Cancer Surgery

James L. Day,73, a retired Marine Corps general who earned the Medal of Honor for holding his ground on Sugar Loaf Hill in Okinawa during World War II, died Wednesday of a heart attack in Cathedral City, Calif.He received the Medal of Honor from President Clinton on Jan. 20, more than a half-century after he was recommended for the honor for his role in the May 1945 battle for Sugar Loaf Hill on the Japanese island.Samuel Blum,70, a writer and a former editor in chief of the Doubleday Book Club, died of leukemia on Oct. 22 at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

NEW YORK -- Darryl Strawberry, the 36-year-old New York Yankees outfielder, underwent what doctors said was a successful and uncomplicated three-hour operation to remove a cancerous tumor from his colon yesterday.The surgical team at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan, headed by Dr. George J. Todd, said it removed a cancerous tumor that measured 2.4 inches in length and that nearly blocked his intestine. There was no visible evidence during the operation that the cancer had spread beyond that area of the bowel, the doctors said in a statement issued last night.

CLEVELAND -- Eric Davis' courageous comeback from cancer surgery has made him a crowd favorite at more than Camden Yards. The fans here at Jacobs Field also have embraced the Orioles' right fielder."

Ted Koppel and the gang from "Nightline" (11: 35 p.m.-12: 05 a.m., WMAR, Channel 2) profile Eric Davis, whose remarkable recovery from cancer surgery has turned him into a source of inspiration for cancer patients everywhere. Included will be an interview with Davis, taped shortly after the Orioles defeated Seattle in the Division Series.Pub Date: 10/10/97

Boog Powell walked into the Orioles' clubhouse yesterday slimmer, healthier and decidedly optimistic about his recovery from colon cancer surgery Aug. 25.The former All-Star first baseman and current Camden Yards barbecue entrepreneur said he hasn't yet returned to work but hopes to steadily rebuild his routine the next several weeks after beginning chemotherapy treatment."

They raised the roof in the right-field bleachers yesterday. Naturally, Eric Davis was there to lend two hands.A day long-anticipated but never completely assured came to pass when the Orioles right fielder reclaimed his position for the first time since undergoing June 13 surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his colon.The long journey that has included chemotherapy treatments and the loss of an older brother ended when Davis jogged to the Camden Yards outfield at 1: 32 p.m. and swam freely within a wave of appreciation.

Two weeks after colon cancer surgery, Boog Powell slaved over the stove of his Hunt Valley home, making hot sauce from the bounty in his own back yard."

Boog Powell, former Orioles slugger and current barbecue baron, is recovering from colon cancer surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.Powell had approximately one-third of his colon removed Monday by a surgical team led by Dr. Keith Lillemoe, who performed a similar operation on Orioles outfielder Eric Davis on June 13. Davis anticipates a full recovery.Powell, 6 feet 4 and 300 pounds, is resting comfortably and could be released in several days, a hospital spokeswoman said."He seems to be doing all right," said Andy Etchebarren, Orioles bench coach who, with manager Davey Johnson, visited yesterday with their old teammate.

Noticeably thinner but unswervingly optimistic about his recovery from cancer surgery, Orioles right fielder Eric Davis said yesterday that he intends to return to the field this season but remains undecided if he will undergo chemotherapy.In his first public appearance since having a 3 1/2 -inch cancerous mass and three feet of colon removed on June 13, Davis said during a 30-minute news conference that he will rely on prayer and a wide range of advice before reaching a decision."My life is real important as well as my baseball career," Davis said.

Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland underwent surgery for prostate cancer 12 days ago, his office announced yesterday."The prognosis for complete recovery is excellent," said Dr. Patrick C. Walsh, who removed Mr. Sarbanes' prostate gland at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Aug. 14.The 62-year-old Democrat was re-elected to a fourth, six-year term in November.Dr. Walsh said the cancer was caught at an early stage -- before Mr. Sarbanes had developed a palpable tumor and before cancer had spread to other parts of his body.