Justice O’Connor Returns to Bench After Operation

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor returned to the Supreme Court today, 10 days after undergoing breast cancer surgery at Georgetown University Hospital.

The 58-year-old justice took her seat with fellow justices when the court convened after a two-week recess.

O’Connor reportedly underwent a mastectomy, removal of the breast. Normally, breast cancer patients receive some treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation to prevent a recurrence.

No details of the operation have been confirmed. But O’Connor said in an earlier statement that the cancer was detected in an early stage and that the prognosis is for a full recovery.

O’Connor had previously issued a statement that she intended to be back at the court today.