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Subscribe to RSSFormer President George H.W. Bush is currently in the intensive care unit where his doctors have prescribed him a liquid-only diet. NBC's Natalie Morales reports.
Updated at 7:08 p.m. ET: Former President George H.W. Bush was battling an elevated fever Wednesday and was in "guarded condition" in a hospital intensive care unit, a family spokesman said.
"The President is alert and conversing with medical staff, and is surrounded by family," said a statement from family spokesman Jim McGrath. Bush, 88, was moved to the intensive care unit at The Methodist Hospital at the Texas Medical Center in Houston on Sunday, McGrath said.
Bush has been in the hospital since Nov. 29 for treatment of complications related to bronchitis. After initial expectations that he would be hospitalized for only a few days proved to be wrong, doctors said through a hospital statement on Dec. 13 that they expected Bush would "be able to celebrate Christmas at home."
But the 41st president remained at The Methodist Hospital -- where he was visited on Christmas by his wife, Barbara, his son, Neil, Neil's wife, and his grandson, Pierce -- all of whom brought him a meal of Chinese food for Christmas dinner, The Houston Chronicle reported.
He also received gifts, emails, and telephone calls from family members and close friends, NBC's Janet Shamlian reported.
On Wednesday, McGrath told NBC News that the former president's fever was elevated from the previous day, although he said that he did not know by how much. Earlier, McCrath had said that doctors saw a "slight improvement" in Bush's condition that morning.
McGrath said that Dorothy Bush, his daughter, visited Wednesday, and George W. Bush, the 43rd president, would be visiting soon.
Bronchitis is a common condition in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs become inflamed and produce mucus, which creates the need to cough, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can turn serious in people with weak immune systems, including children and the elderly. Symptoms such as chest pain, weakness and coughing typically last two weeks, but can linger for as long as two months.
In the weeks since he was admitted, Bush has had a low-grade fever, but doctors have said they are "cautiously optimistic" he will recover, Shamlian reported.
George Kovacik, a hospital spokesman, said in a statement earlier this week that Bush was in stable condition.
“His doctors feel he should build up his energy before going home. They remain optimistic about his full recovery and are being extra cautious with his care,” the statement said.
Robert Sullivan / AFP - Getty Images
Leader of an American political dynasty, George Bush's influence was felt beyond his terms as president and vice president. Take a look back at his life and career.
Bush was elected president of the United States in 1988, the capstone of a long career of public service.
He was a Texas Republican member of the House of Representatives in the 1960s and 1970s and head of the CIA in 1976-1977. The organization’s headquarters in Langley, Va., was later renamed the “George Bush Center for Intelligence.”
Bush lost his first bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. presidency in 1980, at which time Ronald Reagan chose him to be his running mate. He went on to serve two terms as Reagan’s vice president before winning the presidency. He was defeated for re-election in 1992 by Bill Clinton.
In late 2004, Bush teamed up with Clinton to raise money for the victims of the Asian tsunami. That effort was so successful, the two former presidents did the same for Katrina victims in 2005.
President George H.W. Bush remains in the hospital. NBC News' Janet Shamlian reports.
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From a God-respecting Conservative; I hope that Mr. Bush recovers uneventfully.
I am a liberal and a Democrat. I can't remember the last time I voted Republican. But I know a good man when I see one. Bush is a WWII hero, a patriot, and a decent human being. I might not have voted for him, but I have always respected and admired him. May God hold you in the palm of his hand, Mr. President.
Dear President Bush:
Our very best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and Mrs. Bush. We are thinking of you during this time.
Sincerely,
Barbara & Tery Stacey
New Jersey
I hope he gets well soon. The whole Bush family had class. They treated the military and the secret service with respect. Not like the Clintons/ Obama's.
"Class"? You gotta be kidding. They were all puppets of the Global Industrial Complex. Clinton turned the Reagan/Bush economic disaster around, then Jr. ruined it again so their buddies could get rich. Now, it's another Dem trying to save the country from ruin.
global industrial complex ??? give me a break ... grow up fool... that went out in the 60---70"s tell me exactly wtf does that conger up in your little mind???
