Aretha Franklin: 'I Feel Great'

Show her some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. After undergoing surgery for an undisclosed ailment, Aretha Franklin is home for the holidays.

"I feel great," she told JET magazine. Doctors said the operation was "highly successful" and advised Franklin to rest for eight weeks. The iconic singer, 68, was reported to have pancreatic cancer, though she has yet to confirm what the surgery was for.

Franklin said she's still able to do "whatever [she feels] like," as long as she takes it easy. "Of course, that doesn't mean any concerts or anything like that," she said. "But I can do things around the house, and today I am just piddling around."

The Queen of Soul has spent time at home relaxing and catching up on errands, making short phone calls and reading faxes.

Since her illness was announced, Franklin said she has received support from well-known stars such as Patti LaBelle, Oprah Winfrey and Stevie Wonder. But the most important prayers are from those close to her heart: her family. "My family has been with me every step of the way," she said. "I couldn't have done it without them, that's for sure." —NATT GARUN