Ex-President Bush Spends Christmas In The Hospital, Release Date Unknown

Ex-president George H.W. Bush spent a quiet Christmas with his wife and family, just like in other years. Only this time, the setting wasn’t the family home but instead a hospital room.

A monthlong bout with a bronchitis-like cough kept ex-president Bush in the hospital through Christmas, The Associated Press reported.

There were originally hope that ex-president Bush could spent Christmas at home with his family, but doctors changed their minds when he developed a fever.

“He’s had a few setbacks. Late last week, he had a few low-energy days followed by a low-grade fever,” Jim McGrath, Bush’s spokesman in Houston, told The Associated Press. “Doctors still say they are cautiously optimistic, but every time they get over one thing, another thing pops up.”

There has been steady improvement in ex-president Bush’s condition. Since being admitted to the hospital on November 23, his cough has dissipated and is now only evident about once a day. The Clarion-Ledger notes that Bush has been receiving physical therapy to help him increase his strength as well, and his fever is mostly under control.

The still haven’t been able to pin down a release date, however.

“Given his current condition, doctors just want to hang on to him,” McGrath said, noting that doctors are still trying to find the source of ex-president Bush’s fever.

Since he was hospitalized, Bush has been visited by many of his children and grandchildren, including former President George W. Bush, who came twice, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, McGrath said. With 37 members in the immediate family, Bush has received many emails and phone calls, McGrath said.

Being in the hospital has not been easy for the active ex-president Bush, but he has kept busy with frequent visits from family, including his sons, former president George W. Bush and Florida governor Jeb Bush.