By Thomas Ferraro
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sen. Edward Kennedy, the solesurviving son of America's most famous political family, is"recuperating well" from brain surgery and should be releasedwithin a week from Duke University Medical Centre, his officesaid on Tuesday.
"He is experiencing no complications, and has been walkingthe hallways, spending time with family and actively keeping upwith the news of the day," the Massachusetts senator's officesaid in a statement.
Kennedy, 76, underwent surgery on Monday to remove acancerous tumour and is expected to be released from thehospital in Durham, North Carolina next week.
"Senator Kennedy had a restful night's sleep and isrecuperating well," said the statement.
"He looks forward to returning home to Cape Cod soon, andis thankful for all the prayers and well wishes," it said,adding that an update will be given when Kennedy is discharged.
Kennedy was diagnosed on May 17 with a malignant braintumour called a glioma, which usually kills within three years.
Dr. Allan Friedman, Duke's chief of neurosurgery whoperformed Kennedy's surgery, did not specify how much of thecancerous tumour he was able to remove.
But shortly after the procedure, Friedman called it "thefirst step" in a treatment plan that, following a briefrecuperation, that will include radiation and chemotherapy.
Kennedy is the third longest serving senator in history,first elected more than four decades ago.
The longest serving senator ever -- Democratic Sen. RobertByrd, 90, of West Virginia, who was first elected in 1958 --was also under hospital care on Tuesday.
He was admitted to a Washington-area hospital on lateMonday after appearing lethargic and found to have a fever, aspokesman said.
Byrd "will remain in the hospital for several more days formonitoring and antibiotic treatment for a mild infection," saidan aide.
There was no word when Kennedy would be able to return tothe Senate where he was elected in 1962 to fill a seat vacatedby his brother, President John F. Kennedy.
Widely viewed as one of the most effective legislators inCongress and hugely influential within the Democratic Party,Kennedy has been a key supporter of presidential candidateBarack Obama.
In his absence from the Senate, Kennedy has asked Sen.Christopher Dodd of Connecticut to take the lead on some of hispending legislation, including a bill to upgrade insurancecoverage of mental illnesses.
Dodd is the second ranking Democrat on the Health,Education, Labour and Pensions Committee chaired by Kennedy.
(Editing by Chris Wilson)
