UPDATE: HOUSTON (KHOU) — Former President George H.W. Bush has been discharged from a
Houston hospital Monday after nearly two months of treatment for illness
that began as a bronchitis-related cough.
Bush has been hospitalized since Nov. 23, including a week in
intensive care last month. He was also treated for a stubborn infection
and high fever.
"I am deeply grateful for the wonderful doctors and nurses at
Methodist who took such good care of me," said President Bush in a
written statement. "Let me add just how touched we were by the many
get-well messages we received from our friends and fellow Americans.
Your prayers and good wishes helped more than you know, and as I head
home my only concern is that I will not be able to thank each of you for
your kind words."
Spokesman Jim McGrath said Bush, 88, would go to his west Houston home.
"Mr. Bush has improved to the point that he will not need any special
medication when he goes home, but he will continue physical therapy,"
says Dr. Amy Mynderse, the internal medicine physician in charge of the
former President's care.
McGrath said the former president watched part of the Texans game against the Patriots Sunday.
He's had several visits from family members throughout his
hospitalization, including former President George W. Bush and even his
pet dogs.
The nation's oldest living ex-president and his wife, Barbara, spend
winters in Houston and summers at their home in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Washington (CNN) -- After spending more than a month in a Houston hospital, former President George H.W. Bush might get to leave this week.
"We are hopeful that he can be discharged this coming week, but we're still taking everything one day at a time," spokesman Jim McGrath said Saturday night.
The statement came after Bush's son and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told a crowd in Vero Beach on Saturday that his father was expected to be released Monday, according to TCPalm.com.
The 41st president was hospitalized on November 23 for bronchitis and remained there while doctors monitored a lingering cough. He has also suffered from "a stubborn fever," McGrath said last week.
While in the hospital, Bush, 88, has cheered on the Texas A&M and the Houston Texans football teams to victories and enjoyed a special performance by the Oak Ridge Boys via telephone. His exchanges with doctors and nurses have included singing, McGrath said.
Former President George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized since November 23.
