first steps in a Boston hospital yesterday following surgery to remove a tumour on his spinal chord.

The 60-year-old Paget East MP said feeling was returning to his legs following the emergency operation last Friday.

Doctors are "almost certain'' he has prostate cancer which has spread to his spine.

In a telephone interview with The Royal Gazette from his hospital room last night, Dr. Stubbs sounded strong and optimistic despite the shocking setback of the last few days.

"My spirits are high,'' he said. "I've had excellent support from my family and friends. Of course, one has to be fatalistic about this, but I have had excellent treatment.'' He said he could be home within a week to ten days. Radiation treatment will probably not be needed.

The former Cabinet minister said he had been feeling intermittent back pain for months "but never anything of consequence.'' On Wednesday last week, he had handled eight operations at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. But on Thursday morning, he woke with more pain than usual and some loss of feeling in the lower half of his body.

Tests conducted locally and in consultation with overseas physicians, including a neurosurgeon, led to the decision to fly him to Boston that night aboard an air ambulance.

Dr. Stubbs said he was concerned with the impression of a top Bermuda doctor seeking medical help overseas, particularly at a time when community confidence in King Edward Hospital is low.

He said he was taken to Boston for additional tests not available locally and to use the services of two men: Dr. Alexander Wright, a top surgeon who has worked often in Bermuda, and neurosurgeon Dr. Gerwin Noyman.

"It was felt I needed the combined ministrations of both these surgeons,'' Dr. Stubbs said. "And it was not practicable to fly both of them here.'' Dr. Stubbs said indications are that his cancer is "highly responsive to treatment over a protracted period of time.'' Hours after his operation, "there was some obvious improvement in both weakness and numbness.'' Yesterday, he took his first steps on his own using parallel bars for support.

At his side was his wife Robin.

"She's the best nurse of all,'' Dr. Stubbs said.

THE HON. JOHN STUBBS -- `my spirits are high.'