Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner had successful surgery Wednesday to destroy a cancerous growth and is recuperating in Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he'll remain two to three days, the city said in a news release. Weisner has battled colon cancer since 2007. "The outpouring of support from the community has once again been overwhelming. Tom and Marilyn appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers as they begin the recovery process," Ergo said in the statement. Tom Weisner, elected mayor of Aurora, IL in 2005, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Solomon Islands.
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner recovering after cancer surgery
Aurora mayor recovering after cancer surgery
Cancerous tumor was destroyed, officials say
Tribune staff report
11:25 PM CDT, September 10, 2008
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner had successful surgery Wednesday to destroy a cancerous growth and is recuperating in Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he'll remain two to three days, the city said in a news release. Weisner has battled colon cancer since 2007.
"The doctor indicated that the tumor remained localized. Using a minimally invasive and cutting-edge procedure known as radio frequency ablation, they were able to completely destroy the tumor," Aurora assistant chief of staff Carie Anne Ergo said in the statement released about 6:10 p.m., after talking to Weisner's surgeon, Dr. Michael Abecassis.
"The doctor indicated that his prognosis is good and he is expected to make a full recovery," she said.
Physicians said this year that the 58-year-old's cancer was in remission, but recent tests found it had returned.
Ergo said the mayor was in Washington, D.C., Tuesday morning testifying before a congressional committee on a bill dealing with rail mergers when his wife, Marilyn, got word that he had been cleared for surgery.
Weisner had successful surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his colon on May 3, 2007. The growth was first detected during a routine annual physical about a week before the surgery.
"The outpouring of support from the community has once again been overwhelming. Tom and Marilyn appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers as they begin the recovery process," Ergo said in the statement.
Weisner was elected in 2005.
