Ballesteros surgery 'a success'

Eurosport - Sat, 25 Oct 14:46:00 2008

Doctors have successfully completed a third brain operation on Seve Ballesteros to reduce swelling from a serious brain tumour.

Severiano Ballesteros - 0

"The patient Mr. Severiano Ballesteros has undergone a new surgery that has ended at 5:00pm today Friday and no complications occurred," the La Paz hospital said in a statement.

The operation, which started at 10:30 am "achieved the targets originally planned and has eliminated the oedema and the remnants of the tumor."

The hospital on Thursday said the surgery was aimed at treating a brain oedema, which is swelling caused by a buildup of fluid, and an "intercerebral haematoma", or accumulation of blood in the brain.

Surgeons also hope to "remove the remains of the tumour," the statement said.

Crown Prince Felipe, heir to the Spanish throne, expressed his support for the 51-year-old at a televised awards ceremony in the northern city of Oviedo.

"Today we remember Seve Ballesteros with special affection and concern who, as he himself has said, is playing the match of his life at the moment. For him, from here, a hug from all of us," he said.

Ballesteros, who collected 87 titles before knee and back problems forced him to retire last year, was taken to La Paz Hospital on October 6 after he collapsed and briefly lost consciousness at Madrid airport.

He underwent surgery on October 14 to remove the brain tumour. Two days later, he underwent a second operation to ease a build-up of fluid in the brain.

The hospital said Thursday the tumour has been classified as an "oligoastrocytoma (which affects...cells that cover and protect the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord). It is located in an area that requires a very thorough approach of great complexity."

Seen as one of golf's all-time greats, Ballesteros lifted five Majors.

He won The Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and became the first European to win the Masters in 1980, an achievement he repeated in 1983.

He was an influential figure in the Ryder Cup, winning 20 points from 37 matches and captaining Europe to victory at Valderrama in 1997.

Back problems though started to trouble him in the late 1990s and his form and confidence gradually ebbed away. On July 16, 2007, he announced his retirement, although having turned 50 he was eligible for the Champions Tour and European Seniors Tour.

George O'Grady, chief executive of The European Tour, said the whole sporting world was thinking of Ballesteros.

"Not only I and everyone at The European Tour but also everyone in the world of golf is supporting Seve in his battle," said O'Grady.

"I cannot start to say just how many people have sent their support to him through the Tour. There is not a telephone call or a meeting that starts without the other party asking for detail's of Seve's condition.

"We and everyone in the world of sport wishes him the quickest and fullest recovery."

AFP

Comment 100 - 119 of 139

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  1. BEST OF LUCK FROM THE GEORDIE NATION SEVE..FIGHT AND­ BELIEVE

    From cturnbull1970, on Sat 25 Oct 5:56AM

  2. SCOTLAND wishes Seve a speedy recovery.

    From franek g, on Sat 25 Oct 5:46AM

  3. GOOD LUCK TO YOU SEVE AND YOUR FAMILY. YOUR GUARDIAN­ ANGEL IS WITH YOU LOOKING AFTER YOU'RE­ WELFARE.
    YOU'RE SHEER DETERMINATION SHOWN ON THE­ GOLF COURSE THROUGHOUT YOU'RE SUCCESSFUL CAREER­ WILL GUIDE YOU TO OVERCOME THIS TERRIBLE ILLNESS. WE­ ARE ALL PRAYING FOR YOU HERE IN CARNOUSTIE SCOTLAND AND­ I AM QUITE SURE MY FELLOW MEMBERS AT CARNOUSTIE GOLF­ CLUB ARE PRAYING FOR YOU ALSO TO RECOVER AS QUICKLY AS­ POSSIBLE.
    BEST WISHES JTE CARNOUSTIE SCOTLAND.

    From JAMES, on Sat 25 Oct 5:39AM

  4. Even though I don't know much about golf, the­ little I've heard about SEVE makes me believe he­ was one of those who made the game what it is today so­ i wish him and others with a similar condition quick­ recovery.

