Sandra Lee publicly thanks doctors after cancer surgery

TV chef and author Sandra Lee has publicly thanked the medical team behind her recent double mastectomy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this month.

"I am deeply grateful to all of the doctors, nurses, medical attendants and my skilled surgeons from the Mount Sinai Dubin [Breast] Center," Lee, the domestic partner of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, told People magazine in a statement Wednesday. "During my stay at Mount Sinai's (St. Luke's) Roosevelt Hospital, the entire team provided excellent care, with genuine compassion and concern every step of the way."

The Food Network personality, who underwent surgery on May 19 and stayed in the hospital for several days, added, "Some missed Memorial Day Weekend with family and friends to spend it with me -- and I'm sorry to report there was no Sandra Lee barbecue, picnic [or] even a celebratory Cocktail Time!"

Lee posted photos in her Facebook account on Monday of her and Gov. Cuomo at home with one of their pet birds.