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 80 - 99 of 139

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  1. TO SEVE AND HIS FAMILY
    MAY THE LORD BLESS THEE AND KEEP THEE
    AND GIVE THEE PEACE
    SEVE"S ANGEL IS LOOKING AFTER HIM AND
    WILL BRING HIM THROUGH
    FROM ALL GOLFING FANS IN SCOTLAND

    From Jane B, on Fri 24 Oct 9:11PM

  2. I'm not a golfer, but that doesn't stop my ability to recognise real greatness and genius when I see it. This man had it in cards and spades, and it is my sincere wish that he recovers from this dreadful illness.

    From Madmac, on Fri 24 Oct 9:11PM

  3. Get well seve OUR thoughts and best of luck for a full and quick recovery.
    The Nob pond Simba NEEDS a good slap what a Nob

    From pete, on Fri 24 Oct 9:06PM

  4. God Bless Seve !

    From leegonair, on Fri 24 Oct 9:03PM

  5. HI
    BEST OF LUCK TO SEVE
    i WILL PRAY FOR YOU
    LOVE JANE
    SCOTLAND

    From Jane B, on Fri 24 Oct 8:57PM

  6. Thats great to hear, I hope your recovery continues without much pain and setback. The golfing World is with you Seve, they are praying for you.

    From Creaven91, on Fri 24 Oct 8:54PM

  7. i dont like golf and dont really know the chap,but best wishes from me and really hope you get well soon ,life is worth living mate,,,,,,good luck

    From alan, on Fri 24 Oct 8:53PM

  8. I had a mis spent youth wasting many hours on the practise range and learning a sport that is the last bastion of sportsmanship. The blame lies heavily on Seve's shoulders. He was an inspiration to me and many of the juniors around me at the time and I just hope he comes through this and influence many more young lives.

    From SIMON, on Fri 24 Oct 8:51PM

  9. May the lord continue to watch over you giving you the strength needed to fight
    god bless you and keep you

    From LEX, on Fri 24 Oct 8:31PM

  10. 63 must spend all day on this until he picks up his benefit on a Friday. We know Tiger is great but there were actually others who were just as great in their time. I would suggest he buys a few sports books but he probably cannot read. Keep fighting Seve

    From taff, on Fri 24 Oct 8:25PM

  11. I wrote a heart felt message for Seve the other day and you turned it down, I couldn't understand why, and yet you allowed a lump of pond slime like 37 to write several messages degrading what Seve has done for golf over the years.Why? Good luck Seve, I don't expect you will read all these heart felt messages from your many fans,but we are all with you and your family at this trying time. Best wishes from: Bobbie O in Ireland.

    From Lizzy Ingram, on Fri 24 Oct 7:52PM

  12. Get well soon Seve.......

    From GARY, on Fri 24 Oct 7:26PM

  13. contributor 37 you are disgusting
    wonder what comments will be made about you should you ever suffer from this malignancy of the brain, of course you wont, you havent got one!

    From Peter T, on Fri 24 Oct 6:47PM

  14. seve, you were an inspirition to me
    seve, you bought golf to millions
    seve, mostly with a style and grace
    seve, mostly with a smile on your face
    seve, come on mate
    see you soon

    From christopher.wall3@..., on Fri 24 Oct 6:37PM

  15. God bless you Seve - Get well soon the world needs men like you- a TRUE SPORTSMAN

    Russ

    From ulrich.w.ralph@..., on Fri 24 Oct 5:20PM

  16. I pray you pull through, you are one of golf's greatest players..

    Pond.simba have a little dignity & compassion man..

    From lovfinion, on Fri 24 Oct 3:58PM

  17. To Sevy,We are praying for your safe recovery from this Brain Tumour, Life will be a worse place without you,You and Tiger are the 2 best golfers i have ever seen in my lifetime,and i know you also do alot for charities,You are a good man and for your families sake and your own ,we both pray everyday that you will make it through this,

    Love from Paul and Viv, God Bless you Seve Ballesteros and get well soon xx

    From crossy365, on Fri 24 Oct 3:51PM

  18. We are thinking of you and praying that you pull through successfully. We have always greatly admired you and you have contributed so much to the world of golf. God bless and get well soon. Barry & Pat from Spain xxx

    From patsyann54uk, on Fri 24 Oct 3:06PM

  19. The words of Dylan Thomas are appropriate today and are offered with kindness and respect to one of the world's greatest players : "Do not go gentle into thet good night, Od age should burn and rave at the close of day, Rage, rage against the dying of the day"

    From ULSTERMAN, on Fri 24 Oct 2:54PM

  20. Don't know if anyone who can get a message to Seve is reading this, but for your own sake, Seve, go see a Naturopath. There are natural, non invasive, no side effect protocols that won't burn or poison the rest of your tissues like chemo and radio.
    Intravenous vitamin C, for example. Even if you go with the chemo and radio, it'll help your body deal with the aftermath.
    Good luck Seve.

    From Tom H-R, on Fri 24 Oct 1:51PM
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