    From bigwilltrublue, on Sat 25 Oct 5:24AM

  5. seve a great man an inspiration to every one .....good­ luck mate.... fighter through and through my prayers­ are with you god bless

    From cathy.williams57, on Sat 25 Oct 5:16AM

  6. fight it seve. hardest fight of your life! i survived­ lymphoma cancer ater tow lots of chemo & 1­ operation.. it can be beaten. good luck & god­ bless. Mark S.London

    From mark, on Sat 25 Oct 5:15AM

  7. pond simba,VOCEA MAGARULUI NU SE AUDE LA CER...

    From dorin c, on Sat 25 Oct 5:15AM

  8. Good luck Seve, and to all others around the world with­ similar, serious situations.

    From douglas.adams, on Sat 25 Oct 5:14AM

  9. Keep fighting Seve, you can make it. All decent people­ are rooting for you.
    As for pond.simba if you­ don't like golf and have never heard of Seve­ Ballesteros why do you need to come on this site and­ leave offensive comments. You really are sick.

    From Susan, on Sat 25 Oct 4:54AM

  10. You will make it Seve we love you

    From Gwen, on Sat 25 Oct 4:45AM

  11. Best wishes Seve.

    From PAUL, on Sat 25 Oct 4:43AM

  12. pleased to hear the good news about seve....please god­ let him have a full recovery real soon.....mick

    From m.fowler771, on Sat 25 Oct 4:43AM

  13. What a fighter! Come on Seve, let's see that boyish­ grin again, especially when you win this greatest­ challange of your life............. WHAT A­ MAN........Kind and generous to a fault, he used to­ take all the younglings in golf from Spain under his­ wings he is a 'GENTLE'man

    From Linda W, on Sat 25 Oct 4:33AM

  14. POND SIMBA.. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD­ OF HIM . YOU ONLY HAVE TO READ THE AMOUNT OF GOODLUCK­ MESSAGES TO REALISE HOW HE IS THOUGHT OF AROUND THE­ WORLD YOU F--K WIT..COME ON SEVE

    From stevegrnfld, on Sat 25 Oct 4:31AM

  15. Sevvy
    All our love and best wishes for a speedy­ recovery.

    Love and best wishes

    The Wayte­ Family
    Bedworth.

    From waytefamily, on Sat 25 Oct 4:29AM

  16. Seve is the double of my best friend, David Denby, who­ died aged 16. I think about him every day. Vaya con­ dios, Seve.

    David Clayton, Stockport

    From david.clayton3, on Sat 25 Oct 4:27AM

  17. GOD is always the ALFA AND OMEGA,may HIS name be­ praised
    we thank GOD for the doctor.HE made the­ operation successful,surely HE will see him through,GOD­ bless you

    From fafa2gl, on Sat 25 Oct 4:24AM

  18. OUR THOUGHTS AND DISTANT HEALING PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU­ SEVY.
    MAY YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS GIVE YOU THE LOVE TO­ GET WELL.
    WE ARE ALL SO SAD TO HEAR OF YOUR ILLNESS AND­ HOPE THAT YOU AND MANY OTHERS LIKE YOU FINE THE­ STRENGTH TO SEE IT THROUGH. GOD BLESS EVERY ONE WHO IS­ ILL LOVE MO AND JOE IN SPAIN XXXX

    From Maureen, on Sat 25 Oct 4:22AM

  19. The almight God will heal you, and God will will give­ you streight to overcome this season, this is a season,­ and it will past away, and there will be testimony and­ will give thanks

    From charles o, on Sat 25 Oct 4:19AM

  20. My Dad loves and plays golf I watched you with him in­ your many triumphs as I was growing up, our prayers are­ with you and your family now

    Please take care­

    Kindest Regards

    Diane Orpe and my Dad Samuel­ Stockton

    From Diane, on Sat 25 Oct 4:17AM
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