Nigeria first lady describes mystery illness

(AP)—Nigeria's first lady has described details of a mystery illness she had that the country's presidency refused to discuss.

Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, talked about the illness at a church service Sunday at Aso Rock, the nation's presidential villa.

Jonathan said she had her "intestine and tummy opened" and later fell unconscious for a week. She said she had "eight or nine" surgeries in all and some "sold my things off" because they thought she was dead.

The said: "My doctors said all hope was lost."

In September, Jonathan disappeared from public view. Officials said she had "" and was receiving medical treatment abroad. She returned in October visibly thinner.

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