Aretha Franklin Is Out of the Hospital, Feeling ‘Great’

Though she hasn’t revealed the mysterious condition for which she required emergency surgery a couple of weeks back, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is now out of the hospital – and, according to a statement, feeling “great.”

We also noted on previous occasions that, shortly after the singer underwent surgery, rumors spread online that she was actually suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer and had been told she only had a few months left to live.

The report sent a shockwave through her fanbase, and things only got worse for them when unnamed “family members” confirmed it for various media outlets.

As it turns out, Aretha is doing well: she’s just been discharged from the hospital and she hopes she’ll recover enough to resume performing earlier than announced previously.

The singer herself has released a statement cited by People, saying she hoped she’d be back on schedule as early as February next year.

“I feel great. The doctors say I can do whatever I feel like I am up to do,” the diva says, adding that doctors have estimated her recovery shouldn’t take more than 8 weeks.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean any concerts or anything like that. But I can do things around the house, and today I am just piddling around the house,” Franklin says.

In the same interview, the singer extends her gratitude to all those who rushed to show their support for her, and who prayed for her to get better. She doesn’t mention the exact nature of her ailment, but she hints she will do so soon.

“I am putting Aretha together first. I will talk more later. My family has been with me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done it without them, that’s for sure,” the singer explains.

“God has given me the greatest gift already for the holidays. I am so grateful,” she says.