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 60 - 79 of 139

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  1. Sevy, balls of steel, ...the doc's, nerves of iron......no37? don't rise to the bait ppl....

    From redneck_detector, on Fri 24 Oct 1:32PM

  2. A TRUE GENTLEMAN. YOU CAN DO IT SEVE LIKE MANY TIMES BEFORE.VERY BEST WISHES.

    From cannybiz123, on Fri 24 Oct 1:20PM

  3. A gentleman and great ambassador for the game. We are all praying for you Seve. Bob Forsyth

    From Bob F, on Fri 24 Oct 1:14PM

  4. MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU SEVE AND ALSO WITH YOUR FAMILY IF PRAYERS COULD CURE YOU, YOU WOULD BE ON THE GOLF COURSE NOW, EVERYONE WHO LOVES GOLF AND OTHER SPORTS ARE WISHING YOU WELL FOR THE FUTURE, LOTS OF LOVE FROM AN ADMIRER IN ENGLAND XX

    From jane.dukes1, on Fri 24 Oct 1:06PM

  5. Love you Seve. An inspiration to thousands. I am not a religeous man but God Bless you at this time...

    From matthew.holmes@..., on Fri 24 Oct 1:00PM

  6. our prayers are with you seve and we hope you get through this terrible ordeal god bless.

    From GRAHAM E, on Fri 24 Oct 12:47PM

  7. You can overcome this very bad period in your young life Seve. God Bless.

    From Carol, on Fri 24 Oct 12:22PM

  8. i am nearly Seve,s age and have loved what he has brought to the game over the years
    learning my swing my proffessional taught me to say his name.... Severiano.. on the backswing... Ballesteros... on the follow through, it meant the world to be associated with a golfing superstar and many years later i was at the belfry on the tenth and a plaque said Seve drove this hole..the first i think to do it..well how amazing to be standing there driver in hand and trying to emulate the great master...a thing that no other sport has to offer!!!!on the same field of play doing what he did ..incidentally i hit the edge of the green but went in the water to finish with an 8...but my love for the game and indeed seve will stay forever.I fill up with tears to think that his life has changed so much in such a short time and pray that he birdies the greatest challenge todate

    From austin.burns@..., on Fri 24 Oct 12:21PM

  9. my wife and i wish sevy a speedy recovery one of the best golfers of his era and a true gentleman no 37 you are a w------.

    mac 13

    From hugh_mackie, on Fri 24 Oct 12:16PM

  10. i have just read the report and its not looking good for this great man i do hope that he pulls throu this terrible time and lives to know how many people are praying for him and his family such a young age live is @#$% sometimes eh best wishes seve from all your fans all over the world

    From Robert, on Fri 24 Oct 12:06PM

  11. Good lucky Seve, you are a true great - get well enough to wrap a 4 iron round Pond Simbas thick head some time in the near future, its time he woke up and smelt the coffee, the @#$%.

    From Give up on the God thing - its a fairystory folks, on Fri 24 Oct 11:20AM

  12. well,he's in the car park again,but i have the feeling he might
    have another shot in him........

    a gentleman and a living legend
    all the best to him and his family

    From geordieprince1, on Fri 24 Oct 10:48AM

  13. if you dont like to talk about golf pondlife...why are you here.....you are @#$% up and need a slap

    From Dazzzza, on Fri 24 Oct 10:41AM

  14. but to sum up i refuse to talk about golf and a man i have never heard just because i simply dont care, good bye.

    From pond.simba@..., on Fri 24 Oct 10:34AM

  15. Our thoughts and best wishes are with all the Ballesteros family for a good recovery.

    From P L, on Fri 24 Oct 10:29AM

  16. Enigma with your post there your just clutching at straws to try and be funny. you must feel very proud to come up with an insult such as "pondlife"...very creative of you but i missed the joke.

    From pond.simba@..., on Fri 24 Oct 10:25AM

  17. lol im loving the hatred. iv never even heard of this bloke! seve who? people calling him the best golfer etc etc yeah thats why i have never heard of him! tiger woods is the best golfer get real people.

    From pond.simba@..., on Fri 24 Oct 10:23AM

  18. get well soon and never give up u are a hero

    From Bernard, on Fri 24 Oct 9:46AM

  19. Number 37 'pond.simba' you should call youself 'pondlife' - that's where you belong

    From Enigma, on Fri 24 Oct 9:18AM

  20. You may be in the deep rough here Sevvy but that never stopped you before, fingers crossed and good luck today

    From thetrotter, on Fri 24 Oct 9:02AM
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