First Lady Welcomed Home by Crowd, Jazz Combo

First Lady Nancy Reagan, making a rapid recovery from breast cancer surgery, was discharged Thursday from Bethesda Naval Hospital to continue her recuperation at the White House.

The First Lady was escorted home aboard a Marine Corps helicopter by President Reagan. Tests have shown no indication that her breast cancer has spread, and doctors said she will not have to undergo any follow-up treatment.

Mrs. Reagan was given a spirited welcome home from a Marine Corps combo and hundreds of White House workers and other spectators after the helicopter landed on the South Lawn. As the band blared a jazz tune, she smiled and waved to the crowd and kicked her right heel back in a short dance step as she approached the residence’s diplomatic entrance.

“I’m touched . . . . I’m very, very happy to be home--very,” she said in a quavering voice.

The President, grinning, added: “I’ll say, ‘Welcome home.’ I’m going to get her upstairs now.”

Reagan walked arm-in-arm with Mrs. Reagan, who appeared somewhat pale after her six-day stay in the hospital. Those on hand to greet her included youngsters from an anti-drug program that Mrs. Reagan supports and elderly volunteers from the Foster Grandparents program, for which she does promotional work.

Mrs. Reagan hugged White House Chief of Staff Howard H. Baker Jr. and his deputy, Kenneth M. Duberstein, before she disappeared into the executive mansion.