By Gretchen Keiser

Bishop James P. Lyke, OFM, was released from St. Joseph’s Hospital January 15, a week after surgery to remove his right kidney.

His doctor said pathology showed that the tumor removed from the kidney was malignant, but he expressed confidence that the bishop would completely recover.

“He should enjoy full recovery and full activity,” Dr. Ned Franco said. He had previously said there was no sign of spread of cancer and that the tumor was “well confined” to the kidney.

Bishop Lyke will not be required to undergo any additional treatment, he said, other than periodic check-ups.

By the end of his hospital stay, Bishop Lyke was visiting other patients on his floor, according to Father Edward Dillon, vicar general, and was attending to archdiocesan business by telephone and through official visitors.

When he returns to his residence, he is expected to need over a month of recuperation from the kidney surgery and a hernia repair done by doctors at the same time. His household staff will be bolstered by a visit from at least one of his sisters, who is coming from Chicago to stay during his initial recuperation period.

The bishop “is in great spirits,” Father Dillon said.

Visitors will continue to be restricted until his recovery has progressed further, but his assistant, Gerard O’Connor, expressed Bishop Lyke’s thanks for cards and prayers.