Former prime minister Brian Mulroney is recovering from lung surgery in a Montreal hospital Tuesday.
Earlier, he underwent surgery to remove a benign lung lesion, discovered during a routine exam a few weeks ago.
CHUM-Hopital Saint-Luc issued a statement saying Mulroney "is recovering well from the surgery and should be discharged in a few days to spend time convalescing at home" -- well in time for his 66th birthday on Sunday.
Family spokesman Luc Lavoie said Mulroney's wife Mila was at the hospital throughout the surgery -- which lasted about two hours -- and continues to stay with him. He added that Mulroney's daughter Caroline flew in from New York and that his sons are also on their way.
"You worry, you can't avoid worrying," said Lavoie. "But now the worry's over and I guess it's now going to be champagne and celebration, and the old Irish man will be in top shape for St. Patrick's Day."
Mulroney was prime minister from 1984 to 1993.
He now practices at Ogilvy Renault, a Montreal law firm.