Oh no...if Bush dies this week the American flag already at half staff for the kids murdered in Conn. and the firemen in NY will be at half staff again for another 30 days. With as many tragedies occurring per day in this country we ought to just cut the flag poles shorter at government buildings so the American flag only goes so high to honor the fallen but will look like it's still flying at full staff..,
Bush senior this week and in a few months hopefully Cheney and Rumsfield. Soon all the Haliburton/Blackwater scum will finally be phased out, unfortunately before any of them can testify in front of a congressional firing squad and be charged with war crimes..
I hope you follow Saddam in hell so he can take care unfinished business . And give some relief for Iraqi people for what you and your son done to that country .
Sam Abbo is a mean spirited idiot.
Mr. Bush served this country over most of his lifetime. In World War II, like my father and all of my uncles, he fought for us. He served as a Congressman, an ambassador and Director of Central Intelligence before becoming President. He did the best he could and did what he thought was right for the country. I didn't agree with him. But he deserves our respect for his dedication to our country. I give him that. Unlike all those I see here insulting and berating him just because you have different political views. Shame on you all.
He is very sick. Any respiratory illness in someone so elderly is particularly dangerous and he needs our prayers. I for one am praying. I hope all will join in that.
well said.
At age 88 he has lived 12 years longer than the aveage US male, and we know that nobody gets out of this life alive, so this could be the beginning of the end for him. If this is his time, I hope he goes easily. But, who knows, he may have many years ahead of him.
I was never Republican and I never voted for him, but I do wish him well because despite our political differences, he was an honest man.
?
Really...then your deceived!
A man who can wish someone well when they are in ill health despite of political differences? Blessings to you, kennyfreethinker. May you and your family have a prosperous and happy new year.
Not all of us are consumed by hate, Kal.
he was not an honest man. He helped his son 43rd president George W. Bush dodge the draft thereby keeping his son from serving in Vietnam. There is nothing honest nor honorable about that regardless of what kind of military career the elder Bush had. What the elder Bush did negates everything he stood for and everything he ever accomplished in his service of the military. Not to mention as well that he started the first of more than one Bush war over oil.
Read my lips: I DON'T CARE!!!!!!
My prayers are with you, Mr. President. A difficult time for you and your family.
My comments are fact and stand on their own and for the Bush worshipers out who don't like it-well thats too bad.
RB - Slowly turn around, take off your tin hat, and take your medicine.
Here is the humanity in all of you~we are talking about a former President and an elderly man we should wish him a speedy recovery. The Bible tells us to pray for our leaders~it doesn't say pray only if the leader is from a particular party. I didn't vote for Obama either time but I do pray for him and his family because it is the right thing to do.
oye
jeepgal66, let's be honest you probably voted for the clown-in-chief that you have now.
Gerald Granger, lets be honest, you probably voted for that loser Willard Romney and his running mate, Little Eddie Munster. Hate all you want, call all the names you want, but Barack Obama is President and all you can do is Handle it. I bet you belong to that Archie Bunker party; the GOP huh? There are not enough of you angry white guys left to win anything nationally, so enjoy being a Whig & a Loser!
But with your help there might be enough in later elections. Thank you.
You're welcome.... A party of racist is never going to win anything ever again. the days of white privilege are over! The USA has moved to a point where diversity will require that ALL be accepted and treated as equals. A Long as you ignoramuses on the Right continue to hate and preach BS, the longer you are going to remain in exile, an insignificant political party full of insignificant supporters. You tried to Buy the election and that failed, you tried to suppress the vote and that failed, you tried to tell LIES on a good & decent man who is President and that failed. When you give up the hate & racism, you might come across something that might work!
Eddie's posts are so full of irony......shouting down hate with what.......just more hate.
I am sorry but I don't feel one bit sorry for the old coot after all of the war monging he did at the expense of me and my other military family members. The Bush clan are nothing but war mongers. All those Sundays repenting did nothing for him...here's to wishing him well in hell. :)
Given your attitude, I'd say you're the greater candidate for hell. Have a nice day.
lol yeah well Yody that was spoken like a true non-miilitary person ...your not very wise ...all those innocent people killed over oil and you seem unfeathered by it...I'm quite certain I'm not the one who is going to hell. But you may want to re-evaluate your own self concerning that.
