Wallace is big fan of Pres. Hinckley

Two days after surgery to remove a cancerous portion of his large intestine, President Gordon B. Hinckley received a get-well wish from a famous friend.

Mike Wallace, the nationally renowned "60 Minutes" reporter, publicly offered get-well wishes to President Hinckley, who, at latest report, was resting comfortably in the hospital and is expected to recover quickly.

"I send a message of respect, of love, of friendship and admiration. And darn it, get well and back on your feet quick," Wallace told KSL Radio 1160.

Wallace first met President Hinckley, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when he interviewed him for a church profile some 10 years ago.

"And sure enough, it was as though we became friends, instant friends, and we have been friends ever since," Wallace said.

After a routine medical screening, church officials said President Hinckley was admitted to LDS Hospital Tuesday afternoon, where he underwent a successful laparoscopic surgery to remove the diseased portion of his intestine.

Last year, it was learned the president of the 12 million member church had developed adult-onset diabetes. When asked what kind of birthday cake he would have to celebrate his 95th birthday, he replied by saying that with his diabetic condition, he wouldn't be consuming many sweets. He often talks of how blessed he feels for being able to maintain such a healthy life and mind.

Before his birthday celebration last summer, he said, "It's work that keeps you alive. . . . The secret at this age is to keep busy. Work, work, work is the best antidote for loneliness, incapacity or any other thing that happens to impede your progress."

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