Aretha, Said to Have Cancer, Set to Leave Hospital

According to two of her relatives, Aretha Franklin — who reportedly has pancreatic cancer — is recovering well from last weekís surgery, and expects to return home this weekend.

“Aretha is doing better than doctors expected,” her cousin Brenda Corbett, who has visited Aretha in the hospital several times, told the Detroit Free Press . “She has a long life in front of her and will be back in concert, on stage, late spring or early summer.”

An unidentified source told the paper that Franklin does indeed have pancreatic cancer and said that her doctors “will monitor and keep a close eye on it from here on out.” Corbett responded to reports citing this type of cancer’s five-to-10 percent survival rate by saying, “This girl is doing great, and they need to stop it.”

“Aretha is doing absolutely wonderful,” said her sister-in-law Earline Franklin. “All the prayers and well wishes have supported her, and sheís doing well.” Last week, Detroit residents held a prayer vigil for the singer, and Reverend Jesse Jackson visited her in the hospital on Friday.

Aretha Franklin receives an outpouring of support amid health trouble [Detroit Free Press via The Associated Press]