Palacios says witness stand chair was ‘very uncomfortable’

Arnold I. Palacios

In recounting the circumstances that led to his collapse last May 31 while giving testimony during a hearing at the U.S. Courthouse, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios compared the witness chair he was sitting on to a barstool that he described as” very uncomfortable” and that his back was starting to get tired.

Speaking Tuesday at a press conference in his office on Capital Hill, the 66-year-old Palacios recalled that when he tried to get off the chair to stand up after the judge granted his request for a break, his knees collapsed because they have become numb.

“And that’s why I ended up on the floor,” he said.

The incident happened as Palacios was giving testimony for an evidentiary hearing on Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ motion to disqualify the Office of the Attorney General from prosecuting the case. Superior Court judge pro tem Alberto Tolentino was presiding over the hearing inside the courtroom of Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja.

Palacios said it was when he fell to the floor that his back spasmed, which was why he yelled out about his back. “I was in pain. I’ve never experienced a muscle pain like that,” Palacios recalled.

Palacios was rushed to the Commonwealth Health Center, where he was sedated. At CHC, he said, doctors and nurses took care of him for four days before he was medevacked to Queen’s Healthcare Center in Hawaii last June 3.

Palacios said the doctors at CHC looked into many different issues—cardio, cardiovascular, even orthopedic—and basically ruled them out.

He said he eventually knew he had a neuro-related problem because of his issue two to three years ago. He said he was very fortunate that he was able to contact and get in touch with his neurosurgeon oat the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Palacios said during their Zoom conference, his neurosurgeon gave him a bunch of items he needed to look for in some of the MRI tests results that had been done on Palacios. He said the neurosurgeon was able to give him a rundown on what kind of exercise he needs.

In Honolulu, Palacios said, they looked and checked his cardio and different areas to determine whether he had a heart attack or a stroke. He said he believes it’s back to his neuro-related problem he had before and they’re going to be taking a closer look at it.

He said his neurosurgeon, however, found nothing has really changed, based on the MRI test results that they provided him. Palacios said he just need to get back in shape and that’s why he started losing weight and getting back into better shape.

Palacios said there is no timeline in terms of what he needs to follow up as he just need to stay out of a high-sodium diet and change his diet.

“I’m on a really strict diet right now and strict maintenance regime,” he said.

Palacios said he just needs to get to a physical therapist on Saipan to continue the physical therapy session that he started in Honolulu.

Palacios was supposed to stay in Honolulu for another week and a half, but with his progress, doctors and therapists gave him the go-signal to go back home.

He said being out 45 days is a long time as he needs to attend to his job and other matters.

Palacios said he is grateful to all members of the community for praying for his health, the first responders who brought him from court to CHC, and to the doctors and nurses at CHC for taking care of him before he was medevacked.

Palacios also thanked Torres for making sure that he got the attention he needed for the medevac.

“I’m grateful that I am okay and I’m back and I am going to continue to recover, rehabilitate, and hopefully lead a more healthy life,” said Palacios, adding that he also quit smoking.

“So crossing my fingers, I haven’t had a beer either,” said Palacios, smiling.

As for his candidacy for governor as an independent, Palacios assured that regardless of his physical health, he is still committed to give it his best.

“I would put my experience out there. …I think at the end of the day, age doesn’t matter, how young you are, how old you are, how experienced you are, how inexperienced you are. It’s going to all come down to what is in your heart to give the community,” he said.