Gov. Patrick recovering, hopes to be back soon

Gov. Deval Patrick says his recovery from hip replacement surgery is progressing and he hopes to be back at the Statehouse "soon."

He told reporters Friday he had just had his surgical staples removed. He says he's also been undergoing rigorous physical therapy since the operation on Sept. 1.

The 53-year-old had the surgery to recover from damage suffered in a 1978 traffic accident. He's progressed from two crutches to one and says he may soon get a cane. He also hosted a Cabinet meeting Friday near his Berkshire Mountains vacation home.

But he says he'd heeding doctor's orders to take his recovery slowly - including taking a daily afternoon nap.