"Blackfeet Tribal member and crusader of the rights of Indian-landowners, past and present, we imagine Elouise Cobell wasn't real thrilled when the news of her recent cancer surgery splashed across newspapers —national and local — and news wires.

The 65-year-old told the Associated Press that she underwent surgery April 22 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

"It was a serious cancer and it was discovered quickly, and fortunately the Mayo Clinic did a good job," she said in a phone interview. "The doctor said it (the surgery) was 99 percent successful."

She is recovering at her son's house in Las Vegas and said she is planning to return to Montana after she gets back her strength, possibly next week. She said she will have to undergo chemotherapy."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Concern for Cobell rooted in genuine admiration (The Great Falls Tribune 5/20)

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Elouise Cobell recovering after 'successful' cancer surgery (5/17)
Elouise Cobell to receive honorary degree from Dartmouth (5/12)