Guinn released from hospital

Gov. Kenny Guinn was released from a Los Angeles hospital Wednesday afternoon, three days after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.

"Considering the circumstances, I feel great," he said. "I was able to walk around the hospital on Tuesday and I'm ready to resume working from home beginning tomorrow."

Guinn has been recovering at the UCLA Medical Center where Dr. Jean deKernion, chairman of the UCLA Department of Urology, removed his prostate gland in a 90-minute operation Monday morning.

Dr. Ikram Kahn of Las Vegas said Guinn was recovering very well from the operation. He said the governor was headed to his Las Vegas home to continue his recuperation. There he will be cared for by Dr. Sarah Smith, the Guinn family physician.

Guinn, 66, announced in July that his annual health examination had discovered elevated prostate-specific antigen levels in his blood. A biopsy confirmed he had prostate cancer, but he said because of the early detection, he had a full range of options.

He and his wife, Dema, decided on surgery.

Kahn said his long-range prognosis was excellent. His chief of staff, Marybel Batjer, said Guinn has been in frequent contact with her and is conducting state business.

"He's doing great. I had to go down the list this morning about what everyone was doing. He's not out of action at all," she said.

She said Guinn has left instructions he wants his mail, paperwork and budget updates when he arrives at his Las Vegas home.

There was no word when he would return to his office in the Capitol.

Guinn's family health insurance covers his out-of-state surgery. His benefits after retirement from firms for which he has served as chief executive officer, including Southwest Gas Corp., supply him with health coverage.