Top swimming coach Duncan Newby is recovering in a New York hospital after undergoing an eight-hour operation on the weekend to remove a cancerous tumour of the oesophagus.

Newby has 260 stitches to remind him of the delicate operation and "has come through it very well,'' according to teaching colleague and local runner, Harry Patchett, with whom he has kept in touch through e-mail.

Newby first went to Sloan-Ketting Hospital in New York in February for tests after complaining of stomach pains for almost a year.

The Warwick Academy teacher has been an out-patient at the hospital since and was recently back in Bermuda, where he competed in a swim event and a teachers versus students golf match at the school.

It is anticipated Newby will spend another six weeks in recovery at Memorial Hospital.

"He's come through it very well. In fact, he walked a mile around the hopspital the other day and is proudly boasting of his 260 stitches,'' said Patchett.

"They took the tumour out and he's getting flooded with get-well wishes from around the world, he tells me. Hundreds of people are e-mailing him each day.'' The message sent out by Newby read: "...Surgeon was in this morning and very hopeful that the tumour, although very large and bulky, was contained locally.'' Added Patchett: "The pathology report would take about a week before they know whether there was any spread.

"He's proving to be something of an inspiration to all the other cancer patients. He's getting up and doing things...typical Duncan, ever competitive. If somebody walks 100 yards, he walks 200.'' Patchett says that Newby is helping his own cause by constantly being positive.

"He's in tremendous spirits and very positive about the whole thing. We won't know about the pathology for a few more days but things look good at the moment. He hopes to be back here by the end of the summer.'' HEALTH HTH