Time to jump out of a plane.
I am not a Big Fan of Republicans but Daddy Bush was a decent man and I thought his wife Barbara was an excellent 1st lady. I hope that he recovers soon. The only thing I ever had against Daddy Bush was he nominated Clarence "Step-N-Fetchit" Thomas to take the seat previously held by the Late & Great Justice; Thurgood Marshall and I thought that was the ultimate slap in the face to African-Americans. Other than that, Daddy Bush was an okay guy & he treats Clinton, a Democrat, like another Son even though it was Clinton that prevented Daddy Bush from having a 2nd term...
Get Well Soon and go home to River Oaks and rest. For those of you that do not know, River Oaks is the exclusive part of Houston where he lives. I was at a party on Kirby Drive in November. 3 blocks from his home!
I wish a full and successful recovery for our former President. For, He was a wonderful public servant.
How much is hospital stay costing the taxpayers? yes he may have medicare BUT that still costs the taxpayers $ to treat an idiot remember desert storm
Old fashioned grandma? How about cruel and hateful grandma? Might be a better fit.
Please make sure that when you are ill and in need of medical care that it comes out of your own pocket. Don't want any taxpayers having to foot the bill of such a nasty-hearted person.
Grandma - sorry to see that your senility is getting the better of you.
I can't believe you posted that! OMG, that totally sickened me...and I'm a HUGE Obama supporter. No matter who's in office, present, past OR future, always respect the POTUS. He is a father, a grandfather, brother, son, uncle and a fellow human being who is gravely ill and likely, suffering!! Where is your conscience/soul??!!
He was a world war 2 pilot you as wipe!
"old fashioned grandma," doesn't sound so old fashioned. At least President Bush earned his health care benefits vs. your current president. If you're so worried about finances, then I'm sure you're not for the current true idiot in office and his family vacation to Hawaii. Now wasting even more hard working American tax dollars by coming back to Wash just to make a show regarding the fiscal cliff.
...and yes, I do remember Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and you forgot, most importantly Provide Comfort. I was there as a Special Operations flyer along with fellow brothers and sisters in arms doing what Americans and Allies do best, protecting those, especially the innocent that cannot protect themselves.
Desert Storm was a smashing victory, you pathetic tool.
Right on, Grandma! Seems to me that so many idiots are forgetting all the heartache this fool and his son caused millions of American people! Then we have to continue to pay for him and his destructive family to boot! Yeah, let's forget all the damage he caused and wish him well.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if he would come clean as to whether he was in Dallas in November 1963... he had always skirted the question... there are photos and other incriminating issues that he was there, but he kept saying "he doesn't recall being there" that eventful day... and whether he was or wasn't involved...
I'm so sick of retarded conspiracy theories on both sides of the isle - most of them come from the right wing so don't be as bad as they are - grow up! He didn't answer the questions because they don't deserve the time of day.
pete...even if he had bad intentions, LBJ beat him to it.
Lol, gay conspiracy freaks are so pathetic. Who gives a crap if he was there or not. He was living in Texas and running a company down there at the time.
You should all be shot.
pete15
No he & I were together that day curing cancer. With all the assasination frenzy we lost the recipe. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was 6 years old & did all the algebra. Avery good man.
Senior Bush has a Fever Eh?........ Well I gather God himself is gonna have a ball when casting him
into eternal flames like he and his whole family and legacy deserves. He helped screw this whole world up...so now reap the benefits Bush.
You've obviously never read the Bible, so do the legitimate Christian Community a favor and shut your trap.
George HW Bush was my father's room mate at Phillips Andover Academy. I had the honor to have met him in Florida when he was running for President. I hope he recovers quickly and spends a quiet New Year's at home with his family. Get well soon Mr. President.
as someone else said Read my lips I do not care about a POS
Oh, so that's why no one cares anything about you. Thanks for sharing your vile mindless rhetoric with us.
I feel sorry for old fashioned grandma's grandchildren. I was lucky enough to have a kind, honest, warm-hearted grandma.
Get Well, Mr. Bush. God Speed in your recovery.
My favorite prez. of the modern era. can think of only 1 mistake he made...... G.W.B.
2 mistakes, GWB & Clarence Thomas!!!!