Aurora mayor back after cancer surgery

Not even a week after surgery to remove colorectal cancer from his liver, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner was back at the helm of city business.

Weisner was released from Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Friday, two days after his surgery.

The weekend's severe rain prompted Weisner to open the city's Emergency Operations Center on Sunday to meet with storm-affected department directors and senior staff.

Tuesday morning, Weisner returned to city hall to meet with senior staff before touring areas hardest hit by the rain this past weekend.

According to updates posted on the city's Web site, Weisner plans to conduct city business largely from his home over the next two to three weeks.

"Honestly, I wasn't expecting to jump back into things so soon, but I feel good and have the best job in the world," Weisner said in the written statement. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers."

Alderman at Large Bob O'Connor said he was also surprised to see Weisner up and about so soon.

"I'm very happy that the mayor has come back and graced city hall," O'Connor said Tuesday afternoon. "I know he was involved in the weekend in regards to how we were addressing the rain. I'm very, very pleased to see him back in operation."

According to the statement Weisner's oncologist, Dr. Steven B. Newman, patients commonly receive additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, which Newman said, "Tom tolerated well last year."

Newman stated he and Weisner would specifically discuss Weisner's follow-up regimen in the near future.

Weisner, 58, was first diagnosed with colon cancer during a routine annual physical in May 2007. At that time, he underwent surgery to remove the cancer, followed by chemotherapy.

Updates on Mayor Weisner's condition will be posted on the city's Web site at www.aurora-il.org.