a lion tamer with a chair and a whip and no way out of the cage. Eventually, that lion is going to have dinner.

Since he has named his successor, I'd say he's been given a timeline, and it might be shorter than he's telling anyone:

Chávez, who was recently re-elected for a fourth period, also said that if he were unable to assume power in the near future Venezuelans should vote for Maduro in the elections that according to the Constitution must be called in the 30 days following a declared absence.

Nicolas Maduro, who began his political career as a union leader for bus drivers, is currently minister of foreign affairs, and is the first person to have been named a successor in the 18 months since Chávez has been fighting cancer.

"If something were to happen that would make it impossible for me to be president, Nicolas Maduro should assume power for the short time left in this term. But also, it is my firm opinion, my complete and irrevocable opinion, that under this scenario, you should all vote for Nicolas", he said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/09/hugo-chavez-cancer-returned-venezuela